2014 Brammo Empulse R Review + Video

Brammo is in a unique position, being a small company in the ever-advancing electric motorcycle world. It has the ability to adapt quickly to change. Case in point? The 2014 Brammo Empulse R. We’ve ridden the mighty Brammo a few times over the past 18 months, and while the bike you see in these pictures might appear identical to the ones we’ve ridden before, a peek under its skin will reveal several updates.

Funny enough, the highest-profile update to Brammo occurred about two years ago when it acquired the talents of AMA roadracing legend, Eric Bostrom, to help with development. His impact is already being felt in the 2014 Empulse R. In fact, it was Bostrom himself who met up with us to sample the ’14 model for a day in the canyons.

The nuts and bolts of the Empulse R haven’t changed much since we first rode it at the end of 2012 and again against the Zero S last year. If you’ve forgotten about the Empulse, read those two stories to catch yourself up. To sum, the Empulse R features a battery with 10.2 kWh max capacity (9.3 kWh nominal). This power is fed to a Sevcon gen 4 motor controller, unique in that it is liquid-cooled, something Brammo’s main competition – Zero – can’t claim. The benefit here is its ability to consistently put down 54 horses and 66 ft-lbs without experiencing thermal cutback due to an overheating motor. Also returning is the industry-first six-speed gearbox Brammo says maximizes efficiency.

The first subtle change over last year’s model is a slightly more upright seating position. E-Boz says there was more emphasis placed on the commuter, so the new models have tapered aluminum bars that put the rider in a more forgiving stance. From there, the differences are a little harder to see. Brammo engineers tweaked power output by actually reducing torque at low rpm and instead spread that power throughout the rev range – all in an effort to help improve rider feel. A direct improvement based on Bostrom’s feedback.

Steering the Empulse away from our meeting destination felt peculiar, as the bike was surprisingly heavy to maneuver at slow-speeds. Interestingly, its 24-degree rake and 3.8 inches of trail are exactly identical to the nimble Yamaha R6.

Once up to speed and riding through the twists and turns of Southern California’s Malibu mountains, the Empulse R really impresses. Despite its 460 lbs, it carries its weight well. Yes, the bars require a strong nudge to initiate turns and transitions, but a fully adjustable 43mm Marzocchi fork and equally adjustable Sachs shock handle bumps well and provide good feedback from the road below. The switch to Continental ContiAttack 2 tires (from the Avon AV80) give it sure-footed feel when slicing through one of E-Boz’s favorite roads, Latigo Canyon Road. At 58.0 inches, its wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than the R6, and although it doesn’t change direction like an R6, it still transitions fairly quickly.

Power application from the Empulse feels linear, but this was never an issue with the previous bike. My one gripe is the abrupt deceleration rate from the regenerative braking in Sport mode. I equate it to the feeling one gets when engine braking a big-bore V-Twin sportbike. Unlike the Zeros we’ve ridden, however, the Empulse doesn’t allow the user to tweak this setting via, say, a smartphone app.

The Brammo’s six-speed transmission had previously received our criticism. Apparently Brammo heard our complaints. The six cogs are much easier to row through despite being mechanically unchanged from years past, even allowing for seamless clutchless upshifts. Bostrom says this too is due to the software changes made and some slight modifications to the motor. Downshifts were still a bit clunky, but unlike a gas bike, you won’t lock up the rear on a botched downshift.

Though the Brembo braking components haven’t been changed, kudos are again given to the four-pot radial-mount Brembo calipers and 310mm discs up front. We said it had “monster stopping performance” when we compared the Empulse R to the Zero S last year, and that remains true today. Tons of braking power and superb feel. We’ve come to expect nothing less from Brembo.

At the end of our day in the hills, E-Boz and I racked up more than 70 miles of canyon riding in ambient temperatures up to 104 degrees, all of it while riding in Sport mode with utter disregard to power conservation. Through it all, the Empulse R and its liquid-cooled motor never showed signs of reaching its thermal limits. By the time we arrived at one of Malibu’s many free charging stations, the ’14 model I piloted showed 9% charge remaining. Bostrom’s ’13 model consumed more power, with just 4% left in his battery. Plugging in at the J1772 Level 2 charging station was a snap, and with its 3kW onboard charger, according to the display on the slightly more stylized dash, it would take approximately 2.5 hours to completely fill ’er up.

Then there’s the price, which is unchanged from last year at $18,995. You can also opt for the standard Empulse (non-R) for only $16,995, which uses a different motor and lower-spec Marzocchi/Sachs suspension. Horsepower remains the same, but torque is less at 46.5 ft-lb. For some, the price of the Empulse R will be a tough pill to swallow. EV enthusiasts will get it, ICE diehards will scoff, but those on the fringes should take one for a spin to make their own decisions. Go to www.Brammo.com to find a dealer near you and arrange a test ride.