Our colleague Andrew Thijssen from BMS-E Motorrijder was so kind to test this LiveWire S2 Del Mar for THE PACK “Electric Motorcycle News”.
The S2 Del Mar is built on the modular Arrow platform, allowing for the creation of various motorcycles with unique styling and purposes. The Launch edition of the LiveWire S2 Del Mar will initially have a limited run of 100 units. At the moment, for Europe, the S2 Del Mar is only available in The Netherlands, France, Germany and the UK.
The design of the S2 Del Mar draws clear inspiration from flat-track racers, making it an ideal choice for urban commuters who also enjoy taking a soft offroad ride outside of the city. I had the opportunity to test drive this electric motorbike in Amsterdam and the surrounding areas. Let me start with the Del Mar S2’s technical features. According to LiveWire, the Del Mar is designed for agile movement in the city. The bike has a curb weight of 195 kg, a power output of 59.6 kW (80 hp), and an instant torque of 249 Nm, resulting in a 0-100 sprint time of just 3.1 seconds. This can be easily and relatively safely controlled using the adjustable traction control system.
Charging the battery can be done with level 1 (wall outlet) or level 2 (charging station). Software updates are done “over-the-air”. Driver information can be viewed on a 4 inch TFT color display. There is also a LiveWire app available, which includes information on past rides, roadside assistance, location tracking, weather updates, and even a user manual.
The energy is stored in a 10.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which powers a synchronous liquid-cooled motor with permanent magnets. This may seem small compared to other brands’ roadsters, but LiveWire claims it provides a city range of 177 km and a combined range of 138 km for both city and highway driving.
The Del Mar is equipped with 19-inch tires suitable for street and light off-road use. The front wheel features a single 320 mm brake disc with a 4-piston Brembo caliper and ABS. Showa provides fully adjustable suspension in the front and back. For color options, the Del Mar offers a modern choice of glossy Nimbus Grey, matte Nightfall Blue, or Asphalt Black.
Riding experience
The first thing that stands out is how much bigger the Del Mar is in person compared to the photos. Despite the fake tank, it’s clear that the Del Mar was not built to resemble a traditional motorcycle. The bike looks well-made and is constructed with quality materials. Its narrow build makes it easy to hop on. Every part you touch feels high-quality. You sit upright with a comfortable seating position and a clear view of the dashboard and traffic ahead. This is exactly what you want in an urban commuter bike.
Once you activate the S2 Del Mar, you’ll feel a gentle rhythmic “pulse” in the saddle. This is designed to remind the rider that the engine is active, as there’s no motor noise or vibrations when the motorcycle is at a standstill. You can adjust this “pulse” through the app settings. Taking off is effortless and playful; no clutch or gear shift necessary, just twist the throttle. The Del Mar responds with immediate power and departs with a soft whirring sound.
There are 5 different modes to choose from: eco, rain, road, custom, and sport. These can be selected on the right handlebar. Each mode has its own ‘gas’ response and brake regeneration. Starting off is effortless. The seating position is relatively high with good visibility of traffic. The Del Mar is incredibly agile in traffic and the always-available torque allows you to quickly maneuver through tight spots whenever necessary.
Positioning yourself at the front of a stoplight is perfect for the Del Mar. In the custom and sport mode, it is difficult for any other bike to compete with the power of the Del Mar. You can choose your own level of fun or relaxation by selecting your preferred mode. The single disk brake in the front wheel provides ample stopping power and is easily controlled with minimal pressure.
Outside the city and on the winding back roads, the Del Mar feels like a fish in water. Its slim frame, active seating position, low center of gravity, and excellent suspension and brakes all contribute to an incredibly enjoyable ride. For those seeking a more sporty experience, 17 inch wheels may be the perfect finishing touch. And as with everything else on this bike, your chosen riding mode will determine your personal level of enjoyment.
On the highway
It goes without saying that the Del Mar is not a “highway burner.” The S2 Del Mar is designed for short stretches of highway travel. The custom and sport modes are most commonly used for this purpose. Accelerating quickly to merge onto the highway is effortless. A characteristic of an electric motor is a decrease in pulling power as the engine speed increases. However, what stands out about the S2 Del Mar is that it maintains a strong pull throughout. It feels very stable and can easily change lanes with a playful ease. The view from the mirrors mounted on the ends of the handlebars is excellent and, of course, free from vibrations. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the maximum speed of the Del Mar is 165 km/h. I did not test this on the Ring Amsterdam as my driver’s license is too valuable to risk it. Unfortunately, I was unable to test out its range on the highway. As a general guideline, expect to lose around 1% of battery life for every kilometer traveled when driving at legal speeds on the highway.
Conclusion
The LiveWire Del Mar S2 is a user-friendly, sleekly designed motorcycle with a high fun factor perfectly tailored to its intended use. Its appearance is well thought-out, not too modern or too classic, but still eye-catching with its distinctive “cooling ribs”. It’s evident that LiveWire has an experienced motorcycle builder behind it. Harley Davidson / LiveWire also seems to have carefully observed the market.
Given the global trends in urban/commuter transportation, it seems like the Del Mar is hitting the market at just the right time. At a price of €18,790, the Del Mar S2 is definitely not a bargain purchase. However, for that amount you will get a well-designed electric motorcycle with low operating costs that delivers exactly what it’s meant to… and with plenty of enjoyment.
