Engadget cruises with the Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle (with videos!)
By Tim Stevens 
posted Jun 9th 2009 12:57PM
posted Jun 9th 2009 12:57PM
Design and aesthetics
First impressions of the Brammo are good; really good. Sure it looks a bit scrawny from a distance, but get close and the details come out. The seat is covered by what looks to be suede-like Alcantra, which is still super-trendy on the custom scene. Bodywork is fit tight and shapely, and the whole bike has a very cool aura about it, not unlike a Vespa. Sure, it's ultimately a tiny little economy cruiser that won't top 50 on a downhill with a tailwind, but with its single headlight, tapered seat, and chopped tail it looks more cafe than commuter. It's rather more aesthetically-minded than the Zero S, too, and considering the price premium you'll pay for one (an Enertia is $11,995 to start), it had better.
It's also got comprehensively better feeling brakes, with a tiny two-pot Brembo setup on the front wheel that, despite a slightly squishy lever feel, hauled the bike down to a stop in a hurry -- reassuring when you're dodging as many pedestrians as we were. The other end of the equation, however, was a bit less thrilling. Horsepower is rated at just 13.7, with torque a meatier, but still underwhelming, 31 ft/lbs. That's about half the output of the Zero S, and it feels it. Slower to get away from a stop, it accelerates smoothly but lacks the modest urgency of its similarly clutch-free and single-geared competitor, a situation that's also partly due to carrying around 55 more pounds -- 280 total.
Brammo don't even quote a 0 - 60 time for the bike, probably because with its 50mph limiter it'll never get there, but suffice it to say you shouldn't expect to win many races at the lights whilst straddling one. Don't expect to hit the highway, either, or make a daily commute of more than 45 miles. That's the conservative maximum range if you maintain an average speed of just 25 mph. It's not far, but it's a good bit more than your average commuter covers in a day, and would certainly do us just fine. The bike's six lithium phosphate batteries take three hours to charge and are rated for 35,000 miles before going to wherever heavy metals go when they die. Brammo figures they'll survive about 10 years of average use. Currently the set would cost about $3,000 to replace, but should be much, much less by the time it comes to that.
The ride
It's a bit of a shame that the range is so limited, as the bike is a far more welcoming chariot than the Zero S. That great looking seat isn't particularly wide, but it is plush and comfy, and the large pegs are in a forward position that leaves you upright and your knees extended. We were a little worried about them getting caught on a cobblestone when we were doing a little carving on the rough alley streets, but their comfort makes up for any lack of cornering clearance. It's a little bit cruiser compared to the competition's little bit moto.
Sadly our test ride was again in the throes of NYC traffic, but we found a few back streets and alleys and even corners to explore, and were happy with what we experienced. The suspension soaked up the roughest of bumps without launching us out of the seat, as mentioned above the brakes kept us safe, and a quick twist of the throttle left every other bike in our wake -- so long as it was pedal-powered, of course.
The lack of power and torque makes the bike a much smoother experience than the slight jerkyness we experienced on the Zero. Here you're gently whisked away from a stop with no hesitation or lurching, and keeping up with traffic is no problem at all. Throttle response is good at any speed -- any speed under 50.
Wrap-up
So, the natural question is: how does it compare to the Zero S? The answer depends on your priorities. At $11,995 to start ($14,995 if you want the limited edition, carbon fiber-clad model), there's a heftier premium to pay, and with half the power, a lower top speed, and a shorter range, the Enertia is not much of a value proposition.
But, if you're just looking at the numbers, neither of these two come out on top when compared to something like a Kawasaki Ninja 250R, which can be had for about a third the price, easily best 60mpg, and run circles around the pair of them on a track. If you're buying an electric motorcycle you're looking for something different, something special, and the Enertia certainly feels special. From that almost tacky but still cool power button on the tank, down over the minimalist fairing, and back to the chopped seat, it all fits together and fits well.
