The Brammo Empulse Electric Motorcycle

Founded in 2002, Ashland, Oregon, startup Brammo is a manufacturer of electric motorcycles and other high-performance vehicles. The company also makes batteries for stationary applications and has powered a helicopter. In October 2011, Brammo closed a $28 million B round.

The Brammo Empulse streetfighter is the first vehicle to be built on the Brammo Power platform. The new bike features an extruded aluminum frame that supports the battery packs. It also features a redesigned LCD dash that incorporates a wide range of riding metrics. It also includes nickel plating that gives the bike a distinctive look. The handlebars are manufactured by Accossato in Italy.

The Brammo Empulse features a six-speed Integrated Electric Transmission (IET) and a conventional wet multi-plate clutch. The IET provides a dynamic riding feel similar to an internal combustion engine while reducing stress on the motor. It also features regenerative braking. The regenerative braking effect mimics gas engine compression braking. The motor puts out 55 bhp and 59 lb-ft of torque.

The Empulse comes standard with a J1772 charge coupler that plugs into a household outlet. It can be charged from 20 percent to 80% in less than two hours. The bike is compatible with nearly 7000 Level 2 public charging stations in the U.S. It is also expected to be available in Asia and Europe.

Brammo anticipates selling the bikes at $10,000 to $12,000. The company anticipates selling them through dealers in North America, Asia, and Europe.