It is Blognesday and I had promised a post on the Trinity Site and White Sands etc…Lots and lots of Photos….
But my head is a big balloon right now and all I want to do is sleep. Sadly I’m at work, so no sleep. But I can somewhat rest my head…but no energy to do a massive blog post that the weekend trip demands.
So, instead a much much much smaller post…
+++
This morning I made a slight detour on the way to work. It is Balloon Fiesta time and that means 9 days of balloons flying around the town.
Now we always have a few balloons going up most mornings…but only a couple of days a year do we get this:
+++
I always think it looks like the sky has chicken pox.
+++
The Balloons were kinda far away. The winds were from South to North and only a couple of miles per hours, so the balloons were moving slowly to the North away from where I live and work. Sometimes the winds are from North to South and we have the balloons drifting over our house. The dogs love it…if by “love it” I mean barking insanely at the sky invader moving ever so slowly above our backyard.
+++
So I thought I would try a Panorama view. It worked so well at White Sands and the other places I went this weekend.
+++
And I found that Panorama mode, rightly so, does not like cars moving on a highway. Confuses it somewhat.
+++
And now I am putting my head on the desk and silently weeping for a while….and by silently weeping I mean wailing like Banshee from the X-Men.
Blog 45: A quick photo blog and a tease or 2 about upcoming blogs.
+++
I have a few photos I took the other day and planned to use them for next weeks blog…BUT….
Next week’s blog is already titled (Quiet Bike/Loud Helmet*) and pretty much worked out.
The blog for the week after that is also already planned.
So….
Bonus Freaking Blog baby!
+++
I was riding home the other day and there were rain clouds in the distance. So I found a little place to pull over and grab a picture or two. I wanted to include the Volcanoes off to the West of Albuquerque. There are about 5 of them, all very small and extinct. They last erupted around 200,000 years ago. So a few years before Brammofan was born.
It is impossible to get lost in Albuquerque as the Mountain is to the East and the Volcanoes are to the West. Well almost impossible. My sister in law can get lost in a Target parking lot. So she is the only one I know of who has gotten horribly lost while driving around town. But I digress. (for a photo blog, I sure do write a lot.)
+++
I found this strange little area. Not sure what it is used for. I had to ride down about 5 stairs. Don’t tell Brammo. Luckily they don’t read this blog… 🙂
+++
A bit more of a close up.
So a bit or rain off in the distance to the West. The three largest volcano cones are seen as small bumps on the otherwise flat horizon. The Volcanoes are not really all that impressive. Small. Dead. But still cool to have Volcanoes on the outskirts of the city.
+++
I live on the side closer to the Mountain. Riding home (first day using my new Icon helmet on my commute to and from work) and I find that it is also raining on “my side” of town…and we have a bit of a rainbow. Not the best rainbow…we have some truly amazing rainbows out here in the high desert… but I will take almost any rainbow photo.
We get a lot of rainbows because, though it rarely rains, it is almost always sunny. So when we finally do get rain, well we also have a high chance of the sun shining too…and Sun + Rain = Rainbows. It’s Science.
+++
I increased the contrast and saturation a bit to bring out the Rainbow.
+++
and another one with a bit of extra contrast and color in the sky.
+++
Those three photos were taken a couple of houses up from ours. I was getting rained on, so I decided to get back home and inside…and stopped in front of our house to get a couple of more photos.
Nice…and nice with the flag. But a bit dark…so…
+++
Still dark….The iPhone is not a fan of dusk. Still nice, and very patriotic with the Flag standing so straight and tall.
+++
Grrr. Dark and oversaturated in the sky.
+++
The sun coming out a bit helped get it a bit better…well that and merging two photos together. Of course I think I need to work on the photo a bit more. Notice the double image of the back tire and bits of white around the tree line…I truly do suck at Photoshop.
+++
Anywho…a short blog. Next week is my review of my new Icon Airmada Stack helmet (the first one sold in New Mexico…or so I was told) and of the Enertia Plus.
The blog for the week after that is “Top Secret”. So NO HINTS. 🙂
Well I will say it is not that I got a Plus or Empulse of my own…just another trip blog. But a fun and interesting trip is planned for Oct 6th.
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
*Quiet Bike/Loud Helmet. Icon should use this slogan in their advertizing of the Airmada Stack HiViz Yellow and HiViz Orange helmets. “Loud Helmets Save Lives”
Blog 44: Culture: Not just for yogurt anymore. And, sadly, the Enertie (rhymes with Bertie) nickname has stuck in my head. Worst nickname ever. (though if I get a black Enertia Plus of my own I hope to call it T’Challa)
+++
So this weekend was a cultural weekend for me and the loaner Enertia Plus. We went on a multi-museum trip, caught a show at the Albuquerque Little Theater, toured Old Town and also found time for a breakfast ride through the North Valley.
Friday was a private showing of the Machine Wilderness show at the Albuquerque Museum. So expensive wine and beer and finger food for all.
+++
The Enertia felt right at home at the Electronic Arts show.
Solar Chair. Moved around the Museum on it’s own. Cute…but not sure I understand the usefulness of a solar chair unless I truly do shine light out my @ss like my Grandfather accused me of thinking so many years ago.
+++
This car was GREAT. It was made to travel around the broken and abandoned railroads of Mexico. Can travel by rail or road.
Oh, and Hi Mom.
+++
The front and back had the railroad track wheels.
+++
I loved the little details.
+++
I thought the flash was off when I took this…the Museum guard wasn’t happy. I thought I should use this so the stern look I got wasn’t for nothing . Go visit the site.
