Now that Harley-Davidson has officially unveiled the production version of its 2020 LiveWire electric motorcycle, it also finally revealed the full spec sheet it's been so secretive about. The specs were released after The Motor Company held a press launch for the LiveWire in Portland, Oregon, last weekend along with another media event in Brooklyn, New York, where journalists got to spin a few laps on the LiveWire at the Formula E race track set up on city streets.
Since we’ve finally got our hands on some definitive numbers, we figured it’d be a good time to see how the Harley LiveWire stacks up on the spec sheet against its primary competitor in the electric motorcycle realm, the Zero SR/F. One item worth mentioning before we start comparing numbers, though. Zero offers its SR/F in a Standard and Premium version, the primary difference being its charging system. The standard SR/F receives a 3kW Level 2 charger, said to completely charge the battery in 4.5 hours. The Premium Zero SR/F has a 6kW charger that cuts charging time down to 2.5 hours. Zero's 6kW Charge Tank option is projected to be available later this year and when combined with the Premium’s 6kW system will deliver 12kW of charging capacity. The Premium Zero SR/F also includes a fly screen, heated hand grips and aluminum bar ends, but otherwise both versions run identical setups when it comes to chassis, suspension, and dimensions.
Motor
Harley LiveWire: Called the H-D Revelation, the LiveWire’s motor is an internal permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor with water jacket cooling. Coolant circulates through a small radiator. The electric motor is positioned longitudinally and low in the chassis to lower the motorcycle’s center of gravity and aid maneuverability.
Zero SR/F: Zero’s ZF75-10 is an interior permanent magnet brushless AC motor with a 3-phase, 900 AMP AC controller. The motor is passively air-cooled and its compact design enhances thermal efficiency.
Power Output (claimed):
LiveWire: 105 horsepower (78 kW) and 86 lb-ft. torque
SR/F: 110 horsepower (82 kW) @ 5,000 rpm and 140 lb-ft. torque
Battery:
LiveWire: The LiveWire is powered by a 15.5kWh high-voltage lithium ion battery (or RESS; Rechargeable Energy Storage System) positioned in the center of the motorcycle and surrounded by the motorcycle’s cast-aluminum frame. It’s also equipped with a 12-volt lithium-ion accessory battery that provides power for start-up and key fob recognition
Zero SR/F: The SR/F features a ZF14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery whose energy density, combined with an aluminum heat-sink housing and thermal transfer interface, ensure consistent cell cooling and maximum long-term powertrain performance.
Range (claimed):
LiveWire:
MIC City – 146 miles
70 mph (sustained) – 70 miles
Combined – 95 miles
(High-voltage battery provides 146 miles (235 km) of city range or 95 miles (152 km) of combined stop-and-go and highway range as measured using the MIC City and MIC Combined tests.)
Zero SR/F:
City – 161 miles
Highway (at 55 mph) – 99 miles
Combined – 123 miles
Highway (at 70 mph) – 82 miles
Combined – 109 miles
* The Zero SR/F is claimed to be capable of a 200-mile maximum city range with the addition of Zero’s Power Tank, said to be available Fall 2019.
* City is intended to provide a reasonable estimate of the riding range that can be expected during "stop-and-go" operation typically found in urban areas, such as that prescribed by the "City Test" duty cycle within SAE J2982. Actual range will vary based upon actual riding conditions and habits.
Charging Time:
Harley LiveWire: The LiveWire motorcycle is equipped with an on-board Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard 120-volt (or 240-volt) household outlet with a special power cord that stores below the motorcycle seat. Level 1 RPH (range per hour) of charging time is 13 miles for each hour of charging; and the LiveWire motorcycle will get a full charge overnight with Level 1 charging. (Ed - Typical 120 V household outlet would take 11.23 hours based on the 146-mile city range divided by Level 1 range per hour rate of 13 miles per hour.)
The latest in DC Fast Charge (DCFC) technology is standard on the LiveWire, and may be used to charge the motorcycle through a SAE J1772 connector. DC Fast Charge RPH (range per hour) of charging time is 192 miles for each hour of charging. That is 0-80% DC Fast Charge in 40 minutes. 0-100% DC Fast Charge in 60 minutes.
The LiveWire motorcycle may be charged with a Level 2 charging station, but it will charge at the Level 1 rate. The charging port is located below a cap in the bodywork forward of the motorcycle seat.
