The mountains were still wrapped in morning mist when I first saw the LiveWire S2 Mulholland leaning casually against a low stone wall, its matte finish catching the muted light like a shadow in steel. Behind it, the Dolomites rose in jagged silhouettes, a playground of switchbacks, sweeping hairpins, and sheer drops into green valleys. This was no Hollywood Hills Mulholland Drive. This was Italy, sharper, steeper, and far less forgiving.
I had flown in with one question in mind: could this electric machine, dressed like a cruiser but built with modern e-mobility at its heart, deliver both the ease of city riding and the soul of an open-road wanderer? Only the mountains could give me that answer.
First Impressions: Style Meets Silence
Standing next to it, the S2 Mulholland makes its intentions difficult to read. Its stance is low, its tail short, the bars drawn back enough to invite you in. The detailing is sharp and deliberate, LiveWire hasn’t skimped on finish. But the moment you power it up, the absence of an exhaust note is both startling and intriguing.
Instead of the traditional cruiser rumble, you’re met with a low, futuristic hum, the kind of sound you’d expect from a high-speed elevator in a skyscraper. It feels out of place at first, but as I swung a leg over and rolled the throttle, the torque hit me instantly, 263 Newton meters unleashed without hesitation. The Mulholland doesn’t ask if you’re ready; it assumes you are.
Powertrain and Performance in the Dolomites
The Dolomites are the perfect proving ground for an electric powertrain. Roads here rarely stay flat for more than a few seconds. Ascents demand power, descents test your braking and control. The S2 Mulholland’s 84 horsepower permanent magnet motor, fed by a 10.5 kWh high-voltage battery, tackled each climb with a silent ferocity.
On the first long uphill run from Cortina d’Ampezzo towards Passo Giau, I discovered the beauty of electric torque in mountain riding, no gear changes, no waiting for the powerband. Just twist and surge. Tight hairpins were easier than expected, the bike’s narrow form letting me position it precisely.
But here’s where the cruiser pretence began to unravel. The footpegs sit mid-mounted, not forward. My knees were bent like I was on a naked bike, and while this offered more control, it robbed me of that laid-back cruiser sprawl. On the open straights between passes, I wanted to stretch my legs forward and sink into the seat. Instead, I found myself bracing slightly on acceleration, as the seat’s flat design gave little lower back support.
Technical Specifications
Specifications have been verified using the LiveWire’s official website. We prioritize official sources to ensure accurate and trustworthy data.
| Specification | Detail |
| Motor | Permanent Magnet Electric Motor |
| Power Output | 84 hp |
| Torque | 263 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 10.5 kWh |
| Platform | Arrow Platform |
| Charging Connector | Type 2 (IEC 62196-2) + Schuko Cable |
| Fast Charging | Not Supported (AC only) |
| Weight | Approx. 218 kg |
| Seat Height | 765 mm |
| Front Suspension | Inverted Telescopic Fork |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock |
| Front Tyre | Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV |
| Rear Tyre | Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV |
| Price (Germany) | €19,427 |
| Price (Switzerland) | CHF 18,490 |
Handling – From Passo Falzarego to Val Gardena
Handling in the city and handling in the mountains are two different animals, and the Mulholland is a study in contrasts. In the tight streets of Bolzano earlier in the week, it had felt nimble, almost playful. The high bars and narrow stance made darting through traffic feel natural.
But on the sweeping bends of the Dolomites, that same setup became a handicap. I found the front end vague, almost disconnected from the road. The Dunlop tyres did their job, but I had to trust them more than I could feel them. In fast, downhill sweepers, I wanted more feedback, more dialogue between asphalt and handlebars.
It’s a curious sensation: the bike remains stable, never threatening to misbehave, but also never quite speaking to you. You ride on it rather than with it, a subtle but important difference for anyone who lives for that sense of machine-as-extension-of-self.
Charging in Mountain Life
Italy’s Dolomites aren’t exactly dotted with rapid chargers, so the Mulholland’s AC-only limitation was always going to be a factor. Charging from a standard Schuko socket overnight at the mountain lodge was easy enough, but I had to be mindful. The bike doesn’t accept three-phase AC, so many public 11 kW chargers are effectively useless unless they can be dialed down to a single phase at around 3.5 kW.
It’s not a dealbreaker if you plan carefully, but it adds an extra layer of route management, something that a petrol-powered cruiser simply doesn’t require. Still, riding silently through alpine villages at dawn without waking a soul gave me something no petrol bike could.
Where the Mulholland Shines
Back in the valley towns, the S2 Mulholland felt in its element. The regenerative braking in “range mode” was strong enough to let me ride almost entirely throttle-on/throttle-off, barely touching the brakes. In stop-and-go tourist traffic, it was a dream, compact, quick off the line, and blessedly quiet. Locals glanced over, curious but not annoyed. It has presence without intimidation, which is rare for anything carrying cruiser DNA.
Conclusion – A Cruiser in Looks, a City Machine at Heart
After days of riding through some of the most spectacular motorcycling terrain in Europe, my verdict is clear: the LiveWire S2 Mulholland is not a traditional cruiser, and it doesn’t pretend to be once you’re in the saddle. It borrows the style but replaces the soul with something different, urban efficiency, instant electric torque, and a calm, silent charm that makes sense in modern cities.
In the Dolomites, it gave me speed, agility, and a certain sci-fi coolness, but not the immersive mechanical connection I get from an engine’s throb or a chassis that talks back. As a mountain road companion, it’s competent but emotionally muted. As a city bike, it’s among the best I’ve ridden.
Is the LiveWire S2 Mulholland good for long trips?
It can manage them with planning, but its limited charging speed and lack of DC fast charging mean it’s best suited to short-to-medium daily distances.
Does LiveWire S2 Mulholland feel like a real cruiser?
Not in the traditional sense. The seating position, mid-mounted pegs, and handling make it feel more like an upright naked bike with cruiser styling cues.
What’s the real-world range of LiveWire S2 Mulholland?
In mixed use, around 150–160 km is realistic, depending on riding style and terrain. City use can stretch that further.
