The green machine
At a time when electric motorcycles and scooters are slowly gaining popularity all over the world, the Brutus promises to begin a separate league of fast moving ‘green cruiser’. It is first of its battery powered sports cruiser unveiled recently. With its unmistakable speed, looks and Eco-friendly credentials, this cruiser is set to touch the hearts of the ‘bikers of the world’ with its market launch next year. Most of the electric bikes available in the market have the conventional looks. They do not inspire confidence among those for whom speed is another addiction. However, Brutus has been designed by Chris Bell to dispel the notion that electric vehicles can’t have the look of a cruiser.
The bike was recently revealed as a one off model and it would be commercially sold, expectedly, from next year.
Green factor
Apart from the speed and looks, the most striking thing about Brutus is its Eco-friendly credentials. The engine would be completely powered by rechargeable batteries. It would emit zero-emissions and no other deadly pollutants in air. Moreover, the bike would reduce some of the burden on scarce gasoline and petrol.
The powertrain
Brutus has an all-electric drive train with 5-speed transmission. At present, electric bikes have an aversion to the use of transmission. However, designer Bell has charted a different path for Brutus with fully operable 5-speed transmission. The current model uses a 72 volt lead-acid battery which allows the bike to get a top speed of 70 miles per hour and run up to 20 miles on a single recharge. This would be changed for sale in the market next year. With the introduction of lithium-polymer batteries, it is expected to get a top speed of 100 miles per hour and go up to 60 miles on a single recharge. This could be bettered again with a 144 volt version for over 100 miles of journey on a single recharge.
Besides, the bike weighs around 487 pounds and has a wheel base of 58.5 inch. Other vital stats include both the front and rear suspensions. Twin six piston dual rotor brake on the front wheels and a single piston single rotor brake on the rear wheels. The height of the seat from the ground is 30.5 inches and the design is a perfect blend of straight lines of modern sport motorcycles and the round flow of yesteryear beauties like Harley or Indian of the 1940s.
The highs
Electric bikes are seen as alternative to the gasoline-based motorcycles. It is interesting that their numbers and popularity are increasing rapidly in most part of the world, especially in many countries of the Asia Pacific and China. A new research report by Pike Research has said that the number of electric bikes on road will rise from the current 17 million to about 138 million by 2017.This finding inspires confidence for the successful reception of Brutus. At present the bike uses a DC motor which would be possibly upgraded to AC. This would allow benefit from liquid cooling as the bike might get heated up when larger batteries would be used. Moreover, as Bell says, the bike has been design to become a ‘full fairing’ sport bike. A trike version could also be released in the near future.
The lows
Brutus has not yet been launched in the market. Only the details of a single model are available. There is a lot of difference in what these detail say about this bike and what has been proposed. For instance, the present model gives only a speed of 72 miles per hour and could go up to 70 miles on a single recharge. However, Bell has proposed to give an electric bike that can attain the speed of up to 150 miles per hour and travel up to 150 miles on a single recharge.
Also, Bell had originally planned for a electric cruiser that could be recharged by renewable sources like the wind and sunlight. This still remains a dream and the electricity required to recharge the battery of this bike would not necessarily be ‘green’ and clean. Moreover, a major problem associated with electric-bikes is the availability of recharge stations on the road. The cities are not prepared for high speed electric bike in terms of infrastructure and Brutus might just become a showpiece amid plethora of cruisers available in the market today.
