LiveWire is making moves at a time when it is needed within their business. They have recently patented for “virtual brakes“, whether this is a good idea or not yet remains to be seen. However, an intriguing aspect of the patent that wasn’t covered in that article was the inclusion of three drawings that appear to show a long-forgotten e-bike/e-dirtbike concept.
In 2018, LiveWire was still part of Harley-Davidson‘s main portfolio, and the year was marked by the release of “Avengers: Infinity War.” It was a simpler time. During that period, Harley-Davidson made a forward-looking statement revealing design sketches, concepts, and what appeared to be customer-ready models, including an impressive electric bicycle/dirtbike. These designs were promised to be forthcoming.
However, those promises went unfulfilled. LiveWire was later spun off from Harley-Davidson, and those concepts seemed to disappear from public view. That is, until the recent patent surfaced, seemingly showcasing the same striking EV design.
The design in the patent drawings clearly matches the old concept: the same bicycle-style frame, suspension setup, and finned battery pack. What remains unclear is why LiveWire chose to use this old concept in a new patent. Companies often use outdated drawings or concepts to obscure future products from competitors, but LiveWire could have easily used designs from the Del Mar or Mulholland models. The decision to revisit this long-forgotten EV dirtbike/bicycle concept raises questions about LiveWire’s intentions.
Given LiveWire’s current struggles and the high price tags of its offerings, speculations arise that reviving this design might be a strategic move. Producing an affordable and appealing product like a revamped e-bike or something akin to a Dust.Moto or Surron with a price around $10,000 could generate quick revenue and reduce negative income. Although it wouldn’t save the company entirely, it could help convert some trendy city dwellers into believers in the brand.
EV dirtbikes are undeniably cool, and this design might just be what LiveWire needs to capture a new audience.
