In an acutely embarrassing move, Harley-Davidson has suspended production and deliveries of its much-hyped LiveWire electric motorcycle after discovering a defect in the bike’s charging system.
“This is disappointing for all of us,” remarked Harley chief operating officer Michelle Kumbier, in a memo sent to US dealers last week and leaked to New York’s Wall Street Journal financial newspaper.
The company says LiveWire models are safe to ride but has instructed dealers to tell customers who have already bought them to only use professional DC fast chargers available at their dealerships, rather than AC electrical outlets at home.
Tests to investigate and solve this charging issue are under way and reportedly “progressing well”, although Harley hasn’t said when production would resume.