ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Electric Terry on January 29, 2015, 09:12:40 AM
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Hey Guys,
What would you want in an aerodynamic aftermarket fairing design? Double highway range? more lockable weatherproof storage? racy sexy looks? Cold weather and wind protection? Please comment on the facebook thread here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/zmcowners/permalink/783240805078463/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/zmcowners/permalink/783240805078463/)
Craig Vetter has agreed to come out of retirement after years ago announcing the "Last Vetter Fairing" and is willing to design a purpose built fairing to fit all 2013 and up model Zero's, with quick on and off access. We need your input!!
Thanks in advance! If you don't have facebook comment here but please try to read the Facebook comments first and comment there if possible.
Thanks again!
Terry
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Yes please!
I'd like it to be super-slim and carry tons of luggage. Oh, and pop open into a tent. ;)
My real answer is on the facebook page. Looking forward to seeing this develop!
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what is the weight of your fairing?
i am in a mountain area so for me the weight is more important than the fairing
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Terry,
I am not on Facebook. Care to post a picture here? Thanks.
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ultrarnr, here are the questions he posed on facebook:
"Hey guys, I need everyone's input. Craig Vetter is considering building a fairing kit especially for Zero's. It would easily bolt on and off in 10 minutes total using existing mounting points. Front and rear separate. What factors are most important to you?
1) range vs size. A bigger fairing could almost double highway range. A smaller one might add 30%. Or something in between.
2) cost vs complexity. What cost would be acceptable if it almost doubled range? Keep in mind a Powertank which increases range 25% costs $2500. If it was simpler it would increase range less, but cost less.
3) shape and design vs range. What do you want it to look like. The more like the picture here the closer to doubling range you get. The less extreme, the less potential gain you get.
4) size vs storage? The smaller it is the less storage space. How much weatherproof lockable storage do you want? 2 full face helmets and a decent sized gym bag?
5) passengers or a backpack vs ultimate range. Is ultimate efficiency most important or the ability to carry a passenger?
6) riding position? Do you want it to be most efficient (go 200 miles at freeway speeds in a tuck, but less efficient riding upright) or be most efficient riding upright (go 140 miles max highway, but can't get any increase in an emergency when you really need it).
Thanks for your input. Any other ideas on styling, preference would be appreciated.
- Terry"
The two working examples we have to go off are Terry's original faring and the faring Vetter made for Arthur Kowitz for his Brammo Empulse.
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Thanks for the update Ben!
After pages and pages of great comments and feedback yesterday on the Zero facebook group, Craig Vetter came up with this and asked me to post for feedback.
The new thread on facebook is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/zmcowners/783563328379544/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/zmcowners/783563328379544/)
or you can post here too, I just get to the responses on facebook quicker and reply immediately as I get instant notifications through the app.
Please tell me your opinions on this:
p.s. with a 98 tooth rear sprocket, you might have a top speed somewhere between 120 and 135 mph. Not that any of us need that. ;)
Although your range at 90 mph might be close to double. The faster you go, the more the fairing will help. For those with a highway commute in all the states adopting the new 80 mph speed limit, that might be a factor to consider ;)
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I'd say "Here's my money, Mr. Vetter!" - I've liked the Vetter fairings since, oh about 1986 or so, when I first saw one.
Will the mirrors be faired, or standard stalk? I've got big gangly arms and usually have problems with seeing nothing but my elbows in my mirrors. I've had to drill out and helicoil the stock mounts to have longer mirrors.
On the other hand, the stock faired mirrors on my FJR are real low, so there are no elbow issues.
Other than that, I have no problems.
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Be a part of "shaping" the history of electric motorcycling. Craig is posting your comments for those that email him directly with your preferences in the ultimate electric motorcycle fairing. Speed, range, storage, utility, looks.
Many commented here and on facebook the past couple days. Now that you've thought about it, let him know directly and have your name go down in the history books as being part of the solution! Your personal opinion will make a difference!
http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/2015-Streamliner-pages/2015-Streamlining-a-Zero%20SR-p84.html (http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/2015-Streamliner-pages/2015-Streamlining-a-Zero%20SR-p84.html)
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I hope Vetter offers something as nice as these:
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/dustbin-superbike-concept-sketches-nicolas-petit/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/dustbin-superbike-concept-sketches-nicolas-petit/)
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I hope Vetter offers something as nice as these:
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/dustbin-superbike-concept-sketches-nicolas-petit/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/dustbin-superbike-concept-sketches-nicolas-petit/)
I would love to have that red one on my SR. Naked bikes on the freeway in the winter can get a bit cold, even in California. The increased range would be great too. 70-80 mph on the freeway drains the battery in a hurry. I try to go 65 to keep that from happening but it's just too slow. I get nervous with all the cars whizzing by me. A fairing to squeeze out that extra 10 miles an hour without killing the battery would be great.
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I hope Vetter offers something as nice as these:
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/dustbin-superbike-concept-sketches-nicolas-petit/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/dustbin-superbike-concept-sketches-nicolas-petit/)
You know none of those actually do much to reduce drag, right? The back end is just as important, and there's nothing there. Plus they're not tall enough for the rider unless he's in the racer crouch 100% of the time.
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I hope Vetter offers something as nice as these:
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/dustbin-superbike-concept-sketches-nicolas-petit/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/dustbin-superbike-concept-sketches-nicolas-petit/)
You know none of those actually do much to reduce drag, right? The back end is just as important, and there's nothing there. Plus they're not tall enough for the rider unless he's in the racer crouch 100% of the time.
It is true that cleaning up the turbulence behind a vehicle can really help its aerodynamic efficiency. I ride and race recumbent bicycles and I have designed and built several tailfairings. The one you see below gives me an 8% increase in speed. However, it is easier to make a tailfairing for a laid-back bicycle than for an upright or forward-leaning motorcycle. I'm not interested in adding anything that bulky to my SR. A well-designed front fairing will make a big difference at higher speeds, especially for rider comfort. Also, I'm skinny and limber and I am quite comfortable in a tuck. Fully faired would be the most efficient, but then it doesn't seem like a motorcycle anymore.
(http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah139/cvetichm/th_52595a4cba880a0e84dc375ee947d7f9_zpsbb70d226.jpg) (http://s1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah139/cvetichm/?action=view¤t=52595a4cba880a0e84dc375ee947d7f9_zpsbb70d226.jpg)
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Check out this article posted by Benswing in another thread: http://www.gizmag.com/zero-electric-motorcycles-factory-2015/35865/ (http://www.gizmag.com/zero-electric-motorcycles-factory-2015/35865/)
Near the end of the article it mentions that Zero is considering developing a touring model with a fairing that could provide up to a 30% increase in range. :)
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So is there any progress on this?
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So is there any progress on this?
I responded to Craig -- since the pool of SR riders is fairly small I figured I should -- and we emailed back and forth a bit. He asked pretty much out of the blue if I was going to the challenge on July 4th, and I think I'm going to go. Obviously I don't want to make any commitments for him, but I'm hoping he'll have something to show us then.
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Since 2008
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/solar-powered-motorcycle-now-an-impractical-reality/
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Since 2008
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/solar-powered-motorcycle-now-an-impractical-reality/ (http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/solar-powered-motorcycle-now-an-impractical-reality/)
Ha! If that is a "solar powered motorcycle" then mine is nuclear powered! My dream has come true! Kneel, my minions!
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68hp = 275km/h = great aerodynamics
https://youtu.be/8O_7zwGFGwI