BrammoCraig has been dropping hints on Twitter for a couple months about a big upcoming announcement. They made the announcement today.
it's a new motorcycle .. the styling is the lean-over-the-handlebars street fighter style, and has no fairings (naked). It has a 100+ miles/hr top speed and comes in three range specs .. 60, 80 and 100 miles
The price for the 100 mile model is $14,000 (before incentives) and supposedly compares favorably in price to bikes like Ducati Streetfighter. Compare to the oft-delayed Misson One and its eyepopping price tag and this bike looks darned affordable. Mission may be in trouble as they get undercut before they can deliver their bike to the market.
40hp liquid-cooled AC synchronous motor -- we're seeing with TTXGP races that cooling the motor is critical, and that liquid cooling the motor innards is a great idea. Dunno enough yet exactly what they mean by "liquid cooling".
First Look: Brammo Empulse
http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_news/first_looks_articles/archive/first_look_brammo_empulse
Brammo Empulse – This Changes Everything
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/brammo-empulse-this-changes-everything/
Brammo Empulse Electric Motorcycle -100mph/100mile range
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDF2EMjir2k
2011 Brammo Empulse Preview
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/2011-brammo-empulse-preview-89773.html
New Brammo Electric Motorcycle Is Fast Enough For Trouble
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/07/new-electric-motorcycle-is-fast-enough-for-trouble/
Brammo announces the Empulse, a 100+ mph naked electric streetfighter with 100-mile range
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/brammo-announces-the-empulse-a-100-mph-naked-streetfighter-wit/
Brammo Empulse Electric Motorcycle
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/750/7468/Motorcycle-Article/Brammo-Empulse-Electric-Motorcycle.aspx
Found the press release
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brammo-announces-the-empulse---a-trio-of-electric-motorcycles-exceeding-100-mph-includin...
Brammo Announces the Empulse - a Trio of Electric Motorcycles Exceeding 100 mph, Including a Model That Can Travel up to 100 Miles on a Single Charge, With Prices Starting at $9995
ASHLAND, Ore., July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Brammo, Inc. announced today it will begin production of an electric sportbike, calling it the "Empulse." Brammo demonstrated a pre-production prototype today and all three production models of the Empulse will be capable of sustaining 100 mph. The three models will have different battery capacities, all utilizing an innovative proprietary array, the Brammo Power™ battery and vehicle management system. The Empulse is available for immediate order and deliveries will commence in 2011.
Craig Bramscher, Founder and CEO of Brammo, said, "Motorcycle riders have been requesting increased speed and range and I am proud and delighted to reveal these game-changing Brammo electric motorcycles. Our customers expect Brammo to design and produce the world's most exciting (and affordable) electric motorcycles and that's exactly what we have done." Bramscher continued, "Today's announcement promises no more range anxiety for Brammo customers."
The Empulse Trio
All three models of the Empulse will be freeway capable and will enjoy a top speed in excess of 100 mph. Each of the three models will offer customers a different average range from a single charge. The Empulse 6.0 is capable of 60 miles (96 kilometers) average range, the Empulse 8.0 is capable of 80 miles (129 kilometers) average range and the top of the line Empulse 10.0 is capable of a travelling 100 miles (161 kilometers) on a single charge. Range of all three models can be extended by travelling at lower speeds.
The estimated MSRP for the Empulse trio when deliveries start next year are; Empulse 6.0 $9,995, Empulse 8.0 $11,995 and Empulse 10.0 $13,995. All three models will be eligible for Federal and State tax incentives. For example, the Empulse 10.0 may cost as little as $7,000 in certain states after Federal and State incentives.
Empulse Technology
Today's announcement sees the first application of Brammo's innovative Brammo Digital Drivetrain™ including the Brammo Power™ battery pack and Brammo Power™ vehicle management system. Brammo's breakthrough in price/energy density is at the heart of today's announcement and is unequalled in the electric vehicle industry. The Empulse is also the world's first production electric motorcycle to have a water cooled motor.
Brian Wismann, Director of Product Development at Brammo and designer of the Empulse, said, "The Empulse reveals the significant price performance that we can deliver using Brammo Power™ technology. Just like it did with the Enertia Powercycle, Brammo has again raised the bar in terms of electrical drivetrain innovation and time to market."