Really some cool stuff for engineers…for design people…for exploration people.
Reminded me of the Aliens in the funky French cartoon movie I saw as a kid…Fantastic Planet (The Planet Wild in French).
+++
And out in front of the Museum… It was getting dark but I wanted to get a few photos.
A Cattle drive would be so easy on a Brammo…No loud pipes to cause stampedes.
+++
Friday night, after the Art Museum, I traveled over to Explora and the Museum of Natural History for some quick photos. I had to hurry as it was quickly getting dark and the iPhone doesn’t love the dark.
+++
First stop: Explora.
+++
Explora is great…but the outdoor photo ops are kinda limited. So I hurried over to my next stop.
+++
Next stop. There are a couple of fun outdoor things here… 🙂
+++
I wanted to do an “objects in mirror are closer than they appear” photo…but I had to shine the headlight on the dino to get a nice shot.
+++
Outline only and very grainy in this light.
+++
The light was a bit better toward “Sera”, but not great…I knew I had to come back when the light was better.
+++
I did play around with a couple of shots to see if I could get a nice image…
+++
Fun, but not what I was looking for…so….
+++
I went back on Sunday…after breakfast (more on that later), before riding through Old Town (more on that later) and before the play (more on that later too). I didn’t go riding on Saturday…see last post for info on why.
+++
First, a shout out to the Artist…These dinosaurs are beautiful. And impressive. Amazing job Mr. Thomas.
+++
+++
Spike…I call her Sera.
Sera/Spike is great…but let’s face it, we love the Carnivores….
+++
+++
+++
+++
+++
After that a nice little ride around Old Town…Video at the end of Blog.
+++
+++
+++
+++
Then, for fun, a quick stop at the Hot Dog House…
+++
+++
+++
And then to the Albuquerque Little Theater for an afternoon showing of The Hobbitt.
+++
The Parking Security actually stopped me and told me to park right by the Entrance and not in the parking lot.
+++
My eldest, when she was 14 and 15, was in a couple of plays at the ALT. Met her future husband during the second play.
+++
So a fairly busy weekend…and I didn’t include the Breakfast ride. Will put a video or two at the end of the blog post.
I will say that where we met to ride from is right next to a Breaking Bad filming site. Where Badger is arrested in the second season by DJ Qualls in “Better Call Saul.”
+++
+++
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
Bonus Video clips:
+++
shows a bit of the balance of the Enertia Plus…rides almost like a mountain bike in terms of balance.
+++
Showing the Engine Braking. The faster the speed, the more noticable. At 25 mph, not much breaking, but at 45 mph you go down to 35 mph fairly quickly.
+++
Downtown. EV Charging stations see at about 20 seconds into video clip.
+++
Group start to ride for breakfast. Not many riders as it is hard to get scooter people up at 8 am on Sunday.
+++
Group riding by Old Town.
+++
Solo ride around Old Town Church.
+++
Going Solo to a Winery in the North Valley. I love that we have this “countryside” in the middle of Albuquerque.
+++
Going to the Museums after Breakfast.
+++
DINOS.
+++
Parking at Little Albuquerque Theater. Everybody must know that I park where I want as the parking “dude” stopped me and told me to park right at the entrance.
+++
And the last two are a bit longer videos of the “small” group ride going through the North Valley.
Blog 43: Review number 1 of 2 for the Enertia Plus.
Some Sunset photos. And a trip to Madrid….New Mexico.
IT”S BLOGNESDAY!!
+++
Starting with the easy part….PHOTOS. (reviews are hard) Friday night I was out getting some Vodka and hot dog buns at Costco because we needed big bottles of Vodka and an insane amount of hot dog buns. Costco is the place for that.
Saturday was our “End of Summer” party as we don’t want to have 3 birthday parties in one week (me, my wife and my sister in law’s birthdays are all within 6 days of each other). So as I’m driving to Costco I notice that the sunset is looking quite nice in my large Enertia Plus mirrors (will be discussed in Review part 1). And like I often…too often…do, I stopped to get some photos. And then I force you, the readers of this blog, to look at them.
+++
So first I drove to every inch of the Costco parking lot and couldn’t get the photo I wanted. So I left Costco and found a nice little construction site…but still no good….So off to a field across from the Nuclear Museum and BINGO. Photo one.
+++
And then I thought, “Hey I bet the Nuclear Museum** would be a nice backdrop” So…..
+++
But the lighting wasn’t quite right…and I was using just my iPhone…which does great in daylight, but not nearly as nice at night.
+++
But then I remembered a little trick. Focus in close and take a photo…and then focus out far and take a photo…and then “merge” them…So you have a nice bright foreground and a nice natural color background.
+++
+++
+++
And all these would have fit in nicely with my last blog of How I Learned to Stop Worrying…
+++
and then I had to get a little fancy and get rid of the wires overhead…
It was a nice little diversion…but there was Vodka to be bought…and Costco closes kinda early….
+++
That was Friday night. No driving on Saturday as it was our End of the Summer Party…and there is no driving for me that day for sure:
+++
+++
A fun day….but not a day for driving.
+++
I made up for it on Sunday. A ride to Madrid, NM and back. 87 miles of mixed driving, but most of the ride was over 50 mph.
I love the ride out to Madrid. Up, down, flat, curvy, and mostly empty open roads. And then you end up in Madrid, a funky little ex-mining, ex-ghost town. It was the town used in Wild Hogs. An awful movie. And for the bar fight scene in Paul. A much better movie.
+++
But first I leave home to meet up with some friends for the ride.
+++
Leaving the house. The Enertia Plus and my Maxi-Scoot. My son-in-law now rides my Fuoco as I am always on the Brammo.
