2016 Victory Empulse TT - Coolness Factor = 53.3%

[totalmotorcycle]

2016 Victory Empulse TT on the Total Motorcycle Cool Wall

For MORE information and Photos click here: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyc ... lse-TT.htm



2016 Victory Empulse TT on http://www.Totalmotorcycle.com

This is a street legal electric race motorcycle...

Accelerating up to 100MPH+ and the battery fully charges in 3.5hours. Where it matters most, the Empulse® TT is fast. It is 10,400 watt hours of proof that Victory® doesn't just prove performance, we advance technology.

Empulse TT shares some DNA with Brammo’s original Empulse R motorcycle, but after acquiring Brammo’s motorcycle assets last year, Victory Motorcycles’ engineering team has made significant steps forward in electric technology to create this new model (developed at the same time as the Isle of Man TT Zero bike).

Improvements in the battery capacity, controller function and handling (lighter wheels) were all developed by Victory engineers combining their efforts with the previous Brammo team.

Empulse TT achieves 100mph+ and has a high capacity 10.4kWh battery. The battery (manufactured by Brammo) fully charges up in just 3.5 hours using mains electricity flowing to a built-in charger (via a plug into the top of the ‘fuel tank’) with an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in just two hours.

Typical riding gives a range of 65 miles with 100 miles achievable through throttle management and regenerative charging. Preliminary testing shows a Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) city range of 94 miles. A ‘combined 70mph highway and city range’ is 57 miles.

Riders can get the best return from the 10.4kWh of electricity stored in the battery by using the six-speed gearbox. The gearbox serves as a familiar and comfortable way for existing motorcycle riders to engage the electric drivetrain. Shifting and downshifting also helps to create regenerative power (under deceleration) and this also mimics the compression braking that riders feel on a petrol-powered machine. Choosing the right gear for the conditions allows Empulse TT to use the battery power in the most efficient way.

The clutch is only needed to shift between gears and it is not needed for pulling away or for coming to a stop.

Featuring a bespoke transmission, neutral is located between 2nd and 3rd gear. This is because Empulse TT can easily be left in 3rd gear for most normal riding conditions. Riders can simply turn the bike on, select 3rd gear (without the clutch) and twist the throttle to pull away. Then they can simply come to a stop without pulling in the clutch and knock down one gear to put the bike into neutral. The addition of the gearbox is a positive feature offering significant flexibility and a sporting feel over the competition.

Empulse TT normally operates under an ECO mode, but Victory has also added a SPORT mode that releases 20 per cent more power to the motor, so there is more acceleration for a given amount of throttle twist. Riders select SPORT mode by pressing and holding the start button for 1 second. SPORT mode also increases the amount of regenerative braking (regen), thereby further increasing the feel of ‘compression braking’ when the rider rolls off the throttle. This way some of the 20 per cent of extra electrical energy fed to the motor is partially recovered through the higher ‘regen’ setting.

The battery level is displayed as a horizontal bar with a percentage next to it in an LCD dash display next to a tachometer. Other information displayed here includes the speed, gear, time, power in kWh and an estimated range remaining.

While Empulse TT is electric, it doesn’t mean it isn’t sporty. It comes with fully adjustable suspension both front and rear (the front forks are inverted). There are dual brake discs on the front wheel (Brembo). Add in new lightweight cast aluminium wheels, the best lean angle in the electric class and you’re looking at an electric motorcycle that can be ridden both on the road and on track.

Official accessories available at launch include Victory performance forks and bike sliders (hard moulded crash bungs that fit on either side).

Street riders can also fit a tall or short windscreen and side panniers.



