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[Justin Andrews]

no regulatory hurdles for international sales left

Haha.
No.
Chatting to Zero Europe this weekend, there has been some serious work regarding changes to EU regulation, on top of that they had to get the A1 Licence bikes type approved as well. Aside from other markets that alone was a ball ache for them.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Yet their bikes remain small-form-factor machines physically

I really like the size of the zeros ATM

It's a fine form factor for what it is and I don't think they should abandon it; I think they need two.

BUT we're talking about a frame with serious size and ergonomic limitations:

• You can't glance at the dash while keeping an eye on traffic.
• Windscreens that are adequate on other bikes direct air into your chest on a Zero because the cockpit is so short.
• It has serious support anchor limitations when it comes to building a cockpit, mounting fairings, or carrying luggage. Examples: the steering head has a VIN plate on it, the shoulder of the frame is too smooth to anchor onto, the upper bolt holes for the crash bars are merely M5, and then the tail section assembly is sort of a bolt-on affair that can easily get degraded over time.

Even the way Terry mounted his Vetter fairing on the 2012S doesn't work as well on 2013 models.

Anyway, the powertrain is capable of handling much more load than the frame is rated for, and the frame isn't shaped to grow.

I understand the reasons why, but it's worth pointing out that there are bikes classified as lightweight or even middleweight touring vehicles with the same powertrain performance (aside from wheelies): the V-Strom, BMW F650GS, and Kawasaki Versys, say.

[wavelet]

no regulatory hurdles for international sales left

Haha.
No.
Chatting to Zero Europe this weekend, there has been some serious work regarding changes to EU regulation, on top of that they had to get the A1 Licence bikes type approved as well. Aside from other markets that alone was a ball ache for them.

Interesting.
We (Israel) adopted the European tiered-license scheme (A2/A1/A) some time back; Zero bikes are all considered A1 for licensing purposes (despite the motors' all being much above 11kW) , so I assumed that was the case in Europe as well... I guess not.
So I assume there are special, limited-motor Zero versions available, like the ICE-bike manufacturers have?

[Erasmo]

Yes, but IIRC the limit is in the firmware. When you age and get to the next category you can just remove the limitation.

[Richard230]

no regulatory hurdles for international sales left

Haha.
No.
Chatting to Zero Europe this weekend, there has been some serious work regarding changes to EU regulation, on top of that they had to get the A1 Licence bikes type approved as well. Aside from other markets that alone was a ball ache for them.

Interesting.
We (Israel) adopted the European tiered-license scheme (A2/A1/A) some time back; Zero bikes are all considered A1 for licensing purposes (despite the motors' all being much above 11kW) , so I assumed that was the case in Europe as well... I guess not.
So I assume there are special, limited-motor Zero versions available, like the ICE-bike manufacturers have?

Maybe all Zero needs to do is to comply with A1 regulations is to glue the mode button to "eco" mode.   

[MajorMajor]

BUT we're talking about a frame with serious size and ergonomic limitations:

• You can't glance at the dash while keeping an eye on traffic.
• Windscreens that are adequate on other bikes direct air into your chest on a Zero because the cockpit is so short.
• It has serious support anchor limitations when it comes to building a cockpit, mounting fairings, or carrying luggage. Examples: the steering head has a VIN plate on it, the shoulder of the frame is too smooth to anchor onto, the upper bolt holes for the crash bars are merely M5, and then the tail section assembly is sort of a bolt-on affair that can easily get degraded over time.

Even the way Terry mounted his Vetter fairing on the 2012S doesn't work as well on 2013 models.

These are all good points. Thank you.

I wish we could solve the first with a helmet HUD...

[Delnari]

Finish all my intended mods to my new 2017 Zero SR I picked up 3 days ago.  Windscreen, hand guards, risers, tail tiddy, top rack with top case, LED turn signal bulbs, and accessory plug.  Love the last two days commuting on it to work and back.  It really puts a smile on my face when I crack the throttle while going highway speeds.

[Shadow]

Your favorite color is ... blue?

Red. I mean red. Obviously red.

Nice lookin' bike you got there. Did you install the accessories?  Mind having a look through Zeromanual and verify / comment if there are some differences to what we have there?

