Easy Rider: The Brammo Enertia

Electric motorcycle friendlier to rider and environment

By Matthew Cokeley Posted 08.07.2009 at 2:41 pm 2 Comments

Brammo Enertia Torque: 30 lb.-ft. Horsepower: 18 Batteries: 76.8-volt lithium-iron phosphate, 3.5-hour recharge time Price: $12,000 Get it: brammo.com Digital Imaging: Eric Heintz; Photograph: Courtesy Brammo

Harley riders might have a hard time getting used to the first street-legal electric motorcycle to hit stores. It sounds more like a Prius than an exhaust-spewing hog—that is, silent. But the Brammo Enertia is meant for commuters, not Hell’s Angels. The same electronics that make it whisper-quiet also make it simpler for beginners to ride.

The motor and six 14-pound, lithium-ion batteries are distributed throughout the frame rather than placed in a single block as with a gas-powered engine. That helps keep the bike upright even when moving slowly, whereas other motorcycles need fast-spinning wheels to balance. The motor eliminates firing pistons, which create vibrations that can destabilize the rider, and the single speed means no complicated clutches.

With a top speed of 55 mph and range of 45 miles per charge, the Enertia is plenty adequate for errands. And one signature of electric drive—fast acceleration from a full stop, thanks to the fact that electric motors deliver 100 percent of torque instantly—might even win over those Harley fans.

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2 Comments

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Brammofan

08/14/09 at 3:32 pm

When I read the headline, I thought it was going to be linked to the "EnertiaRyder" photo-shop pic. (I don't know your policy on links in comments, but look for the 8/14/09 post on www.brammofan.com )
As for winning over Harley fans, I'm not going to hold my breath. Maybe if Brammo develops an electric fatboy or a true "electra" glide in blue.

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bbs53

09/05/09 at 4:46 am

Let me see, you want me to pay 12,000 for the equivalent of a 250CC motorcycle for the same money as a Harley Davidson? I don't think so. My fuel injected 106 CUI gets close to 60 MPG and will do better than twice the speed of the Brammo, or so I have heard. It also has a range of over 300 miles and sounds as good as anything on wheels. For around town, picking up groceries and such, it would have some use. It is cheap to operaate until those battery' hit 8000 miles and need to be replaced. Last I heard they are considered toxic waste. It is the same story as the volt or Prius, when the battery's go, it will really cost and when the fuel used to transport the lithium and other components all over the planet are figured in to the carbon footprint, again like the Prius they are not all that green. Most of the people pushing this agenda want it at any cost and are not willing to improve the power situation until they are truly feasible. Right now I would consider one for one of my kids for school, but as a road bike with the cost, no way. Of course that would be if it were more like 2500 to 3000 instead of the price of a real motorcycle. There is not a lot of improvement from the lead/acid experiments of the past, in range or speed. I will wait for another 10 or so years until they find a power source like lithium polymer or something made from materials here in the states. Depending on China for lithium is no different than depending on the arabs bending us over for oil. Nice design work, looks like good craftsmanship, if there still in business next time I cruise the hog down to Jantzen Beach, I will look one over.