Electric motorcycle enthusiasts were dismayed by Zero’s decision to pull out of the UK market last autumn, as reported in November’s BDN. Now Brammo, its chief commercial rival worldwide, is due to make a dramatic entrance to the UK and Ireland, on both road and track.
Brammos have never previously been sold in Britain but two bikes did take part in the first electric TT race back in 2009. One broke down but the other, ridden by the late Mark Buckley (pictured), came third, behind the German XXL and the winning British-Indian Agni ridden by Rob Barber.
Brammo, based in Oregon, hasn’t raced on this side of the pond since but has had a lot of success in North America – it is the current North American electric Road Race champion, having won both the Laguna Seca and Indianapolis MotoGP electric support.
BDN got advance knowledge of Brammo’s return to the UK when Alex Aitchison, team principal of Darvill Racing (based in the Isle of Man and best known for racing modern classics), and rider Chris ‘Fozzy’ Foster visited the Electric Zone at January’s Motorcycle Trade EXPO. They were excited that the Southern 100 club and the ACU had agreed to let electric bikes compete in the same races as petrol bikes, for the first time in the UK, next July.
Aitchison is equally excited about selling Brammo’s road bikes and other electric PTWs. He and business partner Andy Averre have set up a new company, Darvill Distribution, which has been appointed as agent for the UK market. Full story in the next issue of BDN.
Meanwhile, Brammo has updated the award-winning Empulse, which it claims is the ‘fastest electric motorcycle in serial production’.
Says Brammo: “With its unique water-cooled motor, six-speed gearbox and integrated J1772 rapid charging, the Empulse remains the market leader in the category.”
“With a top speed of 110mph (177kph), the Empulse retains its crown as the world’s fastest electric motorcycle in serial production.”
The Empulse and Empulse R will become available in the United States, Canada, Europe (including the United Kingdom), and in Asia.
www.brammo.com