Harley gets in gear with electric bikes

ONCE more associated with those who wanted to drop out, Harley-Davidson is targeting those logging in to boost sales.

Having muffled some of the famous roar, the legendary manufacturer of road hogs is now drawing up plans for a quiet electric bike — to appeal to younger, plugged-in affluent consumers who want a clean way to get around in style without dropping €100,000 or more on a Tesla Model S on BMW i8.

Harley is showcasing the bikes on a 30-city tour of the US and Europe to seek feedback and drum up support among those who care about the environment and can spread the word about his likes on social media like Twitter and Instagram.