North American TTXGP Champ Steve Atlas on the Empulse RR

With the production of the 2012 Brammo Empulse right around the corner (Q2 2012), there have been rumors and speculation floating around about supposed changes to the original design and available options. In this post I will do my best to piece together the rumors, speculation, and even confirmed facts surrounding Brammos flagship motorcycle.

6 Speed IET Transmission: This is not really much of a rumor as it is a known fact, the 2012 Brammo Empulse will indeed come standard with SMRE”s 6 speed IET (Integrated Electric Transmission). Basically the idea is that the transmission will be integrated with the motor to provide a more traditional feel along with some other advantages. The IET was introduced on Brammo’s 2 latest models, the Encite, and the Engage and is claimed to increase low and high end performance as well as overall efficiency.

So how does a manual transmission work with an electric motor? Quite well according to this interview by Garage Monkey, where Adrian Stewart (Brammo Director of Sales and Marketing) stated that “you can put the bike in say third and then forget about the clutch”. So while there are 6 gears available, you can drive the Empulse as if it is has a direct drive transmission like the Enertia.

Power Increase: The new IET setup may facilitate a different motor design too, since the motor and transmission are indeed “integrated”. Conversely Brammo may be modifying the existing motor to accommodate an integrated transmission. What ever the case may be, we can almost be certain that the motor will provide more power than its originally stated 54hp according to this LA Times article which includes statements from Craig Bramscher (Brammo CEO) himself. Also a certainty is that the Empulse’s motor will remain a water-cooled design which will be a first for a production electric motorcycle.

Room for Two: Another rumor that we can put in the “don’t be surprised” bin, is that the 2012 Empulse will at least have the option for a second seat. From what I have seen in the Brammo Owners Forum this feature has been particularly high in demand for other potential *EmpulseBuyers and according to Brammo’s Facebook page it looks as if Brammo is going to deliver on that request.

Single Battery Option: According to this article over at Wired.com word has it that Brammo may be selling the Empulse in the 10.0 flavor alone due to much higher demand for the 10.0 compared to the 8.0 and 6.0 options originally offered. At 14K it wont be the cheap, but with Federal and State rebates, it will be in the same ballpark or even much less than its ICE powered competition.

Optional Fairings: Though not by any means confirmed by Brammo, there has been a lot of speculation in regards to optional fairings that may be available for the Empulse. Perhaps fairings similar in design to those attached to the Empulse RR race bike (Pictured Above) modified for street use to accommodate  a headlight.

Dual Motors: Its a nice thought, but if we see dual motors at all next year, it will probably be on the already race proven Empulse RR. There has been no confirmation from Brammo either way so this one definitely goes into the “speculation and rumors” bin. Anyway, you can catch up on this and other discussions over at the Brammo Owner’s Forum. If you have a Brammo on pre-order be sure to put yourself on the owners map while you are there!

Brammo Engage SMS

Brammo dropped a bomb on us today with 4 new models from 2 model lines to drool over, only this time these machines are honed for dirt and dual sport duty, aiming more directly at Zero’s current offerings. The new bikes will make their debut this Friday (May 6th 2011) and compete in the MiniMotoSX race in Las Vegas. The 4 new models are targeted to be priced inline with competitors machines:

Engage MX Dirt Bike: $9995.00

Engage SMR Super Moto (Racing): $9995.00

Engage SMS Super Moto (Street): $11995.00

Encite MMX PRO Mini Dirt Bike: Price TBA

See Brammo’s New toys in action… wheelies!

What’s most intriguing to me is the announcement about Brammo’s “strategic” partnership with S.M.R.E. who will provide the 6 speed patented Integrated Electric Transmission™ on Brammo’s new offerings. Brammo claims that this new technology will improve both performance and range while providing a more conventional feel to its electric motorcycles. We can expect to see the 6 speed IET showcased in these 4 new dirt friendly models and *likely* future offerings from Brammo.

A 6 Speed IET for the Empulse? Yes please!

The question is, will this new technology translate over to the Empulse, also slated for production in 2012? All signs point to YES. Here are a couple of clues from the CEO and founder of Brammo himself, Craig Bramscher, in an email earlier this week to those who have already pre-ordered an Empulse: “We had a tough decision to make recently: Deliver the Empulse this riding season, or integrate our latest technology and deliver a superior bike in 2012 (…) This week we will be announcing some new prototype models based on the new technology. These bikes have helped us thoroughly test and prove the technology that is being integrated into the Empulse.” (See the full email here)  Pretty exciting stuff, and there are lot’s of questions to be answered about how it will all work with the electric motor. Join the discussion here.

While production of the Empulse has been delayed until (early?) next year we can be sure that Brammo is committed to releasing a solid and refined product using the latest technology. Until then, stay tuned! May is shaping up to be a huge month for Brammo!

