After the last test we had a couple weeks off. And after my first day spent back in the saddle, it was good to get my head wrapped around just what’s going on. Processing this always takes a bit, so a short break between tests wasn’t a bad thing at all. If anything, it allowed us riders and the team so time to get things in order to make the most of our second test at Thunderhill, which took place this past Monday.

Steve-O contemplates suspension changes in the hot pits during the test.

We ran in conjunction with Z2 Trackdays once again and they did a great job. On a side note, my good buddy Cameron Beaubier made a cameo appearance and it was really good to see the kid. Not to mention congratulate him on his recent domination of the Daytona 200. Makes me feel kind of old, but at the same time very proud to see someone I’ve known since they were barely in Junior High winning the biggest race in America. I’ve been telling people for a long time now that Cam was destined for greatness, so it comes as no surprise. Well done, little buddy!

Back to the testing, though; for this round the team started development of our own traction control system, as well as working on perfecting the chassis, which has only been in place since Daytona of last year. So, like anything new, only time and hard work can get rid of all the bugs. But that said, for how new it actually is, the increased performance of the chassis over the previous edition is rather impressive, to say the least!

Turn 10 with TC enabled!

Speaking on things that are quite impressive, Parker’s GVM motor has really come a long way and is really getting quite good. The power is extremely strong, especially the low-end torque, while up top it barely loses anything down the main straight to a race-tuned 1000cc ICE machine, and when fully-charged is actually faster in a straight line than a full Daytona Sportbike-spec 600cc ICE machine. How do I know this, you ask?

Well, after two good sessions of fine-timing the chassis and working with the new TC system, all while logging a person best time in the low 2:01s, our third and final session of the day really showed a lot of promise. After getting hooked up with one of the faster Graves-tuned 600cc machines on track, I was able to string together a series of my personal best laps, all I the 1:59-range, with a best of 1:58.9. This was over two seconds faster than I’ve ever had the Team Icon Brammo Empulse RR around Thunderhill, and also enough to keep pace with the previously mentioned 600cc machine for eight-straight laps. And considering those times were done while plying a real-life game of Frogger at 150 mph, passing multiple slower bikes each lap, and that the best time came on the eighth and final lap, this was a big accomplishment for the development of our bike.

Pacing a fast club racer on a Graves Yamaha R6 gave Steve-O a good idea of how optimistic to be headed into our first ever AFM race.

Not to mention that in a couple weeks’ time, at the next AFM Round at Sonoma Raceway, we will bike taking on 600cc ICE bikes in the Formula 1 race, this showed that we should hopefully be more than competitive.  And while Sonoma, with its tight and twisty nature, will play more into the strength of the lighter 600cc ICE machines, I have no doubt that our first showing will turn more than a few heads. That’s all for now folks, but stay tuned, as the electric and gas worlds are about to face off in what will undoubtedly be a memorable experience. I know I’m sure looking forward to it!

Traffic made it tough to get clear laps, but Steve still set a PR during the test.

Peace,

Steve-O

2-time North American and Current TTXGP World Champion

How will the champ fair at Sonoma?  Atlas shrugged…

Well, where do we start? If you have been paying attention to electric motorcycle racing and the TTXGP Series in which we race you know that while things started off a little rough for Team Icon Brammo in 2012, they really couldn’t have ended up much better. To come back from a massive high-side in the opening round, one that fractured six vertebrae in my back and took part of my right pointer finger off, to not only win the North American Championship for the second-straight year, but to also take the TTXGP World Championship at Daytona in October in our first try at it was quite amazing. Add to that the addition of former AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme Champion Eric Bostrom to the team mid-way through 2012 and things coming into 2013 couldn’t have been looking too much better.

Steve Atlas and Eric Bostrom celebrate victory at the 2012 TTXGP World Final at Daytona Int’l Speedway

Our first test on this year’s Empulse RR was this past Monday at Thunderhill Raceway in Northern, California, which has been our home testing track since this all started in early 2011. Well, that’s where I entered the mix at least. To say I was excited to get back on the bike after not riding since last October would be a gross understatement. I couldn’t get packed and to the track fast enough. I felt like an eight-year-old on Christmas morning when the guys rolled into the track and rolled out that shinny, now-red machine. And with Icon back as title sponsor and doing an amazing job designing the bikes graphics and our spiffy new leathers and helmets, well before rolling out for the first session my head was about to explode.

