The development of electric motorcycles has come on leaps and bounds recently, however up until this point most have either been scooters or fairly lightweight two-wheelers. American firm Brammo hopes to change all this with its new machine, the Empulse R. Unlike most electric bikes, the Brammo is a good looking naked bike that comes with top quality running gear. We are talking inverted Marzocchi forks, a fully adjustable Sachs shock, twin Brembo radial four piston front calipers and an aluminium beam chassis with a tubular steel swingarm. However it doesn't stop there, the Brammo also comes with a gearbox. Yep, that's an electric bike with a conventional six speed gearbox and wet clutch. What's the point in that?
Aluminium chassis keeps weight down
Gears on an electric bike? What's the point?
According to Brammo, the gearbox allows them to use a smaller electric motor, thereby making the Empulse R more battery efficient. By altering the ratios the Empulse takes the load off the electric motor, reducing the amount of battery power required and therefore boosting its range. Obviously there is a trade off in terms of weight, but that isn't an issue Brammo claims. So the theory is sound enough, especially as Brammo reckons a range of 128 miles. However in practice the story isn't quite as rosy.
Clutch in, battery on...
With the electric motor ready to go, I am advised by the Brammo man to pull away in second or third gear... without using the clutch. Ok, so why is it there? Well, I'm told, the clutch is for changing between ratios while on the move, in the same way as on a petrol powered bike. I'm not convinced, but I silently pull away and approach the ride with an open mind. Very rapidly my concerns are justified. Electric bikes are meant to be silent, but going from a closed throttle to an open one, there is a horrible clunk from the Brammo's transmission. The bike has cush drive rubbers in its rear wheel, so I can only assume that the electric motor doesn't have the same internal resistance that a petrol one does and this is causing a feeling not dissimilar to a very slack chain. It's horrible not only in sound, but also feel.
Handling is great but there are flaws
However once you are rolling it soon disappears and it is then that Brammo starts to shine. With a claimed 54bhp and 66lb ft of torque, the Empulse is rapid and once on the go the gearbox is fairly slick, however I feel it lacks the required amount of engine braking. On the BMW C evolution scooter the regeneration can be altered to either be very strong and slow you down rapidly or weak and act like a two-stroke motor with little engine braking, however with the Brammo it is neither strong nor weak and instead is a little pointless. Approaching corners you have to grab a bit of front brake, which is no hardship as the Brembos are very strong, but this defeats whole purpose of having regeneration. Although maybe I'm just missing the point with the Empulse.
Knee down on an electric bike? Check!
Brammo claim the Empulse is a sporty electric bike and I have to say it's handling is by far and away the best of any electric bike I have ever ridden. The 17-inch wheels with their sports bike sized rubber, sorted suspension and good brakes mean this is a bike that can really be hurled around. Despite a claimed 213kg, the Brammo feels light, narrow and remarkably agile and thanks to its proper chassis you can throw it on its side to knee down angles of lean with ease, which is very impressive. If you want to ride quickly, the Brammo will certainly comply. But is it the future?
Gearbox really adds nothing to EV bike
To me the Brammo is trying to be something it isn't. The gearbox is a pointless irritation (I pulled away in sixth with ease) and the level of technology when it comes to rider assists is a disappointment. The regeneration models are hardly distinguishable and there is no ABS or traction control. The handling is truly impressive, but is it impressive enough to justify the astronomical £15,300 price tag? Not a chance. When you look at the tech you get on the £13,500 BMW C evolution the Brammo simply isn't in the same ballpark, despite the fact it corners pretty well.
2014 BRAMMO EMPULSE R
Engine: Electric motor, seven lithium-ion polymer modules, recuperation technology
Power (hp): 54@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 66@N/A rpm
Top speed: 110mph
Wet weight: 213kg
MPG: 128-mile range with 210-minute full recharge
Price: £15,300