Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle brand LiveWire has warned it may not survive the next year. Recurring losses and limited funding have raised serious doubts about its ability to keep operating, leaving Harley’s electric ambitions on shaky ground.
LiveWire reported $7.9 million in third-quarter revenue alongside an $18.6 million net loss. Selling more motorcycles hasn’t brought the company close to covering its costs.
Why is LiveWire’s future in doubt
LiveWire’s cash reserves fell from $82.8 million at the end of 2025 to $39.9 million by September 30. It enters the final quarter with less than half that earlier balance and continuing losses to absorb.
Its board formed a special restructuring committee on October 22, and Roy Gallagher has been appointed chief restructuring officer. The company also withdrew its forecast of a $70 million to $80 million operating loss for 2026.
LiveWire is seeking fresh financing and exploring potential partnerships. A sale is also among its options, though the company cautions that none of these efforts is guaranteed to succeed.
Why aren’t rising sales enough
LiveWire sold 241 electric motorcycles in the third quarter, up 31% from a year earlier. Those sales generated $2.7 million in revenue against a $17 million operating loss for the motorcycle division.
STACYC, its business selling electric balance bikes and other electric bikes, contributed $5.2 million in revenue. The smaller bikes brought in nearly twice as much as the motorcycles carrying LiveWire’s name.
That leaves the motorcycle business growing from a base that’s still too small to support its current costs.
Can cheaper motorcycles help it survive
The S4 Honcho range offers a more affordable entry point, with starting prices below $5,000. US deliveries of the Trail model began in August, while the Street version reached dealers in October.
Those prices give LiveWire a chance to reach more riders. Whether that translates into enough sales to improve its finances is still unproven, especially while the company needs funding to keep operating.
The next date to watch is November 9. LiveWire expects to file a fuller update on its financial position and plans by then.
