Imagine a light electric power cruiser that goes like a bat out of hell but still manages the corners, gets updates over-the-air and comes with all the tech. This week on EV Rider we’re putting the S2 Mulholland from Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire brand to the test.
The Mulholland will rip from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds thanks to its 194 pound-feet of torque. It weighs 432-pounds and has a seat height of 30.2 inches, which isn’t as low as some as some cruisers but isn’t as tall as LiveWire’s S2 Del Mar or adventure bikes like Harley’s Pan America.
The Mulholland receives over-the-air updates straight from LiveWire. The Mulholland’s smartphone app includes things like ride history, roadside assistance, rider profiles and more. It has five different ride modes: Sport, Road, Rain, Eco and Custom; pretty much guaranteeing owners will be able to dial in their ride just ride.
The LiveWire’s battery can store 10.5 kWh of usable energy, with the rest going to the battery’s buffer. LiveWire guarantees the battery’s performance for five years with unlimited mileage.
LiveWire says the Mulholland gets combined city/highway range of 91 miles or a sustained highway range of 73 miles at 55 miles-per-hour. In stop-and-go city riding it’s rated at 121 miles per charge.
LiveWire doesn’t list a peak charging speed on its website but I can tell you the fastest peak I saw during my time charging the Mulholland was 5 kW. LiveWire says the Mulholland will go from 20 to 80 percent of charge in one hour, 18 minutes. The Mulholland isn’t available with DC fast charging.
During my day with the Mulholland I rode 104 miles on a variety of roads that included interstate speeds, stop-n-go traffic and cruising along Florida’s scenic A1A. I recharged the bike for the ride back to Jacksonville during a lunch stop in St. Augustine.
This bike really stands out in several areas: acceleration, nimbleness, comfort and build quality. Thanks to an upright seating triangle and comfortable perch I got off the bike at the end of the day feeling great with no monkey butt, sore arms or aching back.
I can’t speak to how a 300-mile day on the S2 Mulholland would feel but that’s not this bike’s mission. It’s more of an urban commuter that’s also suited for occasional outings of 125 miles or less with a break or two in between. For that type of riding, the Mulholland excels.
At first, I was a little concerned to see just a single Brembo disc up front but after riding it for a day I can see why LiveWire skipped dual discs. On a power cruiser this light, they’re just not needed.
One thing I never did warm up to is the mirrors. Unlike most motorcycles they are below the handlebars. I didn’t find a position where my arms didn’t partially block my view without moving them. However, I also only had the bike for a day. Given more time perhaps I would have found the perfect adjustment.
The Mulholland has all the safety features sophisticated motorcyclists have come to expect, including an enhanced antilock corning braking system, drag-torque slip control and enhanced cornering traction control.
I’ve only scratched the surface of the Mulholland’s virtues here. For the full story be sure to watch the road test video at the top of this post and for the bike’s full specifications see the bottom of this post.
A special thanks goes to LiveWire and Adamec Harley-Davidson in Jacksonville, FL for loaning EV Rider the S2 Mulholland featured in this review.
LiveWire S2 Mulholland Specifications
AUDIO & COMMUNICATION
- Bluetooth® Audio:Yes
- Mobile App Instrumentation:Yes
BRAKES
- Brake Brand Name:Brembo® Monobloc
- Front Brake Type:Hydraulic Disc
- Rear Brake Type:Hydraulic Disc
CONVENIENCE
- Engine Immobilizer Brand:Digitally Encoded Security System™ (DESS)
ENGINE
- Engine Type:Electric
- Fuel Type:Electric
- Horsepower (bhp):84
- Horsepower (kW):63
- Maximum Range (km):194.7
- Maximum Range (mi):121
- Starter:Electric
- Torque (Ft Lbs):194
- Torque (Nm):263
EXTERIOR
- Belt Guard:Yes
- Body Material:Aluminum
- Chassis Protectors:Yes
- Engine Case Guard:Yes
- Foot Peg Location:Driver
- Frame:Aluminum
- Stand Type:Kick
LIGHTS
- Type:LED
SEATS
- Number Of Seats:1, fits 2 passengers
- Seat Height (in):30.2
- Seat Type:One-Piece
SUSPENSION
- Front Adjustable Fork Pre-Load:Yes
- Front Adjustable Rebound Damping:Yes
- Front Suspension Brand Name:Hitachi®
- Front Suspension Size (in):1.7
- Front Suspension Size (mm):43
- Front Suspension Type:Inverted Fork
- Front Travel (in):5.3
- Front Travel (mm):134.6
- Number Rear Shock Absorbers:1
- Rear Adjustable Rebound Damping:Yes
- Rear Adjustable Shock / Spring Pre-Load:Yes
- Rear Suspension Brand Name:Hitachi®
- Rear Suspension Material:Aluminum
- Rear Suspension Type:Twin Sided Swing Arm
- Rear Travel (in):3.9
- Rear Travel (mm):99.1
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Ground Clearance (in):5.8
- Ground Clearance (mm):147.3
- Length (ft):7.15
- Length (ft/ft):7
- Length (ft/in):1.8
- Length (in):85.8
- Length (mm):2179.3
- Wet Weight (kg):196
- Wet Weight (lbs):432
- Wheelbase (in):57.8
- Wheelbase (mm):1468.1
TRANSMISSION
- Number Of Speeds:1
- Primary Drive (Rear Wheel):Belt
- Transmission Type:Automatic
WHEELS & TIRES
- Front Tire (Full Spec):Dunlop® RoadSmart IV 120/70 ZR19
- Front Tire Aspect Ratio:70
- Front Tire Speed Rating:Z
- Front Tire Width:120
- Front Wheel Diameter:19
- Front Wheel Width (in):3.5
- Rear Tire (Full Spec):Dunlop® RoadSmart IV 180/55 ZR17
- Rear Tire Aspect Ratio:55
- Rear Tire Speed Rating:Z
- Rear Tire Width:180
- Rear Wheel Diameter:17
- Rear Wheel Width (in):5.5
- Tire Brand:Dunlop®
- Wheels Composition:Aluminum