I read the headline and the first two lines and thoughts of vaporware and unfounded dreams were dancing in my head. At the end of the article I was thinking of where I could charge the thing. #brammoenertia
My daily ride takes me roughly 41-42 miles so that's cutting it pretty close. I work at a hospital and there's no way they're going to let me get close enough to charge it. Cool toy, better price, still out of my "range". heh. #brammoenertia
And for those of us who tend to utterly screw up the shifts because of big clunky workboots, the one-gear-ratio-fits-all nature of an electric drivetrain is a good, good, good thing.
My commute every day is 23 miles each way. That lets me roll in to work, park and plug in indoors. We have a few coworkers on the overnight shift who bring their motorcycles through the building to park in the courtyard overnight, so their rides won't be molested by our less-than-honest clientele. I fuss at them because of bringing petrochemicals and oil leaks through the building. This would dodge that.
beercheck promoted this comment
Edited by crankcase - always getting the shaft at 11/11/09 12:39 PM
crankcase - always getting the shaft was starred
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@crankcase - always getting the shaft: Maybe I'll never be a fighter pilot, astronaut, major league bullpen catcher, or a precision bicyclist in the circus, but not all my childhood dreams have been dashed upon the cold, jagged rocks of reality....yet. #brammoenertia
It still doesn't make the Tesla look that ridiculous. To put it in perspective, a Honda CBR125R (which appears to have similar performance) sells for about $3600 CDN, or around 45% of the price of the Brammo. A Lotus Elise starts at a little over $47,000, also known as about 45% of the price of a Tesla.
That being said, I'm still open to electric anything, although a 42 mile range is limiting to basically in-city commuting. #brammoenertia
@that ain't the way to have fun, son:
I'm living in Portland for the year and have thought about purchasing one of these. Right now I'm commuting by bus an hour each way. At 7000$, the price seems great but that doesn't include any future ortho/neurosurg/icu/funeral arrangements. The roads here are always wet, it's dark by 5pm and I can't imagine that thing makes much noise. I think it's a great bike and I really do want one, somebody just has to convince me I'd live out the year intact. #brammoenertia
Isn't it interesting how it's not rainy much, yet wet from September-June?
I thought it was odd how D/FW and Portland have nearly identical rainfall amounts, yet Portland is though of a 'rainy'. That's Seattle, however, D/FW gets its rain over 8 days...Portland, 8 months.
Noise, contrary to bonehead biker lore, does little to make your presence "known", all it really does is piss people off. Two wheels is ALL ABOUT realizing you are effectively invisible, regardless of passive safety measures (the main one rendered almost worthless thanks to GM's cheapness and DRL's) and always watching for 'outs' for when some idiot cager tries to violate a law of physics.
Two objects, same space, etc.
I know the bus blows, but my wife and I had all the catastrophic orthopedic surgeons busy for a weekend in '01 in the Portland/Couve area. It's not a good thing.
Do I wish I'd had another 'hobby'? A safe one like skiing or some shit like that? No, not at all. Just wish we'd not gone out that day.
I guess I'd feel better about maiming myself skiing (something I love) rather than commuting to work (something I suffer-no matter what the mode). Sadly, I also commute much more than I ski so the odds are favorable that that's where I'd crash.
If I can think of a safe way of enjoying one of these Brammos, I'll buy one. Since I can't, I'll have to wait till they make a car. #brammoenertia
@Marquis de Saab: I rode much more for fun than for commuting, though I did use two-wheels to brighten my commute, sometimes.
I've accepted life is dangerous, and living it properly can shorten it. However, I'd much rather die doing something I enjoy, even if it's dangerous, than having a tree fall on me while walking outta the house, or some other common crap.
What bugs the living hell out of me is people say, "well, I bet you won't get on a deathmachine, again". Um, these are the same idiots who get behind people who nearly die doing other things which are, for some reason, perceived as less-dangerous. Skiing comes to mind, immediately.
Thanks, Hardly-Ableson riding morans...I really appreciate you repeatedly banging into people's heads "loud pipes save lives (and we're all ultra-dickheads about it)". #brammoenertia
Most people will agree that an electric vehicle is impractical as an only vehicle, but the same could be said about motorcycles in general, so functionally a motorcycle makes a lot of sense for electric power.
However, with the limited use of motorcycles and their relatively high fuel economy, the energy impact of an electric bike is minimal.
With that, the Brammo still a little goofy looking (and has a stupid name), and the rationale behind this over a gas powered bike is a bit iffy, but judged on utility alone, this could make a decent commuter for me, as my commute is 32 miles round trip. I'm just wary of the diminishing capability of batteries. How long could I ride this before it will no longer make it 32 miles on a "full" charge?
I think I'll hang onto my Honda and my Husqvarna. #brammoenertia
@Wes Siler: That sounds overly optimistic based on my experience with any rechargeable battery that I've ever had, but if true, consider my fears allayed.
