(http://thekneeslider.com/images/enertia8.jpg)
Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle to Sell at Best Buy
by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 2/28/2009
Last September, we wrote about Brammo Motorsports getting $10 million in venture capital funding, part of which came from Best Buy Capital. The obvious speculation was that Best Buy would carry the Brammo Enertia when it went on sale. Well, sure enough, that's what is about to happen when the Enertia will go on sale in May at 5 west coast Best Buy stores with plans to eventually sell them through Best Buy locations all over the U.S. and possibly even in Europe and China.
So, what about service? Best Buy's Geek Squad will do what is called Level One repairs, brakes, tires and electronic components, and major repairs beyond that will be performed at a few central distribution centers Brammo plans to set up.
If electric motorcycles take off, it wouldn't be surprising to see other non traditional motorcycle manufacturers use similar distribution channels, especially as current motorcycle dealers are having a tough time of it. Best Buy has many other product lines to support it and doesn't need to rely on the Brammo Enertia to stay afloat. You also don't need a mechanic familiar with internal combustion motorcycle engines
for a bike that has none. The down side is we may see something similar to what is all too common in other multi line stores, the clueless sales person describing the motorcycle on display next to the TVs and computers but careful management of the rollout and providing training for sales folks could make this a very efficient and successful way to sell electric bikes. It's definitely worth watching and I'm sure quite a few current motorcycle dealers will be watching, too.
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/02/28/brammo-enertia-electric-motorcycle-to-sell-at-best-buy/ (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/02/28/brammo-enertia-electric-motorcycle-to-sell-at-best-buy/)
Quote from: alfisti on February 28, 2009, 10:52:02 AM
(http://thekneeslider.com/images/enertia8.jpg)
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/02/28/brammo-enertia-electric-motorcycle-to-sell-at-best-buy/ (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/02/28/brammo-enertia-electric-motorcycle-to-sell-at-best-buy/)
These two guys are tools! I doubt the target market for those electric bikes is the same as those wth traditional motorcycles. I doubt they would have the sense to wear full protective gears. I picture the same buyers as scooter.
$12,000?
Quote from: Ducaholic on February 28, 2009, 01:32:22 PM
$12,000?
That'll get you a sweet used Duc with some $ left over for mods.
Quote from: Goat_Herder on February 28, 2009, 11:18:51 AM
I doubt the target market for those electric bikes is the same as those wth traditional motorcycles. I doubt they would have the sense to wear full protective gears.
have you seen what happens when you show pics of people w/o gear on?
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19752.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19752.0)
Quote from: derby on February 28, 2009, 01:49:25 PM
have you seen what happens when you show pics of people w/o gear on?
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19752.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19752.0)
damned if you do...
damned if you don't.
These electric "bikes" might be a sad introduction for many people into the two wheel market :-\
You want the dorks from Geek Squad working on your bike??
Um, yeah...dude...we can install the Optimization Package for $349.95 that will totally help your bike start-up faster and run more faster. :P
(i do like the electric dirtbike that leno did the piece on...i could ride trails with my wife without having to pedal up the big-ass hills! 8))
edit to comment on last post-
i think scooters were an introduction to 2-wheels transportation more than anything in the last 2 years.
i would guess a 12k electric moto will have as much impact on the overall market as the Segway revolutionized 'personal transportation '
Why does the idea of the Geek Squad working on brakes and tires make me nervous? Oh yeah, those are the folks who can't fix things [bang]
i dunno, i see electric bikes as something that might be interesting to tool around with and mod.
i mean.. what's the motor on that puppy? can i swap it out with my Dyson vacuum cleaner motor and get more hp and better burnouts?
is the $12k price confirmed, or even reliably rumored? Like another poster stated, that price will you get a nice REAL motorcycle.
also, I already have my reservations about shops working on my bike, much less some dope from geek squad barely able to fix a computer. yeah, i'll put my life/safety in his hands. I'm sure best buy will have a real nice release from liability clause built into the purchase.
This is exactly what they needed to keep people from taking them seriously.
This is one cool electric motorcycle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dRpAZci9m0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dRpAZci9m0)
$12k is well beyond a starter bike price. You can buy a brand new Honda Rebel for $3k.
Quote from: Goat_Herder on February 28, 2009, 11:18:51 AM
These two guys are tools! I doubt the target market for those electric bikes is the same as those wth traditional motorcycles. I doubt they would have the sense to wear full protective gears. I picture the same buyers as scooter.
Oh yeah? The guy on the right is Jack Lewis, who has a regular column in
Motorcyclist magazine, and the guy on the left rides a Monster as his daily commuter... Maybe you should think before you make rash judgements about people...
Quote from: JEFF_H on February 28, 2009, 02:34:14 PM
i would guess a 12k electric moto will have as much impact on the overall market as the Segway revolutionized 'personal transportation '
+1
So, according to the previous Kneeslider article (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/09/22/brammo-get-10-million-funding-for-enertia-electric/), over 100,000 people have 'expressed interest' in buying a Brammo electric from Best Buy.
100,000 motorcycles would be a HUGE number, representing more than 10% of the current US motorcycle market (in round numbers). I would also be skeptical about paying $12k for any bike with a 50mph top speed and a 45-mile range. It sounds like a REALLY expensive scooter. :-\
(http://thekneeslider.com/images/enertia5.jpg)
What am I missing?
