Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire firm unveiled its third electrical motorbike in March: the S2 Mulholland. At first look, the electrical cruiser carefully resembles the present LiveWire S2 Del Mar. That’s due to the shared Arrow platform fulfilling its function of spanning a number of electrical motorbikes.
Nonetheless, there are a selection of key variations between the S2 fashions that make these two distinct bikes. Whereas we’ll have to attend for an intensive assessment, I lately accomplished a LiveWire S2 Mulholland check journey and have some preliminary impressions.
Electrical bikes are approachable
LiveWire’s advertising marketing campaign for the all-new S2 Mulholland is all about one phrase: “Contact. And Go.” These phrases completely describe what it’s wish to take flight on a LiveWire S2 Mulholland. When you’re on the bike, you simply press a button to have interaction energy. As quickly as you pull on the throttle, you’re off to the races.
That’s the factor about electrical bikes. You don’t have to know something about holding the clutch, shifting gears and at which speeds, discovering impartial once you’re stopped, or stalling the engine in the midst of site visitors. As soon as the bike is on, it’s able to go — and go, it does.
You additionally don’t should be a brand new rider to understand LiveWire bikes. Hotter climate invitations riders to the street, however fuel bikes generally is a sizzling mess. With the S2 Mulholland, there’s no stressing over engine warmth and scorching sizzling exhaust pipes.
Electrical bikes aren’t simply approachable. LiveWire bikes are additionally performant. Even probably the most skilled fuel bike rider will instantly respect the moment entry to torque and an enormous grin in your face that comes with using LiveWire.
S2 Mulholland has type
With the S2 Mulholland, LiveWire has delivered related specs because the S2 Del Mar. The vary on paper is barely larger, however the distinction isn’t sufficient to vary how you employ the bike. Probably the most notable distinction with out a head-to-head check journey is type and customization.
Whereas sustaining a futuristic look that screams quick, S2 Mulholland has a bit extra chill than the extra aggressive S2 Del Mar. LiveWire additionally expects riders to decorate the S2 Mulholland to their liking with a variety of merchandise that can be accessible to order.
For instance, the S2 Mulholland is a little bit of a single seater out of the manufacturing facility, particularly in comparison with LiveWire’s different two motorbikes. Nonetheless, LiveWire has proven off an identical passenger seat with again relaxation to hold a passenger.
One factor about bikes typically is that they’re simply cool. How a motorbike appears to be like is as vital to many riders as the way it performs.
My abstract of the LiveWire lineup, prior to now, has been that the LiveWire One has the very best efficiency and the S2 Del Mar has the very best look. The S2 Mulholland design variations are beginning to develop on me, nevertheless, and there’s a sustainability story behind the brand new supplies used.
I even have a robust affinity towards motorbikes that are available in white. Whereas the Liquid Black/Crimson S2 Mulholland that I check rode has class, I’m falling extra in love with the look of the Lunar White/Black S2 Mulholland with every look. It simply appears to be like sick.
In sum, I believe the LiveWire S2 Mulholland is an excellent wanting electrical bike with out being impractical. I actually wish to get behind the handlebars of a white mannequin.
For me, there may be one exception to the above abstract. A technique LiveWire distinguishes between the S2 Del Mar and S2 Mulholland is the mirror place. Del Mar mirrors are mounted above the handlebars; Mulholland mirrors are mounted beneath.
Motorbike mirror type and place all the time appears to be at odds with practicality. Giant, round top-mounted mirrors are most sensible. Slender, bottom-mounted mirrors look sick however aren’t as rider pleasant, for my part. Throughout my check journey, the left mirror was alright whereas the precise mirror largely displayed my arm. Perhaps that may be improved with changes.
Extra LiveWire check journey impressions
So what do I believe after my preliminary LiveWire S2 Mulholland check journey? The dearer LiveWire One ($22,799) remains to be the electrical bike to beat general, however you’ll be able to’t beat the extra inexpensive worth of the S2 Mulholland ($15,999).
Nicely, technically, S2 Del Mar beats S2 Mulholland in affordability by $500, however that distinction is as negligible because the vary distinction for my part. Be happy to disagree!
The decrease using place of the S2 Mulholland relative to the S2 Del Mar and LiveWire One will be seen within the above picture. I would want to spend extra time with the bike earlier than evaluating consolation, however my hunch is that the S2 Mulholland is the consolation champion among the many pack.
Throughout my check journey expertise, I discovered the S2 Mulholland to be comparatively gentle and particularly slim. It virtually felt extra like an electrical bicycle on steroids than a motorcycle, however one roll on the throttle makes this very a lot a motorbike.
It was simple to hop on the S2 Mulholland for the primary time and sustain with the opposite two riders on fuel bikes with me. In truth, the problem isn’t maintaining however staying again. I used to be rider #3 in our configuration. If my using place wasn’t in the back of the bike, I’m afraid I’d have left the opposite two riders in my mud.
All in all, the S2 Mulholland is as zippy as I’d count on from a LiveWire motorbike. What was sudden was the sheer quantity of oomph from the slim machine beneath me. The slim and light-weight bundle has an unassuming presence that’s not like even the LiveWire One.
For instance, I’m not one to wheelie off on the road. I’ve truly by no means tried to wheelie a motorcycle. Throughout my check journey, nevertheless, the S2 Mulholland simply begged me to tug a wheelie.
A part of the enjoyable of using electrical is the quick time it takes to go from 0 to 60mph. I wanted to fall again from the opposite two riders to actually respect the bike’s launch energy. After breaking to a slower velocity, I pulled again the throttle to takeoff and catch up and positively felt the entrance wheel raise up. I discovered this to be simply repeatable and enjoyable.
I hope to spend extra time with this bike sooner or later. LiveWire is making among the most interesting machines on two wheels with these electrical bikes. The addition of the LiveWire S2 Mulholland provides riders in search of one thing extra charming and expressive a implausible choice when looking for an electrical motorbike.
Lastly, a particular shoutout to Alligator Alley Harley-Davidson in Dawn, Florida. This LiveWire associate has a mega facility full of a sea of motorcycle stock, a busy service store, the most important assortment of police bikes I’ve ever seen, and climate-controlled storage for numerous bikes for safekeeping. It’s value a tour in the event you’re ever within the space, and the LiveWire assortment is great.