Despite the lack of oomph we like the bike a lot, and while we can't say we relish the idea of letting a Geek Squad member diagnose potentially life-threatening technical issues, with any luck more reassuring service opportunities will present themselves in the near future. Bikes should finally start showing up at select Best Buy stores on the West Coast in early July, while those who've already pre-ordered will be receiving shipments about the same time. So, you'd better get that deposit deposited if you want one before the riding season is over -- assuming of course you live somewhere that has a riding season.
Update: We heard from Craig Bramscher at Brammo who indicated that the carbon-clad limited edition is actually no longer available. So, that's one less choice to make.
Many thanks to Chad Mumm from Switched for the great footage and stills.
Death on a stick in Southern California. Sad, but 25mph, I might as well ride my bike to work and lose some weight in the process.
And save a whole lot of money as well. It's too expensive.
no iphone in the dash? wtf?
50mph FAIL
Low range FAIL
High price FAIL
FAIL!!!
yeah but can the battery be charged 1,000 times and last 5 years? LOL
either you have to be swimming in cash or be really lazy to get this, just pick up a bicycle and loose the gut.
I own a 250 supermoto bike and it would whoop ass all over this thing. It gets 72mpg, can almost crack 100mph, and it's MSRP is less than half of the electric bike above. Why would you buy the electric one? Less power, less range should equal less $$$.
Yeah, but your competing with 100years of ICE technology and manufacturing.
hmm dont think i'd trade my ninja just yet but certainly looks cool to have in inner cities
While its a novel idea, this is the antithesis of what most want in a motorcycle to begin with: a thumping motor, pipes, tune-ability!
Plus Brammo is kind of an unfortunate name...
I disagree. Loud pipes is a preference. I like my bike to be quiet, yet visible.
you fall down, go......Brammo!!
$11K?...... I'll buy a car.
For half the price.
cheaper, travel faster and further, and sits more ladies.
Is the rider fleeing the scene of an arson crime?
I just bought a Honda Rebel 250 for my wife and its a lot of fun to ride. I don't see a clutch on this bike. Am I just missing it or are there just no gears on this ? How does that work ?
It's electric.
@Becu55 - Most Electric vehicles will have gears and manual transmission electric vehicles will still have clutches...
In most electric vehicles, and most of the time, the wider torque curves of electric motors does not create the need for changing gears. So, yes George, electric vehicles can have gears, but, at least from what I've seen, most do not. To answer Maxx's question, if there is no clutch it might not have gears.
Nobody ever reads anymore...
"clutch-free and single-geared"
@George
Most production electric vehicles do NOT have a clutch or gears. The tesla for instance, has no gearbox, just a single speed fixed gear, with electric reverse.
People who convert existing cars in their homes usually use the transmission because it's already there and helps give them the gearing that is perfect for their car, but when you're building a new vehicle from scratch the torque curves on the electric motor as well as the flexibility of the speed controller mean that it makes more sense to use a single gear and save weight instead of hauling around a heavy clutch and gearbox.
$11,995-$14,995. 45 miles max at 25 mph and it can not go on the highway. Crazy.
@ $899.00 this is wiser: http://www.e-road.com/
First gen stuff is going to be expensive, but I see a good future for electric bikes. The TTXGP is probably going to bring out more manufacturers and with more competition it'll bring prices down.
I think we all understand expensive. The problem with this is that it doesn't seem to have any real world value. It can't go far or fast or on many roadways. I have a hard time understanding why anyone would buy this instead of a Segway.
Similar thing was invented in China at least 7 years ago, and it is very very popular in China. It's not a electro-motorcycles, but electro-bicycles, speed can reach up to 35MPH. Since in China the distance between living place and working place is normally just 1 or 2 miles, this thing is very efficient and safe. My wife had one, it's pretty nice. Most importantly, it is very cheap, just $200.
yep, mopeds make a lot more sense especially since you can peddle if needed
Where's the Iphone dock?
Up your asss!
Thank you for wearing gloves this time. :^)
Is that a fuel line and filter I see on photos 3/24 and 13/24. What would that be doing on an electric?
In 3/24 it looks like the rear brake master cylinder and hose.
I want mine to make horse hoof sounds... and if I fall down, I want it to say "It's only a flesh wound!"
