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[Uhao]

I'm a new eBike rider, never test rode any electric motorcycle or have any other riders (known) w/ eBikes in my community available to compare this pulsating whine ~ 13-30 mph.

I purchased the SR/F based on reviews that I'd researched, the on-line owners manual, the un-official service manual and this valuable forum.

The Zero SR/F surpasses my expectations, and I'm very happy w/ the performance, BUT...thought I had a belt problem that's been limitated and the "pulsating whine ~ 14-30 mph persists". The various speeds are not w/ loads, but cruising along...

Could this be a new bike during a breaking in period?

Zero customer service insists, "return to an authorized Zero dealer". I'm on an Island in the Pacfic w/ no Authorized Zero dealership.

Any thoughts, please? Mahalo

[Richard230]

The belt drive of my 2018 Zero S made a weird noise and seemed to vibrate when the bike was new. The longer I rode it, the less I noticed the issue. After around 1000 miles, the noise and vibration went completely away. So perhaps the belt just needs to break-in a bit.  Of course your problem could be more serious, but you might want to give it some more time and see if the noise and pulsating diminishes, considering your inability to take it into a local dealer.

[Crissa]

Definitely check the tension and alignment of the belt, wheel, and motor.  Does it make this noise on a stand?

Zero will want you to take it to an authorized dealer because that will be someone they trained (or has said they've done the training) to do this.

But belts do make funny noises as they heat, cool, deal with water, etc.

-Crissa

[Uhao]

Thanks Richard and Carissa...

Yep, belt tension ~ 70kg & I aligned the belt to track mid point on the sprocket hub. Originally the belt was riding on the flange of the hub...so I re-aligned. Really thought this belt was my cause.

I ran the bike on it's center stand today, the noise is still pulsating @ the lower rpm(s)...seems quieter now that I got my face closer, not the belt!

I have just over 600 miles...how important are the service checks other than my regular observations?

[Crissa]

I think at the lowest rpms there's a matter of either the controller's pwm pattern or the throttle's contact efficiency at work, but I can't be certain.

Well, the other guys think the first few hundred miles are the most important for the set in of the belt.  You always do you t-clocs: tires, pressure, brakes, lights, shocks.  It's a bit simpler with electric!

-Crissa

[Richard230]

My belt was also set at 70kg from the factory, which i still think is a little high, although within the range that Zero recommends. When I had my initial service they performed an extensive check of the chassis components, made no adjustment to the belt tension and performed a motor "commissioning". I have no idea if that actually made any difference to the bike's performance. This initial servicing took about 90 minutes.