Brammo Empulse electric bike

The percentage of motorcyclists seriously considering the purchase of an electric motorbike in the next five years is very low, but there are a handful of options out there for riders who want to ride silently, including this one, the Brammo Empulse.

The Empulse is the latest and greatest electric motorcycle to hit the scene, and is being touted as the world's longest range production electric motorcycle with a range of almost 200km.

Though it's available only to American riders at present, it provides a good insight into the evolution of the segment.

Beefed-up bicycles with reinforced frames and suspension have been replaced by fully developed motorcycles with their own unique style and dynamics, as evidenced in this new American vehicle.

Priced at US$16,995 (A$17,135), the Brammo Empulse is an electric naked bike that has a claimed maximum cruising range of 195km in city environs. Out on the freeway that figure drops to 90km, while a combination of both results in a cruising range of 124km.

Featuring battery technology that had been tested in the TTXGP at races such at the Isle of Man TT, Brammo is serious about becoming a leader in the e-bike field and also offers the Empulse R model, (US$18,995) which adds a few carbon fibre parts including a rear hugger.

While a lithium ion battery provides the energy, power for the American e-bike comes from a 54hp (40kW) AC motor with a water-cooling system to ensure thermal efficiency. It drives through a six-speed manual transmission and features a hydraulic clutch, while the braking system incorporates regenerative technology, which can top up the li-ion battery in small increments.

When the Empulse is plugged into a 120 volt US wall socket it takes eight hours to fully recharge, but could potentially charge a lot quicker in Australia with our 240 volt outlets.

While the cruising range of the electric motorcycle has improved to almost 200km and a top speed of 160km/h is promising, battery recharge times haven't made the giant leap necessary to attract mainstream buyers. Charge times are never likely to go lower than a few hours for such dense battery packs, and battery swapping could be the next logical step for e-bikes.

Unlikely to see the light of day in Australia any time soon, the Brammo Empulse is nevertheless a step forward for the electric bike segment in terms of cruising range and overall design.

Check out Brammo's website for more details on the Empulse.