The production LiveWire has been in the works for over five years. (Harley-Davidson)
Harley-Davidson is planning to overhaul its lineup radically in the coming years in an effort to turn around its declining sales.
Along with new small-displacement bikes aimed at foreign markets, the company has unveiled three motorcycles for segments that the brand has never ventured into before.
The company plans to follow the LiveWire with a lineup of smaller electric motorcycles and bikes. (Harley-Davidson)
The first is the production version of the LiveWire electric prototype it first debuted in 2014. The modern cruiser is set to go on sale next summer with a boldly-styled battery-pack and electric motor combination, Brembo performance brakes and a monoshock rear suspension. Range and power have not been revealed. Harley-Davidson earlier this year announced an investment in electric motorcycle company Alta Motors and plans to follow up the LiveWire with a smaller scrambler-style electric, an electric scooter and electric-assist pedal bicycles.
The 975 Streetfighter is unlike anything that's worn the Harley-Davidson name before. (Harley-Davidson)
Harley is also getting into the sport bike business, a decade after eliminating its Buell subsidiary. The 975 Streetfighter is a performance motorcycle aimed to compete with the likes of the BMW S1000R and Suzuki GSX-S1000 and powered by an all-new 975cc liquid-cooled V-Twin that will be shared with other future models.
The Pan American is designed with the rough stuff in mind. (Harley-Davidson)
One of them is the Pan America adventure touring bike that will launch with a 1250cc version of the same engine. It features an off-road suspension, skid plate and upright windscreen.
“It’s rugged, it’s capable, and I think what’s important is we did it our way,” Harley-Davidson Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michelle Kumbier told Cycle World.
“There are a lot of different adventure-touring products out there but certainly our style and our approach is truly Harley-Davidson.”
The Streetfighter and Pan America are scheduled to hit showrooms in 2020 where they will be parked next to Harley-Davidson’s more traditional models. Further details will be shared as that date approaches.