Empulse Availability
Customers can place their order for an Empulse by visiting the Brammo website www.brammo.com . Deliveries are expected to commence in mid-2011 and orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers placing an order will be expected to place a refundable deposit once their Empulse is within 90 days of delivery. The Brammo range of motorcycles will be available globally through select motorcycle dealerships and participating Best Buy stores during 2011.
Brammo Distribution
Brammo is expanding its dealership network both within the USA and in Europe and Asia. Organizations interested in selling and servicing the Brammo range of motorcycles, which includes the award winning Enertia, can register their interest by visiting www.brammo.com/dealerapplication
Adrian Stewart, director of Sales and Marketing at Brammo, said, "We are always looking for individuals and organizations that want to enter into a long term business partnership with Brammo to sell and service our range of electric vehicles. JCAM, our distributor and dealer in Hong Kong and Singapore is an excellent example of such an organization."
Forged in the Heat of Competition
Brammo Power™ technology employed in the Empulse is race proven in the Brammo Empulse RR race bike. You can see the Empulse RR in action at the 2010 Red Bull Grand Prix, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Brammo will race the Empulse RR in the FIM e-Power series which will see 15 electric motorcycle teams from around the world compete on this demanding circuit.
Meet the Empulse
Brammo CEO Craig Bramscher will be unveiling the Empulse at the 2010 Red Bull Grand Prix at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, 11.15am, Saturday July 24th 2010.
Later this year the Empulse will be at EICMA Milan, Italy and at the Macau Grand Prix, China.
About Brammo
Brammo, Inc. is a leading electric vehicle technology company headquartered in North America. Brammo designs and develops electric vehicles including the award winning Brammo Enertia motorcycle. Brammo is an OEM supplier of its innovative Brammo Digital Drivetrain™ systems including the Brammo Power™ battery pack and Brammo Power™ vehicle management system. Brammo has vehicle distribution and marketing operations in North America, Europe and Asia.
Fans and media can follow Brammo on Twitter at BrammoSays and on Facebook at Brammo Powercycles.
Adrian G Stewart
astewart [at] brammo.com
+1 541.482.9555 ext. 310
SOURCE Brammo, Inc.
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki
The bike looks nice, but the seat and behind the seat section is ugly. They need to rework that.
It has to look something like Multistrada's:
This bike is incredible -- and it looks even nicer in person. I was lucky enough to see it at the unveiling at Laguna Seca. I spoke with one of the engineers (Roger Gerson -- he used to work for Vectrix). He said that they are "looking at" covering up the batteries with some fairings, but I wasn't clear on whether this will be part of the final design, or an upgrade option. I really like the looks of the bike "naked", although I imagine it would be more aerodynamic with some fairings on it. This first photo is the race-version which may give an idea of what the street version would look like with fairings.
I also posted a short "walk-around" video of the bike at the Laguna Sega unveiling on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuft3fw-E50
I placed my Pre-order for this new electric beast. During the Pre-order process I was asked to agree to pay $500 shipping, but I live close enough to a Best Buy (San Carlos, CA, where they've been selling the Inertia) that I can ride it home, rather than have it shipped. The lady (Laura Frantz of Brammo) assured me that I wouldn't have to pay the extra $500 for shipping.
How many of you have pre-ordered?
Anticipation.................
beautiful beast!
oobflyer, when will you be able to purchase this bike?
"EV is here, EV is now, EV is impulse..." Oh dear...!
"Taking pre-orders..."
Vapour ware - until you can test drive and buy one outright with a bunch of dollars in your hand!
Has anyone heard anything of Cumoco lately?
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There is always a way if there is no other way!
Ah! It only took me three months to notice your question and reply to it! But, sadly, I don't have a definite answer. I did go to the Brammo facility in Ashland, Oregon last month (November 2010), where Laura gave me a tour of the place.
I asked her when Brammo expected to start producing the Empulse and she said they are aiming for summer of 2011, but she made it clear that this was a target date only.
She also mentioned that the prototype Empulse that is currently being shown has the 8.0 configuration (i.e. 80 mile range) and has been consistently achieving the targeted range.
It looks very promising. I'll have one in my garage as soon as they start making them!