Steve Atlas’ Team Icon Brammo Empulse RR13 with Icon’s “Sauvetage” livery design.

Thankfully it didn’t and things started off well; for the first session at least. Besides a small fuse failure that brought things to a slightly premature end, the bike felt great. The Parker GVM engine’s power delivery has been smoothed out rather nicely for this season, eliminating nearly all of the two-stroke-like power hit that came as we increased the torque levels at the end of last season. Also new for yours truly this year is Dunlop tires. Having run Pirellis for the last two seasons, it’s quite a big difference switching to the ‘lops. They have a far more rigid carcass and tend not to mask some of the chassis issues that the softer Pirellis will. That said, I think the Dunlops have just as much outright grip, if not more, and a bit more feel from the first tire as well, so the potential is there for them to be really good.

Steve Atlas tests his Team Icon Brammo Empulse RR13 at Thunderhill Raceway – Turn 13.

Only problem was, I think I gave the front tire a bit too much credit right off the bat. In the second session I was up to speed and nearly on pace with any of the times I had done at T-Hill last year within the first two laps. Too bad on the third lap I got into the off-camber Turn Three a bit too hot and lost the front, hopping off the shiny new Empluse RR and sliding into the gravel. I knew things were going too well too quickly. Thankfully I held onto the clip-on and kept the bike from tumbling as we went into the grass. This kept damage to a minimum, with only the right side footpeg and windscreen needing to be replaced.

Luckily, there was relatively little damage to the bike after Steve’s low-side and the bike was repaired in short-order. 

The guys worked hard and got the bike ready for me in no time and I was back out in the very next session. My Icon leathers and helmet did its job and I walked away without a scratch on me, ready to suit back up and get back out on the bike right away. Thankfully I eased my way back into things for the remainder of the test. And while the sheer amount of lapped traffic kept us from posting any impressive lap times, I can already tell the package is there for this year’s Empulse RR to be that much better than last year’s.

Back on track with no windscreen and last year’s leathers didn’t slow Steve down at all!

Steve Atlas poses with his bike sans windscreen lost in the low-side crash.  The right side of his brand new Icon leathers took the brunt of the damage as well.

That’s all for now folks, but be sure to stay tuned case we have plenty more tests and some really exciting races in store for you this year and you won’t want to miss them.

Peace,

Steve-O

2012 North American and World TTXGP Champion

Elated Empulse R customer, Ain, picking up is bike at Scuderia West in San Francisco. Ain wrote us a note and exclaimed, “This bike is great!!!  Definitely feels/handles more toward the sport bike side of things, and it’s a kick running with only the slight electromechanical whir, tire noise, and sound of the wind.  You guys hit a home run!”

To learn more about the Brammo Empulse click here.  To place an order for this groundbreaking machine click here.

You may have seen our recent post on Instagram of our TTXGP eGrandPrix World Champion “Snaefell” trophy.  Do you know what a “Snaefell” is?  If you are a race fan, you most likely do!  The trophy is named after the Snaefell Mountain Course which is the road-racing street circuit used for the Isle of Man TT.  This race is the oldest in history, and some say the most prestigious.  The course is about 38 miles long and cuts right through town!  At speeds of up to 130 miles per hour (record set by John McGuinness), it’s quite a rush for racers and spectators.  The Snaefell Mountain Course was host to the fist zero-emissions race in 2009, where the late Mark Buckley ranked third on a Brammo e-motorcycle with a top speed of 75.35 mph and a time of 30’ 02.64.  Wow, has electric motorcycle racing come a long way in a few short years!  Team Icon Brammo’s Eric Bostrom hit a top speed of 170 mph on a Brammo Empulse RR at Daytona during the TTXGP eGrandPrix World Championship race this year.  We are already looking forward to the 2013 race season, and we bet you are too!