+++
First stop….Einsteins on Tramway and Central. All rides to the East Mountains start here.
+++
+++
I had to ride up and talk to William…he had a new scooter I had not seen before.
+++
I like to ride in the back when filming
+++
That Ram Mount better hold…my iPhone is My Precious.
+++
Handlebar camera. I am now rocking two cameras…Now I just need to stop being lazy and edit the clips down.
+++
+++
Heading into Madrid
+++
A couple of long videos will be added at the bottom of this post….
+++
And I always stop at the Mine Shaft Tavern for a Buffalo Burger.
+++
Fun and funky.
+++
At first I parked here…
but no outlets (Tavern is OLD…and haunted)
+++
so I moved and found me some free charging 🙂
+++
and it was a cool place to park…right by the entrance to the Old Mine Shaft.
+++
and leaving Madrid (pronounced MAD RID)
+++
more leaving….
+++
On the road back….this is the high point of the highway…7027 feet. I stopped to see what the elevation was.
+++
And yes my iPhone battery was almost empty…I was doing some video with my helmet cam and my iPhone on the ride. It was a “use up all your batteries” kind of day…but more on that in a minute.
+++
And that minute is now: I knew the Plus couldn’t make it to Madrid and back. It is 87 miles round trip from my house and I have done almost 87 miles on the Plus, but that was city/suburb riding. No way with a large portion of the trip being 50 mph or more.
So I get to Madrid with my odometer looking like so:
+++
60 percent used. Ok. I need to charge back up to about 60 percent before I leave.
+++
and an hour and a half spent in the Mine Shaft Tavern fit the bill perfectly.
Except…I rode home without the scooter people. I rode a bit faster heading home as I wasn’t staying back with the 150cc 2-stroke bikes that take the trip a bit slower than I do on the Enertia Plus. Thus I used more juice. Long story short, at 81 miles traveled and 6 miles or so from home I was at zero battery. Bike was still going, but I didn’t want to push it. I stopped at a Smith’s Grocery store, hooked up the charger and bought a soda. Drank the soda and unhooked and headed the rest of the way…And was at zero again at home. It still was going fine (I wonder how much extra distance you can go on zero?) but I did get a “hey dude, charge up you fool” warning.
+++
+++
But all in all, a good day, a nice ride and “almost” enough juice. I should have stayed and walked around Madrid a bit with the scooter people, then it would have been fine. But I had Sunday Football at my brother’s house and didn’t want to be too late.
+++
Review: 1 of 2.
A short review.
This is basically a review of the differences from the Enertia to the Plus. It really won’t mean too much to anybody other than those who have owned an Enertia. For everybody else, the Plus will likely be the only commuter Brammo bike you demo or ride and won’t know what the Classic or Legacy Enertia was like….So.
+++
Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes…
+++
+++
Range: The most obvious change. I was getting about 35 mile per charge in my city commute. I expected the Plus to go about 70 miles. I am getting 84-86 miles per charge on the same route. So the expected doubling of the range, plus about 15 miles more. Sweet.
Mirrors: Nice…I can now actually see something in the mirrors other than my shoulders 🙂 They are, in my opinion, perhaps just a bit too large. I see about 3 lanes on either side in them now. A happy medium would have worked. But better a bit too big than a bit too small.
Turning–Steering lock–The garage and parking lot maneuverability of the Enertia Legacy was fairly poor. She did great on the roads, but had a very limited turning radius at “walking” speed. Basically the times you move the bike within your garage or other tight areas. The new Plus has much improved turning. Very Very nice. In and out of my garage with no effort at all.
No more do I need to pretend to be Austin Powers as I make my 18 point turn in the garage (exaggerated for humor).
+++
+++
O-Chain. Oh my oh my do I love the O-Chain. Nuff Said.
Top Speed. I could go an indicated 65 on the Legacy. It did 60 mph easily and as long as I wanted. I can go an indicated 70 on the Plus. It does 65 mph easily and as long as I want. I have not confirmed the speedo with my GPS at highway speeds. It seems fairly accurate. And I have ridden with the GPS in town and the speedo is about 1 mph high at 40 mph (GPS said 39 mph). Will try and GPS on the highway this weekend.
Engine Braking–Regen. The Enertia Legacy had no engine braking and no regen. The Plus has both. It is the one change I wasn’t completely happy with at first. I loved coasting. Especially at night. I felt, with no noise and no vibrations, that I was a piece of the bike moving through the wind. Like the nose cone of an airplane. It was fun. The Plus does not coast. The upside is that the engine braking gives some regen and it does make the Plus feel more like a “real” motorcycle. It is also killer fun in the twisties where engine braking is both joyous and helpful.
So I am still just a touch “torn” on the Engine Braking. LOVE it in the mountains. But I would like to turn it off with night riding. A clutch would solve that…but adds complexity. A “no-regen” switch would be nice. But that is for the future, if Brammo wants. The Engine Braking does make the bike feel more solid and it likely will be appreciated by motorcycle people. And really only myself and a few other Brammo riders will even know engine braking is a new thing. So…I missed the coasting a lot at first…now I hardly miss it at all….but still would love to have it for dark, still nights.
New Motor: The new motor does give a bit more top end…and a more powerful pull through the middle speeds. Again, feels more like a “big-boy” bike. It is a smidgen slower off the line, but quickly makes up for that with a faster middle. Again, for the future I would love a switch…City/Highway. City gives more speed off the line, but less top end. Highway takes off a bit of the low speed acceleration, but gives a higher top speed. Always looking for ways to help Brammo by giving them more work to do 🙂
Start up LCD screen: The start up LCD screen is, thankfully, the 3rd screen on the Legacy. The screen with all the information. The screen I always used.
