Last weekend, the Team Icon Brammo and Team Parker Brammo squads competed against their gas-powered counterparts, which you can read about here. Now, let’s take a closer look at just how far e-bike technology has progressed since Brammo — and Lightning — last raced at Sonoma Raceway, exactly one year ago.
This past weekend, Brammo arrived to Sonoma Raceway in Central California ready to do battle. Only this time the electric sportbike manufacturer would be trading blows not with other electric bikes, but with their ICE counterparts at the second round of the American Federation of Motorcyclists series — one of the oldest club racing organizations in the country. Continue Reading »
“We wake up every morning and build bikes. It’s a great life.” – Craig Bramscher
Brammo continues charge up its public relations motor as we approach the launch of its long-anticipated Empulse R with a new video featuring company founder and Chief Executive Officer Craig Bramscher about the state of the company and its upcoming electric motorcycle.
Bramscher touches upon many points in the 21-minute video, but two things stand out: Bramscher’s passion for his company and the importance Brammo places on consumer feedback. Continue Reading »
Brammo revealed official specifications for the production version of its long-anticipated Empulse.
The Oregon-based company will produce two versions, the Brammo Empulse and the Brammo Empulse R. Brammo has released new specifications for the R version though it’s not clear what differentiates the two models. The Empulse R will likely be a faired version similar to the Empulse RR TTXGP racebike. More specific differences will come when both versions of the Brammo Empulse are revealed May 8.
We do know that both models will use water-cooled permanent magnet AC motors with six-speed transmissions. According to Brammo, the Empulse R can reach a top speed of over 100 mph. Brammo claims a range of 121 miles in the city (stop-and-go traffic with an average speed of 19 mph), 56 miles on the highway (at a sustained speed of 70 mph), and a combined range of 77 miles in half-city, half-highway riding. Continue Reading »
Brammo announced it will launch the production version of its much-anticipated Empulse electric motorcycle in May, nearly two years after the prototype was first unveiled.
The production version of the 2012 Brammo Empulse will be unveiled May 8 in Los Angeles, with a live webcast for all pre-order customers.
When it was first announced, the naked streetfighter-styled Empulse was described as a “game changer”, promising 100 mph performance and up to a 100-mile range. Continue Reading »
“Popular Science” magazine has named the Brammo Empulse to its annual “Best of What’s New” awards. The Empulse is one of 100 winners chosen and one of 11 (and the only motorcycle) named in the automotive category.
The Brammo Empulse 10.0 (MSRP $13,995) was commended for its 100 mph top speed and 100 mile range claims. Powered by a 57hp motor with a 10 kwh battery, the Empulse claims a charge time of 10 hours from a 110V outlet. Brammo will also offer a 6.0 and 8.0 version with smaller batteries and lower price points.
The electric motor is water-cooled and the Empulse is also equipped with a six-speed transmission, two innovations of the electric motorcycle segment.
Mission Motors rider Steve Rapp led from start to finish to win the Laguna Seca round of the TTXGP and FIM e-Power championships. The race was significant both because it demonstrated the improvements made in electric motorcycle racing over the last year, but also because it was the first joint event held by the two rival electric racing series.
A veteran AMA racer, Rapp took the holeshot and held off 2010 Laguna Seca e-Power winner Michael Czysz and 2010 runner-up Michael Barnes for the win, completing the 8-lap race in 12:40.597, translating to lap times of about 1:35.1.
Rapp’s result showed the advances made in electric motorcycle racing over the last year. Czysz won last year’s 9-lap race in 16:02.596, which translates to an average lap time of about 1:47.0. Rapp’s fastest lap time in this year’s race was 1:33.194, obliterating Czysz record of 1:44.496 set last year.
Brammo announced it is developing a racing version of its upcoming Empulse electric sportbike for TTXGP competition.
In a strategic partnership with the TTXGP, Brammo intends to introduce the race-ready Empulse TTX exclusively for teams competing in the 2013 TTXGP Championship.
The Empulse TTX race package includes a TTXGP homologated race bike, one season’s worth of entry fees to one of the TTXGP’s regional series, trackside support from Brammo factory-trained technicians, logistical support and access to a range of race upgrades.