Jason Meyer, Brammo Engineering Technician, has lead the charge for getting us together for some fun on the backroads.  We asked him to tell us more about the Team Brammo Off-Road Ride last weekend:

“I started Brammo off-road rides so that employees, their families, and friends could get introduced or reacquainted with a sport that I have loved since I was 14. Off-road riding provides quality social time outside of the work environment, and I believe the interaction makes employee bonds stronger and the work environment more like a family. It is also a great way to get the exercise most of us need.

The wet season removed the fire danger from southern Oregon, and it was time to saddle-up and hit the mountain. Sat., Nov. 17th was Brammo’s 2nd off-road ride of 2012 and the first of the new riding season. This ride was quite the opposite of the first ride last May, which was dry and dusty. Now, the moist and tacky ground provided stellar traction (except over roots and rocks). The smell of the campfire, BBQ, and pine trees added to the fun of being outdoors.

The weather forecast showed a high of 50 degrees on the valley floor and a 100% chance of rain after 10am, which was the meeting time at Lily Prairie (John’s Peak OHV area). At nearly 2,000’ above the valley floor, Lily Prairie would likely be colder. Luckily I was able to acquire enough donated firewood to keep everyone warm throughout the day.

Upon our arrival at Lily Prairie, a fire was quickly started while several Easy-Ups were erected to combat the off-and-on drizzle. The Easy-Ups and strong fire allowed riders to get dry and stay warm after splashing through puddles, being drizzled on, and getting sprayed with mud from fellow riders.

We had 4 ATVs and more dirt bikes than riders, which is always a good thing in case one breaks (which happened), or we have an unexpected rider show up (which sadly, didn’t).

After several hours of spirited riding the smell of the BBQ was intoxicating. Everything from steak to brats to burgers was cooked and quickly devoured. This was the perfect gathering time to talk, joke, and laugh about everyone’s ride experience.

The weather cooperated until about 1:00pm when a crazy storm of sleet, rain, and high winds pummeled the Rogue Valley, sending everyone scrambling to get their bikes and gear loaded up so they could head back to the warmth of their cozy homes.

This second ride attracted more Brammo participants, and I hope the trend continues as the season progresses. We had the strongest showing from the Empulse Production Dept. which included management, quality control, production engineering and assembly techs. The Mechanical Engineering Dept. also made a strong showing with 5 total, including both Sustainable Products Engineers. All 3 of the Engineering Technician/Race Team Mechanics showed which included me. Battery Production had 2 riders representing.

Until next time, Jason Meyer signing off and getting back to Brammo business.”

Brammo’s Greg Stoermer, Senior Industrial Designer, gives us the inside scoop from EICMA in Milan, Italy…

“My main objective while at the show are three fold, first, be immersed in the motorcycle industry to see the latest and greatest of “what’s new” from the major manufacturers and others as well.  There is no substitute for seeing a motorcycle in the flesh, as photos simply wont do.   Going from booth to booth prior to the days where it is open to the public is a must, since the public days are packed, shoulder to shoulder with people, and you would be lucky to have a chance to sit on the bikes, less yet get a full photo of one.  Seeing the bikes and being able to sit on the bikes, and place my hands on the surface help greatly in understanding their surfacing and design better.  I also take into account what bikes the big guys are bringing to market and changes to existing models.  Honda for example has a pretty bulletproof line up now plugging up any holes in the market with a new model.  Models from a street 125 – 500, then into the sport bikes of 600 and higher, an array of naked/street fighter themed bikes, scooters, cruisers,  and recently adding adventure bikes to their line have made for a great product line-up, though the flavor of all seems is vanilla.

Second, I join Aaron and Joe (Engineering team) in relevant meetings with suppliers to support any necessary information for new projects and or change requests in materials, or any issues that are arising with current projects or previous.