Horn placement: Moved from body to under headlight. Not horribly attractive, nor does it jump out as a design error…so looks are neutral. But it is a far bit louder being outside the body of the bike. And louder, for a horn, is nice.
Noise: The new motor seems a bit louder than the old one. And the Legacy, with coasting, had periods of near silent riding. The new motor seems a bit louder with acceleration, but also louder overall because engine braking is making noise too. So, where before the bike was silent at stops and when coasting, the Plus is only silent at lights.
+++
Well, saying all that, what it comes down to is: “I like it. A lot”. I can go to the top of the mountain and back on one charge (70 miles and 5ooo feet gain in elevation). I can go to Madrid and back with a nice little lunch break. I can commute all week on one charge.
It is a big difference. But more on that with the “real” review. This was just a teaser review…a review for current owners only.
See ya next week.
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
Bonus video…longer, but has some pretty stuff.
+++
Long helmet cam ride towards and into Madrid
+++
leave no man, or woman, behind.
+++
The group gets separated a bit.
+++
longish handlebar camera (iPhone) video heading toward Madrid.
Ok. So a new week. And a new blog. But not the Brammo Enertia Plus review just yet.
I have a bit under 500 miles on the loaner Plus, which is almost enough to give it a proper review. But….next week.
This week focuses a bit on some trips and travel taken on the Plus.
+++
Recent Trips on the Brammo Enertia Plus:
To the top of Sandia Mountain (70 miles round trip on a single charge). Talked about previously. HERE: Blog 37.
Along the Rio Grande (a river insanely empty for the name “Grande”) down to Los Lunas and back (60 miles round trip on a single charge). Covered on todays blog.
And up to La Luz Trailhead and then over to the Sandia Tram to have lunch with my wife and daughters. The three of them had climbed from the Trailhead to the top of the mountain (9 miles) and then took the Tram down. Covered on todays blog.
Photos and videos of those last 2 rides:
1st: La Luz Trailhead
+++
It was a cloudy day…perfect for hiking up a mountain. The wife and daughters got lucky. Me? Couldn’t do the hike…On Call.
grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
+++
I love what we think of as “congested” here in New Mexico.
+++
I don’t care how “congested” it is….I Park Where I Want.
+++
The beautiful women off on their hike.
+++
The Elevation at the La Luz Trailhead….videos to follow…I love this short ride up and down the mountain.
+++
Heading up Tramway to the turn off for La Luz. Doing mostly 55-60 mph uphill. Not even pushing the Plus in the least.
+++
Forgot…near the bottom of Tramway is Sandia Pueblo land…and Buffalo/Bison. Stopped for a minute to film them.
+++
Turning off Tramway and heading to La Luz. Short, but super fun. And nice to do on a bicycle too. Hint to Eric Bostrom 🙂
+++
And back down. I made one bad turn at 1:30…wanted to go back and redo…but had a lunch date at the TRAM
Tram arriving. I talked to this gentleman for some time. He is a Harley rider and loved the Enertia Plus.
+++
Tram headed back up to the Crest area. Do you remember the Crest? If not, here ya go again.
+++
+++
And that was the Tram portion of the day. Nice Lunch. Good company and a nice ride.
+++
Next was a trip to Los Lunas. Nothing special, at all, about Los Lunas. But I really like the ride along the Rio Grande when the leaves change. Of course that won’t be till next month. Still I decided to do a “trial” run. I knew the Plus would make it easily (the Classic or Legacy Enertia would not), but I wanted to do a nice long ride. 60 miles round trip with no planned stops, except to take a photo at Tractor Brew Co. This is the stop we usually make when we do a group ride down along the river.
+++
+++
Left the bike running as I wanted to see /do the trip as one ride…ended up stopped for a few minutes as another person wanted to talk about the bike for a while. Just part of the deal.
I’m not putting much video here…just a short one…
+++
Cool car heading the other way.
+++
A bit longer one of me riding by the Albuquerque Sunport.
+++
The nice thing about the added range is I don’t really think about charging on a day to day basis. Take today as an example. I’ve driven 30 miles since the last time I’ve charged. On the Enertia I would have about 5-6 miles left and would have to charge ASAP. Heck, I charged just about everyday on the Enertia because I always wanted to have available as many miles as possible. Today? No charging. I still have over 50 miles left on the bike, so why charge? I usually charge at the start of the week and I’m good till the weekend, unless I find time to do a long evening ride. But that is infrequent.
80 plus miles is great. Yes, I will want to update in 2 or 3 years when/if the batteries double again. But I do think Brammo has found a good commuter motorcycle range with the Plus.
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
Bonus Wild Things Theme:
I figure the Empulse R is the True Wild Thing coming from Brammo….so…
+++
+++
And a bit more “Artsy”. Subtle, but the Empulse R and Eric Bostrom are done in CutOut style.
Blog 41: I am getting OLD and FORGETFUL…..A “No-Blog Friday” blog post.
+++
Forgot a few photos I wanted to add to yesterday’s blog about Miller Motorsports Park and Brammo’s 1st and 2nd place finish in that race. And their North American TTXGP 2012 season 1st Place finish for Rider (Steve Atlas) and for company (Icon Brammo).
+++
Good to see SteveO smiling and flashing the number 1
+++
Yes it is a helmet commercial…but it has beautiful video of SteveO tearing up the course at Thunderhill. Nice.
Practice time….or the most elaborate way to do a prostate exam?
