Livewire Del Mar

[Gone in 60]

I had signed up to test ride the Livewire Del Mar a while back at an event that took place this past Saturday in Huntington Beach. However, the previous weekend while stopping to check out Italian Bike Day at the Bike Shed, they were also doing Livewire demos, so I took the Livewire One for a spin.

Now that I’ve had a chance to ride both, I can ruminate on the experiences. Both of which are purely academic. With the One running at $30k, and the Del Mar at $15k, I’m not really in the market for either. However, price aside, with my daily riding, either would seemingly be ideal.

One thing you notice with both is the odd sensation of instant torque that is not accompanied by the noise you normally associate with the rapid acceleration of a motorcycle. Also, you want to grab a clutch that isn’t there for a few minutes.

I’m not up on the details and different types of electric charging, but while the Del Mar offers Level-2 charging, the One offers fast charging. I guess it should for double the price.

But, while the One is longer and has a more stretched-out, leaned forward riding position, the Del Mar has more of a standard, comfortable position. I could see myself riding it on a daily basis. The undertail features four large mounting screws, hinting at a future luggage rack option.

A nice experience overall. Who knows, maybe we’re all going to be looking at bikes like these in the future.

[the Ferret]

Bzzzzz

I like the looks of the one on the right best. The "faux tank" on the one on the left looks jacked weird.

I have ridden a Zero S and could live with one for most of my daily riding, and now that they are reduced to $11,195 they are getting close to being affordable. Horsepower is rated about the same as my NC 750X but of course the torque rating is thru the roof in comparison lol

[GoldOxide_imp]

Bzzzzz

I like the looks of the one on the right best. The "faux tank" on the one on the left looks jacked weird.

I have ridden a Zero S and could live with one for most of my daily riding, and now that they are reduced to $11,195 they are getting close to being affordable. Horsepower is rated about the same as my NC 750X but of course the torque rating is thru the roof in comparison lol

lol - agreed.

[Ollie]

I don't know how true this is but I read somewhere that for 2024 there will be a $7,500 tax credit on new battery cars. If they have something for motorcycles, say even $2,500, I'd be tempted to buy a Zero myself.

[pdedse]

I don't know how true this is but I read somewhere that for 2024 there will be a $7,500 tax credit on new battery cars. If they have something for motorcycles, say even $2,500, I'd be tempted to buy a Zero myself.

There was a $1000 tax credit on zeros, not sure if that's every year. My brother bought a zero in 2020, and he got the tax credit even though claimed it a year later on '21 tax returns. He didn't even know about it; I saw mention of it on the advrider site and told him about it.

[Ollie]

OK I just checked and the change for 2024 is the "tax credit" can be instant, it'll come off the purchase price rather than the buyer having to apply for it on income tax form after year end. Didn't see mention of credit for battery motorcycles though.

[Nachodaddy]

I don't know whether to call this shocking or electrifying.

[Gone in 60]

As an addendum, I have made no secrets about my cheapskate nature.

The Del Mar test ride on Saturday was at a biker event that took place on one of the state beaches in Orange County. Didn't know that paying $15 for state beach parking was part of the deal, and looking at the line of cars and bikes waiting to park at the beach, I figured it would be about 30 minutes before I could get in there. I tried probing the parking exits to see if I could sneak in, but they were being monitored by security guards who were only letting in returning test riders bringing back the LiveWire bikes.

Hmm... I'm generally offended by the thought of having to pay to park a motorcycle, so I rode down the beach a bit to a free public lot that wasn't too far away. It was filling up fast, but a few like-minded riders had parked along some of the curb space and walked into the show.

I did so, and went in and enjoyed the show and had my LiveWire test ride. Shortly afterwards, a biker came up to me and said "Hey bud, if that's your orange Enfield, better move it quick. The cops are coming to write tickets to anyone who parked in that lot over there.

I thanked him, and we hoofed it to the parking lot. He had a dog with him. This was a little puzzling until we got back to our bikes, and I saw that doggo Maya had her own seat on the guy's Indian. We beat it before the cops got to us. Whew!

[Cormanus]

I don't know whether to call this shocking or electrifying.

You certainly can’t call it a charge.