Later in the day, I showed up for my turn at a test ride. First you had to sign your life away, then sit on a model mounted to a dyno like contraption. This helped acquaint you with the feel of the bike and controls without any unpleasant incidents.
You mounted up, and learned how the bike worked without a clutch. Very similar to a four stroke: the engine braking is used to slow the bike and regenerate power to the battery, and with only one speed, you basically work the throttle until you achieve desired velocity. It has standard front and rear brakes, and reminds me of riding the AE, only no shift buttons.
The bike feels like a cross between a Ducati Monster and a Vstrom in terms of seating position.
The "tank" is narrow, and the guage looks like a newer Zumo.
You turn on the "run" switch, choose your power mode (touring or rocket mode), and then touch the display. The bike is then in "gear" and ready to go forward with a twist of the throttle. We had 5 riders out during my run.
The bike has a very linear throttle response. No sudden surge, which surprised me. However, right about 20 mph, a hard twist of the throttle and the bike starts
moving very very fast like it has jet propulsion. More than the FJR at full throttle. No noise, just a turbine like whine of the motor.
It was most impressive. The bike had phenonemal balance, good traction, and light handling, though the bars were much too narrow, responding very slowly to countersteering. Longer bars would instantly cure that issue. Suspension was good, very sport bike like.
The fit and finish of these prototypes was impressive. Nothing felt substandard, and nothing rattled or felt flimsy.
It was a sadly short demo, about 20 min around surface streets, and we had only a few opportunities to wind it up. This bike needs to be demoed on a track or canyon where the full acceleration can be better appreciated. The best I can describe, it pulls decently up to 20mph when it appears the computer lets all the torque unleash, and then it keeps pulling till you run out of courage or runway. Given the city streets riding route, I ran out of runway before courage. They really should use a test track.
Riding ergos are a bit odd, more upright than a sport bike but with the feet back like a sport bike, just not as aggressive. For a prototype, it's perfect, but I'd like something a bit more aggressive if I owned it.
I had low expectations, in part because I'm not a Harley guy. This bike changed two core perceptions for me. The first was my attitude towards the Harley brand. This is the first e-bike that doesn't have the sex appeal of a milk crate, and it took Harley Freakin Davidson to give it soul and sex appeal. Quite impressive. Prior to the ride, I would have easily ranked Harley at the bottom end of innovative motorcycle manufacturers, but this was an impressive tour de force of technology. I will have to rethink my attitudes and biases, and therefore at the task of changing consumer perception, this bike is a home run.
My second changed perception is about ebikes. I've been intrigued but not impressed until now. This bike impresses. Enough where i can see the appeal and future for these bikes, assuming they can tackle the range. As a daily commuter and road warrior, this bike would be ideal for city and suburbs. With wider bars and some attention to suspension, it would be a blast in the canyons. Not a touring bike by any means, but something fun in the city for 25-50 mile bursts.
The range of the battery is probably less than 60 miles, making this very niche except for urban bikers. My commute is less than 30, and that's the long route. Presuming I can charge at work, this bike would have enough juju to make a 60 mile RT commute very entertaining.