2016 Victory Empulse TT - http://www.Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $19,999 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $23,799 CDN


ENGINE

ELECTRIC MOTOR Internal Permanent Magnet AC Induction

PEAK MOTOR POWER 54hp

PEAK TORQUE 61ftlbs

TRANSMISSION 6-speed gearbox with multi-plate, hydraulic activated wet clutch

BATTERY PACK

BATTERY Brammo Power Lithium Ion

BATTERY CAPACITY 10.4 kWh

BATTERY VOLTAGE 103.6V / 117.6V (max)

CHARGE TIME 3.9hrs (Level II / 0% to 100% SOC)

EMISSIONS None

BRAKES

FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM Dual 310mm Brembo floating discs with twin 4-piston radial mounted Brembo brake calipers

REAR BRAKING SYSTEM Brembo single disc with dual piston hydraulic Brembo brake caliper

PERFORMANCE

MAX SPEED 100mph

REGENERATIVE BRAKING Extends riding range and provides familiar rider feedback

SUSPENSION

FRONT SUSPENSION Adjustable 43mm Inverted Forks

REAR SUSPENSION Adjustable Direct-Acting Shock

CHASSIS

CARRY CAPACITY 167 kg

DRY WEIGHT 213 kg

GROUND CLEARANCE 18.54 cm

LENGTH 206.5 cm

RAKE/TRAIL 24° / 7.62 cm

SEAT HEIGHT 80.0 cm

WHEELBASE 147.32 cm

OTHER COMPONENTS

INSTRUMENTATION LCD display; speed, tach, odometer, gear position, http://www.Totalmotorcycle.com, energy consumption, battery status, estimated range and system status

TYRES FRONT & REAR Continental Sport Attack II 120-70 ZR17 58W & 160/60ZR17 69W

WHEELS FRONT & REAR 17” x 3.5” / 17” x 4.5”

[totalmotorcycle]

Thanks to Brammo, Victory is the first big manufacturer to bring a fully electric bike to the market* beating all other major contenders!

Is this the start of a new era of motorcycling?

* Zero is the other manufacturer and the same with Brammo. Victory is just one of the major's so no slight against the smaller originators.

Mike

[ceemes]

A little light in the HP department tho with respectable torque. Range isn't bad for commuting purposes and the 3.5 hours recharge time isn't too shabby, especially if you can recharge while at work, again making in a potentially good commuting machine. Still, unless you live in a place like BC where the majority of your electrical power comes from "green" hydro electric dams, you are basically trading off one carbon burning fuel system for another. The majority of electrical power generation still comes from coal or oil burning plants, and those dump a lot of green house gases into the atmosphere. The more so-call green electrical vehicles in area's using such generation plants means greater demand for power equating into increased fuel consumption and more carbon and other nasty thing being pumped into the local air shed.

While I do think machines are a step in the right direction but because of their battery based tech, they are more of a stop gap technology, no matter what Elon Musk might think. Once hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen storage technology has matured and the cost of cracking hydrogen is comparable to that of oil based fuels, these battery based machines will soon become a foot note in vehicle history, much like the steam vehicles of yesteryear.

Still I will give it a solid cool and would seriously consider owning one as a commuting bike.

[faded sun]

Well, while I like the idea of an electric bike and have even scheduled a demo ride at the (sort of) local dealer for a Zero, I can't really say how I like the look of this one because basically you can't really see the bike itself in that picture. As exciting as all those blurred lines and headlight glare are, they don't really help.

I would vote cool If I thought it looked cool.

As far as hydrogen and Elon Musk goes, I don't see anyone putting a hydrogen fuel car (let alone motorcycle) into production currently while Tesla is in the process of building a plant (self powered) to basically double the world's production of lithium ion batteries. The guy is doing it and it's working so far. Check out "Wait but why" blog site for very interesting stuff on both Elon Musk and Tesla, and Mr. Musk's viewpoint on hydrogen technology.

Just sayin'.

[blues2cruise]

I think it's cool...but for that kind of money for just a commuter....nope.

[ceemes]

Well, while I like the idea of an electric bike and have even scheduled a demo ride at the (sort of) local dealer for a Zero, I can't really say how I like the look of this one because basically you can't really see the bike itself in that picture. As exciting as all those blurred lines and headlight glare are, they don't really help.

I would vote cool If I thought it looked cool.

As far as hydrogen and Elon Musk goes, I don't see anyone putting a hydrogen fuel car (let alone motorcycle) into production currently while Tesla is in the process of building a plant (self powered) to basically double the world's production of lithium ion batteries. The guy is doing it and it's working so far. Check out "Wait but why" blog site for very interesting stuff on both Elon Musk and Tesla, and Mr. Musk's viewpoint on hydrogen technology.