+++
The Icon Brammo riders
+++
The Podium–1 and 2 for Team Icon Brammo
+++
+++
+++
Still, I am only suppose to do a blog a week…AND it’s No-Blog Friday….so better bail before the Internets Police come get me….
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
Bonus photo.
Eric Bostrom doing some test riding of the Production Empulse R.
Yesterday showed that electric motorcycles can do a burn out.
Today’s photo show that the Empulse can do a wheelie…at 60 mph.
+++
One last Photo from Miller:
+++
SteveO’s helmet. At Laguna Seca he told me I could have it after the season was over. But…sadly…
A) It is likely he wouldn’t remember…and B) I have a big Irish head and usually run a XL helmet on my melon.
I doubt that helmet will fit me.
Plus I really want Icon to make a Special Edition Carbon LifeForm helmet with IconBrammo logos.
Still…Thanks for the offer SteveO. While I am also a Shoei guy, I would love to rock that helmet as it is now a piece of history.
Blog 39: The Start of the “Once a Week Blog“. I know this is causing much sadness, and gnashing of terrible teeth, but I gather everyone will find a way to accept this…or I’ll EAT YOU UP!
+++
King of all Wild Things 🙂
+++
And for people who liked the movie. The movie actually had some really nice parts. And the Creatures were great…but…
+++
Wasn’t sure if I wanted them both on bikes or not…so did one of each. If you don’t like it, I’ll EAT YOU UP!.
You can’t possibly say, “I’ll eat you up” too many times.
+++
Part 1: So the blog left off with our farewell tribute to the lovely Green Enertia. Today we start discussing the bold Black Enertia Plus.
With her first photo trip being the freakin’ Grand Canyon (see blog 37), well that was an impossibly high bar to launch a photo career. But the Grand Canyon, while lovely beyond words, was also a short visit. The Plus is now entering her long term test riding portion. With that comes nice photos and fun observations. At least fun for me.
I will be doing a bit of a review of the Plus with next weeks blog. Today focuses on a couple of rides I’ve done since the Grand Canyon.
+++
One last look at the Plus at the Canyon.
+++
Background. The Enertia had a city range of about 40 miles. This new Enertia Plus has improved batteries that increase the range to 80 city miles, while keeping the same size and weight. Very nice. 40 miles was fine for commuting, but kept me from going on longer rides. And New Mexico has some lovely rides.
The increased range was much anticipated by me. Still the first test was to see just what the true range was. And to see how well the “fuel gauge” worked (on the Enertia the battery read-out was very linear from 100% down to 40%, but then a bit wonky after that.)
I drove for 5 days on one charge. Commuting, errands and such. City miles, but fast city miles as I usually do roads that are 35 to 45 mph. I think what Brammo calls “city roads” are more like 25-35 mph. I was hoping for 80 miles with my suburban commute. But since the Enertia ranges was more like 35 miles, I thought the Plus’s range would be around 70 miles.
I was surprised.
+++
It’s Christmas in August at Gavin’s House.
At 18 miles I still had 80% of the battery left, which equals 90 miles to 0% if the battery draw is consistent.
On the old Enertia I would have been at 50%. So already it was over preforming. Nice. But still early in testing.
+++
First full assessment of the Battery. The draw on the battery is very linear and predictable all the way down to 1%.
I never felt comfortable running the Enertia all the way down, but I’m fine doing it with the Plus.
86 miles is GREAT. Especially with my driving style of “Get in front of cars and don’t let them catch up or they will kill you” 🙂
+++
So the first run through went very well. Well enough that I decided that the second test would be a long single run from my house to the top of Sandia Peak and back. About 70 miles round trip and some serious hill climbs and speeds of over 55 mph. The batteryshouldn’tget me all the way there and back, but I do have some charge spots on the way home.
Surprise number 2: I get all the way there and back without charging and still have 9% of battery left. Super Sweet. Like if chocolate had a society and that society had a superhero and that superhero was super super duper chocolaty***…well just like that. Whatever I just said.
Blood sugar must be low…off to the vending machine….BRB
+++
First stop is Einsteins for some grub. And yes, Cars Suck.
+++
I like to stop at Einsteins so I can park in the Motor Cicles parking.
+++
Next stop is the TinkerTown Museum. I love that place. 25 miles from my house and at the base of the mountain. About 12 miles uphill to the crest. I hope to make it with at least 40% charge.
Top of the mountain. 35.6 miles traveled and 40% of the battery left. I think I can make it home on that.
It is all downhill from here, as they say.
+++
On top of the World…looking down on everyone…Like I am wont to do.
+++
10,678 feet. I had a group of people all asking questions about the bike until the Ranger came over and frowned upon my choice of parking spots. Sigh.
+++
So it took 60% of the battery to go from my house at 5232 feet and ride up to Sandia Peak at 10,678 feet. I only had 40% to get home, but I thought I could make it since I would use less energy to get down the hill. And, worse case, I stop at a Subway or Smiths to get some plug time. I like to type plug time.
+++
No need to worry though. I got home with 9% battery left and went out and did 7 more miles.
76 miles on a charge is pretty good for the trip I did.
+++
if no video…go to the next one. I used a punk song from 1978 and YouTube is questioning it’s use. It’s freakin’ 34 years old and a handful of people will see it…I doubt the Buzzcocks will care.
+++
Rt 333 (half of the sign of the beast road I call it). Long….only watch if your bored or boring.
+++
Heading up Route 14 toward the Sandia mountain. This route goes all the way to Santa Fe and is a FUN FUN ride once you get away from the busy part. Busy…ha.
