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[KrazyEd]

This is DEFINITELY NOT a 200 mile post, but, it is following a little sub thread.
Just for grins I took out the Rear Brick from My FX. As I thought, it will absolutely
throttle wheelie with the 28 tooth front sprocket and front brick in place .
I will try my trip to work tomorrow 12 miles freeway and 8 miles city streets.
I was using 30% with both bricks, starting out at 91%. My projection should
be between 55% and 60% given the bike and I will be about 10% lighter. Terry has
said that the extra weight doesn't make that much difference on the road,
but, I can hope that since I have about 20 stop lights between my house
and the freeway on ramp, I will get a little better from the stop and go.

[Ndm]

As far as removable batteries go,  docbass has a posting somewhere about leaf cells in the pannier cases

[KrazyEd]

Left for work with 95% on battery ( 2.5KW ). Took
city streets 34 mph and 45 mph.  Got to work with 55%
remaining. Got cocky so did not plug in. Used 1.1 KW.
for 20 mile trip. Left for home 9 hours later with 1.339 KW
available. Started Flashing 2 bars at around 28 miles.
6 miles from home showed 8% and 6 miles range.
4 miles from home showed 4% and 3 miles range.
Dropped from 3% to 0% and stopped dead
about 3 miles from home. Charged at a nearby
casino for 45 minutes then headed home.
Will try other brick tomorrow.
Surprised that as big as my head was, it still fit into my helmet.

[Chief_Lee_Visceral]

Terry,

Have you taken a look at the dimensions of a BMW R100RS fairing? Wonder if it could be modified as you describe? Maybe someone could modify the holes for the airhead's jugs so you could slide in and mount a brick. Then make blanks for the jug holes when not needed. I have no idea how this would stack up to a Hyabusa but the r100rs is a very good fairing functionally, some say the best. I read that it was the first motorcycle fairing that was actually modeled in a wind tunnel.

[Richard230]

Terry,

Have you taken a look at the dimensions of a BMW R100RS fairing? Wonder if it could be modified as you describe? Maybe someone could modify the holes for the airhead's jugs so you could slide in and mount a brick. Then make blanks for the jug holes when not needed. I have no idea how this would stack up to a Hyabusa but the r100rs is a very good fairing functionally, some say the best. I read that it was the first motorcycle fairing that was actually modeled in a wind tunnel.

I agree, but who could afford one?  Plus, it has been my experience that old BMW fairing parts are really to come by.  You can order them from your dealer, but they never seem to arrive. 

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

The R100RS fairing is not big enough, except in the sense that it's no worse than most fairings at this.

The Power Tank dimensions (for example) are 9.5 x 7.5 x 9.75in. Even the largest dustbin that Airtech sells is not wide enough to enshroud a battery on each side without some flexing (21" = 12" for bike + 4.5" on each side).

Their rarity compared to a Hayabusa fairing doesn't help.

[grmarks]

For a balanced topic, I like the bike as is. I have a 2015 SR with no power tank, I like the storage (wish it was bigger). I also like the lighter weight, so I would hate to lug around extra batteries when on a long trip.

I would prefer to keep the storage space in the "tank" and get a faster charger replacing the 1.3kw/h one we have now.

Graphine batteries are supposedly coming, and they should solve the range problem (30kw/h monolith at 1/2 the current weight) but I wonder how expensive they will be and how long they will take to get into the Zero.

It would be crazy to re-design the frame now when it could be obsolete in 2 years!

If the bike has all the range you ever want and is light weight, why bother removing any battery?

Also each external connection is another point for problems to arise from corrosion or water or dirt ingress (speaking to the 4 seperate battery module idea).

For me I want zero to stay the current course. 

[KrazyEd]

Someone at the Zero event asked about graphine. I am pretty sure that the response
from Zero was that the are presently using a very small amount already. Then proceeded
to give a very detailed explanation of battery chemistry.

[Electric Terry]

I also like the lighter weight, so I would hate to lug around extra batteries when on a long trip.

On a long trip I promise you could never tell the difference except more weight makes for a nicer ride, as the balance of sprung to unsprung weight improves in your favor.  Try adding some weight to the passenger area and go for a long highway ride.  You'll see it feels better. 

But agreed, stop and go riding, or twisties, or rapid accelerating or braking more weight is definitely not desired

If the bike has all the range you ever want and is light weight, why bother removing any battery?

True, but seeing as that could be 15 years out until we have 200 mile highway range and can recharge in 5 minutes, we have to try to find solutions until then.

