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[Lipo423]

We touched down this subject by a few of us -last time by my European colleague from Germany 
I believe it would be a good option to look at for the "performance-focus" customers.

What do you guys think?

[protomech]

I think it'd be a really good idea. Zero may agree.

The Size 4 controller is the thermal weak link for the 2012 bikes, and even with slightly higher voltage it is a huge sore thumb for the double-power 2013 bikes. You can see that in the sustained top speeds for the S, which are barely improved over 2012 (80 mph vs 75 mph). Using the same Size 6 controller as Brammo will cost a couple more pounds, but it should bring performance up to parity or beyond Brammo's 2013 Empulse. The Size 6 is really the controller the new motors deserve.

Hollywood Electrics gave us a taste of the performance gain back in 2012, but the cost to retrofit the bikes was quite high. By building the bikes from the factory with either a Size 4 or a Size 6 option, Zero should be able to upsell the new controller effectively .. and the larger controller simply doesn't cost very much on a per-unit basis.

Even if Zero dropped prices slightly, they seem to sell most of their bikes at the top end. I think they'd sell a large number of ZF11.4 Size 6 bikes.
$12995 Zero S ZF8.5, +$1000 Size 6
$14995 Zero S ZF11.4, +$1000 Size 6

Or perhaps Zero could further develop a faired sportbike like they've talked about in the past, and use the Size 6 as the draw. With a typical sportbike fairing they could probably cut highway consumption to 120 Wh/mile (83 miles range) and boost sustained speeds to 100+ mph.

I also really hope Zero develops a well-integrated AC charging solution for 2014 .. hopefully with a 6 kW option.

[Richard230]

I would pay extra for a Size 6 controller, especially if it increased range a bit.

[frodus]

A larger controller ALONE is going to do nothing to increase the range. Not only is it slightly heavier, but it's a higher current controller. Higher current is going to drain your batteries faster. You'd have to couple the controller with other things (like larger battery capacity, higher efficiency motor, fairings, LRR tires, lighter weight components, etc) in order to get any range improvements.

[Lipo423]

I agree with the fact that the controller itself will not increase the range...however, I would also agree with Protomech that a faired bike would...
The main battery "sucker" on any vehicle (especially on bikes), besides the energy to get it moving is the wind resistance...we fight against it (any other aspects like tires, weight, etc... would help, but not as much as  a lower CX factor).
Yes, I would also love more battery capacity.
The $1000 suggested pricing level seems a reasonable suggestion from my opinion

I rode a few times the new 2013 FX, and you can feel the controller limitation when reaching the top speed...and the motor wanting "more"