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[cirrus pete]

Or you could keep your Zero for 50 years and donate it to an electric motorcycle museum for a tax write-off.   

It is so funny you say that because I had a similar thought the other day as I was riding down the street. I thought to myself, someday everyone will be driving/riding some alternative fueled vehicle and this bike 2011 S will be a collector's dream! So, option three is wait 30 years and the depreciation curve will invert and you will earn a return on your investment

[ZeroSinMA]

I stopped by Hollywood Electrics (HE) today and discovered a third alternative for 2012 owners who aren't ready to take a multi thousand dollars depreciation hit to upgrade to a 2013: the HE upgrade to the stock controller and other improvements. Tried amodified 2012 S and holy cow! Mega acceleration in Sport mode plus hard regen for ICE engine-like braking. Also added rear pegs and did something to the suspension to make it both less jarring and more controllable. You ride lower with a lower center of gravity. Handling is improved.

All in all an HE upgrade is cheaper than selling a 2012 and buying a 2013. Maybe the perfect strategy for 2012 owners is HE upgrade to get 2013 performance then upgrade to 2014 year after next. Only problem with that is if they can get 2013 performance out of a 2012, imagine what they can do to a 2013.

[Richard230]

I think that the thing that will get people to buy a new EV is a test ride.  Most people, especially new riders, will really appreciate the quiet, easy operation and wide spread of pulling power.  

[kbfcanada]

@ZeroSinMA: What was the cost for the upgrade?

[ZeroSinMA]

@ZeroSinMA: What was the cost for the upgrade?

Reasonable. 

Call them.

[amahoser]

Trikester, how does the 13 S compare with Hollywood Electric's modified 12 ZF9? I know it has almost double the power but does it feel like it really does?

Jose Soriano

[NoiseBoy]

On paper the upgrade ZF9 makes significantly more torque and it weighs less than the 13 so should be nippier at lower speeds.  I imagine Zero have stuck with their usual old grandma friendly mapping below 40 on the new bike too whereas hopefully HE have given it some teeth.

You only have to ride an X to realise how quick the 12 should be to 60

[trikester]

Trikester, how does the 13 S compare with Hollywood Electric's modified 12 ZF9? I know it has almost double the power but does it feel like it really does?

I can't say because I haven't ridden the HE modified 2012. What I can say is that the 2013 S ZF 11.4 is damn fast off the line and has surprising acceleration. I think any gas bike rider would enjoy riding this bike. When I returned from my short ride my first words were; "wow, what a bitchin bike!"

The motorcycle mechanic, who's shop is across from mine, works on hundreds of gas bikes each month and was a top racer for years, he also rode the 2013 S right after I did and he wants one!

Trikester

[Lipo423]

As there is a lot of excitement about acceleration. Here are the Zero 2013 numbers...

S:   5.3 seg
XU:   5.5 seg
FX:   3.9 seg
MX:    4.3 seg

I have ridden the FX, & S models and I can tell you they are real. You basically gain + 100% vs 2012 models. The FX as I pointed out in a different thread is a rocket...

And yes, I would like to know more about the 2012 controller modification/upgrade for improving acceleration. Does anyone know if this could be done just sending the controller?

[Harlan]

And yes, I would like to know more about the 2012 controller modification/upgrade for improving acceleration. Does anyone know if this could be done just sending the controller?

Thanks everybody for all the interest in our controller upgrade.  We're still finalizing everything and I don't like to release info prematurely but the bikes out in the field with our upgrade have been working flawlessly.  In the interest of not hijacking this thread (anymore than I've already done) I'll start a new thread this week with more info and pictures.  I think you will all be impressed when you see the pics and the data.

[protomech]

3.9s for the FX is blisteringly fast. I would be surprised if the Empulse was faster than that - weight matters, and the Empulse is carrying an extra 200 pounds vs the FX.

[ZeroSinMA]

And yes, I would like to know more about the 2012 controller modification/upgrade for improving acceleration. Does anyone know if this could be done just sending the controller?

Thanks everybody for all the interest in our controller upgrade.  We're still finalizing everything and I don't like to release info prematurely but the bikes out in the field with our upgrade have been working flawlessly.  In the interest of not hijacking this thread (anymore than I've already done) I'll start a new thread this week with more info and pictures.  I think you will all be impressed when you see the pics and the data.

My fault for hijacking the thread. Please do give us a dedicated thread on the HE upgrade.

[kingcharles]

As there is a lot of excitement about acceleration. Here are the Zero 2013 numbers...

S:   5.3 seg
XU:   5.5 seg
FX:   3.9 seg
MX:    4.3 seg

I have ridden the FX, & S models and I can tell you they are real. You basically gain + 100% vs 2012 models. The FX as I pointed out in a different thread is a rocket...

And yes, I would like to know more about the 2012 controller modification/upgrade for improving acceleration. Does anyone know if this could be done just sending the controller?

Just to be sure, we are talking 0-60 miles per hour here?
The DS should be slightly faster than the S?

If that FX would allow a passenger it would really rise on my wishlist!

[flar]

As there is a lot of excitement about acceleration. Here are the Zero 2013 numbers...

S:   5.3 seg
XU:   5.5 seg
FX:   3.9 seg
MX:    4.3 seg

I have ridden the FX, & S models and I can tell you they are real. You basically gain + 100% vs 2012 models. The FX as I pointed out in a different thread is a rocket...

And yes, I would like to know more about the 2012 controller modification/upgrade for improving acceleration. Does anyone know if this could be done just sending the controller?

Hi Lipo,

Where did these figures come from?

[flar]

The last time I looked there were only about a dozen chademo chargers in the US, but then I saw this quote in the motorcycle-usa.com article:

The higher voltage Z-Force power pack can be used in conjunction with an optional accessory that is said to help Zero Motorcycles recharge to 95% in an hour or less at a CHAdeMO charging station. The fast-charging electrical stations are sprouting up all over the country, with 1600 stations already in operation while 2000 stations are projected to be up and running by 2014.

I think they confused the 1693 worldwide number with a domestic number?

Just for grins, though, I did check their location map again and lo and behold they are starting to sprout up like dandelions with 3 listed in the greater SF Bay Area (if you count halfway to Sacramento as "greater SF Bay Area").  Houston and Chicago are really gearing up for chademo, a bunch in Dallas and Phoenix and a big loop of them around Tennessee...

http://goo.gl/maps/iL7F2