Polaris is Expanding - Buys into Brammo!

Brammo Empulse RR

Surely, you have already read this, but the news is still encouraging for the motorcycle industry and thus it must be brought to the attention of those involved in it. Polaris most recently took over the new Indian - which seems to be going well at this early stage - and now they have bought a minority share in Brammo. They do make a good bike, in my opinion, and seem to be walking a solid line with the business operations as well. Brammo, based here in Oregon, is on the path to real industry relevancy; soon, no one will laugh at electric motorcycles.

So, without further crap from me, here is the press release:
http://tinyurl.com/697mqj6

Brammo Releases Empulse to the World

Wow, Brammo had something working in the background for some time now. After interviewing one Brian Wismann, I knew something was up but not how big it would be. Cycle World has already managed to lay hands on the machine and has a piece on the beast. This is the new Empulse, and it comes in three different power versions...and, it is lovely. If you are an avid motorcyclist, you need to check this out now!

http://tinyurl.com/293y7a2

Brammo to Work With Jackie Chan & AMA Supercross Toronto Results

Jackie Chan's company JCAM Advanced Mobility Company Ltd., based in Hong Kong, has signed up to distribute the Brammo electric motorcycles in Hong Kong and Singapore. The deal is certainly a solid one as Jackie Chan has the star power to really bring in the customers. Plus, both Hong Kong and Singapore are perfect locations for electric motorcycle ownership - both have very little land area and rather tight roads and streets (in HK, you could probably ride the Brammo from one side of the island to the other three times without needing to charge it!) plus they are both very congested and polluted. They should sell very well there...too bad they didn't hire me for the job!

http://tinyurl.com/yamj6xp

The AMA Supercross event in Toronto was broadcast on TV this weekend and it was a great race. Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto turned in an impressive performance and took the win - putting him even closer to Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, who still holds the points lead and finished third in Toronto behind Red Bull Honda's Trey Canard. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8pm4ov

More Afternoon Moto News - Electric Motorcycle Racers & Pegram Racing Club

As you might expect, electric motorcycle racers simply want to face the best of the competition. With the strange competition between the three major players in organizing the races, it looks like some teams will never meet on the track, and that is not good for the sport. The questions abound and most are covered after the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ykpw9a4

With the upcoming AMA Pro Racing season getting even nearer, Larry Pegram has come up with another way to gain some sponsorship money has created the Pegram Racing Club. With support from Foremost Insurance and Ducati NA, Pegram has been able to build a successful team around the Ducati 1098R - he won 3 races last year and finished fourth overall. With the Club, which is only limited to 10 people, the members will get a first-hand experience with American motorcycle racing...take the link for more information.

http://tinyurl.com/ylx6czb

Preview of Electric Motorcycle Racing in 2010 - TTXGP & eGrandPrix

Yep, it is almost 2010 - in fact, it is only a few weeks away. So, are you ready for the electric motorcycle racing in the new year? If not, take the link below and get all of the information you need on these new road race series. This is the beginning of something huge which we will all be seeing more of in the future, so get yourself ready!

http://tinyurl.com/yehtabw

Electric Motorcycles - Here to Stay?

A nice opinion piece on the coming of electric motorcycles and what the future of them may be. The author has some good points, but some of them are easy to dispute. In either case, it is worth reading just to see yet another perspective on this quickly expanding niche in the motorcycle industry. Just do not expect the article to cover your views on the subject, it doesn't match mine.

http://tinyurl.com/y8hzqtf

A Fate From an Adventure - Brammo Across the USA

Nathan Abbott wanted to take a ride - and he was already an adventurer of some note - on a Brammo electric motorcycle from Oregon to his home in Georgia. However, though he had a very lucky life up to this point, that luck ran out (as so many people's luck does once they get to Oregon) in Roseburg, Oregon, where he was struck from behind by a young person driving an Audi. He is in the hospital now and doing better, but he has a very long recovery ahead of him. Take the link, please, and see to it that he gets some help.

http://tinyurl.com/ylapynb

Brammo Reduces Price on Enertia Electric Motorcycle!

