Broken Foot vs. Electric Motorcycles - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

bennelson · 04-21-2012, 06:55 PM

I am insane.

Four weeks ago, I dropped my homebuilt electric motorcycle on my left ankle. I did it EXACTLY wrong, with the frame lining up perfectly with the end of my fibula, fracturing the fibula, another foot bone, and crushing my entire ankle.

Of course this is now Earth Weekend.

I got a Brammo on loan to me. I rode it to an Earth Day event 12 miles away, talked to folks all day, recharged it while there (from solar!) and rode home. On the way back, one road was entirely closed due to a traffic accident, so I had to take a different (and longer) route.

It was a blast, and when finally back, all I could think of is that I FINALLY BEAT the fuel economy of what my wife can get in that Plug-In Prius!!!!

Having too much fun to stop.

-Ben

JethroBodine · 04-21-2012, 07:34 PM

It'll be one year( on June 6) since I had repair surgery on my left ankle. It still lets me know when I over do it(often, because I'm not smart enough to slow down).

Nice looking bike. How does it compare(range, speed, torque,...) to yours?

bennelson · 04-21-2012, 09:07 PM

It goes a little faster and further than mine does. Zippy and fun to ride.

I like the suspension better on mine - smoother ride, comfier seat.

The Brammo gets you up to speed nice and fast. I was going 45 in the 35 zones all the time without thinking about it at all. Smooth acceleration and no shifting, so it's really easy to forget about your speed.

Here's the official specs on the bike if anyone is interested _ Brammo Enertia

sendler · 04-21-2012, 10:19 PM

The Empulse is (will be?) an amazing machine but I need 90 miles at highway speed to make my round trip commute and no plu in electric can do it.

MetroMPG · 04-22-2012, 10:41 AM

How did you snag a loaner bike for a month??

Glad to see your injuries are knitted up well enough to be back in the saddle.

bennelson · 04-22-2012, 10:58 AM

I have the bike for the weekend, but I will most likely be able to borrow it again sometime as well. I broke my foot a month ago.

I was rather disappointed on the timing as right around April 22 tends to be my "busy time" getting out to all sorts of Earth Day events, speaking, showing off vehicles, etc.

I got the cycle on loan in an odd round-about way.
Essentially, there's a guy not terribly far from me (within electric cycle riding distance) who does work in setting up car dealerships and was doing some consulting with Brammo. He has the cycle from them apparently for promotional use. I told him what I wanted to do, showing off the cycle at Earth Day events, and he let me borrow it.

The cycle is LIGHTER than mine, and it's something new. Everyone in the area has already seen my electric motorcycle and Geo Metro, so this time I was showing off the Brammo and the new family car Hymotion Prius.

Friday night, we did a local showing of WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? and showcased a Leaf, a Volt, the Hymotion Prius, and the Brammo.

In an odd, totally un-planned, non-conspiracy, all three of the cars were the exact same shade of red! I had the green motorcycle parked right in front of the main entrance to the school's theater.