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Brammo Forum / Re: Thoughts on Purchasing a Leftover 2016 Empulse TT
« on: June 10, 2017, 07:06:45 AM »
Hello!
I have both a Zero S and a Brammo Empulse, and have ridden many others so I thought you may appreciate some reflections:
- The Brammo Empulse (or Victory TT) is a Real Motorcycle(tm). It is louder, faster (if you use the gearbox, yes it is faster), heaver, and it has the best handling you will find on any bike anywhere near the current price range. Yes, you do have some minor gearhead type activities to perform, but nothing like a piston based machine. Not even close to real maintenance is required. I do prefer the fatter rear tire of the original Empulse vs the TT version. Both are fine. This bike will be a LOT noisier in practice than you expect from an electric. There is a substantial amount of gear lash, which you will get used to. It will become part of the character of your riding. The Empulse sounds like a Speeder Bike from Endor. Very close to that. Other than that it will feel like a gas bike, so much so that your foot and left hand will twitch which they don't need to. Do not feather the clutch. ever. Feather the throttle instead.
- Zeros are silent. Completely, compared to the Empulse. Switching between the two you will notice the handling differences immediately. I LIKE the Zero handling, but it is different. You may feel you are pitching over the front when you are actually not. It is a real hoot to hoon about the hood on a lightweight Zero (older sr or the moto). The heavier Zero's are a little more cumbersome. I prefer the Empulse to modern stock Zero's. If you are that heavy, just get the gearbox and integrated J plug charger with the Empulse already. I will keep the older Zero as there's something special about literally floating through your favorite streets. There's nothing like it. You will feel it is a different thing, and somehow you will not try and shift. I would however, ride one of Harlan's custom Zero's (Hollywood Electrics). He has some very good mojo going on down there that compete with the Empulse in terms of looks/feel and handling. Check it out.
Hope this helps.
DJ
I have both a Zero S and a Brammo Empulse, and have ridden many others so I thought you may appreciate some reflections:
- The Brammo Empulse (or Victory TT) is a Real Motorcycle(tm). It is louder, faster (if you use the gearbox, yes it is faster), heaver, and it has the best handling you will find on any bike anywhere near the current price range. Yes, you do have some minor gearhead type activities to perform, but nothing like a piston based machine. Not even close to real maintenance is required. I do prefer the fatter rear tire of the original Empulse vs the TT version. Both are fine. This bike will be a LOT noisier in practice than you expect from an electric. There is a substantial amount of gear lash, which you will get used to. It will become part of the character of your riding. The Empulse sounds like a Speeder Bike from Endor. Very close to that. Other than that it will feel like a gas bike, so much so that your foot and left hand will twitch which they don't need to. Do not feather the clutch. ever. Feather the throttle instead.
- Zeros are silent. Completely, compared to the Empulse. Switching between the two you will notice the handling differences immediately. I LIKE the Zero handling, but it is different. You may feel you are pitching over the front when you are actually not. It is a real hoot to hoon about the hood on a lightweight Zero (older sr or the moto). The heavier Zero's are a little more cumbersome. I prefer the Empulse to modern stock Zero's. If you are that heavy, just get the gearbox and integrated J plug charger with the Empulse already. I will keep the older Zero as there's something special about literally floating through your favorite streets. There's nothing like it. You will feel it is a different thing, and somehow you will not try and shift. I would however, ride one of Harlan's custom Zero's (Hollywood Electrics). He has some very good mojo going on down there that compete with the Empulse in terms of looks/feel and handling. Check it out.
Hope this helps.
DJ