Harley's Electric Baby is Here to Make You a Believer

Electric motorcycles have always been like that quirky friend who shows up with a new, uh, "interesting" haircut. Sure, their heart's in the right place, but you just can't help but raise an eyebrow. Harley-Davidson's rebel child, LiveWire, is out to change that image with their latest ride, the S2 Mulholland. It's got the looks, the tech, and maybe, just maybe, enough juice to make even a die-hard gasoline guzzler like me take a second look.

Forget the bulky, chrome-laden cruisers of yesteryear. The S2 Mulholland is a lean, mean, electric machine. It ditches the giant gas tank for a sleek battery pack, giving it a futuristic vibe that still manages to scream "cruiser." This ain't no silent scooter – it's got attitude. A lot of attitude.

Now, under that minimalist exterior lies LiveWire's S2 platform. It's packing a 10.5 kWh battery that'll get you about 121 miles (194 km) around town. That's more than enough to hit your favorite haunts and maybe even venture a little further. But if you've got visions of epic cross-country road trips, better stick to gas for now. This bike's a bar-hopper, not a world traveler. And when you do need to plug in, at least you have enough time to grab a burger and swap stories while it tops up to 80% on a Level 2 charger. 

84 horsepower (63 kW) might not sound like much on paper, but in the world of electric bikes, that's enough to make your eyes water. It'll rocket you to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in a mind-bending 3.3 seconds. Seriously, you'll be leaving those gas-guzzling Harleys in the dust… in a rather civilized, whirring sort of way. And with 194 lb-ft (263 Nm) of instant torque, prepare to have your helmet yanked back every time you twist that futuristic throttle.

The Mulholland isn't just about raw power. You also get a fancy 4-inch color display that talks to your smartphone, so even if you have the navigational skills of a goldfish, you won't end up in the wrong state. There are even high-tech safety aids like cornering-enhanced ABS and traction control. Because let's face it, even rebels like us want to avoid unscheduled asphalt inspections.

The next bit is yet another not-so-subtle sign that times are changing – LiveWire's gone all granola on us. They've used recycled ocean fishing nets for some of the parts and ditched the leather for some fancy "petroleum-free silicone" seat. Sounds like hippie magic to me, but hey, if it makes the planet happy and keeps my rear end comfy, who am I to complain?

Let's talk turkey. $15,999 is a serious chunk of change for a motorcycle, electric or not. That'll buy you a lot of fuel... and quite a few rounds at the bar once you get there. The range could also be better, but let's be honest, those long-haul trips were never this bike's forte. On the bright side, with some states offering tasty tax breaks for going electric, it might ease the sticker shock a bit.

The real win is that LiveWire is finally mixing things up! The S2 platform has a ton of potential. Imagine an electric adventure bike or even a scrambler. LiveWire, if you're reading this, the off-road world is calling! The realm of electric motorcycles is suddenly looking a whole lot less predictable.

So, does the S2 Mulholland have what it takes to convert a gasoline addict like me? It's got the style, the speed, and even a dash of eco-friendliness. But that price tag still stings, and the range anxiety is real. It's like being tempted by that last slice of pizza - it looks delicious, but you might regret it later.

Let's be honest, part of me still loves the roar and rumble of a classic V-twin. But the Mulholland's got a certain charm, like that rebellious younger sibling who always gets away with everything. It's fast, it's fun, and it might just be the future. Who knows, after a few test rides (and maybe a couple of those eco-friendly cocktails), I might find myself trading those dusty leathers for a sleek, electric ride. Stranger things have happened, right?