There is still not much chance that I'll be buying one, but it does seem that it would suit my commute fairly well. #brammoenertia
28 lb-ft of torque available instantaneously on a bike that looks pretty light would be pretty ideal for a city commuter. With a range of 42 miles, though, it wouldn't get me to work, let alone back again. But, it would still be fun for tooling around town on the weekend. #brammoenertia
@pauljones: I'm in the same boat. 23 miles one way, so it's right on that border line. My commute is pretty hilly as well, which will take a toll. I'm on board, I just need the platform that is capable. #brammoenertia
@Sloop_John_B: Recharge at work? the FULL recharge takes 4 hours because there's a diminishing returns thing going on there, but even an hour will give you a significant boost. #brammoenertia
@Wes Siler: I think that the difficulty comes from a lack of infrastructure to support electric vehicles of any kind.
It's nice that we constantly talk about how great it would be to make them, but the hardware needed to support them has not been put in place, save for a very few places.
Assuming that all this needs is a fairly standard electrical socket, that would be a simple enough thing to install in parking garages and the like, but none have even bothered with the thought of doing so.
Until that happens, my guess is that the Brammo is a great option for people who have a motorcycle license and work less than 20 miles away; which is sadly a very small demographic. #brammoenertia
@pauljones: Laptops are a great idea, but I'm afraid they'll just never take off. Have you ever tried to find a plug in an airport?
I've recharged electric cars out of my apartment with an extension cord quite a few times, I can get an electric bike much closer to the plug. Sure, not every parking space has its own dedicated plug, but if you're willing to be a little creative you can find juice. It costs like 10 cents to do a full charge on one of these, I hardly think anyone's going to begrudge you use of an outlet. #brammoenertia
@Wes Siler: With a laptop, you can carry a spare battery.
Your point about your apartment is certainly valid, but let me give you an alternative context:
I work in a large corporate plaza with a large parking structure, and employees are assigned parking spots. Fortunately, mine is on the first floor where I can easily walk into the back of the lobby, as opposed to other poor devils who have their parking spots several levels underground.
But our parking structure is 800ft x 800ft, and the nearest electrical outlet is inside the lobby behind the security guard's desk. I can't afford to buy 800ft worth of extension cords, let alone store or carry them with me. On the other hand, I can't exactly take a motorcycle in and park it behind the security guard's desk.
This is the kind of thing that I am talking about when I refer to a lack of infrastructure. When places like the corporate plaza that I work in start making accommodations such as provided a dedicated place for electric vehicles to park and recharge for a small fee, those of us with long commutes are somewhat screwed. #brammoenertia
@pauljones: dont you think the company would make a parking spot dedicated for electric bikes if there was the need and you asked nicely? they'd probably even get money from the gub'ment to make it all happen. work towards a solution, dont be a naysayer! #brammoenertia
@LS1RX7owen: Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't. The point that I am trying to make is that it hasn't happened yet. And until it does, it makes no sense for me to purchase an electric vehicle for an 86 mile round-trip commute everyday. For others who are in the same boat as I am, the reasoning is the same. #brammoenertia
I'll grant you that this significantly changes the stated ambition and direction of Chrysler's EV program, but it reads more like a merger of the two company's EV programs, rather than the death of the Chrysler EV program.
"Lou Rhodes, who was in charge of ENVI, continues to oversee electrical vehicle development for both companies." #chryslerenvi
Desperation can breed good ideas. This Circuit, with the exception of the decidedly old-school red Viper taillights, is the best looking Dodge I've seen in a long time. #chryslerenvi
you've got to be kidding me, wes... first i lose all that money on my pre-ordered tesla... and now on this too?? i guess it's time to move the money tree to a larger pot... see if it'll grow a bit bigger.. #chryslerenvi
Someone elses chassis + someone elses powertrain + Chrysler badges = How the hell would this have been profitable? There was no innovation here. It was cobbled together with existing technology that anyone could put together (and Tesla did it already). At the time it came out I was thinking it must be something to impress Congress to get the bail-out money. Now, I'm positive. #chryslerenvi
Its like they are running a bakery with an easy bake oven. And the light bulb inside keeps burning out. And truth be told, even when the oven is working at its best and the bulb stays on -- whatever you bake in it is going to suck -- because its not a real oven. Its a piece of plastic shit with a dim light bulb.
This is not a real car company. What's the last mainstream platform they developed? The K car? Half-baked cars built with very dim light bulbs. #chryslerenvi
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My commute every day is 23 miles each way. That lets me roll in to work, park and plug in indoors. We have a few coworkers on the overnight shift who bring their motorcycles through the building to park in the courtyard overnight, so their rides won't be molested by our less-than-honest clientele. I fuss at them because of bringing petrochemicals and oil leaks through the building. This would dodge that.
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That being said, I'm still open to electric anything, although a 42 mile range is limiting to basically in-city commuting. #brammoenertia
11/11/09
The motorists there are required to turn their brain off when in a vehicle, it seems.
