‘Capable, classy, and affordable too’ | LiveWire S2 Del Mar changes the game for big electrics

Paid partnership with LiveWire

LiveWire’s new S2 Del Mar is smooth, fun, easy to ride, beautifully built and handles superbly. And at £16,990 it’s over £10k cheaper than the original LiveWire. In fact, the LiveWire S2 Del Mar impressed us so much that it was named Electric Bike of the Year in the MCN Awards 2024.

That would be job done for most motorcycles, but it’s electric, so there are one or two things to get out of the way.

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The Del Mar uses a 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery. That’s small compared to roadsters from Zero and Energica, but LiveWire claim a range of 113 miles around town. At 55mph the ‘combined’ range is 86 miles and 70 miles at a sustained 55mph. At 70mph the combined range is 60 miles, dropping to 43 miles at a sustained 70mph.

Charging 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 and 8.4 hours with Level One.

Whether all this fits into the way you ride a bike, only you can decide, but it’s clear globetrotters won’t be at the front of the queue. But battery power suits this style of naked roadster, where you’re unlikely to do big miles.

And the S2 Del Mar is a cracker. LiveWire claim a superbike rivalling 0=60mph 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 Triumph Rocket 3 has ‘just’ 163lb.ft. The S2 isn’t even that heavy and slips in under the 200kg mark at 198kg.

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The almost silent motor lacks the drama of petrol, but it has its own character. Brutal acceleration never gets old and sometimes not having a shouty motorbike around town can be nice. Power is seamless and always easy to control. Lean sensitive traction control and ABS are there in the background, just in case.

It has six modes, including two custom modes with varying levels of TC, throttle response and regen. What’s most impressive about the S2 Del Mar is how ‘right’ it feels and that’s what separates it from its major electric rivals. It’s a quality, well thought-out motorcycle that never feels cheap. It’s compact, but the riding position is natural, spacious, comfortable and the bike dances through corners, even on its Dunlop DT-1 shod 19in wheels, chosen for their flattrack style.

The lack of clutch and gears make the S2 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 an easy ride, something 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 stopping ability on offer

Away from the sparking ride, the Del Mar is neatly built, right down to the switchgear clusters and as well as its electronic rider aids, has a colour Bluetooth enabled dash. cruise control and LEDs. The S2’s tautness, handling and all-round togetherness put its electric rivals in the shade and it is so well- rounded it’s every bit as engaging to ride as its petrol competition.

LiveWire S2 Del Mar – the facts

• Price: £16,990
• Motor: Liquid-cooled internal permanent magnet synchronous motor
• Seat height: 818mm
• Power: 83bhp
• Torque: 194lb.ft
• Weight: 198kg (kerb)