Quote from: JEFF_H on February 28, 2009, 02:34:14 PM
i would guess a 12k electric moto will have as much impact on the overall market as the Segway revolutionized 'personal transportation '
I suspect you're right, unless we see some dramatic performance improvements (and lowered costs) from the batteries.
Quote from: wisdesign on February 28, 2009, 08:21:20 PM
Oh yeah? The guy on the right is Jack Lewis, who has a regular column in Motorcyclist magazine, and the guy on the left rides a Monster as his daily commuter... Maybe you should think before you make rash judgements about people..
so what?
i dated a fat girl once too. not everyone shits gold and walks on water.
Technology in reverse - probably for the best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o15EALghp0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o15EALghp0)
holy crap, that dude bit it bad.
That's what the kill switch is for. :o
(and gear)
there's so much irony in someone cracking up while burning out on an enviro-cycle. This has seventeen layers of FAIL all over it.
that's kinda sad. the guy was doing what he could to promote a good idea and well did a stupid. trying to burn out with super grippies on concrete... as we can see bad news.
Quote from: bluemoco on February 28, 2009, 09:22:07 PM
So, according to the previous Kneeslider article (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/09/22/brammo-get-10-million-funding-for-enertia-electric/), over 100,000 people have 'expressed interest' in buying a Brammo electric from Best Buy.
100,000 motorcycles would be a HUGE number, representing more than 10% of the current US motorcycle market (in round numbers). I would also be skeptical about paying $12k for any bike with a 50mph top speed and a 45-mile range. It sounds like a REALLY expensive scooter. :-\
What am I missing?
I suspect you're right, unless we see some dramatic performance improvements (and lowered costs) from the batteries.
I doubt they will sell 5,000 at that price/performance. Ninja 250r @$3500 msrp + $8500 for gas = $12k. $8500 in gas even at $3/gal @ 61mpg = 170,000+ miles. The Ninja 250 will perform better, go faster and have a better range. Brammo has the same issue as Tesla, very little value for the money. It will be a curiosity at best until the price comes down to $5k or less. At that price I might be interested, anything more and I would rather have the Ninja.
killa cycle... now THAT's irony indeed.
Back to the "Best Buy" story, it appears that there is a 10% tax break (http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/Breaking+News/Stimulus-Package-Offers-Tax-Credit-for-Electric-Cy/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/583980?ref=25) available to anyone who wants to purchase an electric two-wheeler.
So, that knocks the $12k price down a little bit... :-\
here is the crash video on liveleak
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a43_1191215336 (http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a43_1191215336)
looks like someone pulled it on utube
I looked at that bike when I got curious what types of electric bikes there were. I wasn't terribly impressed with it. The electric dirtbike (mentioned before) was much more appealing. I believe there's an even better electric street bike around too. It ain't cheap but I don't recall it being far from the 12k that they're asking for this scoot. [roll]
I dunno how I feel about geek squad working on the bikes.
the 12k price tag, I can understand cause it's new technology. The price will come down.
From what I've read these bikes seem to be very good performers for their weight. The electric motors make ungodly torque for how light they are. I can see pulling wheelies all over the place on one these little light way supermoto style things. Meanwhile not having to buy gasoline. Hell yes.
Don't get me wrong. I'll keep my duc and gsxr but still it would be fun.
so how much is Best Buys extended service plan going to be for this one? [moto]
I think i'll stick to burning good ol' petrol
Here is the best looking model and has a better price. Pan about halfway down also the price has been updated in the article.
http://www.metaefficient.com/electric-bikes/the-best-electric-scooters-of-2008-a-review.html (http://www.metaefficient.com/electric-bikes/the-best-electric-scooters-of-2008-a-review.html)
Here is a review from Jay Leno http://widgets.nbc.com/o/47f1317f105123ad/49b308785dc9aa79/47fe70d4555df05a/94c6346d/-cpid/344c3c1fbfd6c81 (http://widgets.nbc.com/o/47f1317f105123ad/49b308785dc9aa79/47fe70d4555df05a/94c6346d/-cpid/344c3c1fbfd6c81)
Tim
Quote from: Smitty on March 07, 2009, 04:00:16 PM
Here is the best looking model and has a better price. Pan about halfway down also the price has been updated in the article.
http://www.metaefficient.com/electric-bikes/the-best-electric-scooters-of-2008-a-review.html (http://www.metaefficient.com/electric-bikes/the-best-electric-scooters-of-2008-a-review.html)
Here is a review from Jay Leno http://widgets.nbc.com/o/47f1317f105123ad/49b308785dc9aa79/47fe70d4555df05a/94c6346d/-cpid/344c3c1fbfd6c81 (http://widgets.nbc.com/o/47f1317f105123ad/49b308785dc9aa79/47fe70d4555df05a/94c6346d/-cpid/344c3c1fbfd6c81)
Those are both Vectrix scooters.
Best Buy is selling
Brammo brand scooters, not Vectrix. (see link + pics in the first post of this thread)
I've got 3....make that 4 problems with these bikes;
First, range. They just are not that practical for a lot of peoples requirements. If you're caught in stop-and-go traffic (accelerating from stop is going to suck the most power) you can't just pop into a gas station and fill up. You've got to find an outlet and power up for 2 or 3 (or more) hours.
Second, battery life. It only takes about a year for my ipod to hold about half the charge or running time it did as new. The battery technology just isn't there yet.
Third, at that price it's unlikely they are going to sell 100,00 in even ten years.
Fourth, I've grown to hate environmentalists and they would approve of this.