/lived there four years, pretty country, pretty idiotic population #brammoenertia
11/12/09
I'm living in Portland for the year and have thought about purchasing one of these. Right now I'm commuting by bus an hour each way. At 7000$, the price seems great but that doesn't include any future ortho/neurosurg/icu/funeral arrangements. The roads here are always wet, it's dark by 5pm and I can't imagine that thing makes much noise. I think it's a great bike and I really do want one, somebody just has to convince me I'd live out the year intact. #brammoenertia
11/12/09
Isn't it interesting how it's not rainy much, yet wet from September-June?
I thought it was odd how D/FW and Portland have nearly identical rainfall amounts, yet Portland is though of a 'rainy'. That's Seattle, however, D/FW gets its rain over 8 days...Portland, 8 months.
Noise, contrary to bonehead biker lore, does little to make your presence "known", all it really does is piss people off. Two wheels is ALL ABOUT realizing you are effectively invisible, regardless of passive safety measures (the main one rendered almost worthless thanks to GM's cheapness and DRL's) and always watching for 'outs' for when some idiot cager tries to violate a law of physics.
Two objects, same space, etc.
I know the bus blows, but my wife and I had all the catastrophic orthopedic surgeons busy for a weekend in '01 in the Portland/Couve area. It's not a good thing.
Do I wish I'd had another 'hobby'? A safe one like skiing or some shit like that? No, not at all. Just wish we'd not gone out that day.
And no, I don't ride anymore. #brammoenertia
11/13/09
I guess I'd feel better about maiming myself skiing (something I love) rather than commuting to work (something I suffer-no matter what the mode). Sadly, I also commute much more than I ski so the odds are favorable that that's where I'd crash.
If I can think of a safe way of enjoying one of these Brammos, I'll buy one. Since I can't, I'll have to wait till they make a car. #brammoenertia
11/13/09
I've accepted life is dangerous, and living it properly can shorten it. However, I'd much rather die doing something I enjoy, even if it's dangerous, than having a tree fall on me while walking outta the house, or some other common crap.
What bugs the living hell out of me is people say, "well, I bet you won't get on a deathmachine, again". Um, these are the same idiots who get behind people who nearly die doing other things which are, for some reason, perceived as less-dangerous. Skiing comes to mind, immediately.
Thanks, Hardly-Ableson riding morans...I really appreciate you repeatedly banging into people's heads "loud pipes save lives (and we're all ultra-dickheads about it)". #brammoenertia
11/11/09
However, with the limited use of motorcycles and their relatively high fuel economy, the energy impact of an electric bike is minimal.
With that, the Brammo still a little goofy looking (and has a stupid name), and the rationale behind this over a gas powered bike is a bit iffy, but judged on utility alone, this could make a decent commuter for me, as my commute is 32 miles round trip. I'm just wary of the diminishing capability of batteries. How long could I ride this before it will no longer make it 32 miles on a "full" charge?
I think I'll hang onto my Honda and my Husqvarna. #brammoenertia
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11/11/09
There is still not much chance that I'll be buying one, but it does seem that it would suit my commute fairly well. #brammoenertia
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It's nice that we constantly talk about how great it would be to make them, but the hardware needed to support them has not been put in place, save for a very few places.
Assuming that all this needs is a fairly standard electrical socket, that would be a simple enough thing to install in parking garages and the like, but none have even bothered with the thought of doing so.
Until that happens, my guess is that the Brammo is a great option for people who have a motorcycle license and work less than 20 miles away; which is sadly a very small demographic. #brammoenertia
11/11/09
I've recharged electric cars out of my apartment with an extension cord quite a few times, I can get an electric bike much closer to the plug. Sure, not every parking space has its own dedicated plug, but if you're willing to be a little creative you can find juice. It costs like 10 cents to do a full charge on one of these, I hardly think anyone's going to begrudge you use of an outlet. #brammoenertia
11/11/09
Your point about your apartment is certainly valid, but let me give you an alternative context:
I work in a large corporate plaza with a large parking structure, and employees are assigned parking spots. Fortunately, mine is on the first floor where I can easily walk into the back of the lobby, as opposed to other poor devils who have their parking spots several levels underground.
But our parking structure is 800ft x 800ft, and the nearest electrical outlet is inside the lobby behind the security guard's desk. I can't afford to buy 800ft worth of extension cords, let alone store or carry them with me. On the other hand, I can't exactly take a motorcycle in and park it behind the security guard's desk.
This is the kind of thing that I am talking about when I refer to a lack of infrastructure. When places like the corporate plaza that I work in start making accommodations such as provided a dedicated place for electric vehicles to park and recharge for a small fee, those of us with long commutes are somewhat screwed. #brammoenertia
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11/10/09
"Lou Rhodes, who was in charge of ENVI, continues to oversee electrical vehicle development for both companies." #chryslerenvi
11/10/09
11/10/09
11/10/09
11/10/09
11/10/09
Its like they are running a bakery with an easy bake oven. And the light bulb inside keeps burning out. And truth be told, even when the oven is working at its best and the bulb stays on -- whatever you bake in it is going to suck -- because its not a real oven. Its a piece of plastic shit with a dim light bulb.
This is not a real car company. What's the last mainstream platform they developed? The K car? Half-baked cars built with very dim light bulbs. #chryslerenvi