For you and many people who use the Zero for commuting, its absolutely perfect.  Perhaps the best vehicle for sale in the whole world as a commuter.

But for others who want to go on 100-150 mile rides with other motorcyclists, we need a solution to allow us to do this.  Or for those who want to road trip.  I know a lot of Zero owners (myself, Ben Rich, Brian Rice, Brandon Miller, Luke Workman and maybe others) who have travelled from SF to LA on their Zero in the past 3 months (about 400 miles) and right now it takes about 12 hours.  It takes 5 in a car.  We need to get that down somehow.  If we could have 200 mile range and charge once for an hour we could make the trip in 6 hours instead of 12. 

Many would say for road trips or group rides just buy another gas bike and use that.

For me, I'd rather make the Zero better so we don't need to have a backup gas bike yet still do all the things motorcyclists like to do.

The frame doesn't need a redesign, the current one can do it fine.  I know because I have done this on the 2012 frame already, and the new frame is a lot stronger.  But if the frame were to be redesigned ever, it would make sense to take this into consideration.  Not for everyone, but I'll bet almost everyone will appreciate the option if they ever need it.

Imagine for all the Zero owners who make the SF to LA trip or other long trips on their Zero every so often, being able to go to their dealer and be able to pick up a set of batteries for the weekend and a pair of chargers to make the trip in 6 hours vs the 12 it takes now.  And that is with a supercharger! 

With the ChargeTank it would take about 18 hours, and with just the onboard of course it would take 46 hours, so we are making progress.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Someone at the Zero event asked about graphine. I am pretty sure that the response
from Zero was that the are presently using a very small amount already. Then proceeded
to give a very detailed explanation of battery chemistry.

That was probably Luke talking.

[Richard230]

I thought that once the "High Speed Rail Train" gets built, there will be no need to drive a car or ride a motorcycle between SF and LA.  I am sure it will solve all of our transportation problems in California. After all, why would anyone want to go to anywhere else but SF or LA? 

[ElectricZen]

Omg!  How did I miss this thread?!!!

More battery, more range yes please!

The trailer is a pretty reasonable option to be honest!  I have towed beer and a Honda Eui2000.  This particular trailer(trail tail) handles it beautifully.  Mind you great care was taken to align the wheels up.  I got those measurements when you need them:)

The only thing I might think that would need to be addressed would be braking.  Pretty sure switching the front from a single disc to a dual disc would do the trick.  Because the trail tail attaches at the axle, there is no burden on the suspension.  The trailer has the 3 axis mobility so once the wheels are lined up you hardly notice it's there.  Biggest concern I had was if the trailer was still attached. Of course it was!

Where you notice the weight is on acceleration and deceleration.  The zero motor has more than enough torque to bring her up to speed.  On hard breaking, I would feel more comfortable with a dual rotor.  Doesn't mean it's perfectly fine for a reasonable load.  I have towed up to about 80lbs or so.  No problems at all!

Important to mention I did notice a range penalty as one would expect with added weight.  But the trail tail is considerably more streamlined and aerodynamic than my side bags. 

Once I'm superchargered up and I finish exploring Alaska in the spring.  I will swing back down(California) and you fellas can take it for a spin!

I am in California now actually!  I didn't bring the trailer thinking that I didn't need the generator for this trip and learning to rely on my side bags and top case for luggage space.  Thus freeing up the trailer for the generator.  Probably should have brought the trailer and left the side bags at home!  But this is how we learn

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[pacificcricket]

I am 6'4" at 240lb. When Zero launched a customer survey a few months ago, they had a question about one thing we'd like them to do the most - my response was "you need to make a bigger bike with more carrying capacity." I simply can't take on 160lb on my bike, it will leave me no room for any travel gear.

[Richard230]

I am 6'4" at 240lb. When Zero launched a customer survey a few months ago, they had a question about one thing we'd like them to do the most - my response was "you need to make a bigger bike with more carrying capacity." I simply can't take on 160lb on my bike, it will leave me no room for any travel gear.

I said the same thing.  I would like them to introduce a larger chassis that could accommodate more batteries and provide more room for the rider, passenger and luggage.  Unfortunately, I don't see that happening any time soon. 

[pacificcricket]

I said the same thing.  I would like them to introduce a larger chassis that could accommodate more batteries and provide more room for the rider, passenger and luggage.  Unfortunately, I don't see that happening any time soon. 

Basically we need an electric equivalent of 1200 GS