I cant remember the last time I got this excited about a product let alone one that a cant even buy… at least I cant buy it yet. I certainly have never been excited enough about any product to start my own blog about one. But here I am, using my free time to maintain a blog about the Brammo Empulse, the finest electric motorcycle you still cant yet buy. Anyway, I wanted to make a few points about the Empulse and why I think its well worth the money and the wait.

1. The bike just looks great! There is nothing out there that packages up 6 to 10 kWh of batteries so elegantly. The Empulse is truly an example of extraordinary design and engineering with a look all its own. Props to Brammo for not simply throwing an electric motor and a pile of batteries inside a conventional motorcycle design.

2. Range is more than adequate for my needs. If I was concerned about the range I would have gone with the 10.0 model with 100 miles range, but I didn’t. I have my pre-order in for the Empulse 8.0 because I determined that 80 miles is more than I will travel on this bike in one day. Why should I worry about range when I can fuel up at home by simply plugging the bike into a standard 110 volt outlet at the end of the day? If I want to go further I can always take my car, and have much less fun.

3. Plenty enough performance to get into trouble. Not that getting in trouble is my goal but with 55HP and 59lb/ft of torque  available AT ZERO RPM it certainly wouldn’t be much of a challenge… A big advantage to an electric motor is silky smooth power delivery with instant torque. Keep in mind that the Empulse 8.0 weighs less than 400lbs and top speed is over 100 mph, speed limits tend to be much less than that… Just sayin. You can check out the specs of all three models on Brammo’s website here.

4. I can fuel up my Empulse for FREE. Fully charging the Empulse 8.0 from the grid would only cost about $1, but more than enough sun hits my solar panels every day to power my home and my future Empulse! We’re talking about a modest 2.96kWh system with an average daily output of around 15kWh. Want to see what kind of solar system you would need to power your electric motorcycle? There is an app for that!

Something else to consider, when charging your EV with solar power while offsetting the rising price of gas, the return on investment of your solar system could be less than 5 years!

5. Fantastic federal and state incentives are available for EVs. Why not take advantage of these incentives while they are available? I know I certainly will when its time to take delivery of my Empulse. Here in Colorado, the tax break for buying an EV is exceptional, but Colorado isn’t the only state that has tax breaks available for EVs. California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Carolina also provide benefits of some sort for EV buyers. Check out http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/state for details on incentives in your state.

6. Exceptional customer service. While Im not yet a Brammo customer myself I am amazed by how well this company supports and listens to its customers. See for yourself, check out brammoforum.com where actual Brammo employees are available to answer your questions. If I happen to run into issues with my Empulse its nice to know that Brammo will go above and beyond to make sure I am taken care of. I gotta say, that kind of service is rare these days…

7. Nearly ZERO maintenance. Aside from lubing up the chain and checking tire pressure every few hundred miles the Empulse will require almost no maintenance compared to a conventional motorcycle which saves you big money in the long run. See how much you can save over the life of your electric motorcycle with this app. Reliability should not be an issue either, with much less moving parts there is a lot less that could go wrong, and with proper care the battery is designed to last the life of the motorcycle.

8. Less distractions. I enjoy mashing through gears on my GSXR750 as much as the next guy but when I am stuck in dense traffic surrounded by cagers (I’m convinced are trying to kill me) in 90+ degree weather its about no fun at all. On the other hand with the Empulse I wont have to bother with a clutch or the constant changing of gears which will allow me to stay focused on the potential dangers (minivans) around me.

9. Zero carbon footprint. The beauty of any EV is that you can really run it on anything that you can burn or harness to create electricity. If your source of electricity is wind, water, or solar you essentially have a zero carbon footprint EV which makes a 50cc scooter look like a gas guzzler.

10. Price parity with conventional motorcycles. With an entry level price of less than 10 thousand dollars (Empulse 6.0) the Empulse gives you by far the most bang for your buck of any electric motorcycle. Figure in the federal 10% tax break (and possible state incentives) and you could end up paying less than you would for a comparable conventional (ICE) motorcycle, not to mention what you will be saving on gas and maintenance.

Brammo Owners Map

Check out the latest feature over at the brammoforum.com community forum! Now you can put yourself on the map as a current (or soon to be) Brammo Owner! Just another way to connect with the other Brammo fans around you. Just sign into the forum and visit the map to add your your own scratch and sniff marker to the map! I timed myself and it took me 12 seconds to complete the form… just select a motorcycle and enter your zip code. Easy!

Don’t have a Brammo yet? Who cares, put yourself on the map anyway! You pre-ordered one right? Brammo is bound to rectify your (and my) poser status sooner than later .

Go check it out while it still has that new app smell! Big thanks to @skadamo for his help integrating this code into the forum!

Brammo Owners Map

With almost the same range as the Nissan Leaf but using 1/4th of the Leafs 24kWh battery the Brammo Enertia Plus will probably have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any EV. How about a ZERO carbon footprint option though? Team the Enertia Plus up with a few solar panels, throw in some fat tax subsidies, and you got yourself a very attractively priced zero carbon footprint urban commuter!

