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[protomech]

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/122_1301_2013_zero_s_first_ride/

Looks like a solid upgrade all-round. The journalist notes that the 2013 bikes still use pouch cells, that the slightly larger frame makes for more confident riding, and that the Nissin brakes are a huge improvement.

Oh, and it's much faster than the 2012s. But we knew this

[Doctorbass]

Great review!

So the new z-force motor is designed by Ryan Biffard from Calgary.  I know he is in touch with Luke for various E-technical stuff. Seem a great guy. He also was in a solar car team and SAE.

The new motor is having a low count of magnet i think and it have external stator wich is better cooled with the exterior fins.. just like many industrial comon desing of induction motor except that this one is using magnets.

I think that the Toyota Prius is also having magnet rotor. Also called PMSM ( Permanent Magnets Synchronous Motor) AKA Innrunner in the RC community

http://www.eecs.ucf.edu/~tomwu/course/eel6208/notes/17%20Permanent%20Magnet%20Motor%20Design.pdf

Doc

[Electric Terry]

Incredible review by Alan Cathcart!  This is a must read and share on forums and social media!!

And Doc, you have communicated with the motor designer on forums, you probably just don't realize it yet. 

[Richard230]

That is a really great review, which should help increase sales of the 2013 models. I hope they reprint it in the January issue of Motorcyclist magazine. 

[wainair]

Yes that is a great review and a great reviewer. Just the facts about the bike and how it rides, that's what I want to read. I'm even more excited about the 2013's now! I Hope the same journalist does a review of the DS. I know the 2 bikes are very close but I'd like to hear what he thinks about the DS' suspension.

[ZeroSinMA]

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/122_1301_2013_zero_s_first_ride/

Looks like a solid upgrade all-round. The journalist notes that the 2013 bikes still use pouch cells, that the slightly larger frame makes for more confident riding, and that the Nissin brakes are a huge improvement.

Oh, and it's much faster than the 2012s. But we knew this

Thanks for posting this. This is the first professional Zero product review ever without the usual hubris and editorializing.

Zero will blow through its 1,000 unit goal for 2013. 

Still, I'm waiting for ABS, hoping to see it in 2014 models. Due to lack of ABS I won't take my 2012 S on the highway except under ideal weather conditions. I can control a bike in a skid under 40MPH but at highway speeds you got to have ABS.

[Richard230]

I, on the other hand, special ordered my last BMW (2009 F650GS) from the factory without ABS.  I got the $1000 system when I bought my R12R and it has never been activated during the past 25,000 miles that I have ridden the bike. So I see it as a waste of money for me. Plus, it costs about $200 in labor to change the brake fluid in the ABS bike, when I had that work done during my 24K service earlier this year - which set me back a total of $850.     I just changed the brake fluid in my "650" (actually an 800cc motor) this afternoon and the job only took 20 minutes to do both brakes.

[ZeroSinMA]

I, on the other hand, special ordered my last BMW (2009 F650GS) from the factory without ABS.  I got the $1000 system when I bought my R12R and it has never been activated during the past 25,000 miles that I have ridden the bike. So I see it as a waste of money for me. Plus, it costs about $200 in labor to change the brake fluid in the ABS bike, when I had that work done during my 24K service earlier this year - which set me back a total of $850.     I just changed the brake fluid in my "650" (actually an 800cc motor) this afternoon and the job only took 20 minutes to do both brakes.

Ever been in a skid in the oil-foam on a freshly wet intersection in rush hour traffic? Changed my view of ABS.

[Richard230]

Where rush-hour traffic goes, I do not.  

[ZeroSinMA]

Where rush-hour traffic goes, I do not.  

Spoken like a retired gentleman.

[machone]

Not feeling too bad about my decision to go with the Zero now. Like the fact the motor doesn't have active cooling, like the sound of the performance and like the lack of gearbox and crazy exposed wires(Empulse)! In some places I will probably leave the bike they may as well have a 'cut here' sign on them!

Regarding ABS - good discussion http://forum.motorcycle-usa.com/default.aspx?f=22&m=314718

I've never used ABS but it sounds like a good idea to me although both times I've had a dangerous 'off' have been corner/roadsurface related and reading the above I'm not sure ABS would have helped.

[dahlheim]

i've got abs on two of my bikes and, having grown up on the dirt, i honestly feel like it's somewhere between an amusement and minor annoyance.  that being said, it would seem obvious to me that it could really help if you aren't comfortable with/accustomed to your wheels sliding under you and need to panic stop on a surface with uneven and/or suboptimal traction. 

i'd prefer the option to leave it off.  more points of potential failure and maintenance without real advantage for me.

my honda comes without the option (dealer only had one with it).  my bmw allows me to turn it off when starting the bike.

[ColoPaul]

  my bmw allows me to turn it off when starting the bike.

What model of BMW?  How do you do this?  I'd like to turn it off if possible.
I've read about cases where BMW ABS failed in a manner which locked the wheel(s)   
I agree with those who avoid ABS.  I'm careful not to ride on potentially slick surfaces; and if I have to I take it really easy.

[dahlheim]

02 r1150gs adventure.  to disable it, you start the bike while holding down the button on top of the kill switch lever.

as for riding on slick surfaces, i can tell you that i turn off abs if i am forced to ride in the snow, which i generally avoid, but that's not always possible here in colorado, as you know...

[Richard230]

This same article has been printed (with different photos) in a 4-page spread, starting on page 34 of the January issue of Motorcyclist magazine, which I received today.