Harley is not the first motorcycle maker to launch an electric bike, but as the iconic U.S. motorcycle maker the company makes a big noise in more ways than one. Harley sold more than 260,000 gasoline-powered motorcycles last year, and while it may never sell that many electric bikes, it cannot afford to miss the opportunity.
Like the all-electric Model S sedan from Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA), electric bikes have a limited range and high price tag. Because the Harley bike is not for sale yet, we do not know what the price tag for that will be. But an electric street bike from Mission Motorcycles with a range of 140 miles and a top speed of 150 miles an hour sells for $59,000, but you can pay $75,000 if you’re so inclined. It is not unrealistic to think that a Harley electric would cost somewhere around that price.
If there is any single thing that defines a Harley, it is the bike’s rumbly, throaty sound, but the company is not going to try to replicate that on the electric version. Instead, the company’s chief marketing officer said, “Think fighter jet on an aircraft carrier. Project LiveWire’s unique sound was designed to differentiate it from internal combustion and other electric motorcycles on the market.”
The company will begin a tour of more than 30 cities along one of America’s most iconic highways, U.S. Route 66. Next year the company will broaden its U.S. tour and expand it to include Canada and Europe. Harley did not indicate when the electric bikes would be available for sale.
Harley shares were inactive in Thursday’s premarket, having closed last night at $69.91 in a 52-week range of $49.15 to $74.13.
ALSO READ: Nine Companies With the Most Unusual Origins
Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts
Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.
It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.
We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today. Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.