The Harley-Davidson Motor Company is rocking down to Electric Avenue with Project LiveWire: the manufacturer's first electric motorcycle.

Not available for sale to the general public, the company will launch a beta test program next week, allowing select consumers around the country to ride and provide feedback on the bike.

"America at its best has always been about reinvention," Harley-Davidson COO Matt Levatich said in a statement. "And, like America, Harley Davidson has reinvented itself many times in our history, which customers leading us every step of the way. Project LiveWire is another exciting, customer-led moment in our history."

A 2014 U.S. tour kicks off with an iconic journey down Route 66, with stops at more than 30 Harley-Davidson dealerships. The Project LiveWire Experience will continue in 2015, eventually expanding into Canada and Europe.

The junket kicks off next week in New York, before heading to Boston and Philadelphia, among other cities. Be sure to take the test drive seriously: Future plans for retail availability will be influenced by user feedback during the Harley-Davidson tour.

Even those who aren't licensed motorcycle drivers can test the electric hog via the Jumpstart simulated riding experience.

The company is quick to dismiss comparisons between its new innovation and other electric vehicles already on the road.

"Project LiveWire is more like the first electric guitarnot an electric car," Mark-Hans Richer, chief marketing officer, said. "It's an expression of individuality and iconic style that just happens to be electric."

According to Harley-Davidson, the bike offers a "visceral" riding experience, complete with tire-shredding acceleration, and a new sound, which Richer calls "a distinct part of the thrill."

"Think fighter jet on an aircraft carrier," he said. "Project LiveWire's unique sound was designed to differentiate it from internal combustion and other electric motorcycles on the market."

Visit the Project LiveWire website for more details about the new bike, and specific dates and locations for the upcoming tour.

"Because electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, we are excited to learn more from riders through the Project LiveWire Experience," Richer said, adding that engaging with fans will help the company "to fully understand the definition of success in this market as the technology continues to evolve."

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