Brammo pair prepare to shock Barack, request assistance
Brammo Enertia - Click above for high-res image gallery
This coming Tuesday morning, two guys will strike out on a pair of Brammo Enertias and retrace the trail Detroit auto execs took to the halls of political power when they begged for their bailouts. The goal of this journey is not to ask for money to help build a greener vehicle a few years from now, but rather to "shock Barack" with the electric motorcycle transportation solution they are already shipping. The daring duo is comprised of Brammo lead designer Brian Wismann and lead engineer Aaron Bland and they are, as one might imagine, quite psyched about the expedition. As the two tweeted,
Indeed. While they are bringing their own transportation, the two have put out a call to arms (very much in the metaphorical sense) and are requesting assistance from those interested in aiding their cause. They will need places along the way to charge their steeds as well a stable for themselves and their rides. Oh, and food (geez, someone get these guys an expense account already). Last but not least, they need the help of someone who knows Obama, or someone who knows someone who knows Obama etc. to let him know they're coming and answer the door when they arrive. We suggest they give Jay Leno a call since he not only knows the prez but is getting his very own Enertia delivered this weekend. Failing that, we suggest that if they are confronted by a bunch of guys with hands tucked inside their dark suit jackets, not to make any sudden moves. Hit the jump for bonus video of one of the first Enertia customers taking delivery.The eve of a great journey. Like Branson's transatlantic balloon crossing. Except we aren't rich. Or British. Or airborne. Or bearded.
Gallery: 2010 Brammo Enertia
[Source: Shocking Barack via Brammofan]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brammofan 8:19PM (10/10/2009)
It kind of looks like Obama is levitating the bike. Come to think of it, THAT would be an eleven on the scale of awesome.
Hope these guys have a safe trip. Better dress warmly -- that route is bound to be cold this time of year.
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jpm 8:42PM (10/10/2009)
I'm jealous to the max! I want an EV moto too! Wait, don't have $12k laying around.
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BrammoBrian 9:48PM (10/10/2009)
Thanks for the tip brammofan! I just got back from buying lots of long underwear. I also hear rain is a possibility this time of year... Wish us luck!
NeilBlanchard 10:10PM (10/10/2009)
Hi,
I have a question: why is the rear sprocket on the green bike so large? The silver bike has a more "normal" sized one -- and they are not on the same side. I would have thought that there was more consistency in the running gear. Is there also a difference in the range/speed of these two models?
Sincerely, Neil
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Brammofan 8:48AM (10/11/2009)
Hey Neil - If you're talking about the sprocket on the green one in the autoblog gallery (From the EVS trade show), I'm pretty sure it was an earlier prototype. I had never noticed that the sprocket had changed sides, though... nice catch. The racing bike that they took to the Isle of Man had a big sprocket on the left side, The current production bike definitely has it on the right.
NeilBlanchard 8:30PM (10/11/2009)
Hi,
Yes, the second photo gallery shows bikes with the not-so-gigantic rear sprocket; and they are all on the right side. So, the silver bike with the spoked wheels is also probably an earlier prototype.
I wish they sold these at my local BestBuy (Framingham, MA). I'd love to have a test ride -- I'm pretty tall and heavy (6'-4" ~230 pounds) and I'd like to know how I fit and how the suspension works on New England's frost heaved roads. I used to ride a lot (averaging ~11,000 miles a year) on a BMW K75S. I had a Koni rear shock that was excellent.
Sincerely, Neil
Laurens 5:17AM (10/11/2009)
Nice design. Let's go back to the 50'ies. In those days we used bicycles...
http://www.rotterdam010.nl/Herinneringen/Herinnering-Maastunnel.jpg
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GoodCheer 4:44PM (10/11/2009)
Cool picture. Are those folks going down to a subway?
I think that kind of multi-modal transportation solution is my green-weenie ideal. Take a train/bus/streetcar/subway to within a couple of miles of your destination (with your bike on board), then pedal the rest of the way.
Laurens 6:01PM (10/11/2009)
They are descending down to the Maastunnel, which goes below the river Maas. The river runs through the centre of Rotterdam. There is also a car tunnel. The cycle tunnel is al still there, not a lot of people use it nowadays! In those days it was cycling all the way, however probably not more than 5 km total.
FitFan 5:36AM (10/11/2009)
People with titles like 'lead designer' and 'lead engineer' at a motorcycle manufacturer should be rich. I assume they're taking stock options in lieu of big salaries.
In any case, it sounds like a fun trip. If I were on their route I would definitely throw them an extension cord and make them some grilled cheese sandwiches :-)
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Brian 11:26AM (10/11/2009)
I agree! You should buy an Enertia out of concern so that someday this may come true! Craig B.- you reading this?
Regarding the gallery - Those are really, really old photos. I would expect Autoblog to update those to represent the model that we're actually riding/selling. Check out the video for the production spec bike. And yes... the green and blue bikes had different motors precipitating the different drive arrangement. The production bike has a sealed PMAC motor - different still.
FitFan 2:11PM (10/11/2009)
I would love to own an Enertia. Buying a house with an electric outlet in the garage has to happen first.
cWj 8:02AM (10/12/2009)
Brian, visit a few AOL sites and you will see that the company is not much given to high journalistic ideals.
Or low ones, for that matter.
ABG is, generally, less problematic in that regard. Shoot 'em an inter-missive, and they should update.
Tim 11:23AM (10/11/2009)
"...goal of this journey is not to ask for money..."
Now THAT's "change" we can believe in!
Godspeed Brammo!
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radams 12:19PM (10/11/2009)
Here's a link to pictures I took of my Brammo just a few days ago. http://www.flickr.com/photos/radams_flickr/sets/72157622540019700/
Russ
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jpm 3:33PM (10/11/2009)
Excellent pictures!
Will you be doing any write ups/ reviews/ blogging of your EV moto experience?