Third, to support the Brammo booth answering questions, doing tv interviews (!), talking with designers, potential buyers, or individuals simply interested in electric bikes.  There was a noticeable change in attitude and acceptance in this years show than last.  Perhaps because we had a more grandiose booth?  Or because of our location?  I am unsure, but people knew who we were, knew about the bikes, and it was a rare moment when there were not people packing the floor of the Brammo Area.  Designers stopped by as well, some students, some just to say hi, others to show me their own Brammo creations.  Overall it was a very very positive show for Brammo and myself to attend

Oh yea,  and the wheelie box….”

For more photos of EICMA visit our facebook albums here!

Recently Sustaining Engineering Manager, Matt Nelson, traveled to old world Europe, and while there payed a to visit our Brammo Parx headquarters in Germany.  We  asked him to share his impressions of the site for those of us who haven’t seen it in person.

“At the end of my Enertia Plus production support visit in Hungary, I was invited to join Marcin from Brammo Parx on a road trip all the way across Austria into Bavaria (Germany) to see Brammo Parx headquarters. After a scenic 4.5 hour drive through rain and sunshine, epic mountains and rolling green valleys, autobahns and country back roads  we arrived abruptly at a very modest and narrow driveway that crept steeply up a grassy hill in the middle of the countryside. Driving cautiously to the top, we approached three buildings designed in an old-world traditional Bavarian fashion, and looked to be original. Peering through the window of the largest building was an Enertia and an Empulse on display for the entire valley to see.

Once parked, we were met by Hans and Sylvia Eder and two playful dogs; the four of them gave us a tour of their digs. Amazingly, the inside of the main office was ultra-modern and most of all green! both in color, and in electricity; the roof was covered in solar panels.”

Rolling hills, solar panels, office dogs, and electric bikes!!  Sounds like heaven to us!

The California Center for Sustainable Energy is offering a limited number of grants for zero-emission bikes, including the Brammo Enertia, Enertia Plus, Empulse and Empulse R.  California residents can apply here for a $900 Clean Vehicle Rebate Project grant to apply toward their new Brammo motorcycle .

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) is funded by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board (ARB) and administered statewide by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE). A total of $45.2 million has been appropriated for FY 2009-2013 to promote the production and use of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), including electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles.

Click here to learn more about the project, vehicle eligibility, and applicant requirements.

When someone’s chosen livelihood is as fraught with risk as is the life of a motorcycle racer, their epilogue often includes the phrase, “he died doing what he loved.”  We think this misses the point when we look at Mark Buckley’s life.  Instead, we think Mark Buckley lived his life doing what he loved.  During his too few 35 years, he was known by his fellow racers and the members of his teams as “a seemingly incongruous character who was both a loveable jokester and a fierce competitor.”  Besides being an accomplished professional racer of petrol bikes, he will also be remembered as one of the first racers to take a podium in the nascent days of electric motorcycle racing.  Mark took third place on Brammo’s TTR racebike in the first TTXGP race on the Isle of Man in 2009.

Mark’s life wasn’t defined merely by his skills as a racer, however.  To his wife, Jayne, and their four children, Aaron, Murrin, Abbie, and Mollie, he will be remembered as a loving husband and father.  It is for them that Brammo has decided to auction these autographed photos of Mark racing in that first ever contest on the Island.  Proceeds will be deposited in a fund for the benefit of his family.

To bid or for more information, simply click for photo one, two and three.

That Mark’s life ended during the NW 200 SuperStock race on a sparkling spring day in Portstewart, Northern Ireland, is a sad final chapter in this story.  We, however, will remember him as he lived: a man who enjoyed helping others achieve their goals, who loved his family, who always had a smile on face and who had the drive, the courage and the skill to ride very, very quickly.

Towards the end of October while blasting from one dealership to the next on the East Coast, the Brammo dealer tour van landed at Penn State University campus’s MorningStar Solar home.  The MorningStar home produces as much energy as it consumes, and more for charging electric vehicles!  This state-of-the-art dwelling was built in 2007 for the Solar Decathlon in Washington D.C., and now sits at the Sustainability Experience Center near the PSU football stadium (photo courtesy of Penn State).  Soon the solar structure will be home to Brammo’s own super star, the Empulse R.  Penn State’s Director of Sustainability, David Riley, has ordered one and will be plugging in to the sustainable power source while at work!