+++
Rt 14 and then turning toward the Crest and Tinkertown Museum.
+++
The whole ascent. Was 20 minutes long…I speeded it up.
+++
Heading from the Crest back down.
+++
Part 2: I have to throw this in here. My mother and I went to a fund raiser for Martin Heinrich. He is our Congressman, but is currently running for the US Senate. He is a HUGE fan of the environment and alternative energy. His wife, Julie, was there and told us about how Martin is an Engineer and when he was in college he helped built a solar race car. Nice. We could use more Engineers in Congress.
So we, Rebecca and I, sit and have a drink and talk a bit and get to meet both Rep. Heinrich and his lovely wife. And, of course, it is photo time.
+++
My mom is 73 and she just kept going on and on about how good looking Rep Heinrich is…embarrassing 🙂
+++
She then decided that she wanted to Photobomb (should you ever use the word bomb with an elected official?) the future Senator.
I can read his mind: “Lord give me strength. I am a member of the US Congress and I have to deal with this from little old ladies?”
She was actually jumping up and down behind him.
+++
I talked Rep. Heinrich and Julie into taking a photo with the Enertia Plus. Actually he was very interested in seeing it and talking about it. He even knew the price of the Empulse (well the old Empulse…).
Great Guy. And great wife too. Those things seem to go together. I think a politician’s spouse is the smarter one at least half the time. With Obama and Heinrich I think it is about a tie. Smart husbands. Smart spouses.
+++
Blurry, darn it…but still a nice photo. Brammo should get him an electric motorcycle. 🙂
I am very free and easy about giving away bikes for Brammo…I’m sure they appreciate that.
+++
Part 3:Miller Motorsports Park–For some reason I keep calling it Miller’s MotorPark…and then I think of this:
but we must wait….too much for one day…so I will blog again tomorrow…breaking my new rule of one blog a week. Grrrr.
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
Bonus Photo…Enertia at Sunset.
+++
+++
bonus bonus photo:
*** Now when I mention a “super super duper chocolaty” SuperHero…well I instantly think of Willy Wonka…but on a chocolate world with a chocolate society I envision him a bit more like this:
Now before I get grief for putting Gene Wilder (a hero of mine) in BlackFace…well A) He has done it before–See Silver Streak. And B) it isn’t BlackFace, it is yummy Milk Chocolate face. But, yes, I know I’m treading a fine line…and will remove it if anybody asks me too…
Blog 38: And the Slow Down begins. Today’s blog is mostly a “clip show” rerun. Sorry again.
+++
So I had the lovely green Enertia Legacy bike for 10 months and 4800 miles of riding. Good Times. Fun Times. But she is now back with Brammo in Ashland (and they are likely thinking, “Jesus, what the heck did he do to this bike?” I did ride her fairly hard and took her off road more than they probably thought I would).
We will do a little remembrance…an “Oscar” show farewell:
(no Yo Yo Ma on single cello, no stark piano playing, not even the great Brother IZ playing Over the Rainbow on ukelele)
This tribute get Miss You by the Stones playing in the background.
+++
Day one. The first ride.
+++
Walter White’s house…Breaking Bad tour
+++
Bike getting muddy. She rode in all weather. Sun, Rain, Snow and from 9 degrees to 104.
+++
Getting Muddy…mostly me this time.
+++
Silverton, CO. Where old met new.
+++
Part of the “Park Where I Want” series. Inside the bar at Ska Brewing, Durango, CO.
+++
Fake Paris. Las Vegas, NV
+++
Opening up 17 Mile Drive to Electric Motorcycles. Hopefully more to come.
+++
Hoover Dam. Dam good times. Thanks E.
+++
More off-roading at Camp Scoot 2012.
+++
She was great. I miss her already. But I now have a new bike to learn and enjoy. The new bike will go twice as far, opening up more trips and travels. I plan to do quite a few day trips. Sandia Crest: Madrid and the Mine Shaft Tavern: Tinkertown: A nice ride down along the Rio to Los Lunas when the Cottonwood leaves are turning gold. All trips I couldn’t do on the true city commuter Enertia Legacy.
But the Blog, for a while, will slow down. Probably a post a week. I have been posting 3 to 4 times a week lately as I had 10 months of stories, experiences and photos to share of my time with the Enertia. It will take a while to build up the same amount of photos and experiences on the Enertia Plus (though the Grand Canyon was a GREAT start).
I know it will be tough, but please don’t despair too much when the blog posts decrease to a mere weekly release. If overly depressed, please seek professional care. Or drink heavily. Or both. It’s what I do. 🙂
+++
I do want to paint the “Boomerangs”. I love the black, but she needs a bit of flash…color…style. So I ask you, my many many readers….ha….I just snorted when I typed that…Which do you prefer?
+++
Standard: All Black
+++
Black with green metallic fleck on the Boomerangs.
+++
Black with blue metallic fleck on the Boomerangs.
+++
The Green paint would come from this:
+++
***
+++
Do I have permission to paint those boomerangs? Well I am following the school of…..1) I don’t not have permission 2) I wasn’t told I couldn’t paint them and 3) it is better to ask forgiveness than permission. And I’m lazy…so who knows when or if it will ever get done.
I do know I need to put a couple of hundred miles on the bike before I can give her a proper review. I thought she would simply be an Enertia with twice the range. But there are quite a few differences between the Enertia and the Plus. Some small, some actually quite big. Give me a couple of weeks and a review will appear.
