Archive for April, 2012
Interview with Brammo’s CEO about the Empulse R. Answers a lot of qestion.
Posted: April 19, 2012 in Manufacturers0
2012 Brammo Empulse “R” specs released. “I’ll see your 114 miles, and raise you 7!”
Posted: April 19, 2012 in Blah, blah, blah, Manufacturers, TechSo I got the e-mail today! Go here to see it for yourself. My email said that there is be an Empulse and an Empulse R. Also, there will be a video interview with Craig Bramscher posted here tomorrow. Here’s the spec page copy and pasted:
2012 Brammo Empulse R Specifications Empulse Motor Motor Type: Permanent Magnet AC (PMAC) – Water Cooled Motor Controller: Sevcon Gen 4 Peak Motor Power: 40kW, @ 8,200 rpm (54 hp) Peak Continuous Current: 270 amps Final Drive: Direct Chain Drive (14/48) 520 O-ring chain Transmission: IET 6 speed gearbox with multi-plate, hydraulic activated wet clutch Max Motor Torque: 63Nm (46.5 foot pounds) Battery Pack Battery Type Brammo Power™ BPM15/90 Lithium-Ion ( NCM Chemistry) Battery Pack Capacity: 9.31 kWh (nominal), 10.2 kWh (max) Battery Pack Voltage: 103.6 V (nominal) Battery Life: 1,500 cycles to 80% capacity (100% DOD) Recharge Time: Level I maximum charging time: 8 Hours. (0 – 99% SOC, no cell imbalances)
Level II maximum charging time: 3.5 Hours. (0 – 99% SOC, no cell imbalances)Every 10 minutes of Level II charging adds up to 5 miles of rangeEmpulse R Performance Empulse R Performance: 100 + mph (160 + km/h) Driving Range: City: 121 miles* (195 km)
Highway: 56 miles** (90 km)
Combined: 77 miles*** (124 km)*SAE City Riding Range Test Procedure for Electric Motorcycles (variable speed, 19 mph / 30km/h average)
**SAE Highway / Constant Speed Riding Range Test Procedure for Electric Motorcycles (70 mph / 113 km/h sustained)
*** SAE Highway Commuting Cycle (.5 City weighting, .5 Highway weighting)Operating Modes: 2 Operating Modes selectable through the handlebar switch:
1. “Normal” – limits acceleration by reducing maximum current delivered to the motor through the motor controller in order to maximize driving range.
2. “Sport” – provides maximum performance in both acceleration and top speed.Regenerative Braking: Under deceleration, energy is returned to the battery system to both extend driving range and provide familiar rider feedback. Operating Cost: Assuming 13 cents /kWh for electricity:1 cent per mile around town
2 cents per mile on the highwayData Collection: Brammo DDC™ (Dynamic Data Collection) records key motorcycle parameters at 1Hz (1 sample/second) for analysis and service support. (more…)
Dear FIM, stop making excuses and own what you have.
Posted: April 14, 2012 in Blah, blah, blah, Events, Manufacturers, Riders, Series, Teams, TracksAlready the critiques of the FIM’s e-Power series have started, and all we’ve had if the first days qualifying. Honestly it sounds similar to grumblings about the TTXGP, so maybe they are more on par than those who show up to MotoGP weekend would suggest. If what I heard (and have not confirmed) is true, we have even newer folks in charge of the e-Power series. At least in the TTXGP series you have a familiar face to be mad at when best laid plans fall to pieces.
Either way, here’s a nice write-up provided by the e-Power folks on their Facebook page: (more…)
First race of the year this weekend!
Posted: April 13, 2012 in Events, Manufacturers, People of the Press, Riders, Series, Teams, Tracks
The first race of the year will be an FIM round at Magny-Cours, France. The video above is from a blog post here.
Munch has been there for a while, with two bikes and riders no less. I don’t know who else will be there. I’ll get info as I can.
Only 3 more weeks to Infineon (aka Sears Point)!
Am I back? No, just an exciting Monday. 
Anyway, as one who is on the reserve list for an Empulse I had an exciting (at least for Brammo fans) e-mail waiting for me as I got back from my Monday evening bicycle ride. Here’s the gist: full specs will be released on the 18th ofthismonth, and a release event will be in LA on the 8th of May that will also be webcast live for us folks on the reserve list. There is also a mention of the input of the race team and rider, specifically. So I would like to point out this event will be just a few days after the first TTXGP race of the season. No pressure Atlus.
Is this a big razberry in the face of Zero and Hollywood Electrics (specifically)? No. This is just info being released, and not bikes in peoples hands. We still have to wait and see how all that works out.
Fianlly, TTXGP’s Euro schedule was announced
Posted: April 9, 2012 in Events, People of the Press, Series, Tracks![Picture Credit: photo by Ben Davies, 2010 UEM TTXGP FINAL [from TTXGP website]](http://ttxgpmatters.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/1333132782_photo_by_ben_davies_2010_uem_ttxgp_final_.jpg?w=614 "1333132782_[photo_by_Ben_Davies,_2010_UEM_TTXGP_FINAL]_")
Ok, so this is REALLY late, as in over a week late. But better late than never. The TTXGP’s full season has now been released with us finally being given the details on the European series. With Mike Edwards just now posting on Twitter, “Was considering starting a CRT project but with new limits on cost of satellite bikes not sure the market is there any longer…” “On the plus side we will shortly be kicking off the chassis and battery packaging design process for our electric race bike.” And internet rumors that CRP will not race this season, it is still up in the air if it will be the continental series to watch or not.
Here’s the press release: (more…)
Susanna Schick, aka PinkRacer, is an avid motorcyclist, motorcycle racer, blogger, fashion designer, elmoto fan, gas2.org columnist, and most recently avid cyclist. She has also become become what I would consider a good Twitter friend and colleague of sorts in the elmoto blog-o-sphere.
As of last year I noticed she was entering the world of bicycling, and most specifically, bicycle commuting. And she was doing it in L.A.! As a long time avid cyclist and part time bicycle mechanic I have followed Susan’s adventures and she seems to have taken to cycling, commuting, and even advocacy like a fish to water.
She seems to love cycling at least as much as I do, so it was a real shock to me yesterday to read that she was in the hospital not because of a motorcycle accident. But because some tanned cowardly douchebag and his bimbo, reportedly in a White Lexus, seem to have intentionally ran her over on her bicycle late Friday night. She is in ICU, and Facebook says probably until Wednesday. She does seem to be in good spirits even with multiple broken bones and a fracture pelvis.
A more accurate and level headed report with info on how you can help is here.
Get well soon, Susan!
