Harley To Auction Exclusive LiveWire For COVID-19 Relief

[Hugh Janus]

Harley-Davidson, in conjunction with Bonhams, will be auctioning off this custom LiveWire to raise funds for the United Way. (Harley-Davidson /)

Harley-Davidson’s trying to do its part. The Motor Company and Bonhams will host an exclusive auction of a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle and donate the proceeds to United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

It’s not unusual for The Motor Company to step up in times of crisis; it has contributed to both US and international relief efforts consistently over the years, from support for 9/11 first responders to donations of bikes in the Haitian earthquake restructuring. The current health crisis is an unprecedented and ongoing one, and H-D is chipping in to raise funds with a customized LiveWire made just for this moment. “We’re all affected by the current situation,” said Jon Bekefy, general manager of brand marketing at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “As a longtime partner of the United Way, and inspired by their continued resilience in this crisis, Harley-Davidson is honored to have a part to play in the relief effort and to inspire our community about the open road ahead.”

Part of the custom treatment on the auction bike include carbon fiber finishes and accessories like this Speed Screen. (Harley-Davidson /)

Up for bidding will be an ultra-exclusive version of Harley-Davidson’s electric machine, adorned with a one-off paint scheme and unique graphics package created by the Harley-Davidson styling and design team just for the occasion. This bike, which is a modified “First Strike” edition of the LiveWire (those specially numbered versions celebrating the first 500 units produced) also wears a full array of carbon fiber Genuine Parts and Accessories including carbon fiber Speed Screen Blade, Tail Section Cowl, and Tank Trim. To mark the historical significance, the bike on auction is number #500 of the 500 “First Strike” edition LiveWires and will be signed by members of the Davidson family.

“The Harley-Davidson design team created the custom paint and graphics on this motorcycle to accentuate the natural forms of the LiveWire,” Bekefy said. “It’s a very unique and stunning motorcycle that is truly one of a kind.”

The winner will also get special delivery of the motorcycle as well as a hosted, behind-the-scenes private tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum. (Andrew Cherney /)

On top of that custom LiveWire, the winning bidder and one guest will also be treated to an exclusive delivery experience and a “behind-the-scenes” tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum. That includes all travel and accommodations to Milwaukee as well as a private, one-of-kind walk-through of the museum.

The auction will be held by Bonhams digitally to honor the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, and will open for bids online at this site starting May 12 at 10:00 a.m. EST, closing May 26 at 4:00 p.m. All proceeds will be donated to United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. Bidders can find more info about the auction and prize package at bonhams.com/LiveWire, which is available for participants from the United States.

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Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide, is thankful for the help;. “The funds raised by auctioning this customized motorcycle will allow us to better provide needed services for individuals and families recovering from COVID-19 and support our efforts to bring communities back stronger than before.”

More info on the LiveWire is at Harley-Davidson.com/LiveWire.

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