Brammo Empulse Articles
News
Video: riding the Brammo Empulse
Back in August, I got to be the first outsider to hoon the new Brammo Empulse R. That was a big deal, because the bike is sort of a watershed moment for electrics, being the first production machine to realize the potential of the power source. It's not just an excuse pegged to zero emissions, it's a desirable consumer product in its own right. Now, here's video from that two-day ride. ...
04 October 2012
Brammo Empulse: the electric motorcycle has finally arrived
Electric motorcycles: slow, boring, short ranges, expensive. When I flew up to Oregon last week to ride the Brammo Empulse I expected a good bike. A practical commuter, an efficient appliance, maybe something a little bit fun. But, what I got was something entirely different. As you can see, this is a very serious motorcycle. Photos: Maddox Visual My first experience with Brammo was back in 2...
20 August 2012
Brammo Empulse R: first photos
Snapped by Italian technology partner IET, which developed the 6-speed gearbox, these are the first photos of the new Brammo Empulse R, due for official unveiling on May 8. Not only will this be the first production electric motorcycle capable of exceeding 100mph, but that gearbox and traditional clutch should help spread its performance across that speed range. Low-speed, off-the-line acceleratio...
19 April 2012
News
54bhp, 46lb/ft, 100mph and 77 miles: official Brammo Empulse R specs
The upcoming Brammo Empulse R will top 100mph and be capable of exceeding 100 miles in range at city speeds, according to official specs just released by the company. Unveiled in concept form two years ago, we’re now seeing the slow release of details in the run up to the model’s May 8 production debut. Let’s get those specs out of the way: Drivetrain Motor Type: Permanent Magnet AC (PMA...
18 April 2012
News
Brammo does Thunderhill in 3D
Like electric motorcycles? Own a pair of 3D glasses? Love wind noise overlaid with environmental elecro? You’re in luck then, Brammo’s captured an onboard riding video of factory racer Steve Atlas piloting the Empulse RR around Thunderhill in 3D. Even if you don’t have the glasses and are prepared to put up with the red and blue ghosting, the video’s pretty neat. http://www.youtube.com/...
02 September 2011
News
Brammo makes it easier to go electric racing
It’s about to get a lot easier to go electric motorcycle racing. Electric motorcycle manufacturer Brammo has signed a deal to provide race-ready rides for the TTXGP electric racing series for the 2013 season. The bike will be a souped-up version of the Empulse that Brammo says we’ll see within months. The deal comes at a critical time for electric motorcycle racing. Although the sport has co...
25 July 2011
Photo: Brammo Empulse RR takes Thunderhill’s Cyclone
This sequence shows the company’s designer and test rider Brian Wismann riding the Brammo Empulse RR through Thunderhill’s Cyclone. Brammo is preparing for the 2011 TTXGP race season, which will see it compete against bikes like the Mission R and possibly the MotoCzysz E1pc as well as some as-yet-unseen hotness from an HFL contributor. This photo’s available in high-res, along with a bunch o...
29 January 2011
News
Why Motor Trend and Rush Limbaugh are both wrong about the Chevy Volt
The car world is abuzz with controversy. In the run up to going on-sale next month, the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt is being evaluated by the press and heaped with various plaudits and awards. Right-wing pundits who haven’t even driven the Volt are also weighing in, criticizing both the government for partially funding the vehicle’s development and the publications for reviewing it positively. M...
23 November 2010
Brammo goes global
The big question hanging over electric motorcycle startups has been: if the products take off, what’s to stop major manufacturers like Honda from coming in and stealing the market away with large-scale production efficiencies and established distribution networks? Now, that question has an answer, because now Brammo has access to a manufacturing and supply chain that spans 30 countries and four ...
15 September 2010
News
Design Analysis: Brammo Empulse
With the launch of the It makes no attempt to hide its batteries like the A tank is the center piece of all motorcycle design. It is visible in both plan and elevation, often both at the same time, from standing still and from the rider view. The rider touches it constantly with the most sensitive and intimate parts of their b...
19 July 2010