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[MVetter]

*shrug*

[domingo3]

Thanks for all the replies.  This bike has a "race program" custom firmware.  The original owner told me to never update the firmware but I didn't clarify if updating the firmware would brick the bike or it would just lose the "race program."  I'll put some more effort into figuring that out and try some of your other suggestions as well.  The race program gives it a higher max speed and regen all the way down to 1 MPH.  It makes the bike unique, but I don't think I'd really miss either of those things if a firmware update will reduce my range anxiety.

[rgutt]

Just to put your mind at ease, raising the top speed and regen settings are done in the motor controller. When Zero pushes firmware updates to the MBB and BMS, they aren't doing anything to the motor controller. That's not to say that couldn't or won't some time in the future, but at least they aren't right now.

[domingo3]

Brief update.  I've found a couple of things that have helped.

I've changed my timer so that, after it is full, it stops charging for 15 minutes and then starts again.  This seems to help with topping off the battery.  When I've just left it plugged in, I'd often lose a few percent more than expected in the first couple of miles as if it wasn't actually fully charged.

From your suggestions, I've insulated the battery with neoprene.  I had read about this from Brian T Rice years ago, but never wanted to do the arts and crafts necessary to make the coozy.  With a bit of time thinking about it, I was able to use an old pair of wetsuit pants as a cover without using any tools unless you count a bungee cord as a tool.  I'm sure it would be more effective if I did a better job of making something that fits well, but this has helped significantly.  Where before I would sometimes have to go 45 MPH to make it through my 45 mile commute, I can now do the same commute in the same temperature at 55-60 MPH.

Thanks all

[wavelet]

Brief update.  I've found a couple of things that have helped.

I've changed my timer so that, after it is full, it stops charging for 15 minutes and then starts again.  This seems to help with topping off the battery.  When I've just left it plugged in, I'd often lose a few percent more than expected in the first couple of miles as if it wasn't actually fully charged.

From your suggestions, I've insulated the battery with neoprene.  I had read about this from Brian T Rice years ago, but never wanted to do the arts and crafts necessary to make the coozy.  With a bit of time thinking about it, I was able to use an old pair of wetsuit pants as a cover without using any tools unless you count a bungee cord as a tool.  I'm sure it would be more effective if I did a better job of making something that fits well, but this has helped significantly.  Where before I would sometimes have to go 45 MPH to make it through my 45 mile commute, I can now do the same commute in the same temperature at 55-60 MPH.

Thanks all

If a simple neoprene layer, not even custom tailored, makes this much of a difference, it sounds like a suggestion worth making to Zero for adding to future designs -- it would cost very little.