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
***notice i did not give a poll option of “Do it and your a dead man, Gavin. Love Adrian.”
Opps…almost forgot the New Computer part. I bought a new MacBook Pro. Love it. Just wanted to put up a photo here…not sure how it relates to Brammo Blog… 🙂
+++
Eric Bostrom doing a wheelie on a Brammo Empulse. I hear he did this wheelie while going 60 mph.
Blog 37: A Changing of the Guard.* A Renewal.** A Rebirth.*** Or something like that.
“A new bike” is probably more accurate, but a bit boring. Not as much Flair.
+++
Ok: Background. Brammo was nice enough to lend me a loaner Enertia for an EXTENDED period of time. Since the middle of October of 2011 to last Saturday I’ve put a bit over 4800 miles on her (not bad for a shorter range city commuter).
+++
Final Mileage. 5252. I got her with 450 on the odometer.
+++
She is great for my city commute. Great to go to the Isotope games. For rides around town. ETC ETC. But I do some longer rides and her 40 miles range is not enough for rides to Tinkertown,Sandia Crest, Los Lunas and some of my other favorite rides.
So, while I was very happy to have the Enertia and love her dearly, I’ve bugged Brammo from time to time telling them I would love to try out the Enertia Plus (a bike with twice the range of the Enertia). And the term “from time to time” loosely translates to hourly. For the last 9 months. Like a fever after eating a “slightly off” Creamy Parmesan Chicken dinner at Applebees, I am relentless. And fairly nauseating.
I’m sure it is because Brammo likes me so much (versus wanting to shut me up) that they emailed me a couple of weeks ago : “Gavin, would you like to turn in the Legacy Enertia and continue your extended loaner ride on a Plus? We have one that we would like to have lots and lots of miles put on it and we think you could be good at that.”
I played hard to get. And by that I mean I emailed back within microseconds of getting their email. My email was the very refined and dignified, “Yes, God YES, send it now and no back-sees” or something along those lines.
They said “oh, damn, what have we gotten ourselves into”….but the no back-sees rule was already invoked and so a deal was made. Matt Nelson was going to ship the bike to LA, as the people there wanted to try out the Plus. Then he would load it on a truck and bring it to Las Vegas. I would meet him there and give him the green Legacy Enertia and he would give/loan me the Plus.
For me it is a 9 hour drive from Albuquerque to Las Vegas (which I had just done heading to Laguna Seca and back. Three Vegas visits in a months time…crazy. Though crazy is a strong term. Driving three times to Vegas in a month is probably excessive. Crazy might better describe the man walking down Tropicana Ave with the large, very very fresh urine stain down the front of his long khaki shorts).
I was meeting Matt at the Motel 6 at 4pm. Why the Motel 6 when there are so many grand hotels in Vegas? The Motel 6 has an easier parking lot to do the exchange and less guards than the fancy Hotels. Plus it had the added bonus of feeling like a drug buy on Breaking Bad.
+++
And yes, I dressed for the occasion.
+++
Matt went over a few changes between the bikes, we chatted a bit and then said our goodbyes. Nice young man. I was slightly surprised that Brammo sent somebody to go over the bike with me.
I’ve ridden the Enertia about as much as anybody in the world has.
They shipped the first bike directly to my home with the only instructions being, “There is only one key. DO NOT lose it.” 4800 miles later and I still had that one key.
So I kinda think Matt wanted a few days away from Ashland 🙂
+++
The Pickup….in a pickup. All we needed to complete the image is a duffel bag of cash.
+++
I am now riding English Test Bike #9. And, of course, “Interia” is spelled wrong 🙂
+++
I had planned to spend the night in Vegas, but even after all the driving and the exchange it was still only 5pm. Lots of daylight hours and I hoped to do a couple of stops on the way home Sunday. It would be easier to do those stops if I could get a couple of hours on the road heading home. 9 hours of Saturday driving became 11 hours as I turned around and headed to Kingman, Arizona.
I wanted to do the trip as a whole “Get your Kicks on Rt 66” vibe. I do go through half the cities named in that song…Gallup, Flagstaff, Kingman, Arizona and don’t forget Winona. (a hint: after 11 hours on Saturday and then 10 hours on Sunday…I pooped out on the whole Rt 66 thing…I had some other adventures I wanted to do.)
+++
The bike didn’t need a charge, but I just don’t trust…well anybody. Plus, after 27 years of marriage, I don’t like sleeping alone.
+++Rt 66..Kingman Arizona…and Public Restrooms for the Win.
I got up early to ride around Kingman. Went about 2 miles and turned around. Not much reason to visit more than that.
+++
Something about a Steakhouse with a fake Bull on the roof always makes me hungry.
+++
So Kingman was boring. But they did have two Motel 6s. I, of course, went to the wrong one at first. Why Motel 6? And why so often? (I have never stayed at a Motel 6 before my trip to Laguna Seca) Well they have first floor rooms and external doors…easier to get the bike into the room. And they are everywhere…and cheap. But Kingman was just a place to sleep and get ready for Sunday.
What I really wanted to do on Sunday was hit the Grand Canyon.
I love the Grand Canyon.
It is only about a hour detour off the highway I was taking home (so adding about 3 hours to my day).
I thought it would be a great place to take some photos of the new bike.
I love the Grand Canyon.
So I turn north to the Canyon and find out a few things.
It’s been a while since I was there. Major road improvements. Though improvements might be the wrong word.
Getting to the rim use to be a single road. Not anymore. I basically got lost and couldn’t find the rim for a while. Let that sink in for a moment. I couldn’t find the rim. At the Grand Freakin’ Canyon. Sigh.
It now costs 25 bucks a person to get in. Yikes. I figured they must have added a roller coaster or something. Sadly, no roller coaster.