Zero SR/F: Zero’s all-new scalable Rapid Charge System allows the bike to be configured for 3 kW, 6 kW, 9 kW or 12 kW of charging at any standard Level 2 charge station.* The SR/F Rapid Charge System will be able to charge at 38 miles of range per hour of charging (mphc) on 3 kW, 76 mphc on 6 kw, and 153 mphc on 12 kW which can recharge the battery pack to 95% capacity in 1 hour of charging.
Zero’s Rapid Charge System
Standard SR/F - 4.5 hours 100% charged / Premium SR/F - 2.5 hours 100% charged
With 6 kW Rapid Charge option (a $2,300 upgrade)
Standard SR/F - 80 min. 95% charged; 1.8 hours 100% charged / 60 min. 95% charged; 1.5 hours 100% charged
* Note: SR/F requires use of included EVSE cord in order to charge on a standard 110 V wall outlet.
Weight:
Harley LiveWire: 549 lbs.
Zero SR/F: Standard 485 lbs. / Premium 498 lbs.
MSRP:
2020 Harley LiveWire: $29,799
2020 Zero SR/F: Standard $18,995 Premium: $20,995
Both the LiveWire and SR/F have multiple ride modes, cornering ABS, traction control and drag torque control (an electric motorcycle version of a slipper clutch) standard.
DIMENSIONS
LiveWire Length - 84.1 in.
LiveWire Overall Width - 32.7 in.
LiveWire Overall Height - 42.5 in.
LiveWire Seat Height (Laden / Unladen) - 30 in. / 30.7 in.
Zero SR/F - 31 in. (Unladen)
LiveWire Ground Clearance- 5.1 in.
LiveWire Rake (steering head) - 24.5 degrees
Zero SR/F – 24.5 degrees
LiveWire Trail - 4.3 in.
Zero SR/F – 3.7 in.
LiveWire Wheelbase- 58.7 in.
Zero SR/F – 57.1 in.
LiveWire Tires - Michelin Scorcher “Sport”
Zero SR/F – Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
LiveWire Tire Size (Front) - 120/70 ZR17 58W
Zero SR/F – 120/70-17
LiveWire Tire Size (Rear) - 180/55 ZR17 73W
Zero SR/F – 180/55-17
LiveWire Weight, In Running Order - 549 lb.
Zero SR/F – (Standard) 485 lb. (Premium) 498 lb.
LiveWire Gross Vehicle Weight Rating - 949 lb. (430 kg)
LiveWire Gross Axle Weight Rating, Front - 434 lb. (197 kg)
LiveWire Gross Axle Weight Rating, Rear - 580 lb. (263 kg)
DRIVETRAIN
LiveWire Primary Drive (*Cert) Spiral bevel gear, 55/17 ratio
LiveWire Final Drive (*Cert) Belt, 3/1 ratio
Zero SR/F – 90/2OT, Poly Chain HTD Carbon Belt
LiveWire Transmission -Single Speed
Zero SR/F – Clutchless Direct Drive
LiveWire Gear Ratios (overall) 1st (*Cert) (X.XXX) 10
LiveWire Transmission Capacity - 0.34 qt
LiveWire Coolant Capacity - 0.8 qt.
CHASSIS
LiveWire Frame - Aluminum cast
Zero SR/F - Steel trellis frame
LiveWire Swingarm - Aluminum cast
Zero SR/F - Custom "Power Pivot" concentric swingarm
LiveWire Front Fork - Showa 43mm Inverted Separate Function Forks – Big Piston (SFF-BP), fully adjustable
Zero SR/F – Showa 43mm Big Piston Separate Function Forks, adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping
LiveWire Rear Shocks - Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion Lite (BFRC-lite), fully adjustable
Zero SR/F – Showa 40mm piston, piggy-back reservoir shock with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping
LiveWire Wheels, Type - Black, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum
LiveWire Wheels, Front Dia. / Width - 17 in. / 3.5 in.
Zero SR/F – 17 in. / 3.5 in.
LiveWire Wheels, Rear Dia. / Width - 17 in. / 5.5 in.
Zero SR/F – 17 in. / 5.5 in.
LiveWire Brakes, Caliper Type – Brembo dual 4-piston monoblock radial mount front, dual-piston rear
Zero SR/F – Bosch Advanced MSC, dual J-Juan radial 4-piston calipers with radial master cylinder, 320 x 5mm discs
LiveWire Brakes, Rotor Type – Brembo dual 300, floating rotors (front), floating 260mm rotor (rear)
LiveWire Brakes, Front Diameter / Thickness - 11.8 in. / 0.2 in.
