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[kingcharles]

Designing such a frame incl. the fork, making it work (suspension etc) and getting it certified, adjust your production line, logistics, etc. is a huge investment. I wonder how many bikes must be sold to recover that investment? I guess that's the question that Zero is trying to get answered too and probably the return on investment so far was not favorable.

Remember in 2013 there was the big upgrade and since then only relatively small upgrades and improvements of that platform. some recalls also occurred in that period so my guess is that cash for investments is not going to be abundant. I assume some tough choices have to made by the product development team on the long list of wishes each time they plan a new model year.

Zero may have a reverse Tesla masterplan: build as many bikes as possible to attract enough investors to do the exclusive bikes, or get acquired by a manufacturer of ICE bikes...

[Franswak]

Hi folks,

Something I really would like to see in a Zero Motorcycle, and I don't know why I'm not seeing it already is :
- A virtual lock, when the keyfob is set on the lock for the handlebar, that would lock rear wheel with the electrical motor. The Segway PT has that mode and when you try to move the machine, the wheels are locking themselves.
- A way to prevent the machine from starting when stolen using the App and the serial number of the unit (quite obvious). And maybe to tell the owner where is his bike when somebody is trying to pair his phone to the stolen Zero.
- An option to get the rear red light to work when you are in the highest mode of regenerative braking (like the Tesla).

Someday maybe.

Cheers.

Franswa
 

[Doug S]

I have added some extra batteries and have 35 kWh of battery and about 200 miles highway range right now and it feels great!

Hey Terry, how heavy is your bike now, and which year is it? Are you referring to your 2015 SR? Have you done any suspension mods and/or anything else to help the bike handle that much weight?

As you know, I ride a 2014 SR and I'm a heavy guy. But I'm having so much fun with my SCv2 that I'm seriously considering gearing up and doing some motorcycle camping trips with my girlfriend next year (I'm blessed with a girlfriend who not only loves to ride, she loves to camp!). But I am concerned about the possible consequences of overloading the bike in the long term. Between me and my (very petite) girlfriend, along with my aftermarket load (rack and top box, SCv2), we're a bit over the maximum rated capacity of the bike already. It handles fine with her on it, though, and I've upgraded the tires, rear shock, rear wheel bearings, and so far we've just done short rides. But if I add saddlebags, camping gear, etc. we're going to be probably 100 pounds over the rated capacity of the bike, and we'll do much longer distances.

So I'm wondering if that would be pushing my luck too far. So far as I know, you've carried a heavier load than anyone, for a lot more range than anybody else. Has that had an adverse impact so far?

[NEW2elec]

Hi Terry (I'm not going to copy that massive quote) I saw your extra battery bike and glad to hear you and Harlan like the ride feel.  What else did you do to the bike?  Are they the stock forks and rear spring?  Does the stock SR motor seem to mind the extra weight?
You and Harlan could build a couple of the big touring bikes (with a little $ help from Zero) and rent them out to gather R&D data.

Also why don't you and Brian and Cowboy and Harlan get on the Zero payroll already? 

[NEW2elec]

Doug that's too funny i was writing mine while you posted your.

[DPsSRnSD]

This is made possible by a hub motor integrated into the rear wheel.

I'm a sensitive snowflake who's triggered when hub motors are proposed for suspended wheels.

[Straightedg4lif]

Just to own a Zero!

[dukecola]

I have added some extra batteries and have 35 kWh of battery and about 200 miles highway range right now and it feels great!

Hey Terry, how heavy is your bike now, and which year is it? Are you referring to your 2015 SR? Have you done any suspension mods and/or anything else to help the bike handle that much weight?

As you know, I ride a 2014 SR and I'm a heavy guy. But I'm having so much fun with my SCv2 that I'm seriously considering gearing up and doing some motorcycle camping trips with my girlfriend next year (I'm blessed with a girlfriend who not only loves to ride, she loves to camp!). But I am concerned about the possible consequences of overloading the bike in the long term. Between me and my (very petite) girlfriend, along with my aftermarket load (rack and top box, SCv2), we're a bit over the maximum rated capacity of the bike already. It handles fine with her on it, though, and I've upgraded the tires, rear shock, rear wheel bearings, and so far we've just done short rides. But if I add saddlebags, camping gear, etc. we're going to be probably 100 pounds over the rated capacity of the bike, and we'll do much longer distances.

So I'm wondering if that would be pushing my luck too far. So far as I know, you've carried a heavier load than anyone, for a lot more range than anybody else. Has that had an adverse impact so far?

