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[trikester]

I notice that my new FX has 10 bars showing on the full charge gauge instead of the 11 used in the past. A number of posters on this forum have said that on the 11 bar gauge there is a hidden 12th bar. Now the question: Is there a hidden 11th bar on the new gauge? My guess is that there is not. 10 bars is what you see, and 10 bars is what you get, is my guess for the new gauge. That means that half full is now five bars instead of six. I would have liked more resolution, not less, with the new 2013 model. However, once I get my iPod I'll have a more exact readout of battery capacity and usage on that device. Still it would be nice to have more bars on the "dashboard" gauge.

Trikester

[trikester]

Today I did a pavement ride on my FX with my tires set for dirt so they were a little soft. I did an out and back, some climbing and descending, with the last several miles circling the block where my truck was parked. I had flashing 0 bars at 38 miles and cutout at 46.1 miles. The last couple of miles I had decreasing speed limit with it down to about 20mph at the end, but it still allowed me to continue to my truck after the initial cutout.

Recharge overnight = 5.46kwh. So I didn't get the advertized 5.7kwh. However, I've wondered how you add 2.7 + 2.7 and get 5.7? This recharge figure looks right without the "new math".

For much of the ride I held speed at about 35mph by my GPS. The bike's speedo read high on both speed and distance. Distance was about 1 mile higher for every twelve miles (+2 miles @ 24 miles, etc.) Speed was + 3mph @ 35mph.

The last part circling the block brought my moving average down to 28.1mph for the ride.

I can say as fact now that there is no hidden bar above the tenth bar. That #10 bar disappeared very quickly like about 2 miles. In fact it seemed the gauge dropped faster in the top third.

So there you have it. First ride report - a distance test.

Trikester

[skeezmour]

Great to hear your report Trikester.

I used up half the bars during my 30 min test ride near Zeros headquarters. Did some canyon runs and a section of freeway at 75mph for a total trip length near 20 miles. So near 40 mph average. I'm a big guy and it is sure fun power wise. Even climbing up the canyon I was never searching for more power.

[trikester]

NOTE: I've edited my report to include the recharge kWh.

Trikester

[Richard230]

I wonder if either the battery pack and/or the "fuel" gauge need some cycling before their performance becomes fully sorted out?

[trikester]

Definitely the battery capacity increases after some charge / discharge cycles. I've experienced that and I expect it will happen with my FX.

Today I rode my 2001 Royal Enfield and after I stopped for lunch it wouldn't start because the battery was dead. It is electric start but it has a kick starter and that didn't help because it requires enough battery voltage remaining to fire the ignition, after that it will run without a battery. Meanwhile back at ride headquarters my Zero FX sat waiting. Eventually a nice bicycling couple rode back to where they were staying and he came back in his vehicle to give me a ride to where my truck was parked, at ride headquarters, so I could drive back and pick up the Enfield. ICE - Bah, Humbug!

Trikester

[Richard230]

What is this?  Royal Enfields aren't using magnetos anymore?   

Darn new-fangled batteries!     Let's bring back good ole Lucas.   

[kingcharles]

Low tire pressure probably took at least 10% range away

[trikester]

Today I replaced the battery in my Royal Enfield and discovered that was not the problem. At this point I have no idea why I'm not getting 12v to the system, probably a relay somewhere, so no riding tomorrow - except on my Zero FX  I'll put the RE on my trailer.

Trikester