Just sayin'.

The biggest problem with these "green" battery systems is that they are really not that green to begin with. They require rare earths so named because they are well, rare and which must be mined, refined and processed, all highly carbon/energy intensive procedures.

Then there is recharging issue. In places like BC where hydro dams generation plants produce fairly green and renewable electrical energy, recharging electric vehicles makes sense both environmentally and economically. However, the majority of electrical power generation on the planet is not hydro generation, but rather a mixture of nuclear or fossil fuel burning plants. If you are running a hybrid or full on battery powered vehicle and need to recharge it from a supply that comes from a coal or oil burning generating plant, then all you are really doing is trading off one carbon burning system for another. Indeed, if one lived in an area where electrical power comes from fossil burning generating plants and wanted to drive a truly green vehicle, then they would be best served buying one of the many excellent diesel cars from VW, BMW, or import a Japanese diesel burner and use renewable bio-diesel. (Yes, I am well aware of the issue of bio-diesel and food crops being diverted away from human consumption and into the fuel manufacturing sector and what that has done to both supply and costs)

As for Musk's view point on Hydrogen tech, well he has a vested interest as he has hitch his cart so to speak onto battery technology. It will be interesting to see who the true Tesla (A/C power) or Edison (D/C power), Musk or companies such as Ballard Power Systems who have been researching and developing hydrogen tech.

[montanalifter]

Between the price and range, uncool. There is listed range and there is real world driving around, and I would not want to end my ride because it had to go sit in the garage for 3.5 hours.

[totalmotorcycle]

ceemes says it well, most consumers immediately think electric/hybrid is the green choice, when in fact, it's just as bad to create the batteries and produce the electricity as it is on a normal gas vehicle. In fact, lithium-ion batteries are quite toxic for the environment.

I voted: Fail. I like the alternative idea it all, but the cost, the range, the charge times and that age old question "what do you do if you run out of power and your not at home to charge it up"? I'm sure in 10 or 20 years from now, 1/4 of the bikes sold will be electric models and like an old Cell Phone will unfortunately be out dated with each new design update. It will be something like "Anyone want one of those original electric motorcycles that get 20 miles on a charge?"

The Empulse TT is really a Brammo Empluse rebadged. Victory purchased Brammo, (even though they were large partners of Brammo) I believe, to bring out a electric bike ahead of Harley-Davidson's livewire. I think they would have done better to have owned Zero over Brammo as Zero had better models (range, variety, cost) but maybe they could only get Brammo, who knows?


Mike

[totalmotorcycle]

I can't really say how I like the look of this one because basically you can't really see the bike itself in that picture. As exciting as all those blurred lines and headlight glare are, they don't really help.

Sorry about that, those 6 photos are the best ones Victory had on their media site for the Empulse TT.

Mike

[totalmotorcycle]

2015 Yamaha Super Tenere - Coolness Factor = 53.3%
Featured: July 31th, 2015 - August 7th 2015
Most popular vote category: Cool


Motorcycle Cool Wall discussion: viewtopic.php?f=61&t=51766
Total Motorcycle model page: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyc ... lse-TT.htm

Your Coolness Factor of the 2016 Victory Empulse TT is:

Awesome (3 points) 20% 20% [ 4 ]
Cool (2 points) 35% 35% [ 7 ]
Uncool (1 point) 30% 30% [ 6 ]
Fail (0 point) 15% 15% [ 3 ]

Total votes: 20


= a Coolwall Factor of 53.3%


Notes: Growing pains. If your the type who loves to jump on the technology bandwagon and must have the latest, newest gadget then you won't mind the $20k price to go 57 miles. But remember it's at least a 3.5 hour wait at the Starbucks while you recharge both you and the bike. That said, Victory is the first major manufacturer to jump into the electric bike arena with a full on production bike (thanks to their purchase of Brammo) and the door to the future of motorcycling is now open...


Get excited as the next TMW Cool Wall bike is now up for voting and discussion, have fun!