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[MostlyBonkers]

Hi All,

Has anyone else got an invite to this? I'm hoping to make it, unless my kids put up a massive fight about being dragged along...

If I can take the SR for a spin the trip will have been worth it. If I also get to meet some fellow enthusiasts it'll be even better!

[Erasmo]

Somewhere else on the site there was some talking about the re-entry of the UK market. I believe a few people wanted to go.

[Justin Andrews]

I'll be there, look for a long haired bearded chap in his forties...

[MostlyBonkers]

Thanks Erasmo, I'll look again for another topic on this.

It looks like the planets are aligning and I will actually be able to make it! I'm aiming to get there about 10 'ish when it starts but won't be able to stay for much more than a couple of hours. I hope that's enough.

I'm riding in on my red NC750. If you don't see me arriving Justin, I'm also a guy in my forties but with short hair and some of it's missing! The real giveaway is the heat damage to the right lower leg of my bike trousers. Or it might be the left leg... One of the downsides of dropping an ICE bike! I'm looking forward to meeting you all being well. [emoji4]

[Justin Andrews]

I'm aiming to get there, depending on the vagueries of the trains, for 11 to 12 ish.
I'll also be wearing my Good Omens "Neal Gaimen as Azriaphile" TShirt

[Erasmo]

Have fun testing everybody!

[MostlyBonkers]

Thanks Erasmo.

How are you getting on with the trains Justin? It has stopped raining at least and with a bit of luck it'll dry up this afternoon.

[MostlyBonkers]

I  learnt a couple of things on the SR today that I wasn't expecting to. I'm currently sitting in Accident and Emergency...

Unfortunately the good old British weather meant that we had very wet conditions for the first group ride. Needless to say,  the rear wheel lost traction on a slight incline as I applied a bit of throttle.  It was a bit of a surprise as I had tested the acceleration a little just a few hundred yards earlier. Perhaps there had been a diesel spillage on the next section of road as it didn't seem to take much to lose grip. Once that happened I lost control very quickly and I was on my side in an instant!

Lessons learnt?

I ride in all weather conditions and cover 12,000 miles a year. Despite that, one should never underestimate just how slippery the roads can be after a dry spell and lots of rain. Especially when on an unfamiliar bike that has so much instant torque. Even partial throttle openings are enough to cause upset. I test rode the 2014 S  before Christmas and accidentally ventured onto icy roads. I handled that ok, but today was a harsh reminder.

Another lesson was that you can drop a zero in a fairly spectacular fashion and get away with very little damage. Broken mirror, footpeg and indicator lens. The usual kind of damage to the handlebar end  and that's it. I couldn't see a scratch on any of the paintwork!

Another lesson is that the lack of a clutch lever means you don't have the ability to cut the drive instantly when your right hand has lost control and is probably applying more throttle.  Other bikes and scooters also don't have a clutch but they don't also have such instant access to bags of torque. Something to treat with respect. Possibly worth practicing with if your an owner.

Even in the short time I rode the SR, I could feel the improvements over the 2014S. The handling and brakes are so much better! Whilst 2013 & 14 Zero owners shouldn't get too upset, anyone on a 2012 model should seriously consider the upgrade.

Today we heard confirmation that the £1,500 government subsidy is happening. All being well Streetbike in Birmingham will be able to do new registrations soon. I'm pretty sure the list price has dropped since 2013 too!. Look out for official UK pricing soon and in the meantime the Euro conversion looks better than expected.

My thanks go out to Erik, Andreas and everyone else who helped make this event happen. I'm sorry I dropped your bike and I hope my good words about Zeros on this forum and by word of mouth go some way to making up for that.

[Kocho]

Sorry to hear about your fall! Zero should really put traction control standard - pretty much any bike that's worth anything at this price range these days has it. Traction control would have prevented (most likely) exactly this type of fall. It takes very little misguided throttle to cause a slip, as you say... I wonder if with the ABS sensors already in place in the 2015 models, Zero can release a software update that adds at least a rudimentary traction control (i.e., one that only reads the wheel speed plus whatever else the bike knows about the motor power, speed, and throttle position vs. a more sophisticated versions that also use additional sensors for lean, acceleration, etc.)?

[MichaelJohn]

Oooh, not fun. It's a torquey little beast, isn't it? I very seldom ride in the wet - not that it ever rains in California anymore. The last time I rode after a rain I spun up the rear tire and went into a nice fishtail. I THOUGHT that I was accelerating sofly and that the road was fairly dry so I was really surprised. Lesson learned - Eco mode in the wet. Are you in the emergency room because you're hurt or is it just precautionary?

[MostlyBonkers]

Lots of bruising and swelling with my ankle. Wrist hurts a lot, shoulder not so good. Mostly precautionary though. I'll live.

Traction control would be great on these bikes.  Hopefully not too difficult to implement, but let's face it, everything is difficult to implement on production bikes. I believe that ABS is a thousand pound option on the Honda Fireblade. It's a very good Implementation though, I've heard.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Justin Andrews]

Yeah MostlyBonkers binned his bike...
Picked up some pretty big bruises on his shoulder and hand for his trouble, and Erik joking that he has to buy the bike now.

Good day otherwise, I rode the SR, and spent half the ride thing, yes the SR handles like a dream, but its not "that" much more powerful than my S...
Then I realised that I'd left it in ECO. 
Flipped it into sport and "Gently Caress Me" it an half shift. I was'nt ready for it, sat bolt upright, and the thing tried to rip my arms out of my sockets.

Lesson learnt, I treated like a superbike and opened it up in a tuck and, well, it was amazing.
Much better handling than the 2013's, better diving under braking, and both sets of brakes were more than up to the task. I walked away thinking it kinda wanted twin disks on the front, to handle quick braking after a sharp bit of acceleration.

I *will* be getting an SR.


But the really good news is that Zero are back in the UK, dealers are being signed up.


*Warning This part of Post may contain Rumors which may or may not come to pass*

Rumors are also that Zero Europe are working with a company to produce a 3kw onboard charger option (replacing the 1.3kw charger under the monolith) for the European bikes.
Other Rumors are that a DC charging option is being investigated as well, but that wont be ready for a while, and *might* not be Chademo...

[MostlyBonkers]

Coming up to 3 hrs in A & E now. In France you get seen in ten minutes by a doctor apparently... I certainly buggered up a unique opportunity to test the Zero range today!

It was great to see your enthusiasm Justin and good luck with the missus! I'm glad I've provided a little entertainment if nothing else! [emoji12]

[Justin Andrews]

The chat has been had, and I'm happy to say she is happy with me getting an SR*, as long as its next year, and I sort out the bathroom redecoration first...
So time to start putting a healthy deposit together.

(*She is less happy with the power of the SR... )


Hopefully you've got nothing more than a bruised shoulder and pride.

[Erasmo]

Coming up to 3 hrs in A & E now. In France you get seen in ten minutes by a doctor apparently... I certainly buggered up a unique opportunity to test the Zero range today!

It was great to see your enthusiasm Justin and good luck with the missus! I'm glad I've provided a little entertainment if nothing else! [emoji12]

On the other hand you are probably the first one to crash a 2015 SR in the UK so at least you can put that under your name.

*Warning This part of Post may contain Rumors which may or may not come to pass*

Rumors are also that Zero Europe are working with a company to produce a 3kw onboard charger option (replacing the 1.3kw charger under the monolith) for the European bikes.
Other Rumors are that a DC charging option is being investigated as well, but that wont be ready for a while, and *might* not be Chademo...

Too late, the Hype Train has already left the station!

May I inquire where you got that rumour?