Long Way Up

[vaara]

(Mods - please move/merge/delete as necessary; I haven’t found any similar threads.)

Is anyone else watching this on Apple+? It’s a bit more subdued than the previous two series (Round and Down); poor Charley Boorman hasn’t done a single wheelie.

So far, through Ep 3, it’s been as much or more about the logistical issues of keeping 5 EVs charged in remote Patagonia than about the actual riding. But, as they constantly remind us, theirs is a pioneering trip. And some of the scenery has been nice.

 

[cheez]

I've taken to calling it "Long Extension Cord." It's little more than a Livewire commercial in installments IMO.

 

[vaara]

A Rivian commercial too.

 

[Heywood]

I've taken to calling it "Long Extension Cord." It's little more than a Livewire commercial in installments IMO.

That's too bad. My understanding, there's very little Livewire left of the bike after they heavily modded it to be a adv/tourer, if someone was looking to pick up a bike like theirs it's not going to happen. I'll still watch it tho' but probably not with the same interest the others held for me and not an overly big CB fan either. I respect his riding skills but he comes off as a whiner to me.
ETA: OP, Here was a thread from some time ago when it was first announced: http://import.barfxen.com/index.php?threads/538526/

 

[KrustyKruser]

+1 on Charlie Boorman being an insufferable whiner. Also I am not giving Apple any of my money. I'll see if it is available on Netflix later. Doesn't sound like I'm missing out on anything anyway.

 

[guycole]

A Rivian commercial too.

How much Rivian? Asking for a friend.

 

[berth]

I just saw the first episode, and I really liked what I saw. Can't wait for the second (probably watch it in the next couple of days).

Watching the prep and the lengths the suppliers are going through to support the ride was impressive.

I already have a better feeling for this one than what LWD turned in to.

 

[mrzuzzo]

Tried watching the first episode. Super lame.

Watching the second one now. These guys are such douches. They went to eat and celebrate before they even put a leg over the bikes.

I don't know if I'll be able to finish this. These guys are whining when they have a team of 20 helpers figuring everything out for them.

 

[mrzuzzo]

Wow 20 people couldn't figure out how long these POS cars can go on a charge so they ran out of it on the very first day?

 

[Johndicezx9]

I just saw the first episode, and I really liked what I saw. Can't wait for the second (probably watch it in the next couple of days).

Watching the prep and the lengths the suppliers are going through to support the ride was impressive.

I already have a better feeling for this one than what LWD turned in to.

Considering what the first one did for BMW GS sales I don't blame them... :laughing

 

[Kalvin00]

I've been watching it it, but seeing them tool along at 31 mph because they're trying to hypermile is a bit boring..

 

[vaara]

Wow 20 people couldn't figure out how long these POS cars can go on a charge so they ran out of it on the very first day?

They were caught out (at least twice) by the bikes’ inability to charge in freezing weather. TBH I wouldn’t have known that either...

 

[derache123]

I'm a little perplexed by their decision to use prototype Harley Livewire conversions... The first episode showed them riding Zeros as their "introduction" to electric motorcycles, why not just use a Zero for the trip? IIRC, Zero already makes a production ADV bike.

 

[moto-rama]

(Mods - please move/merge/delete as necessary; I haven’t found any similar threads.)

Is anyone else watching this on Apple+? It’s a bit more subdued than the previous two series (Round and Down); poor Charley Boorman hasn’t done a single wheelie.

So far, through Ep 3, it’s been as much or more about the logistical issues of keeping 5 EVs charged in remote Patagonia than about the actual riding. But, as they constantly remind us, theirs is a pioneering trip. And some of the scenery has been nice.

I did a fishing trip to Argentia in the early 90s. Stunning, primitive and pristine. I don't think Patagonia is a secret anymore, which is too bad. Some places are better if left alone.
My family lived near Tahoe City until I was 12, and the sign at the Y near Fanny Bridge said "Tahoe City, pop 200"....nowadays, I stay away, the last time I was there, it took me weeks to get over how it had been transformed into something unrecognizable.

