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T H E L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L C U S T O M M O T O R C Y C L E A N D PA RT S I N D U S T RY
Harley to Create Advanced
R&D Facility at Silicon Valley
arley-Davidson
has says it may consider expanding the keep itself competitive as demographics
announced that it is center’s focus to embrace “an increased and technology drive an all new direction
following the likes of BMW, range of advanced technologies that for the motorcycle industry.
KTM, Piaggio, Royal Enfield, Hero uniquely leverage the rich talent in the “Recently we shared with the world our
Corp and other motorcycle Silicon Valley” with the aim of accelerated plans to build the next
manufacturers in creating an “supporting its most comprehensive and generation of Harley-Davidson riders
advanced technology Research and competitive line-up of motorcycles across globally,” said Matt Levatich, President
a broad spectrum of price points, power and CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “This
Design facility.
new R&D facility in the
In Harley’s case it is to be
heart of Silicon Valley will
established just down the
help us deliver on those
road from e-bike
plans and demonstrate
manufacturer Alta Motors
our commitment to lead
- Harley’s LiveWire R&D
the electrification of the
joint venture partner - in
sport.”
Silicon Valley, California, as
As part of its recently
a satellite of the Willie G.
unveiled “More Roads”
Davidson
Product
strategy, Harley has said
Development Facility that
that it will launch its first
is based at Wauwatosa,
electric motorcycle, the
Wisconsin. The new facility
much trailed LiveWire, in
is expected to open as
2019. The plan is that
early as in the fourth Future Electrics - “a broader range of light and nimble models,
LiveWire will be “the first
quarter of 2018.
ready to tackle the urban landscape”
in a broad, no-clutch
Harley says it will initially
“twist and go” portfolio of electric two-
focus on electric vehicle research and sources and riding styles.”
development, including battery, power The move is part of Harley’s overdue wheelers designed by the company. It will
electronics and e-machine design, response to the changes that have been be followed by additional models through
development and advanced taking place in the global motorcycle 2022 to broaden the portfolio with lighter,
manufacturing. In the long- term, Harley industry and its need to act decisively to
Continues on page 8 >>>
OCT 2018
ISSUE #231
AVON'S NEW
'COBRA CHROME'
H
NEW INDIANS
MEES WRAPS
TH
5 TITLE
Channelling one of the most famous photographs in the history of the custom motorcycle industry (God bless
Randy Smith!) this is 'Ricky' de Haas (Wannabe Choppers) with his project 'AlSi9Mg'. Though it has proven
controversial to some short sighted so-called purists in Ricky's native Germany, could this E-bike be the shape of
customs to come? Ricky is competing with it at the 2018 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building -
2020 will see the launch of an E-bike class