2012 Brammo Empulse and Empulse R First Look

[pushrod]

Speaking of world-changing technology, I just heard about this 'people-mover' that will make cars obsolete!

It's called a 'Segway."

[trenttheuncatchable]

I admire Brammo, and Polaris for backing them. They are the first company with a decent production electric motorcycle. I see them as a "trail blazer." There are lots of people complaining about the lack of this and that with the bike, but I see them as having a solid start in this segment with lots of potential for future growth.

It's easy to bash pioneer products when comparing them to established technology. But if everyone had that mindset, improved devices would never get built. And Brammo isn't even some huge company like GM or Toyota with lots of capital to back their R&D and production. So I say: way to go, Brammo!

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by trenttheuncatchable

I admire Brammo, and Polaris for backing them. They are the first company with a decent production electric motorcycle. I see them as a "trail blazer." There are lots of people complaining about the lack of this and that with the bike, but I see them as having a solid start in this segment with lots of potential for future growth.

It's easy to bash pioneer products when comparing them to established technology. But if everyone had that mindset, improved devices would never get built. And Brammo isn't even some huge company like GM or Toyota with lots of capital to back their R&D and production. So I say: way to go, Brammo!

I'm a devout capitalist and I think if they can make money with this, they have my blessing.

However, I'm "bashing" the hype and BS surrounding these "green" machines.

The range and speed claims are total bullshyt and batteries aren't any greener than anything else.

I'm sure they are fun to ride being mostly silent with a strong electric push to them, but my weekly lunch rides are way more than 40 miles just to get a fish taco.

Electrics will always be a novelty. The third bike in a three bike garage.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

I'm a devout capitalist and I think if they can make money with this, they have my blessing.

However, I'm "bashing" the hype and BS surrounding these "green" machines.

The range and speed claims are total bullshyt and batteries aren't any greener than anything else.

I'm sure they are fun to ride being mostly silent with a strong electric push to them, but my weekly lunch rides are way more than 40 miles just to get a fish taco.

Electrics will always be a novelty. The third bike in a three bike garage.

All the crap about "vision for the future" and electric vehicles conveniently ignores the massive govt support that props these things up. A viable technology doesn't need decades of huge infusions of taxpayer money to establish itself. Without the billions of federal money there would be no e-vehicles. This is different than other subsidies, like oil and gas and corn, that exist to stuff pockets since these products would do very nicely without the corrupting influence of govt. E-vehicles would be gone tomorrow if the river of public cash dried up.

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by seruzawa

All the crap about "vision for the future" and electric vehicles conveniently ignores the massive govt support that props these things up. A viable technology doesn't need decades of huge infusions of taxpayer money to establish itself. Without the billions of federal money there would be no e-vehicles. This is different than other subsidies, like oil and gas and corn, that exist to stuff pockets since these products would do very nicely without the corrupting influence of govt. E-vehicles would be gone tomorrow if the river of public cash dried up.

Speaking of green. You should take the train down from Smell A and go for a ride in some of San Diego's finest hills. I've got two bikes.

[schizuki]

So being skeptical of EV claims that I've seen go unfulfilled my entire life makes me appallingly myopic? I thought hindsight was 20/20.

I'll be generous and re-start the "practical battery technology in 3 to 5 years" clock right now. Let's see what 2017 looks like.

And I'll make a sure-fire prediction - if it really is practical, private money will rush in like a flash flood to invest in it. The free market, unlike the gummint, has a pretty good track record for picking winners and losers.

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

You're no greener than any of us other than rhetoric Kenny.

And you're the only one making the comparison. Did I ask you or anybody else to buy an electric bike? Do I carp on anybody to "be green?" Hell no...ride whatever you want, doesn't matter a whit to me. Is there some "Minimum Green Quotient" that must be met for someone to be interested in, or even in favor of, electric vehicles?

How many yards of mulch do I have to compost a week? How many amps of solar power do I need to have online? Must I convert my diesel to run on french-fry oil?

What the hell are you on about anyway?

[The Spaceman]

Speaking of the bike (gasp!), it's pretty startling how Brammo has made the Zero S look like a bargain. I have to say I'm very disappointed that they've rolled these out at $16 - $18K. There may be a market segment that's wealthy enough to spend that much on an emerging technology, but they aren't helping move the segment forward at that price.

As Pete noted in the article, the promise was $10k for the "big" version with the larger battery. IIRC, the next step down was around $8k. If they don't get a handle on price soon, somebody else (like Zero) is going to eat their lunch and leave them bankrupt.

[Pete_Brissette]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

As Pete noted in the article, the promise was $10k for the "big" version with the larger battery. IIRC, the next step down was around $8k. If they don't get a handle on price soon, somebody else (like Zero) is going to eat their lunch and leave them bankrupt.

Actually, the 10-kWh was promised for $13K - the Empulse base model is now $16K.

"The standard Empulse has seen a $3000 increase from when the Empulse 10.0 was announced two years ago."

[Buzglyd]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

And you're the only one making the comparison. Did I ask you or anybody else to buy an electric bike? Do I carp on anybody to "be green?" Hell no...ride whatever you want, doesn't matter a whit to me. Is there some "Minimum Green Quotient" that must be met for someone to be interested in, or even in favor of, electric vehicles?

How many yards of mulch do I have to compost a week? How many amps of solar power do I need to have online? Must I convert my diesel to run on french-fry oil?

What the hell are you on about anyway?

The "Future" to lefties is always a lower standard of living in all segments.

You buy one and I'll come ride it.