+++
Where’s the Rim? I especially like the last 30 seconds where I keep looking over…
“I see the rim, now how the heck to I get over there?”
+++
Yeah…Found it. So beautiful and peaceful. One place that has remained semi untouched in this land.
No McDonald’s signs on the mesa tops. No cell phone towers. Just rocks slowly eroding.
+++
Leaving that spot. The people of the bike waved me over. I should have keep the camera running as THEY WERE GREAT! But I don’t like filming people if they don’t know it from the start. They loved the bike. Later, heading back in the truck, they pulled up beside me and gave a big thumbs up. I meet so many great people on these trips.
+++
Same spot. It’s a nice spot, so I took a few photos here.
+++
+++
And then I went looking for new places.
Parked up on the walkway in the Grand Canyon. No issues. Much nice than the Hoover Dam people. Grrrr.
+++
And found a second nice view a couple miles from the first spot.
+++
+++
And a HUGE vulture flew by.
That vulture was much bigger than the video shows it.
+++
And then this is for me Mum….she loves when I do this stuff.
Someday I’ll have her tell the story of when I was a kid hanging off a rock over the canyon. Good Times.
+++
While semi-lost I did find the Mules. Unionize Mules, Unionize.
+++
Heading back to the truck I join some bikes with trailers.
+++
So we say goodbye to my quick detour to the Grand Canyon.
+++
+++
+++
Potential Brammo Postcards.
+++
Next was more driving. Grand Canyon through Flagstaff to the Meteor Crater. I was going to stop in Flagstaff to take a photo for the whole Rt 66 thing. But I wasn’t feeling it…so I just drove right on through. Plus it was raining in Flagstaff. I have NEVER been through Flagstaff when it isn’t raining. So here is a photo….not by me.
+++
You can tell it isn’t by me because of the FREAKIN’ BLUE SKIES.
+++
Only a few miles East of Flagstaff is Winona. Winona isn’t even a town. There is nothing in Winona. Yet there is an exit. There are multiple signs. But basically Winona is only known for being in the Rt.66 song. And it was only in the song because the writer needed a rhyme for Arizona.
+++
Here I am a mile for wonderful Winona. Notice the cloudy skies. That is because Winona is close to that rainhole know as Flagstaff.
+++
Here I am AT Winona. Notice how the sun only shines on the sign. It does appear that there are 4 homes in Winona. All relatives of Booby Troup I presume.
(both photos were actually taken on the way out to Vegas)
+++
So, surprisingly, I just drove right passed Winona and on to the Meteor Crater. I really like the contrast of the Grand Canyon and the Meteor Crater. Sure both are very close to each other physically. Sure both can be seen from an airplane or satellite. But one was made in less than 10 seconds, one was made over millions of years (and counting).
I had hoped to take the bike up on the crater’s ridge…but the whole area is fenced off. I will have to plan better next time.
Still….
+++
Meteor Crater.
+++
Stopped in front. A family from Tennessee came over and talked a fair bit of time. Nice family. They stopped back a second time to ask my name. They wanted to tell the company how helpful I was. I told them I don’t work for Brammo, just a fan. They still wanted to tell the company how helpful their “fan” was.
They really want an electric snowmobile. And an electric ATV for hunting. Quiet is good for hunting.
+++
From the Meteor Crater I went straight home. I wanted to stop at Holbrook at the Wigwam Motel, but passed Holbrook without even seeing it. That scared me a bit. I was listening to audiobooks and driving and focusing on the cars and trucks and the bike in the back and didn’t see Holbrook at all. Oh well…Next time.
Not my photo. For all I know Holbrook, like an episode of the Twilight Zone, is no longer there.
+++
And I didn’t stop in Gallup either. It may be in the song, but dang, I’ve been going to OutReach Clinic in Gallup every month for the last 16 years. And that is more than enough times for me.
So home. Over 1300 miles in 37 hours. By myself. And not even hard. Kinda fun actually.
Now comes the “putting on some miles” on the new bike. Adrian has already challenged me to put over 100 miles on the bike with one charge…while having a 5000 foot climb. That will be tough as I want to go fast. And going fast uses up the battery quicker. But I’ll try.
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
* A Changing of the Guard.
+++
** A Renewal
+++
*** A Rebirth
+++
I had “A Rebirth” first when I wrote this blog post…but always save the best for last 🙂
Well, all caught up on my Laguna Seca Blogs. Finally. CampScoot blog is done. So I guess I have nothing to blog about anymore.
Goodbye….
Kidding. Another weekend. Another road trip. I will be heading to…well come back Monday and see. I will say that there should be some very Grand images. Hint Hint.
In the meantime: Riding in Red Rocks made the Enertia quite dirty.
+++
+++
So she got a nice bath. And a chain cleaning and lube too.
+++
So when people ask you, and they will ask you, “Is that Electric? What happens to the bike when it rains?”
You can answer, “It gets wet. And so do I as I love to ride in the rain.”
+++
Till Next Time…
Gavin
For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness: visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com
+++
Brammo: Make this happen…He loves motorcycles and he wants an Electric Motorcycle (he tried to buy the Missions Motor bike, but it is a one off and not for sale at any price).
Send him this photo, a copy of the Hell for Leather review** and a nice note saying, “Hey Mr Reynolds. We have an amazing motorcycle for you to try out. It rides great, looks great and as a bonus it is clean electric power. Give us a call and if you like it, well you can be one of the first people to own one.”
+++
+++
**If you haven’t read the Hell for Leather review, Go Now.
Sol Power--BrammoBlog.com 
