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[MadwitTY]

Hey all,

I've put about 500 miles on my '14 SR since purchase - mostly on cold weather (30F-40F). I have noticed that the motor makes a growling noise at lower speeds. The growl also presents with a vibration (mild) that I can feel on the bike and (I may be imagining it) a momentary decline in torque, before the growl goes away. The temperature on the display in usually anywhere between 60F and 150F when it happens. Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this?
Thanks for the help.

[MotoRyder]

An electric motor should not growl, or make any sort of metallic grinding noise...unless a bearing inside is going out which is the telltale sign that bad things are going to occur in the future if you keep operating it in that manner. 
Electric motors may have a 'whirring' sound as the rotor spins at substantial RPMs, which is the rotor rotating inside, and possibly a small sound at the output pulley which drives the drive belt/chain, but nothing that sounds like the 'growl' you've described.
==>>  You paid very good money for your Zero, and it is still new with only 500 miles on the bike.
            Take it back to the dealer and get it fixed (even to the point of having the motor replaced).

[Richard230]

That noise may come from the drive belt.  They can sometimes make noise if they are not adjusted properly, or are dirty, or when wet, such as when riding in the rain.  I would look in that direction first, before panicking. In particular, check the belt alignment and make sure that the belt is running in the middle of the cog wheel and is not being forced to either edge by misalignment of the axle adjusters.

[MichaelJohn]

You're not referring to the "wounded wookie" groan that you get during acceleration are you? As Richard said it could be the drive belt. If so, I was told at the Zero factory that it's just the belt under load and it's normal. I've experienced it on both of the SR's that I've ridden.

[MadwitTY]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I would describe the sound like if you hum in a lower octave - kind of an 'mmmmmmmmmmmmmm' (pause) 'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm' (pause). It's not a constant, but it's certainly noticeable. I will check the belt as soon as I can to make sure it is aligned correctly. Hopefully that's the issue and not a motor problem.

[dkw12002]

I get a groan after I have just put stress on the motor by accelerating wot up a hill. I don't notice it at that point, but then when I am riding at slower speeds I can hear a groan. It's been going on for several thousand miles, so it must not be anything bad.

[benswing]

That noise may come from the drive belt.  They can sometimes make noise if they are not adjusted properly, or are dirty, or when wet, such as when riding in the rain. 

My 2012 Zero S makes the wounded wookiee sound when riding in the rain.  Performance remains the same.

[Richard230]

That noise may come from the drive belt.  They can sometimes make noise if they are not adjusted properly, or are dirty, or when wet, such as when riding in the rain. 

My 2012 Zero S makes the wounded wookiee sound when riding in the rain.  Performance remains the same.

My 2012 S made a loud groaning noise when taking off from a stop on a hill.  The noise disturbed me enough that I used to go easy on the throttle when on a hill, until the bike got up to about 20 mph when the noise would cease.  However, my 2014 Zero does not make that noise under the same circumstance.  It must be a motor design thing.   

[AustinSZF8.5]

My 2014 S has done this since new. It seems to have quieted down a bit, though maybe I'm just used to it and don't notice it anymore. I wonder if it's coming from the top leg of the belt while it's under tension, vibrating like a big guitar string...?

[MadwitTY]

I heard the 'wounded wookie' for the first time this morning when I hopped on my bike after it rained all night. Made me chuckle when I heard it - but definitely not the sound I am hearing.

[manlytom]

i have a decent level of noise. certainly more than my 2011S. I like it as it sounds great when you accelerate hard or regen kicks in. there is as well a louder high pitch sound and now a rear wheel brake or belt squeaking noise. that one I want to get rid off!
in any case great to have a new Zero - my 3rd.