LiveWire Brakes, Rear Diameter / Thickness - 10.2 in. / 0.2 in.
LiveWire Brakes, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) – Standard
Zero SR/F – ABS Standard
LiveWire Suspension Travel, Front / Rear 4.5 in. / 4.5 in.
Zero SR/F – Front / Rear 4.72 in. / 5.51 in.
PERFORMANCE
LiveWire Lean Angle Testing Method - J1168
LiveWire Lean Angle, Right / Left (deg) - 45 / 45
ELECTRIC
LiveWire Battery - Lithium Ion - 12.8V, 24 Wh, 120 A
LiveWire Charging - Onboard DC to DC conversion
LiveWire Lights (as per country regulation), Headlamp All LED, low beam, high beam and signature position lamp
LiveWire Lights (as per country regulation), Tail/Stop LED with light pipe tail
LiveWire Lights (as per country regulation), Front Signal Lights LED
LiveWire Lights (as per country regulation), Indicator Lamps High beam, turn signals, ABS, traction control, EV fault
LiveWire Lights, Rear Turn Signals LED, Amber
LiveWire Gauges - 4.3” WQVGA 480×272 TFT Color Display with Ambient Light Sensor, 9 warning lights, Real Time Clock and Integrated Bluetooth Connectivity to a Smartphone to provide infotainment features including turn-by-turn navigation, telephone, music, and voice recognition
Zero SF/R -Full-color 5” TFT LCD display. Multi-mode navigation enables on-the-fly ride mode switching, cruise-control, heated-grip control (on Premium model) and much more. The SR/F connects through cellular networks and transmits info to the app at all times. Ride information, current bike status and location are always available. This connectivity gives the rider the ability to monitor the bike in four (4) main areas: Bike Status & Alerts, Charging, Ride Data Sharing, System Upgrades and Updates
LiveWire Electric Power Outlet- USB C-type; output 5V at 3A
EV SPECIFIC CONTENT: MOTOR
LiveWire Torque- 86 ft-lb
Zero SR/F – 140 ft-lb
LiveWire RPM max -15,000
LiveWire Type - Internal Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with Water Jacket cooling
Zero SR/F –Z-Force 75-10 enhanced thermal efficiency, passively air-cooled, interior permanent magnet AC motor
LiveWire Motor Name - Revelation
LiveWire Inverter type - IGBT
LiveWire Pole Count - 6
LiveWire Power (hp/kW) - 105 HP (78kW)
Zero SR/F – 110 hp (82kW) @ 5,000 rpm Top Speed (max) – 124 mph/ Top Speed (sustained) 110 mph
LiveWire Diameter - 6.69 in.
LiveWire Stack Length - 3.94 in.
EV SPECIFIC CONTENT: RESS
LiveWire Type - Lithium Ion
Zero SR/F – Z-Force Li-Ion intelligent integrated
LiveWire Capacity - 15.5kWh total, 13.6kWh min usable
Zero SR-F – 14.4 kWh, 12.6 kWh nominal capacity
EV SPECIFIC CONTENT: Charging
LiveWire Charge Plug Type - SAE J1772 Combo Inlet (CCS1) / IEC 62196 Combo Inlet (CCS2)
LiveWire On-board charger, charge rate - 1400 W
LiveWire AC wall charging time (not verified) -Target – Full charge in 12.5 hrs.
– Capable of 12.6 miles/hour charge rate (MIC city cycle)
LiveWire DC fast charging time (not verified) - Target – Full charge in 1.0 hr.
– Capable of 192 miles/hour charge rate (MIC city cycle)
LiveWire DC to DC conversion - 450W at 14.2V
EV SPECIFIC CONTENT: Range
LiveWire MIC City - 146 mi. (235 km)
LiveWire Highway (70 mph sustained) - 70 mi. (113 km)
LiveWire Combined - 95 mi. (152 km)
LiveWire WMTC (World Motorcycle Test Cycle) - 98 mi. (158 km)
INFOTAINMENT
LiveWire Hands-free Mobile Phone – via Bluetooth Standard
LiveWire Voice Recognition Languages - Phone functions only via paired iOS or Android device
LiveWire Voice Recognition Languages - Tuner/Media/ Navigation via paired iOS or Android device
LiveWire USB - USB Type-C
LiveWire Bluetooth - Phone/media supported
LiveWire Telematics - Standard
