The big news, Stateside, is that Victory have thrown themselves into the Electric market early, with a bike based on the technology used in their 2015 TT-bike. The European press office have cautiously shared the EmpulseTT release, but with a caveat that Victory are determining global demand before announcing sales plans for Europe.
It’s particularly interesting because it gives us some numbers, but is missing a very important one.
The interesting ones:
- 54hp (peak)
- 61ftlbs (peak)
- 6-speed gearbox with some tricks up its sleeve
- 100mph+
- Range of between 57 and 94 miles depending on mode and speed.
- No ABS but it does have regenerative braking. A requirement on bikes oiver 125cc in the EU from 2016 … but is this over 125cc?
- full recharge in 3.9hours
- 5 year / 100,000 mile warranty on the Brammo Power Lithium Ion battery
- $19,999
It’s interesting because it’s ready now – Brammo have been developing this with Polaris’ backing for a while now – so while Lee Johnston brought his bike home in 3rd with Guy Martin standing in for Micheal Dunlop took 4th behind the established leaders in Zero-TT, it’s the first to market … at a price.
It’s also a radically different proposition to the Harley-Davidson LiveWire concept, but then it’s a different style for a different market.
And the 6-speed gearbox? This is an interesting one, because a lot of electric motorcycles don’t have one. It’s a proprietary system with neutral between 2nd and 3rd and seems to be purely for performance and range: normal riding will involve selecting 3rd without using the clutch and you’ve got a regular twist and go. Using 1st will give a faster take off – quicker still in PORT mode, delivering another 20% battery power to the motor – and 6th will reduce the motor speed, and I’m assuming its loading, once cruising speed has been reached.
THE REST OF THE RANGE …
… is largely unchanged, but then the Americans have a different line up to us and it’s not worth getting too worked up about missing Judges, Boardwalks and 8-Ball Hammers …or excited by a Vegas in new trim or the 8-Ball Cross Country.
#victory #EmpulseTT