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[protomech]

TL;DR summary: 2012 Zero S is roughly 12s slower than a Ninja 250 at PIR on a damp track, and roughly 16s slower than a Ninja 250 at Laguna Seca.

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The TTXGP race weekend at Portland International Raceway wrapped up two weeks ago. The TTXGP race had two TTX75 class bikes on track as well as Brammo's Empulse RR, but it also had 4 Zero S bikes fielded by Zero in the eSuperStock class (pardon, award). The ESS class is basically showroom stock bikes, the onboard charger is removed and I believe they're running sticker - but street-legal - tires. Lap times: saturday practice; saturday qualifying; sunday race

The Zero S bikes had a very close race, each racer was pulling off lap times in the 1:37 - 1:38 range. Note this is faster than their qualifying times, but the race track was damp on saturday and each racer was likely still familiarizing himself with the track. Electric Race News did a pretty good report of the race.

Just after qualifying on Saturday, two Zeros gatecrashed a Ninja 250 race. They were pretty close in time to the slowest two 250s on the track at 1:40-1:43 laptimes. A mid pack of 250s were racing in the 1:38-1:39 range, and a fast group were turning in 1:31-1:33 laptimes. Chris Page won the race with a 1:31.574; on sunday he hopped on a Zero S and turned in a 1:38.400.

Given that sunday Chris Page was competitive with the other Zero riders, I think it's reasonable to compare his time in the gas/electric race on a race-prepped 250 (1:31.574) to the Zero S in that race (1:43.292) .. so on a damp track the Zero is about 11.7s slower. Also note that the qualifying tracktime and 6 lap gas/electric race were back to back .. and supposedly the Zero bikes had a lot of charge left after the 9 lap TTXGP race on sunday. I wonder how a ZF6 would have done..

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Also, a number of Zeros showed up at Laguna Seca last weekend for REFUEL (including Electric Cowboy on his 2011). The fastest 2012 bikes turned in 2:08-2:12 laptimes, approximately 10 seconds faster than the 2011 bikes. I can't find a definitive 250cc laptime record for Laguna Seca, but 1:52 seems to be a pretty good time (rider was described as "one of the top AFM and WERA racers").

Compare the noise:





If you want to see them race at the same time, skip ahead to 1:14 on the Ninja video and 0:56 on the Zero video.

[dkw12002]

Great videos. I like how the little Ninja beats the big bikes on the curves as they have to brake sooner and are slower through the curves. Great little bike. The comparison between the Ninjette and 2012 Zero is a good one though performance-wise. I would like to see a Ninja 250- Empulse track race. It might be close, but I would still pick the Ninja.  In town, the Empulse would make a better Streetfighter though.   

[protomech]

I'd like to see that too. Empulse has a lot more power, but is very heavy.

[CliC]

Awesome videos, thanks!

I also wonder what effects the difference in cornering styles (knee-dragging/road style vs. foot-dragging/supermoto or dirt style) has on lap times? Both seem effective I'd be scared to catch the sole of my boot on asphalt moving rapidly by, though.

[Electric Cowboy]

I like the vids, however you will notice the guy on the 250 is a killer rider... if he were riding the Zero, I bet the result would have been much different. Riders make one hell of a difference in the road race TT area, its not as simple as a drag.

I finished 1 second behind a 2012 at Laguna on my 2011, the difference is not just the bikes, but also the rider.

That guy on the 250 is an inspiration though.

[CliC]

Yeah, he must be -- the bigger bikes pass him on the straights, but he keeps taking them in the turns. At a couple of points in the video it even appears that he gets cut off, or another rider doesn't maintain his line and causes Mr. 250 to have to alter course. I don't know what the proper etiquette is at these things, but that sort of thing makes one's race rather, ah, interesting.