It is now only US$7995! With the US tax break for alternative fuel vehicles, your final price will be US$7195! This news comes just in time for Christmas shopping and will certainly help Santa to put a few of these under some trees. Now, if only Santa visited my house someday...

http://tinyurl.com/yemkakt

Brammo Pushes for Broader Support from US Government for EV Manufacturers

Brammo's CEO, Craig Bramscher, met with government officials and Congress members at the Clean Energy Economy Forum hosted by The White House. Their chief complaint is that most of the funding destined for electric vehicle manufacturers ends up in four-wheeled projects - very little ends up in the electric motorcycle industry. The House has already provided and amendment which would help, but the Senate has yet to do the same. The 'Shocking Barack' trip was sponsored by Brammo and managed to get some attention on the subject...let's hope that the multinational corporations (who run our government) let the little guys get their hands on the funds they can use for everyone's benefit!

http://tinyurl.com/yzbqm7v

"Shocking Barack" Brammo Ride from Detroit to D.C. Successful

The two dedicated Enertia riders, David Schiff and Brian Wismann, made their historic journey from Detroit to Washington D.C. to parallel the same trip taken by automotive CEOs when they asked for their bailout from the US government. Well, these guys are not asking for a bailout, they just want US policies to be put in place which encourage people to purchase these sleek electric motorcycles. They did a damn good job and I only wish that I could have joined them - I believe in this future too!

AMA: http://tinyurl.com/y9l4h6a

AP: http://tinyurl.com/y8q3xs2

Ashland Daily Tidings: http://tinyurl.com/yke3uyv

Last Stop on "Tradition is Not a Business Model" is Mission Motors

I put up the first one of these a few weeks ago, but I just let it rest until the final entry so that I don't over-report on this subject. Anyway, the last stop on the Tradition is Not a Business Model is Mission Motors of San Francisco, California. You probably already know these guys as they are still holding the fastest electric motorcycle record at over 150 MPH. Their new Mission One is even in the Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalog, though it is a special one-off edition for the famous catalog. Have a read and see what we two-wheel riders will be riding in the near future!

http://tinyurl.com/yg9adzy

P.S. Plus, you can see the rest of the series here:

Brammo: http://tinyurl.com/yzr4sl5
Zero: http://tinyurl.com/yfq3s9z
MotoCzysz: http://tinyurl.com/yfurm5k

First Ride: 2010 Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle

Well, we keep hearing about the electric motorcycles for sale now, but I have yet to come across a decent riding impression - until now. The author managed to get his hands on an Enertia at a Best Buy store in California and took it for a ride. He liked it for what it is, a first generation electric motorcycle which is fun for experienced riders and welcoming to beginning riders as well...

http://tinyurl.com/yjwsw26

Two Riders Want to 'Shock Barack' by Riding Brammo Enertia Motorcycles to DC

The two men, Brian Wismann and Dave Schiff, have decided to ride Brammo's Enerita motorcycles from Detroit to Washington D.C. to meet with the president. They don't have an appointment, but are asking for help from anyone who knows President Barack Obama or is close to him and can arrange for them to meet him. The mission is to show that the electric motorcycle industry is doing well on its own and should be supported - unlike the US auto industry, which had to be bailed out by the US government...

http://tinyurl.com/yj8h3ss

P.S. If you can help, please take the link and get their contact info at the bottom.

"Tradition is Not a Business Model" Article Discusses the NEW American Motorcycle Companies

Written by Jensen Beeler, from Asphalt & Rubber and a motorcycle industry consultant, this piece is something which we should have heard before. Building the 'American' motorcycle need not be an exercise in turning a V-twin into a sportbike. Instead, we should be looking to the new electric motorcycle companies for our home-grown US motorcycle production...this is the first in a series, so check the site about once a week to get updates (I will post them here as I see them).

http://tinyurl.com/ydfprmp

New Battery Producer, Imara, Opening in California

This may seem like unimportant news, but it actually is rather meaningful to those of us interested in electric motorcycles. This new company will compete directly with A123Systems in the rechargeable and industrial battery market, which includes electric motor vehicles of all sorts...

http://tinyurl.com/kqa8yu

Electric Motorcycle Manufacturers Now on Equal Footing With Auto Companies

This is certainly an 'about time' moment! The US House of Representatives has voted to allow electric motorcycle producers access to the same government loans which auto manufacturers already have. Again, something which should have been done in the first place!

http://tinyurl.com/mntd44

Brammo Set to Release "Anti-Scooter" Within Next Two Months

On the heels of the Enertia electric motorcycle comes news from Oregon's Brammo will release the 'anti-scooter' within the next 60 days. The name has not actually been set, that name is what it is known as internally at the company. Have a read...

http://tinyurl.com/mjbsc3

Brammo Sells Their Products Online

Though you will have to pay for shipping, you can purchase your Enertia electric motorcycle online directly from the manufacturer. Of course, this is only currently available in the US...

http://tinyurl.com/l7xr22

Brammo Puts Enertia in Select Best Buy Stores

Brammo's first production electric motorcycle is now available for a test ride and/or purchase at select West Coast Best Buy stores now! Go and take a ride...

http://tinyurl.com/kmsoa3