The Brammo Buying Experience > Wanting to buy

Saving/Selling for a new Brammo Enertia!

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SamM:
Some of the information and comments in this thread are redundant but I wanted to post here in the appropriate forum subsection. I've moved from thinking, to wanting to purchase, to actually saving some cash towards a purchase.  

To me, the Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle is a bright turning point in motorcycling history. An affordable electric motorcycle that is both, user friendly and has a range that covers most commutes. Then there's the hard part, getting it out there in sufficient numbers, so that people can actually buy and ride them everyday. Brammo deserves many accolades for doing what others could not. I absolutely love the bike and I can't wait to get one for myself!

My plan for this year, was to save up a good bit of money and buy a new touring type motorcycle to add to my stable. I no longer like big displacement motorcycles. The bike that I have been looking at is the new 2010 Kawasaki KLE650 Versys. My plan for this new motorcycle was to only use it for longer out of state trips, which I rarely do. Maybe once a year! I'd also use the Versys occasionally for local riding on good roads, maybe on the weekends. When looking realistically at it, this is not a smart way to use my hard earned money! My daily driver motorcycle is a 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 that I have significantly lightened and improved upon. This motorcycle project is almost complete and I'll be back on the road with it shortly. I currently have another rather odd project. The new project is a diesel powered KLR. My plan was to build the diesel motorcycle to use for my daily 38 mile round trip commute. The bike would get great mileage, probably over 120mpg but after seeing the Enertia and researching it, I think it would be a much better choice for a commuter motorcycle. No fuel! How cool is that? The diesel project is all but dead, I believe I'm done with it. The next step is to sell off all the parts that I have aquired for the diesel bike. This should be fairly easy to do once I commit to it. Going from diesel to electric is a much better choice! The gasoline powered KLR will work for the majority of my riding when I honestly look at it.

On to the Enertia!  

I work for a large utility company that uses a great deal of electricity. Charging the Enertia at work will not be a problem for me. I've checked and they are cool with it. Charging the Enertia wouldn't amount to a drop in the bucket when compared to our monthly usage. This really makes my choice to switch from the Versys to the Enertia a no-brainer! The new plan is to sell everything. I currently have 3 motorcycles to part out in order to get the Enertia. Last week, I contacted the local Best Buy store to ask if they could get me one. So far, I have not received a reply from the store manager. I understand that this will probably not happen but it's worth a shot. I also asked if they would sponsor me with some cash for my purchase, this would be in exchange for advertising on the side of the bike. As I said, no reply yet. Tomorrow, I will be contacting the local bank that financed my last motorcycle purchase. I will offer them the same deal, cash for advertisement. If they finance the balance of the bike, when I'm ready to purchase I will advertise for their bank for that service. I'd rather not finance the bike but a small monthly payment might be worth it, to get the bike earlier than planned. As of today, I have $2000 saved towards the purchase price of the Enertia. Barring anything unforseen, I will have $5000 on August 1st. If my eBay auctions go well, much more is possible.

I want to thank everyone on this site for all their patience and help with all my endless questions and comments about the Enertia. You guys and gals have been awesome and a great source of real world information on the Brammo Enertia! Most of this is TMI, but I just want to explain where I am coming from on my quest into the world of electric transportation. I'm a motorcyclist through and through!

What color should I get? The green & orange are jumping out at me.

Thanks!

SamM  

Brammofan:
I'm loving the "advertising supported" model.  I have considered whoring myself out  ;D advertising products on the bike as consideration for stuff... such as gear.

I wonder about the whole Best Buy to Best Buy shipping question, too.  Maybe Adrian or Topher can help with that.

Ms.Brammofan scoffed at me when I told her that most offices have a 110 outlet somewhere behind them so that you can charge while at work.  You will have no problem with that, it seems.

Good luck and keep us updated as you make progress toward your goal. 

SamM:
Brammofan,
I'm looking at it more like, giving the bike a job. I figure that if people are going to be looking at it and I'm going to be answering questions, I may as well try to make something back. It might not work out exactly as I have invisioned it, but it's a thought. Also, getting the word out might make the Enertia available quicker in my area. If people know that Best Buy sells them, they might be more inclined to ask more questions as to why they aren't available for purchase here. Kinda like Demand and Supply rather than Supply and Demand. It could help the next guy that wants one.

Honestly, it seems to me that Best Buy could put the bike on a Best Buy truck that's coming here anyway, and have it droppped off here without ME paying the extra $500 to a freight company. It's a matter of just talking them into it.

We have outlets everywhere at my workplace. They are located outside of the building but not really in the parking lot. There are obviously numerous outlets inside and in the separate buildings onsite. My Enertia will be charged from inside the building that I work in. Since it doesn't use gasoline there is no problem riding into the building and plugging it in. I work 12hr shifts and rotate every 2 weeks from day to nightshift. My charging will be off peak every 2 weeks, after conditioning the batteries. I'll most likely recharge the Enertia at home and at work. My 19 mile commute on mountain roads will probably require a full charge each way.

EDIT: As I get older, it's becoming more important for me to simplify my life. How many motorcycles do I really need? More has always been better as far as I'm concerned but it's not as important anymore. My 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 will serve as my main trip bike and the Enertia will be used for commuter duty. Here's a picture of the KLR. I've dropped the weight down to less than 350lbs and many more modifications and weight reductions are in the works. Shortly, I will be buying a new LiFePo battery that weighs 30oz. This will drop another 8lbs from the bike. It also has new USD forks from a 2008 Kawasaki KX450F and a RICOR IAS rear shock. It's not just a regular, run of the mill KLR650 anymore. My new Excel wheels and engine mods are on hold until after the Enertia is bought and paid for. 

SamM

BrammoBrian:
Sam,

Congratulations to you for making the decision, but more so congratulations to Brammo for gaining such a discerning customer.  We are always happy to answer questions as I feel like the product shines more brightly the more the thinking behind it is understood.  That's fantastic that your company is willing to let you charge it indoors! Good luck with the sponsorship pitch! 

As for colors... it's really hard to go wrong.  I've noticed that the orange doesn't photograph as well as the green, but looks really nice in person.

ALephart:
+1 vote for Orange!

It was'nt my first choice. And on the way home from geting it I was already envisioning what color to paint it. Even had soemone at Brammo look into a special color for me, but quickly change my mind. But honestly the orange gets more looks and stares then any other color!

All the best,
Aaron Lephart

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