Harley-Davidson LiveWire shows Drag Racing’s future in Science of Speed

Watch Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Drag Racing Team Launch into the Future

See what it takes to win in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle championship and the future of drag racing with the 10-time champion Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/ Vance & Hines drag racing team in Harley-Davidson’s latest production “Science of Speed.” Team racers Eddie Krawiec, Andrew Hines, and Angelle Sampey talk through the skills, strategies, and experience of running a motorcycle through the quarter-mile dragstrip.

“Science of Speed” looks at how electric vehicle propulsion will change the sport of drag racing by comparing a 2020 Harley-Davidson FXDR motorcycle to a 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycle. With the LiveWire motorcycle’s immediate torque and seamless twist-and-go acceleration, the racers are immediately aware of what the future of fast can bring: more time for preparation before launch; thrilling, instant acceleration; and seamless speed to the finish line.

“Let me tell you what’s amazing,” said Sampey. “That was the first time I rode the LiveWire. I could not wait to get it on the track. The LiveWire is so easy to ride. Just twist the throttle and go – and you really go!”

On September 4, 2020, Sampey, a three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, set new records for elapsed time and top speed by an electric-powered production motorcycle with the LiveWire on a drag racing course. She stepped off her Harley-Davidson FXDR Pro Stock competition motorcycle to pilot the LiveWire bike. She then proceeded to capture world record-breaking runs on the quarter and eighth-mile. Then she covered the eighth-mile distance in 7.017-seconds and the full quarter-mile course in just 11.156 seconds at 110.35 mph. The 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycle’s top speed is limited to 110 mph.

The 2020 LiveWire motorcycle is an all-new, all-electric model designed to offer riders a thrilling and high-performance motorcycling experience infused with a new level of technology, and the premium look and feel of a Harley-Davidson product. The LiveWire motorcycle is capable of rapid acceleration with just a twist of the throttle – no clutching or gear shifting required.

The instant torque provided by the H-D Revelation™ powertrain delivers exhilarating acceleration from a stop; the LiveWire motorcycle can rush from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 3.0 seconds and 60 to 80 mph (100 to 129 kph) in 1.9 seconds.

Since the full torque is still on the tap, the roll-on acceleration for passing is remarkable. An optimized centre of gravity, rigid aluminium frame and premium adjustable suspension components give the LiveWire motorcycle dynamic handling. With up to 146 miles of range (city)*, performance is optimized for the urban street-rider.

The H-D Revelation electric powertrain produces minimal vibration, heat, and sound. This enhances rider comfort and creates a unique riding experience, even on the drag strip.

*Estimated riding range: 146 miles (city) / 95 miles (combined). Riding range estimates provided following SAE J2982 Riding Range Test Procedure. It is based on on the expected performance of a fully-charged battery when operated under specified conditions.  Actual range will vary depending on riding habits, ambient weather and equipment conditions.

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