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[MostlyBonkers]

All being well, you'll be able to see how I get on with my commute during cold weather soon. I'm thinking about starting a new topic which will become a journal of my rides. If I can at least jot down my route, temperature and mileage, some patterns should emerge. Hopefully I will have done enough runs by March to make some conclusions. It might be June before there's enough data to compare a reasonable variation in temperatures though.

I'm going to be very interested in what range I'm getting as I won't be able to rely on charging at work. I'll be starting with the worst case for range; coldest time of year, wet and windy conditions. Brrr!

What is likely to make the most difference is an adaptive riding style and experience. I think commuters will get used to the charge levels they see at different points en route. If you find yourself chewing through the juice more than usual, there might be a headwind for example. By reducing speed and employing other tricks that will come with experience, I reckon it's possible to ride to your desired state of charge at your destination.

Better to be comfortable about your charging options though. That way you just ride the bike as you wish and not care about how much energy you're using. The relatively cheap cost of filling up is one of the main reasons for going electric.

[stevewp]

I think that's a good plan. I wonder if it's worth compiling a spreadsheet logging each journey, recording a number of factors. At least for a bit.

But in reality, practice will be the main thing. We all adapt to different bikes quickly enough, learning their strengths and weaknesses. The Zero should be no different in that respect.

I'd certainly be interested to read your diary of rides though.

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[Justin Andrews]

I suggest Logging distance travelled and journey time, as this informs average speed, which helps understand power usage.
We are lucky with electric bikes over petrol ones. Petrol bikes suffer the same sort of fuel usage dependent on speed, but its much much harder to assess how much petrol you used.

[MostlyBonkers]

I was thinking along the lines of a spreadsheet too.  I think I'd aim to capture the data in my notes app on my phone and hopefully collate it into a spreadsheet as a separate exercise later on.  I know that if I try and update a spreadsheet every day it just won't get done.  Outside temp, route (M1 or A1 in my case), mileage (covered by route type), State of Charge (SoC) at beginning and end of the trip, Notes.  I think that should cover it.  All I would have to write each time is: 7 A 100 54 'Wet, windy, caned it' for each trip, which I might just manage as I get off the bike.  If I collect enough of those, I can analyse each route to see how many miles are done at different speeds.  Traffic will make a difference, but the law of averages should win out.

The Zero DS is around 100kg lighter than my VFR with a full tank, so I'm looking forward to that too.

[stevewp]

Top banana

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[KrazyEd]

   Other than the 300 mile drive home with my new Electric Focus, I have never had the NEED to be concerned about charging
options, any issues have been self induced. A thought did occur as far as the possibility of turn around range issue. Given that
you have a 35 mile commute, is there somewhere along the way where you can catch a few volts while having a coffee
or, snack? If I am going to be riding my FX around the valley, I will plan "snack" or, window shopping stops throughout the day.
Given that your 70 mile round trip is right on the edge of Zero's range limit, I would think that overall, you should be comfortably
within the range. I live 20 miles from work. I have various routes that I take to keep from getting bored. Fastest route is 5 miles of
stop and go, with 15 miles freeway and 1 mile of sub 25 mph to finish. This is the longest route ( 21 miles ), and, the fastest. Going
just over the speed limit, I can make it in 30 minutes. If rushed, and, take chances at every opportunity, I can make it in about
24 minutes. Next route is 7 miles stop and go, 12 freeway, and, the last mile as before. Cruising, this route takes me 35 or so minutes.
Other routs are all city streets, and, take 45 minutes to an hour. I have made the FAST route on my 3KW 2012 XU in 24 minutes with
the lights flashing upon arrival. This would calculate out to about 80 miles for 12 KW. A little less than the 2016 DSr has.
My 2013 FX 5.7 can make the FAST trip using just over half of the battery. I could make the 40 mile round trip with the XU using city
streets, and, the FX can do it twice ( 80 miles ) with some power left over, so, given the distance, even in an emergency situation,
you should be able to make it easily. If getting close, just turn down the "fun" a little and you should be fine. The details of the
"emergency" would be the only deciding factor. JR missed the bus, and needs a ride to school,adding 5 minutes to commute shouldn't
be that big of an issue. If you had a spirited ride to work, only to be informed that JR broke his arm and needs to go to the hospital
would be a different story.  All in all, I think you will do fine. 

[stevewp]

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[MostlyBonkers]

Ok, that's brilliant Steve! [emoji4]

[stevewp]

Just a bit of silliness

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[Erasmo]

Before I click play, will there be Episode VII spoilers ahead?

[stevewp]

Lol. No. I need to buy one before I can do more episodes lol

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[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

That was awesome, Steve. And it reminds me to get my Tie Fighter noise maker fully installed soon.

[stevewp]

When (if) I buy one, i'm going to make tie fighter stickers for the side of it

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[Justin Andrews]

You can get them, I had the Imperial "Cog" on the side of mine... 

[stevewp]

I make my own 😆

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