MY Bike cost over 15k seats Two and is electric.......Start
FXDF Harley
I'm Sorry but electric Vehicles are for riding around IN the Mall..
One word - moped. Remember those?
That's nice and all but it just doesn't have the vibrations of a V-Twin that keep the ladies coming back for more.
The Enertia is the cool in ebikes. I just wish Brammo would bump its specs a bit, then it would be perfect.
Lithium != heavy metal
...Engadget needs to get some an in-house science adviser. It's not hard to spot a lot of common misconceptions and bad information in their blog posts..
U fail. Actually Lithium is the lightest of ALL metals. It is the rest of the battery and lack of oomph which kills it.
Still Engadget does need a tech checker to review posts.
How exactly do I "fail" when I refuted that Lithium is a "heavy metal" (aka toxic to the health of the environment)?
I'm glad more electric bike options are coming to the market. However, the prices are pretty ridiculous. You can take a bike off say, craigslist. (There are plenty of them for free do to engine problems) With $2000 you can pretty easily make a bike with LiPo4 batteries with a 50 mile range that can go faster than this.
That said, I really like how the Brammo looks. Best Buy selling motorcycles is uh, interesting.
11K?
Come test my bike, Engadget. Cost my ~ 3K and can do 45, looks better than this.
http://www.tronbikes.com
For 11K, I can make something that will do 100mph easy....
-TaS
WTF engadget.. Why pictures are always blurry, out of focus and even noisy....?
Even in daylight like this gallery and the live pictures at WWDC were bad as well..
Its sad :( you need to improve your photo skills..
1) dear every person posting a negative comment:
your ire has been noted. multiple time. you've said nothing that hasn't been said in every other post regarding electrical street legal two-wheeled transport. it's obvious this is not for you. please, leave the space for the people who *are*.
2) so, Electric Motorsport, Vectrix, Quantya are not considered players?
2) amen - Electric Motorsport has a 8.5K model that looks pretty good (actually seen, but not ridden it, shop is very local, where I got my conversion parts)
I applaud a pioneer in an emerging industry. Hats off to Craig Bramsher, founder of Brammo Motorsports and creator of the Enertia!
Those reading this post are interested, at least in part, by alternatively powered vehicles. So, I submit for your consideration a ready for prime time mountain bike, with a hidden high powered electric motor and battery, that's made in Colorado.
The Optibike is 1/2 the price, weighs 200pounds LESS, can be picked up an put in your car, and can easily travel at speeds very close to the Enertia's sweetspot of 25mph. There are both men's and women's models, very high quality, excellent warranty, and because it's a bicycle (95%) can be readily serviced at your local shop. www.optibike.com
Oh, and you can put in the front of a bus, bring it on a train, put it a bike box for travel on a plane, and when you get to work, or the store, it can go inside because it's a bicycle, not a motorcycle. Finally, federal law states the Optibike is a bicycle, and does not require registration, insurance, plates, but a helmet is always a good idea; check with your local authorities.
To those who disagree, please refer to cWj's comment above.
Didn't Brammos sell Lee Press-On Limbs?
"neither of these two come out on top when compared to something like a Kawasaki Ninja 250R, which can be had for about a third the price, easily best 60mpg, and run circles around the pair of them on a track"
I think the reviewer hit the nail on the head here.
Ok, here's the deal - the bike is not made for speed, it's not made for range, it's made to commute with, and it's the first generation of this kind of technology, so it's expensive. The price will go down, and the speed and range will go up. The throttle response will be able to be adjusted and factory setting is for max distance. They are an absolute blast to ride, esp with the throttle response turned up a little.
so engadget, you plan on throwing an extension cord out your apt window? : ]
OK, I went on the Brammo website, and could not find any kind of warranty statement. Not sure what to expect on the $3,000 replacement batteries for a replacement warranty. If someone finds it pls post it at this site; also, twitter works as well with a handle of "Brammo"
What did you use to shoot the video? That footage is amazing - even if you were stuck in traffic.
@Steve It's a ContourHD from VholdR. We've been testing one for a few weeks and will have a write-up on it soon.