2012 Brammo Empulse Specs Released
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.
The Empulse R operates in two riding modes, selectable through a handlebar-mounted switch. “Normal” mode optimizes range by limiting acceleration through reducing the maximum current level. “Sport” mode offers maximum performance by not capping acceleration or speed.
Brammo’s BPM 15/90 lithium-ion battery has a 10.2 kWh capacity which can be charged with Level I and Level II J1772 charge stations. Brammo says the battery can be fully charged with the 120V Level I in 8 hours while the 240V Level II can fully charge the battery in 3.5 hours. Brammo also claims a range of 5 miles for every ten minutes of charging at Level II. The battery also gets a charge through regenerative braking.
The Brammo Empulse R is equipped with a 43mm Marzocchi fork and Sachs rear shock, both of which are fully-adjustable. The front wheel is equipped with dual 310mm brake discs with radial-mount four-piston Brembo calipers while a single two-piston Brembo caliper grips the rear disc.
“The Empulse and Empulse R are a milestone for Brammo and the new electric benchmark for the motorcycling industry. I know when I reveal the bikes on May 8th people are going to be blown away by the integrity of the design and the focused presence this motorcycle commands,” says Craig Bramscher, Founder and CEO of Brammo. “When we first revealed the Empulse prototype, our customers had some very clear feedback for us and that feedback has inspired much of what you will see in the production version.”
Full Specifications for the 2012 Brammo Empulse R:
| Drivetrain | |
| Motor Type | Permanent Magnet AC (PMAC) – Water Cooled |
| Motor Controller | Sevcon Gen 4 |
| Peak Motor Power | 40kW, @ 8,200 rpm (54 hp) |
| Peak Torque | 63Nm (46.5 foot pounds) |
| Final Drive | Direct Chain Drive (14/48) 520 O-ring chain |
| Transmission | IET 6 speed gearbox with multi-plate, hydraulic activated wet clutch |
| Emissions | None |
| Battery | |
| Battery Type | Brammo Power™ BPM15/90 Lithium-Ion ( NCM Chemistry) |
| Battery Pack Capacity | 9.31 kWh (nominal), 10.2 kWh (max) |
| Battery Pack Voltage | 103.6 V (nominal) |
| Recharge J1772 | Level I maximum charging time: 8 Hours. (0 – 99% SOC, no cell imbalances) |
| Level I and II | Level II maximum charging time: 3.5 Hours. (0 – 99% SOC, no cell imbalances) |
| 110V AC to J1772 Level 1 Adapter included | Every 10 minutes of Level II charging adds up to 5 miles of range |
| Battery Cycle Life | 1,500 cycles to 80% capacity (100% DOD) |
| Performance | |
| Max Speed | 100 + mph (160 + km/h) |
| Driving Range | City: 121 miles* (195 km) |
| Highway: 56 miles** (90 km) | |
| Combined: 77 miles*** (124 km) | |
| *SAE City Riding Range Test Procedure for Electric Motorcycles (variable speed, 19 mph / 30km/h average) | |
| **SAE Highway / Constant Speed Riding Range Test Procedure for Electric Motorcycles (70 mph / 113 km/h sustained) | |
| *** SAE Highway Commuting Cycle (.5 City weighting, .5 Highway weighting) | |
| Operating Modes | 2 Operating Modes selectable through the handlebar switch: |
| 1. “Normal” – limits acceleration by reducing maximum current delivered to the motor through the motor controller in order to maximize driving range. | |
| 2. “Sport” – provides maximum performance in both acceleration and top speed. | |
| Regenerative Braking | Under deceleration, energy is returned to the battery system to both extend driving range and provide familiar rider feedback. |
| Operating Cost | Assuming 13 cents /kWh for electricity: |
| 1 cent per mile around town | |
| 2 cents per mile on the highway | |
| Approximately 400 miles for every $4.00 of electricity (city) | |
| Data Collection | Brammo DDC™ (Dynamic Data Collection) records key motorcycle parameters at 1Hz (1 sample/second) for analysis and service support. |
| Chassis | |
| Frame | Brammo E-Beam™ Aluminum, Fabricated by Accossato in Italy |
| Suspension / Front | Fully Adjustable 43mm Marzocchi Forks |
| Suspension / Rear | Fully Adjustable Sachs Shock |
| Triple Clamps | Forged Aluminum |
| Swing Arm | Tubular Steel, Fabricated by Accossato in Italy |
| Sub Frame | Tubular Steel, Fabricated by Accossato in Italy |
| Brakes / Front | Dual 310mm Brembo floating disk with twin four piston Hydraulic Brembo Brake Calipers, Radial Mount. |
| Brakes / Rear | Brembo single disk with dual piston Hydraulic Brembo Brake Caliper |
| Wheels– Front / Rear | 17″x 3.5″ Marchesini / 17″ x 5.5″ Marchesini |
| Tires– Front / Rear | 120/70-17 AVON AV79 / 180/55-17 AVON AV80 |
| Instrumentation | LCD display; speed, tach, odometer, gear position, energy consumption, battery status, estimated range and system status |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 58.0″ 147.32 cm |
| Seat Height | 31.5″ 80.0 cm |
| Width | 31.8″ (bar end-to-bar end) 80.77 cm |
| Height | 42.6″ (highest portion of the dash) 108.2 cm |
| Length | 81.3″ 206.5 cm |
| Ground Clearance | 7.3″ 18.54 cm |
| Rake / Trail | 24 degrees / 3.8″ |
| Storage Capacity | Optional Brammo hard saddle bags and top trunk. |
| Fuel Economy | 485 mpg-e 206 km/L-e |
| Vehicle Weight | 440lbs. / 200kg |
| Carrying Capacity | Cargo Capacity 365 lbs. / 165.6 kg |
| (805 lbs. / 365.1 kg total combined motorcycle, rider, passenger and cargo) | |
| Warranty | |
| 2 Years (Limited Factory Warranty) 1 year Fender-to-Fender Limited Warranty, 2 year Limited Powertrain Warranty (Batteries and Motor) | |
| Colors | True Blood Red, Eclipsed Black, White Noise |
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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