2013 Brammo Empulse R Review - Video

[Administrator]

Original Article:
2013 Brammo Empulse R Review - Video

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2013 Brammo Empulse R Review - Video in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

[Buzglyd]

To me, the notion of carefully planning my trips around mileage, recharge time, and even riding style makes this a non-starter for me at any price.

You certainly won't be able to wear a Lone Wolf biker jacket with this nor ever take the long way home from work.

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

To me, the notion of carefully planning my trips around mileage, recharge time, and even riding style makes this a non-starter for me at any price.

You certainly won't be able to wear a Lone Wolf biker jacket with this nor ever take the long way home from work.

That's true today, but it won't be for long.

Automobile magazine named the Tesla S their Car of the Year, and had a very interesting article on the car and Tesla's (Elon Musk) plans for charging stations. They've created a subsidiary company that will be locating high-capacity chargers along major routes. Musk says that by the end of 2013, Tesla car owners will be able to drive from ATL to LA, Miami to NY, etc. with 30-minute recharge stops along the way.

When gas cars came out, drivers had to plan for fueling along the way, now they don't. The same thing will happen with E-vehicles, but a lot faster than it took back then. And, the ranges will continue to increase at the same time.

[The Spaceman]

This looks like a great article guys, I'm looking forward to an in-depth reading and seeing the video at home this weekend.

Preliminary thoughts: the production bike isn't as good looking as the prototype from two years ago, and of course the price is almost double. However, Moore's Law applies to some degree, so prices will go down and capabilities will go up.

About the gearbox, at the Daytona TTX the Brammo bikes did not have them; they were single speed bikes. Eric Bostrom told me in the future their race bikes would have transmissions as the production bikes do.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

Tesla car owners will be able to drive from ATL to LA, Miami to NY, etc. with 30-minute recharge stops along the way.

You could do that today. It would take about 2 months.

[Duken4evr]

Interesting read! Brammo is coming along. Seems like a 3 or 4 speed trans would be all this bike needs, but developing a new transmission with proper spacing for the motor's unique power curve would add to the cost.

This is a jump on it and go short hop kind of bike. Sexy as this beast is, a more standard style or even scooter format might be more usable in the real world. Something with this bike's performance envelope in a super scooter format would be a perfect commuter - ignoring price of course.

[SpeedwayRN]

Gasoline is still too cheap....

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

This looks like a great article guys, I'm looking forward to an in-depth reading and seeing the video at home this weekend.

Preliminary thoughts: the production bike isn't as good looking as the prototype from two years ago, and of course the price is almost double. However, Moore's Law applies to some degree, so prices will go down and capabilities will go up.

About the gearbox, at the Daytona TTX the Brammo bikes did not have them; they were single speed bikes. Eric Bostrom told me in the future their race bikes would have transmissions as the production bikes do.

I don't think it needs more than three speeds. And just two would be fine.

BTW, Elon's Tesla S has no gearbox and can get to 60 mph in just 4.6 secs with a top speed of 134 mph limited by a governor.

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

BTW, Elon's Tesla S has no gearbox and can get to 60 mph in just 4.6 secs with a top speed of 134 mph limited by a governor.

It's a stunning machine from any perspective other than styling, which is just "ok." It could be the game-changer that electric vehicles need to finally break out of the "Socks 'n Birkenstocks" stereotype.

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

It's a stunning machine from any perspective other than styling, which is just "ok." It could be the game-changer that electric vehicles need to finally break out of the "Socks 'n Birkenstocks" stereotype.

You bet. The world was just waiting for an $85K (after subsidies) electric "everyman" car.