ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: rayivers on August 21, 2021, 09:36:58 PM
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Since I first saw an ICE-bike wheelie machine at a trade show, I've wanted the electric version of one. My 'MX' '14 FX has 5,868 miles on it & feels pretty weak, and my wheelie skills have always been practically nonexistent, so I figured I had nothing to lose. It took a fair amount of effort and machining, but now works quite well. It's so cool to work on balance-point and rear brake techniques risk-free while the rain pours down outside.
The rear wheel was a feisty captive and the motor rotates backwards when the front wheel drops, so the learning curve was kinda steep. The Zero app (version 1.2.8 on Lollipop 5.0.1 Android OS) was instrumental in fine-tuning; I SO wish the Alta had something similar.
I wanted to use this mainly as a simulator for my Alta MXR, so a lot of time's been spent tweaking it to respond more like that bike. I'll probably also install an SB Moto (https://abswb.com/) or Wheelie Guard (https://www.wheelieguard.com/collections/wheelieguards-anti-flip-device/products/wheelieguard-v2-0-type-a-fits-hollow-rear-axle/) on the Alta when the time comes (it ain't here yet). :)
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I used to be able to wheelie indefinitely on my Sting Ray, and am still comfortable on my mtn bike.
The motorcycle, never goy that down. Cost of learning is too high.
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When I was a kid there was a guy down the street who could wheelie the length of our street (@ 300') - always amazed me. I'm just hoping to get rid of my fear of looping out (which I've never done) and maybe ride a decent wheelie now and then - we'll see. The SB Moto unit looks pretty cool, if adjusted right it seems impossible to loop.
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When I was a kid there was a guy down the street who could wheelie the length of our street (@ 300') - always amazed me.
I was riding my bicycle yesterday on a paved rail trail and there was a guy casually riding a wheelie on a mountain bike style bike for several hundred feet on the trail. Some people just have the balance and skill to do it. I know I'm not one of them. Back in the late 1970's I had a CZ250 Enduro. The bike didn't have enough power to lift the front wheel. A friend of mine had no problem doing a decent wheelie on it though.
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Your CZ sounds like my friend's low-compression MT250 - the front wheel feels nailed to the ground. My practice bike only simulates motorcycles with enough power to lift the front end, as bar yanking & weight shifting have a lot less effect when the bike and rear suspension don't move.
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But the CZ was cheap.
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Just inflation would raise the price of that bike to four grand today. Let alone emissions and brake standards...
-Crissa
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Just inflation would raise the price of that bike to four grand today. Let alone emissions and brake standards...
-Crissa
I think you can get a road legal Chinese made dual sport (enduro) for about $2000 - $2500 today. Not sure they are CA legal or not though. I would be willing to bet the quality is light years ahead of the CZ that vibrated itself apart.
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2021-Tao-Motor-TBR7-5015866563
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2021-BMS-ENDURO-250-DIRTBIKE-5014972869
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The reviews of the cheap Chinese bikes are not encouraging to that effect, no.
-Crissa
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The reviews of the cheap Chinese bikes are not encouraging to that effect, no.
-Crissa
But have you ever ridden a Communist Block motorcycle from the early 1970s?