[Delnari]

Thanks for the "blue" compliments 

I did a lot of reading on the "Unofficial Zero Service Manual" while waiting for the bike to be delivered.  It was how I figured out to do some of the installs.  Pretty much factory OEM stuff except for the LED's, Risers,Tail Tiddy, Hand Guards, and horn.  The LED turn signals are from my sold '15 BMW R1200GS I purchased from http://dynamicmotorrad.com/.  The 2017 Zero uses RY10 bulbs on CAN bus just like my BMW and bulbs work perfectly; no flasher or resistors needed, plug-n-play.  Not the cheapest solution, but the easiest to install and the brightness is superior to most.

People at work thought I was crazy to trade my BMW in for a Zero.  I have no regrets so far.  After buying a new dual-sport bike early Fall I was only using the BMW for commuting mostly anyway so just didn't make sense to keep it for that.  Rumors are BMW is bringing a hybrid motorcycle to market for 2018 with a front wheel electric hub and keeping the ICE as the primary rear drive power.  If this goes to market, I would expect Zero to offer it shortly afterwards as well.  From BMW it would be better fuel range, for Zero even better acceleration.

[wavelet]

Thanks for the "blue" compliments 

I did a lot of reading on the "Unofficial Zero Service Manual" while waiting for the bike to be delivered.  It was how I figured out to do some of the installs.  Pretty much factory OEM stuff except for the LED's, Risers,Tail Tiddy, Hand Guards, and horn.  The LED turn signals are from my sold '15 BMW R1200GS I purchased from http://dynamicmotorrad.com/.  The 2017 Zero uses RY10 bulbs on CAN bus just like my BMW and bulbs work perfectly; no flasher or resistors needed, plug-n-play.  Not the cheapest solution, but the easiest to install and the brightness is superior to most.

People at work thought I was crazy to trade my BMW in for a Zero.  I have no regrets so far.  After buying a new dual-sport bike early Fall I was only using the BMW for commuting mostly anyway so just didn't make sense to keep it for that.  Rumors are BMW is bringing a hybrid motorcycle to market for 2018 with a front wheel electric hub and keeping the ICE as the primary rear drive power.  If this goes to market, I would expect Zero to offer it shortly afterwards as well.  From BMW it would be better fuel range, for Zero even better acceleration.

Interesting about BMW... I suspect such a 2WD bike would be most relevant for offroad however -- I can't find the reference but recall reading years ago that driving the steerable front wheel has issues, because of gyroscopic effects. There's also the unsprung weight problem, which is apparently a major part of the reason no production EV cars are using hub motors. Even the Mercedes which had 4 separate motors didn't do this.
Re Zero offering such a thing, I assume you mean with two electric motors? An  interesting concept, but I suspect would need a lot more R&D than a company like Zero could afford (how do you apportion power between the two motors? That's really complex to get right).
I expect it makes more sense for them to develop a 2nd product line for larger-frame bike that could serve as a tourer / sport-tourer etc.

[DPsSRnSD]

-- I can't find the reference but recall reading years ago that driving the steerable front wheel has issues, because of gyroscopic effects.

I had a dual motor electric bicycle made from two different kits. The front was independently controlled by a left hand throttle. It will probably forever be the best electric bicycle I had. The front drive felt like it pulled the bike through corners, like a 4-wheel drive truck does in dirt and snow.

[Alan Stewart]

Tesla gets more range from the same battery in their AWD models. I think they tune the FWD motor for efficiency and the RWD motor for acceleration. Maybe the same can be done with a 2WD electric motorcycle.

[grmarks]

Tesla gets more range from the same battery in their AWD models. I think they tune the FWD motor for efficiency and the RWD motor for acceleration. Maybe the same can be done with a 2WD electric motorcycle.

I believe the front motor is geared higher and the computer picks the motor thats in its sweet spot (or closest to it) to drive with, i.e. back motor for take off and front motor for higher speed cruising, and if you push the pedal to the floor far enough, both motors drive.

[Say10 15FX 16FXS]

Anyone know the width of the 2017 belt?

[mrwilsn]

Anyone know the width of the 2017 belt?

17mm...old belt is 14mm

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