 

[MikeL]

Wow 20 people couldn't figure out how long these POS cars can go on a charge so they ran out of it on the very first day?

The Rivians? The two they have are the very first "production" Rivians. They are basically production prototypes. Not sure what you want from them lol. They have a general idea but the extreme environment + new technology + unproven platform..

I've been watching it it, but seeing them tool along at 31 mph because they're trying to hypermile is a bit boring..

Agreed with this. I was looking at the speedo like "whelp, this isn't exactly exciting"

They were caught out (at least twice) by the bikes’ inability to charge in freezing weather. TBH I wouldn’t have known that either...

Yeah, the LiveWires don't have active thermal management to my knowledge. So extreme cold makes charging/range not great. I'm not sure if Energicas or Zeros would do much better.

I'm a little perplexed by their decision to use prototype Harley Livewire conversions... The first episode showed them riding Zeros as their "introduction" to electric motorcycles, why not just use a Zero for the trip? IIRC, Zero already makes a production ADV bike.

I think Harley actually "approached" them tbh. The way they portray it in the show is sorta like "We got to test ride this prototype from Harley" and next thing you know the Harley engineers are totally reworking the motorcycle. I will say, the Livewire modifications they did does make it very cool.

Using Zero's would make more sense only because the Zeros have Level 2 Charging. Rivian built out Level 2 charging infrastructure along the route for their trucks. The Harley's can't use Level 2 so the infrastructure was pointless for them.

From what I know, later in the show they do a charge off the Rivians - but the Rivian engineers hadn't got that solved at the start.

 

[berth]

We I don't know what the relationship between Zero and the group were outside of the test rides, but at a minimum Zero didn't get noted on film as having refused them (like KTM did).

Maybe H-D was willing to put more sponsorship in to the project (beyond just bikes). I'm sure when the project was considered, or even announced, that HD was the farthest from people minds as to being the primary provider for the riders.

And it's still a testament to both companies willing to subject their products to a 13K mile beta test on camera, even friendly cameras like these.

 

[derache123]

Well, considering all the charging troubles they've been having in the first few episodes, this 13k mile beta test isn't making Harley look too good lol.

 

[MikeL]

Well, considering all the charging troubles they've been having in the first few episodes, this 13k mile beta test isn't making Harley look too good lol.

I think these are edge cases in terms of charging. You have so much working against these bikes.

The Harley LiveWire was never meant to be a road trip bike. If it is used as a long haul motorcycle, you need have access to DCFC unless you want to wait about 10 hours between rides. DCFC isn't even really built out in the US to any large scale, let alone in Patagonia of all places lol.

The overnight temps appear to be below 0. Most LiveWires will never even come close to those conditions. Even if they were, a $30k (before tax/license) bike is most likely going to be garaged.

Maybe I'm wrong, but seems like most motorcyclists stay out of the freezing temps/stay home except for the "only transportation" crew.

 

[mrzuzzo]

The Rivians? The two they have are the very first "production" Rivians. They are basically production prototypes. Not sure what you want from them lol. They have a general idea but the extreme environment + new technology + unproven platform..

They don't look very "production" but either way, haven't these things been in development for over 5 years now? They never drove them in the cold before? Their range comes as a surprise?

Yeah, the LiveWires don't have active thermal management to my knowledge. So extreme cold makes charging/range not great. I'm not sure if Energicas or Zeros would do much better.

How is it possible they did not know this? Does it not get cold in Miluawakee?

I guess it's nice that they can stay in a luxury hotel while charging them :laughing

I think Harley actually "approached" them tbh.

I wonder if Harley is bankrolling part of this. They even flew an engineer/rep out to Argentina to help with the bikes.

They aren't doing EVs any favors though. Both the bikes and cars appear to be crap for a long distance trip. Wrong tools for the job. Doesn't help that you have that guy who's whining and complaining the entire time too.

 

[Johndicezx9]

youtu.be/tDkLmU0U6D8

:teeth