Brammo Announces 2014 Empulse

[Brammofan]

Just got this via email:
Click here for full press release.

Make sure to click through to the full specifications page.

[Gavin]

You are up too early

Nice to see the press release...
Off to study the specs page...

G

[Brammofan]

The early KC bird gets the Albuquerque worm.

[Gavin]

I like the new dash shape. 2 new colors...but white is gone? I have a collectors item

G

[Richard230]

I really like the looks and assembly quality of the new Empulse.  I also like the colors, the lighter weight and the new Conti tires.  Very nice job, Brammo.   

I also wonder if there will be a 2014 Enertia and, if so, are there any changes?

[protomech]

Range also slightly improves - 121 miles city, 56 miles highway to 128 miles city, 58 miles highway - as does top speed, to 110 mph.

Brammo also lists a more realistic charging scenario: 20% to 80% in 2.0 hours (24 miles of mixed riding per hour). Brammo is the only production bike manufacturer to take AC charging seriously .. and I'd love to see a touring option with additional chargers, perhaps in removable saddlebags.

There's also a little bit of shit-talking:

With the ground-breaking IET integrated 6-speed transmission, the Empulse is able to translate its 90Nm (66 lb-ft) of electric motor torque to over 880Nm (650 ft-lbs) at the rear wheel*. That’s enough forward thrust to relegate direct-drive competitors to the rear view mirrors

Zero SR has 500 ft-lb at the rear wheel, for comparison .. but at least in an informal test against a 2013 Empulse R, the Zero bike matched the Empulse in speed up to 30 mph and "flew away from the Brammo Empulse R" afterwards.

[Adan]

Announced today!  From the initial PR materials: 10 lbs lighter and different handlebars.   Not much else of significance indicated in the initial announcement. 

Love the idea of shedding 10 lbs.  Wish I could but my Empulse on a diet.

Available "during 2014."

What else do we know about the new model?

[protomech]

Also, it appears Brammo is sticking to the $17k and $19k price points .. so I assume the $2000 rebate after the federal tax credit expired apples only to the 2013 bikes.

I wonder if anyone will take Brammo up on their offer to trade-in their 2013 Empulse (purchased between August and October IIRC) for a 2014 Empulse.
http://brammoforum.com/index.php?topic=2196.0

[Shinysideup]

Zero SR has 500 ft-lb at the rear wheel, for comparison .. but at least in an informal test against a 2013 Empulse R, the Zero bike matched the Empulse in speed up to 30 mph and "flew away from the Brammo Empulse R" afterwards.

I followed that link and learned that the drag race was between a Zero that started at 100% SOC and the Empulse started at 36%. NOT a fair comparison, for in my experience, the Empulse will start cutting out under heavy acceleration at around 30% SOC. They rode the bikes for some time before the drag race and the Empulse finished their session at 20% SOC. So I'm certain there was some limiting going on during the drag race. I'd love it if, as Frodus suggested in their forum, they repeat the drag race with both bikes fully charged.

[protomech]

Very possible - voltage sag will hurt the Empulse at high RPM.

[Shinysideup]

I was interested to learn from the Brammo specs page that they have redesigned the battery brackets which are now nickel plated. In the salt air of San Francisco, mine are showing tiny dots of rust.  I wonder what a new set will cost?

I'd also consider buying the new bottom plastic cover with the highlighted "Brammo" logo, just to not answer the question, "Who makes it?" quite so often.

[BrammoBrian]

Speaking of upgrading parts... The 2014 dash is backwards compatible to the 2013 bikes.  Having ridden with both, I much prefer the 2014 part, it fits the quality and design of the bike very nicely.  I also find it easier to read, perhaps because we've gone to a flat, rather than domed lens.  IF I don't break down and sell my 2013 to pick up a '14, I'll definitely be doing this upgrade.

Yeah... wonder who snuck that statement about rear wheel torque and acceleration into the press release?  Adrian seems FAR too nice to do that...

[Adan]

Also, it appears Brammo is sticking to the $17k and $19k price points .. so I assume the $2000 rebate after the federal tax credit expired apples only to the 2013 bikes.

I wonder if anyone will take Brammo up on their offer to trade-in their 2013 Empulse (purchased between August and October IIRC) for a 2014 Empulse.

I guess I'll be thinking about it, since I'm eligible, but it's not a no-brainer.  If the range had been significantly increased, then a trade would be very enticing.  The slight range increase wouldn't make much difference to me. [edit: well . . . that's not really true.  the way I use my empulse, I am wringing every mile out of it on some rides].

As I said, 10 lbs lighter would be nice.  Different handlebars (moved towards the rider, I assume), and a truly waterproof instrument panel, are also attractive.  And of course I'd be getting a fresh start on a new set of batteries, which in theory is worth something.

Might depend on what this would cost me to trade a standard empulse for a standard empulse.  I assume I'll have to at least pay set up and delivery costs, which are pretty substantial.  Don't know about tax on a trade in.  If I had to pay tax again . . . not good.

I could also consider trading my standard for an R.  Honestly, for me, there's not a very compelling reason to do that.  The standard meets all my practical needs.  The R would be nice if I decide I might want to track it. 

Interesting question, not a clear answer, for me. 

[BrammoBrian]

Zero SR has 500 ft-lb at the rear wheel, for comparison .. but at least in an informal test against a 2013 Empulse R, the Zero bike matched the Empulse in speed up to 30 mph and "flew away from the Brammo Empulse R" afterwards.

The Empulse R also still has over 530 lb-ft through 2nd gear.  90Nm (66ft-lbs) x 1.7 primary x 1.75 second gear x 2.71 final drive = 721Nm (531.5 lb-ft)!

[BrammoBrian]

I followed that link and learned that the drag race was between a Zero that started at 100% SOC and the Empulse started at 36%. NOT a fair comparison, for in my experience, the Empulse will start cutting out under heavy acceleration at around 30% SOC. They rode the bikes for some time before the drag race and the Empulse finished their session at 20% SOC. So I'm certain there was some limiting going on during the drag race. I'd love it if, as Frodus suggested in their forum, they repeat the drag race with both bikes fully charged.

BINGO! You'd have the same experience if you tested two identical bikes side by side at that big a difference in SOC.  That test is (probably unintentionally) bogus and should be re-done with bikes at similar SOC.  Voltage x Current = POWER!