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[Patrick Truchon]

With the new 2016 line up unveiled, many of us are pouring over the new features, and some have mentioned the issue of backward compatibility before.  How high do you think it should be on Zero's list of priorities, and to what degree do you think new features should be available to older models?

Personally, I think that for their fourth year using the 2013+ platform, Zero should start offering more upgrade kits that could be installed on older models.  The rear shock upgrade for the 2013-4 FX and the rear brake upgrade for the 2013 DS are good examples.  On the flip side: why is the ZF3.3 Power Pack only available for 2016 models while older models have to go with the ZF2.8 Power Pack?  This is an honest question: I'm sure there's a good technical reason otherwise they would have done it differently, but still...

As a user of a very fast changing technology, I accept that my product will become obsolete the very next year.  However, it would be nice to know that the bike I buy now will be upgradable in 5 years with a more powerful controller, or better motor, or newer battery...  And maybe it can, but if so, it's not advertised very well.  Maybe it means that with a hardware upgrade, there would also need to be a firmware upgrade to support it (now I feel like I'm back on Windows installing drivers!)

And of course, the Zero App could use an upgrade too, but that's a different topic...

[mrwilsn]

Also the power train components will be sold over the counter to customers who plan to use them to build custom electric vehicles.

The engineering for making upgrades to older bikes is expensive.  I can't really blame Zero for not spending a lot of resources on it.  But selling the power train components over the counter at least opens the door for people to take on that engineering task themselves.  I wonder if that includes the battery pack or if they are just talking motor and controller?

[Richard230]

Also the power train components will be sold over the counter to customers who plan to use them to build custom electric vehicles.

The engineering for making upgrades to older bikes is expensive.  I can't really blame Zero for not spending a lot of resources on it.  But selling the power train components over the counter at least opens the door for people to take on that engineering task themselves.  I wonder if that includes the battery pack or if they are just talking motor and controller?

The press kit shows a FX battery pack module as being for sale, along with the motor/controller and belt-drive system. No mention of prices or equipment specifications, though.

I understand that Zero made changes to the controller program and that is why most of the equipment on the 2016 models will not be able to be retrofitted to the previous year models.

[Cortezdtv]

I saw a post somewhere


The 16 pack can be used in a 14 or 15  bike.....


Someone correct me if I'm wrong....


13 would be excluded because 13/14 don't mesh for the obvious reasons

[benswing]

The new 3.3kW batteries for the FX are backwards compatible with '14 and '15 bikes.

The charge tank is backward compatible with '15 bikes. 

This info and more can be found at:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100479_2016-zero-electric-motorcycles-2-new-bikes-faster-charging-new-motor-design

[Doctorbass]

I know the Farasis cells in the battery  have different C rate and capacity  over the years. The new ZF 3.3 have the 28-29Ah Ah cells while the 2013 had the 25Ah cells. These have the exact same size but higher capacity and also higher C-rate (allow  discharge higher current per Ah).  That should be good for our cold weather period in Quebec =)

 Patrick that s' good that you mention a question about upgrade fo rthe 2013+.. because this new platform have nerly everything changed except the fast ace suspension.. lol

I am very curious about the new "fast" charger tank they offer. How much power.. I know they mention between 2-3 hours meaning that if the battery is let say 12kWh nominal ( depending on teh model they compare with for their calculations ), this charger should be able to charge at a power of 12kWh/ 3h = 4kW.. but they mention that it is also working with the onboard 1.3kW charger.. this might mean that the cahrge tank might be only 4kW - 1.3 = 2.7kW...

btw Patrick when people  have time  and are passionale it is possible to transform an older 2012 S ZF9 like mine into a 2012 SR ZF15 =))   

Doc

[benswing]

The charge tank is 2.5kW plus the onboard charger that is 1.3kW for a total of 3.8kW.


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[MadwitTY]

I saw that the charge tank is compatible with the '15 but does anyone know if it compatible with the '14? Would love to cut down on charging time even if it's only 3.8kW.

[benswing]

The charge tank is not compatible with the 2014 bikes.  This is a step forward from before but it won't help those of us who have 2014 bikes..


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[Patrick Truchon]

@benswing : I think part of the issue is that there might be more backward compatibility than is advertised (or is supported):

For example, on Zero's website, the ZF3.3 Power Pack lists:

• 46-08032   2016 [Zero FX, FXS]

While the ZF2.8 Power Pack lists:

• 40-07240   2015 [Zero FX]
• 40-05900   2014 [Zero FX]
• 40-04150   2013 [Zero FX, XU]

So it looks like the newer power pack would only work with the 2016 FX(S).  It wouldn't surprise me if that wasn't the case. Like @doctorbass said:

When people  have time  and are passionate it is possible to transform an older 2012 S ZF9 like mine into a 2012 SR ZF15

What I wonder is if it might be worth for zero to push that backward compatibility further, support it, and promote it.  It might be because I've got a 2013 and I'm not an EE, but I'm actually not looking forward to the day when Zero decides to discontinue the 2013+ platform in favour of something completely new and incompatible.

[benswing]

They are definitely improving their backwards compatibility.  However for the FX, the 2014 and 2015 2.8 kWh batteries do not fit the connection for the 2013 FX. 


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