Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/550811
2016 VICTORY EMPULSE TT FIRST RIDE P60 The Empulse TT is far from the machine Johnston used at the Isle of Man, yet it still makes a bold statement about the company's future plans. Electric technology is moving at an incredible pace, which, according to Victory Mo- torcycles Product Manager Josh Katt, is a huge part of the appeal for a company that's trying to break out of the traditional mold of an American motorcycle manufac- turer. "The automotive industry is setting the benchmark for new technologies but we are follow- ing very closely behind in de- veloping them for motorcycles," Katt says. "Fuel injection was used on cars 20 years before bikes; that time span of technol- ogy no longer applies to motor- cycles. EV's (electric vehicles) are blowing up right now, and we're not far behind." The Victory Empulse TT will set you back a very sizeable $19,999 and is powered by a 10.4kW/Hour Internal Perma- nent Magnet Induction electric motor with a lithium-Ion battery, capable of a claimed 54 horse- power and 61 lb-ft of torque, with a top speed of around 110 mph on a good day. Interestingly, the electric motor, which has been given a 10 percent hike in capac- ity thanks to the battery chang- ing from two large modules to seven smaller ones, is mated to a six-speed gearbox, which Katt admits is both a performance and marketing tool to attract new riders. Up front is a pair of Brembo four-piston Monobloc calipers and fully adjustable Marzocchi inverted forks. Out back is a fully adjustable rear shock that acts straight onto the swingarm with no linkage. The Empulse TT is a sleek machine, aimed at tech-savvy, well-heeled riders who want something a bit different. Our chance to ride came at a recent launch at Denver's High Plains Raceway, a Field of Dreams venue if ever there was one. It seemed an odd place to launch a bike such as the Empluse, because, regard- less of what Victory says, this is not a track machine. This is a commuter bike, one that will serve the guy zipping from his inner-city apartment to work and home again much better than someone looking to go elbow- dragging. If you've never ridden an elec- tric machine before, it can be a confusing experience. There's no sound, seemingly no connection with you and the machine—it's like trying to speak to English while someone is talking to you in German. It takes a while to get your head around how the Victory operates, especially the fact that you need to use the gearbox to get the most out of a motor that, by design, shouldn't have a gear- box. You can even rev the engine at standstill. And you can leave the bike turned on in first gear in the pits with the clutch out—it's impos-