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[flynnstig82r]

Everyone complains about the 1.3 kW AC charger built into the LiveWire. Is it the same Calex unit that Zero’s use, and is there some way to hook up an Elcon TC HK-J 3.3 kW charger to boost the AC charging speed, either by replacing the on-board charger or supplementing it?

Background / Context:
I’m currently happy with my Zero SR, but I’m thinking that the ELW might be a better future upgrade path for Zero owners than Energica due to the belt drive and lower maintenance. ELW’s seem to be going for 20k and with plenty of unsold inventory, that will likely drop further. I need to see the price fall to ~13k before I can pull the trigger, which will likely take about 3 years. I also need to see aftermarket options for luggage and windscreens, which took about 4 years for the Zero S-platform. If all that were to happen and a better option does not present itself in the meantime, the ELW could be a good upgrade, especially if I can use my Elcon’s for situations where DC charging isn’t feasible.

[MVetter]

The supplier for the onboard LW charger hasn't been publicly released, and most likely they've put H-D markings all over it so that no one can easily figure out what it is. My first question is, "How would you supply the power TO the bike?"

If your answer is to tap into the same lines of the existing unit you need to make sure there isn't a charge fuse that'll blow. Often times there's a separate DC charge fuse and AC charge fuse, and the AC one may be designed for their onboard unit which delivers what... 4-5 amps at the LW's voltage range? Could be a fuse on that line rated for only that.

If your answer is to try and tap directly into the controller, ignoring the technical side of HOW to get to the controller, how will you send an enable signal to tell the bike to go into charge mode?

If I were in your shoes I'd wait a couple weeks and see what the LiveWire announcement is in July, then re-evaluate afterwards.

[flynnstig82r]

OK, sounds like these experiments haven't been worked out yet. The existing body of knowledge is one of the reasons I'm happy to stay on the Zero S-platform for a few more years. I'm happy to take the path less traveled with some of this stuff, but I'm in no position to blaze the trail.

[DonTom]

I’m currently happy with my Zero SR, but I’m thinking that the ELW might be a better future upgrade path for Zero owners than Energica due to the belt drive and lower maintenance.

Not much maintenance involved with a drive chain.  Some people who own Zero change to a drive chain. Drive chains don't have a habit of snapping without warning as do belts. I prefer chains to belts and I am glad my  Energica has a drivechain.


OTOH, I like how quiet Zeros are with the belt. IMO, both Zero and Energica made the correct decision for the type of bike.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[DonTom]

Everyone complains about the 1.3 kW AC charger built into the LiveWire.

Not quite everyone. I have been on several rides with Sayyed  from  Elcon. He  owns a LW (and five ICE motorcycles)  and I asked him about the slow AC charge.  He could not care less about the slow AC charge as he never uses it, except at home where it makes little difference.  But that area of CA has so many CCS stations it's just not an issue.



OTOH, HD says the LW should only be fast charged one out of four times, which, IMO, is ridiculous. Especially when even their CCS charge rate is rather slow compared to Energica.


BTW, Sayyed is a very fast rider, no way can I keep up with him in the curves on CA Hwy 49.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[DonTom]

If I were in your shoes I'd wait a couple weeks and see what the LiveWire announcement is in July, then re-evaluate afterwards.

Have they released that info yet? If so, what are the differences between it and the older LW?


-Don-  Reno, NV

[Richard230]

If I were in your shoes I'd wait a couple weeks and see what the LiveWire announcement is in July, then re-evaluate afterwards.

Have they released that info yet? If so, what are the differences between it and the older LW?


-Don-  Reno, NV

What I read in an article about the new LiveWire One is that it is a couple of HP and a little NM of torque down on the original version and has gained 13 pounds. I think that was discussed in a Revzilla review of the new model. What they did was to compare H-D's published specifications between the new and the original LiveWires. Of course, the specifications for last year's LiveWire might have been incorrect and have been updated for the One.

[DonTom]

What I read in an article about the new LiveWire One is that it is a couple of HP and a little NM of torque down on the original version and has gained 13 pounds. I think that was discussed in a Revzilla review of the new model. What they did was to compare H-D's published specifications between the new and the original LiveWires. Of course, the specifications for last year's Livewire might have been incorrect and have been updated for the One.

I kinda sounds like they made no improvements at all.


What was (or will be) the LW1 info. release date? I only know it's this month, but I do not know on which day. . . .


I see it was July 8. I just looked it up.


I see they lowered the price to ALMOST reasonable (22K$) for it's features.


I take it they made no improvements to the bike, other than price.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[Richard230]

What I read in an article about the new LiveWire One is that it is a couple of HP and a little NM of torque down on the original version and has gained 13 pounds. I think that was discussed in a Revzilla review of the new model. What they did was to compare H-D's published specifications between the new and the original LiveWires. Of course, the specifications for last year's Livewire might have been incorrect and have been updated for the One.

I kinda sounds like they made no improvements at all.


What was (or will be) the LW1 info. release date? I only know it's this month, but I do not know on which day. . . .


I see it was July 8. I just looked it up.


I see they lowered the price to ALMOST reasonable (22K$) for it's features.


I take it they made no improvements to the bike, other than price.


-Don-  Reno, NV

And cut the color options to either black or white.    That makes them look a lot less flashy and premium than the LW1.