Just like my article “Solar Powered Brammo Empulse in Colorado” I will use give you an example of how much this setup will run you in Colorado. Be sure to check and see if your state has tax subsidies for EVs or solar panels.

Not only does Colorado offer some of the best tax incentives for electric vehicles in the country, but it also has a great climate for solar power! Depending on where you live in Colorado, you may have up to 330 days of sun per year to take advantage of your solar investment. With current tax incentives and rebates available in Colorado, your complete solar PV system could pay for itself in as little as 10 years! If you offset the costs of gas with an EV (Like a Brammo Empulse or Enertia) the system could pay for itself in less than half 1/4th that time!

Now lets look at the numbers to see what we will pay out of pocket and after incentives for the Solar / Brammo Enertia Plus, carbon free combo in Colorado.

Disclaimer: Obviously I am in no way WHATSOEVER a tax professional. The following numbers are estimates based on my own research. Your actual numbers may vary, so I suggest you do your own research.

Your estimated total costs after tax incentives for carbon free transportation in CO is only $6,482.50! How cool is that!

Check out the Electric Motorcycle Price & TCO Calculator and the Solar PV System ROI with EV Calculator to get an idea of how much you could save going carbon free in your state!

Brammo Enertia Plus

This morning Brammo announced the introduction of the Enertia Plus to its model lineup! A truly capable EV for less than $9k. That sounds a lot better than the $30k+ you would have to drop for the Nissan Leaf and there’s no fancy $2k quick charger required… If I had the funds, I would start another blog called EnertiaBuyer.com but 2 motorcycles are enough for me . Anyway, here’s the summarized version of what you will find in the links below:

• Range: 80 miles! Twice the range of the model it supplements, the 2010 Enertia.
• Price is $8995.00, only 1 thousand dollars more than the standard Enertia.
• 6kWh Brammo Power battery!
• Steering geometry has been tweaked to improve steering and the handlebars are an inch closer to the rider for added comfort.
• Four new colors. Eclipsed Black (Sweet!), Silver Aluminum, True Blood Red, Peacekeeper Blue.
• $2,500.00 rebate from Brammo for current Enertia owners.

• Available in 2011.

Just like the Empulse pre-orders, if you are part of the first 1000 pre-orders you could get yours free! @BrammoCraig: “Pre-order the Enertia Plus and if you are one of 1,000 to get picked, we will be buying it for you! http://brammo.com/store/ ”

I have also added the Enertia Plus to the Electric Motorcycle TCO Calculator which makes it easy to find what your estimated out of pocket will be including federal and state incentives.

Good reads on the Brammo Enertia Plus:

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/2011-brammo-enertia-plus/

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/10/brammo-enertia-plus-double-the-range-not-double-the-price/

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/10/19/brammo-enertia-plus-up-to-80-mile-range-for-8995/?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4cbda1aecd16bde5,0

http://brammofan.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/double-the-range-double-your-pleasure-double-your-fun/

http://plugbike.com/2010/10/19/enertia-range-doubles-for-2011-with-enertia-plus/

http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_news/first_looks_articles/10q4/2011_brammo_enertia_plus_-_first_look

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/brammo-introduces-the-enertia-plus-electric-motorcycle-doubles/

Brammo Empulse RR

Because the Brammo Empulse is still under development there is a lot of speculation about what features will be available when it eventually goes to production some time next year. The Empulse represents the cutting edge for electric motorcycles and we will likely see some new innovative features that you wont find on a conventional ICE motorcycle. You know, other than the electric motor…

Some features I would love to see on the Empulse:

USB port(s): A USB port or two would make plugging in a GPS unit or an iPhone a sinch. Im not recommending a quick game of Angry Birds while you ride but its nice to know that when you get to where you are going your phone will be charged when you arrive. And soon you can count on some handy apps that will locate near by charge stations to help ease range anxiety for those long distance excursions. As more and more EVs are introduced to the market a charging station locator will most likely be a standard feature in portable GPS devices. And how about a USB powered motorcycle camera or lap timer!

Frame Sliders: Not that I would expect frame sliders to be included on the bike stock, but the ability to attach frame sliders to the Empulse would be greatly appreciated. I can personally attest to the functional benefit of frame sliders as they have saved me from big repair bills. I wont leave home on 2 wheels without them.

Second seat: Having a second seat on the Empulse is by no means is a deal breaker for me but it would certainly be a nice option to have available though. It also appears to be in high demand from what I have seen in the forums.

Bikini or Full Fairings: The Empulse looks great the way it is, all naked and sexy , but different people have different tastes and I know that many would like to see some fairings available for it. To get an idea of what the Empulse will look like with full fairings just take look at the Empulse RR. Consider also that aerodynamics will play a fairly big role in efficiency and range at high speeds, some streamlined fairings could improve performance in those areas too.

Riding Modes: The ability to switch between Performance or Battery Sustaining modes would definitely come in handy. Its always nice when a motorcycle can do some of the thinking for you to help keep your attention on the road.

What features would you like to see on the Empulse? Join the discussion or leave a comment!