LIVEWIRE S2 DEL MAR (2024 - on) Review

Only you can decide whether the extra thought and cost that goes into running and buying an electric bike is worth it, but putting those things to one side, the Livewire S2 Del Mar is a superb machine in its own right.

Battery power suits a fun roadster more than any other kind of big electric bike. Its monstrous torque is delivered smoothly and the chassis is just as polished. It’s comfortable, easy to ride and flows serenely through corners. The Livewire’s tautness, handling and all-round togetherness puts its electric rivals in the shade and is so well-rounded it’s every bit as engaging to ride as its petrol competition.

There will always be negatives associated with battery power but the positives outweigh them when it comes to riding the Livewire. Orders are being taken now and an S2 Del Mar road show is currently taking place across the UK and Europe.

Watch: Livewire Del Mar video review

What’s most impressive about the S2 Del Mar is how ‘right’ it feels and that’s what separates it from its big electric rivals. It’s a quality, well thought out motorcycle that never feels cheap, plastically, or crashes and bangs over bumps.

The Livewire has all the composure of a premium petrol bike with a smooth ride that matches its mellifluous power delivery. It’s compact, but the riding position is natural, spacious, comfortable and it dances confidently through corners, even on its Dunlop DT-1-shod 19in wheels, chosen for the flattrack style.

Its lack of clutch and gears make the Livewire as simple to manage as a scooter through town and although a twist and go might not be as involving through your favourite set of bends it’s a lot easier, which brings its own rewards. Suspension is plush, controlled and while the single front brake disc set-up doesn’t offer the last word in power, there’s more than enough for what you need.

A liquid-cooled internal permanent magnet synchronous motor is powered by a 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery. That’s small compared to the roadsters from Zero and Energica, but Livewire claims a range of 113 miles around town. At 55mph the ‘combined’ range is 86 miles and 70 miles at a sustained speed. At 70mph the combined range is 60 miles, dropping to 43 miles at a sustained speed.

Charging will always be the biggest bone of contention because if it took five seconds electric bikes would be more popular. Charging the battery from 20% to 80% takes 78 minutes with a Level Two fast charger and 5.9 hours plugging into a standard wall socket (Level One). Charging from empty to full takes 142 minutes with Level Two charging and 142 minutes with Level One.

Here at its world launch in Barcelona we’re on a 47-mile route that takes us through town and the surrounding hills at a spirited pace. By the end of the day we return with 29% charge and 22 miles remaining.

Whether all this fits into the way you ride a bike, only you can decide, but it’s clear Nick Sanders won’t be at the front of the queue to buy one. That said battery power suits this style of naked roadster, where you’re unlikely to do big miles, anyway, more than a big electric tourer, tall-rounder or sportsbike.

Livewire claim a superbike-rivalling 0-60mph time of three seconds and top speed is a limited 103mph. It makes a healthy 83bhp, but a mammoth 194lb.ft of torque, which is astonishing when you consider a 2.5-litre, three-cylinder Triumph Rocket 3 has ‘just’ 163lb-ft. The S2 Del Mar isn’t even that heavy, by any standards and slips in just under the 200kg mark at 198kg. A Kawasaki ZX-4RR is only 10kg lighter…

An almost silent electric motor, like the Livewire’s, lacks the drama of a petrol engine, but it has its own character. Its brutal acceleration never gets old and sometimes not having a shouty motorbike beneath you around town can be nice. Despite its performance the power is delivered seamlessly and always easy to control. Lean sensitive traction control and ABS are there in the background, just in case.

It also has six rider modes, including two custom modes with varying levels of TC, throttle response and regen. A low regen setting for minimises engine braking to help the Livewire flow into corners and regen increases range, so take your pick.

There aren’t enough Livewires out in the wild to comment on reliability, but with its electric motor there’s very little to go wrong mechanically. It comes with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty and a five-year unlimited warranty for the battery. Fit, finish, attention to detail and components are all top notch.

Zero is one of the Livewire’s biggest electric rivals and the £19,850 Zero SR/F comes closest to producing similar torque figures, but not as much, although it has a bigger battery range.

The less fruity base Zero S model costs £16,040. A retro styled Energica EsseEsse9+ is £24,590 but has a higher chassis spec and more powerful battery. The Livewire is reasonable for an electric bike, but compared to an equivalent-powered conventional petrol machine the price is still salty.

Lean sensitive traction control and ABS, adjustable regen and engine braking control all feature. A 4in round multifunction colour display has Bluetooth connectivity and able to receive live updates from Livewire for improvements as they’re developed. It also has LED lights, cruise control, a Brembo caliper and Showa suspension. Like the Livewire One the S2 Del Mar’s motor pulses like a heartbeat at a standstill.