BMW F 850 GS versus Harley-Davidson LiveWire ELW
BMW F 850 GS
Adventure
Harley-Davidson LiveWire ELW
Naked
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2018 bis 2023
Built von 2020 bis 2024~
RRP 13.000 €
RRP 32.995 €
waveform
waveform
Competitors
Pros:
- raised seating position
- good handling on and off-road
- Wide range of extras and accessories
- successful appearance
Pros:
- Acceleration
- Electronically fully equipped
- good brakes
- easy handling
Cons:
- Windscreen could be slightly larger
- Price skyrockets with extras
- not quite as manoeuvrable
Cons:
- expensive
- Reach
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.593 mm
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.490 mm
Length : 2.135 mm Height : 1.080 mm
Seat : 780 mm
Weight : 251 (max: 430 ) kg
Length : 2.135 mm Height : 1.080 mm
Seat : 780 mm
Weight : 251 (max: 430 ) kg
Engine
Motor design: Number 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Electric motor
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Riemen
Aisles: 1
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Riemen
Aisles: 1
Performance
Maximum speed: 204 km/h
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 km
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 km
Maximum speed: 175 km/h
Performance: 105 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 116 NM bei 15.000 U/Min
Reach: 158 km
Performance: 105 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 116 NM bei 15.000 U/Min
Reach: 158 km
Chassis
Frame type:
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Frame type:
Bridge frame Front suspension:
SHOWA SFF-BP (travel 115 mm) Rear suspension:
SHOWA BFRC (travel 115 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR17 58W
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR17 73W
Bridge frame Front suspension:
SHOWA SFF-BP (travel 115 mm) Rear suspension:
SHOWA BFRC (travel 115 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR17 58W
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR17 73W
Brakes
Front brake
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc, Brembo four-piston monobloc radial mounting (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Brembo dual piston (∅ 260 mm)
Double disc, Brembo four-piston monobloc radial mounting (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Brembo dual piston (∅ 260 mm)
Conclusion - what sticks
Riding an electric motorcycle is a bit like riding a car scooter. Put on it and "gas" against. No transmission, no clutch, no switch, no engine jerks, no sound, no stench, no heat dissipation, no exhaust, no nothing at all. It's hard to describe how it feels live. On the one hand, we were fascinated by it, on the other hand, it is actually a cultural break for long-established bikers. You have to get used to it.Nevertheless, we are sure that there will be more electric motorcycles in the future. But there will probably also be combustion engines for a long time. Why shouldn't both technologies be able to exist in parallel? In any case, we are always surprised by the force with which the opponents of electric vehicles smash their opinions about such machines into the keys. See comments on our review on YouTube. Guys, stay relaxed, no one forces you to buy such bikes.
The test machine was kindly provided by Harley-Davidson Hamburg.
