Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle - Future Rides

This bike is to a Harley-Davidson what Microsoft is to U.S. Steel: uniquely American, but a hell of a lot less traditional.

The Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle, produced in Albany, Oregon, challenges every comfy presumption about riding.

For a geek-chic commuter appliance stylistically beholden to Macintosh computers, the Enertia shows well as a bike. It's elemental and compact. Four-spoke alloy wheels carrying Brembo brakes are managed by a 43mm inverted Marzocchi fork and Fox air shock. Lush detailing abounds-if Bang & Olufsen made motorcycles, they'd feel like this.

A carbon-fiber frame drops from steering head to swingarm pivot, where a permanent-magnet motor supplies 34 lb.-ft. of stall torque through an Alltrax motor controller. Valence batteries deliver 3.1 kWh (approximately 4.2 bhp) of juice, allowing a 40-plus-mile range and 55-mph speeds.

Though Brammo won't confess plans for future GPS, comms or WiFi, the Enertia seems squarely aimed at the social intersection of techies, gearheads and eco-warriors. Prototypes boast USB ports to tweak torque curves curbside, surely a hardware hot-rodder's digital dream.

The Enertia's layout is unintimidating. Sporting only brakes and an accelerator, it's easier to grok than a KIA sedan. I felt ridiculous layering on full gear to test this glorified pit bike, but it was a surprising kick in the leathers once underway.

The direct-drive powertrain freewheels on back throttle. That encouraged me to use large accelerator inputs followed by coasting, and carry speed through the corners. It felt magical, like a shiny new Schwinn that always goes downhill.

It's no kiddie bike, though. Whooshing up modest grades past startled Prius pilots, the Enertia whispered a question: "Do you need big noise, a crotchful of combustibles and the bold coordination of a chainsaw juggler to go motorcycling? Or just two wheels and enough motive power to kick a Whizzer's ass?"

Decimating the rider overhead placed me back in the elements like no other motor-cycle, leaving enough attention span to scan urban traffic and still enjoy the warm autumn view. Tiptoeing over the world in seven-league moccasins made no sound louder than an occasional CLACK! from the chain adjuster when I stoppied the irreplaceable prototype.

Once I adapted to the idea that silent running didn't mean the motor had died, Enertia-style riding was easy-provided I didn't blip the throttle and lurch into a crosswalk, thus answering the common question, "Is that thing running?"

Ghosting around downtown Portland showcased natural handling and sprightly enough acceleration to urban speeds. The narrow chassis and wide handlebar let me work the Pirellis as I threaded the Pearl District, drawing stares and questions about the virtually noiseless bike and nearly nailing a heedless jaywalker. CLACK!

Maybe loud pipes do save lives... In 2008, Brammo plans to deliver 99 lim-ited-edition Enertias at $14,995 apiece, followed by aluminum-framed standard versions at $11,995. They claim nearly 80 orders in hand in spite of these lofty price tags.

Two hours in the saddle didn't convince me this electric motorcycle will change the world. But if the Enertia overcomes inertia, it could happen.