ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: ms1985 on August 31, 2015, 02:23:09 PM
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Has anyone problems with overheating motor with the FX 2014?
When I'm driving with my bike at temperatures about 30°C/86°F the motor is overheating after a few kilometers which means the temperature is over 70°C/158°F and the controller reduces the power.
When I'm driving fast the temperature goes over 100°C/212°F and the power is greatly reduced, maybe only 1/3 from full power.
Do you have similar experiences?
Which temperatures do you have when you are driving slow/normal/fast?
Regards Martin
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I can overheat it within a few rounds on circuit track.
Same for full acceleration over a few km.
A+ Marcel
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Yes, with my 2013 FX it´s the same. If you ride hard with lot of the time in the upper torque areas, the overheat-symbol is lit.
Fortunately this does not happen when the temperatures drop to 20 degrees Celsius.
The german importer of Zero did some tests with oil-filled motors to get the heat better and faster to the outside of the housing.
Best regards,
Christian
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The oil cooled motor sounds interesting.
Do you know the name of the german importer?
If I have some time I will check the cooling situation of the motor.
Maybe there is some potential for optimizing the air flow.
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This overheating issue sounds serious. I'm looking into purchasing a 2015 FX, but might wait until Zero resolves issue. Maybe the 2016 model will have an updated improved motor. Has anyone else experienced this quick overheating issues on their FX? I don't mind if it overheats after an hour of hard riding but after a few rounds around a track is unacceptable. :-\
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Just for what it's worth... the only time my 2.8 overheated was when I intentionally ran it hard up a long hill once to check it's thermal-overload circuit (the light started blinking, but power was unchanged). Running two batteries was a different story, and a lot like others have described in this thread; the motor would heat up rapidly at continuous high hp output above @ 40mph or so.
It's too bad the motor sits in what's basically a still-air pocket. Seems like a little creative ductwork could drop temps substantially, especially at high speeds when airflow's the best and the problem's the worst.
Ray
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When you get on a gas bike and you run it flat out to its max for extended periods it is overheating but it doesn't have sophisticated electronics to tell you it might be over heating... ... When you slow its cooling down if you run any motor at 100% it will overheat... If you run it at 85 90% it's not going to have issues that's why gas motors have a rpm guage and a red part that your not suppose to go into
Zeros are designed to cut power so the motor doesn't completely over heat when you get the initial cutbacks you are far from serious damage to the motor. For the most pet the electronics will not allow these bikes to completely overheat to the point where it would t run.
If you do it get it extremely hot you can have a hard cutback (loss of power) until the motor reaches a usable temp again
If your having serious over heating issues and you need more "motor" look into begging Harlen to selling to the bigger S motor (sds; 757 whatever you want to call it) and installing that with the programming, and do a chain kit at the same time..... Then you would have a "street legal" mmx ( look up 2013 zero mmx) that will be a stronger bike than the fx, but it will use more power all the time..... + 10 ft lbs give or take its enough to feel!!!
Find me a dirt bike or bike in general with 44hp and 80 ft lbs...... That weights 270lbs..... You won't...... If only the go pro would work.... Ugh
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I do have the same experience with my 2015 DS. This bike reduces power from 110C, but when the outside temp is 25-30C, you will achieve that soon when you ride pretty sporty. When I don't need the full range, I want to ride fast and it's a shame that the engine temp reduces the fun to ride
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When you turn it on cold - checking in the applciction are all the temperatures roughly ambient?
My 2013 S had a "bad thermistor" in the engine which reported a thermal overload too early and was cutting at 126F instead of 225F. (it was more than miscalibrated it was forcing a error into the controller)
Discernible symptom was is read 77F motor temp when ambient was 65F after being parked.
Sending the logs to Zero confirmed the problem. also read temp on motor with IR thermometer.
After a repair thermal warning took much longer to induce.
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Hi
Mine '15 fx is also overheating quite often which is frustrating.
I see that behind the motor is a quite large space where an extension of the motor shaft could easily drive a cooling fan which would be quite effective I think
A+ Marcel
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I am thinking about an SR. I live in a very hot climate -- summertime temps can get to 110 degrees F (43 degrees C) and 105 F (40 C) is very common for days in a row. Maybe an electric bike is not made for the desert?
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I just wonder, because, if you touch the motor outside, ist has only about 40 degrees Celsius. So why should it be inside much more?
Of course, there is an temperature resistance between the copper coils and the outside aluminium housing. But to keep this resistance
as little as possible should be the goal at building electric motors.
Regards, Chris.
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So far, after riding my 2014 S over 6K miles, I have yet to see a motor temperature more than 175 degrees, even while riding at freeway speeds in 85 degree temperatures. For me, overheating has not been a problem. ???
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So far, after riding my 2014 S over 6K miles, I have yet to see a motor temperature more than 175 degrees, even while riding at freeway speeds in 85 degree temperatures. For me, overheating has not been a problem. ???
Ok, this is interesting... on my 2015 SR, I've put a bit over 6K miles, and I routinely see temperatures over 175F. Like, daily. It's rare that I get home in the afternoon without going over 200F. It's not at all uncommon that I hit 212F (when the temp light starts blinking). I sometimes (when doing something 'dramatic') get up around 250.
Many miles of highway speeds (~19-20 miles at 65-80mph, HOV lane - so I'm just going with the flow, usually.) The temp does creep up gradually, over the ride. SO... If you had a shorter trip, I wouldn't be so surprised at our differing experience.
I think my temp gauge may be reading a bit high, though. Seems I've read about others noticing this, too. When I first turn on my bike in the morning, the indicated temp is ~100 degrees. Temp in the garage is probably closer to 75.
Actually, I say that - I'm not sure if that temp (on my dash) is the motor temp, the battery temp, the controller temp, or the charger temp. I'm assuming it's the motor.
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Gonna follow this topic, considering my plan to buy a FXS
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Gonna follow this topic, considering my plan to buy a FXS
Just know that the FXS has a new motor design for this issue so you will need to see posts specific to the 16 FXS model. The FXS should handle heat and full throttle foolishness better than the 14FX that started this thread.