Electric Motorcycles And The Military

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Several years ago, when the Harley-Davidson LiveWire was still a concept and anticipation for its release was high, there was some talk about it possibly being used for battlefield reconnaissance, among other military duties. We can’t find any records of it being officially trialed by the US Armed Forces, although there were at least rumors back in the day.

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The excitement around the LiveWire was how it supposedly could be operated virtually silently at high speeds, allowing Special Operations forces like the Navy SEALs to operate behind enemy lines while avoiding detection in a rapid transport option. But with the production model out (and now LiveWire has been spun off into its own separate brand) we know that it’s not exactly silent at full tilt.

Check out this video of a guy running one on a dyno. While it makes plenty of noise at just cruising speed, when the guy really juices it the high-pitched sound spikes. That’s exactly the opposite of what people were speculating originally.

Some are still arguing the LiveWire is “silent” despite evidence to the contrary. While it doesn’t make as much noise as a bike with Screaming Eagle pipes, it still leaves a lot to be desired in the way of complete stealth.

Among the all-electric alternatives is the Zero MMX, which is available in a matte black military version. As one of the vanguards of the electric motorcycle revolution, one might think this option from Zero would be perfect for stealth military operations. But that bike debuted back in 2013 and only this summer the Marine Corps reportedly has been trying them out in trials, so adoption has been slow, if it finally makes the cut.