Brammo Empulse R - Specifications & Review

Company History

Brammo was among the first modern companies to put credible, road-legal electric motorcycles into the hands of everyday riders. Based in Oregon, it launched the Enertia as a city-range commuter with approachable ergonomics and clean, consumer-electronics styling. The Empulse followed with a liquid-cooled motor, higher voltage, and, crucially, a six-speed gearbox—an attempt to blend EV torque with the familiar engagement of shifting. Brammo didn’t just ship bikes; it raced them, using competition to harden thermal strategies, power delivery, and durability under sustained load. Early adopters learned that battery management and software updates mattered as much as sprocket choices, a cultural shift that helped define today’s e-moto ownership experience. The company faced the usual first-mover headwinds: capital intensity, dealer education, and the chicken-and-egg problem of charging infrastructure. Strategic partnerships and eventual acquisition of the motorcycle business by Polaris preserved much of the engineering know-how, which influenced later electric efforts across powersports. Historically, Brammo proved that electric motorcycles could be aspirational and fun, not just eco-appliances. Its designs emphasized balance and feedback, demonstrating that careful chassis tuning can make even a heavy battery pack dance. Owners still praise the Empulse’s mid-corner feel and the way its gearbox helps keep the motor in a sweet spot, a bridge between analog habits and digital drivetrains. In the broader narrative, Brammo’s legacy is the normalization of e-motos as legitimate choices for commuters and enthusiasts, paving the way for today’s expanding electric segment.