I did a 1100mi trip this year with wife, SCv2's, plus side cases loaded with 50lbs of stuff. Had no riding issues, or issues of any kind. Definitely overweight (not Terry overweight though) on my 16'SR, no adverse effects. I think your camping trips will be fine.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

I have added some extra batteries and have 35 kWh of battery and about 200 miles highway range right now and it feels great!

Hey Terry, how heavy is your bike now, and which year is it? Are you referring to your 2015 SR? Have you done any suspension mods and/or anything else to help the bike handle that much weight?

As you know, I ride a 2014 SR and I'm a heavy guy. But I'm having so much fun with my SCv2 that I'm seriously considering gearing up and doing some motorcycle camping trips with my girlfriend next year (I'm blessed with a girlfriend who not only loves to ride, she loves to camp!). But I am concerned about the possible consequences of overloading the bike in the long term. Between me and my (very petite) girlfriend, along with my aftermarket load (rack and top box, SCv2), we're a bit over the maximum rated capacity of the bike already. It handles fine with her on it, though, and I've upgraded the tires, rear shock, rear wheel bearings, and so far we've just done short rides. But if I add saddlebags, camping gear, etc. we're going to be probably 100 pounds over the rated capacity of the bike, and we'll do much longer distances.

So I'm wondering if that would be pushing my luck too far. So far as I know, you've carried a heavier load than anyone, for a lot more range than anybody else. Has that had an adverse impact so far?

I did a 1100mi trip this year with wife, SCv2's, plus side cases loaded with 50lbs of stuff. Had no riding issues, or issues of any kind. Definitely overweight (not Terry overweight though) on my 16'SR, no adverse effects. I think your camping trips will be fine.

The 2015+ suspension and bearings are thankfully in a proper class to handle a lot of load, even though we still push boundaries. Pre-2016 suspension and bearings strain harder to meet our demands and wear out relatively regularly. And yeah my 16DSR handles a lot of equipment on highways just fine, although I would appreciate a big frame upgrade to really support the riders who intend to put on 100k+ miles.

I concur with Terry that e.g. the Goldwing geometry makes a heavy bike feel lightweight; it's all about the distribution and handling geometry and suspension setup.

[deckofficer]

A touring version has appeal for folks to get out and do serious cross country riding but the upfront investment for a company as young and small as Zero is a real gamble. To allow their current offerings the freedom of long cruising and fast DC charging they could farm out a trailer build to test the market. I'm part of the aging baby boomers, and we represent a very large population bubble with ready cash and plenty of time. My thoughts on the trailer is for it to carry batteries capable of the 300 mile range that Tesla has and be able to charge at Tesla's supercharger stations that are popping up all over the country. The battery bricks would be in a parallel configuration for riding and when plugged into a Supercharger, 100 amp rated contacts on relays would change the bricks to series for the voltage of the Supercharger. Since most all charge stations are pull in and back out, and we don't know if or when Zero will offer reverse, the trailer could be configured with a low power motor for backing up. I know, crazy idea, but it would give the motocross hierarchy of Zero's management an idea of how many of us want to travel the country on electric bikes without them having to invest in an unknown market.

On a very small and admiringly low buck amateur scale I did this about 13 years ago. Before there was Zero. I was into EVs and I used the same motor they started with 10 years ago on their first offering. It is called an Etek and was developed for Briggs and Stranton 15+ years ago when B&S entered the electric outboard market. Not a puny little Minnkota kind of trolling motor, but a serious PMDC motor. I hooked up with a group of gas minibike racers and it wasn't long before they changed their event to a 50 miler in Arizona on route 66. My little creation back then was fast but only had a range of 6 miles. My solution was to build a battery trailer and haul (6) 180 ahr flooded golf cart batteries to extend my range. To give you an idea of the strength of the Etek motor, it did just fine hauling a 110 lb scooter, a 220 lb rider and towing that 450 lb trailer for the 50 mile run plus I still had about 10 miles of range left.

URL=http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/deckofficer/media/Electric%20Smart%20car%20%20%20%20going%20green/605c.jpg.html][/URL]

Used a golf cart charger.
URL=http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/deckofficer/media/Electric%20Smart%20car%20%20%20%20going%20green/605e.jpg.html][/URL]

Here it is unencumbered by the trailer. You have to remember this is at least 2 years before the first Zero (it wasn't called that back then).

   

[Electric Terry]

Cool project Bob! 

Doug and others, yes I used the Hollywood Electrics suspension specialist Bobby Loo from MotorRev Suspension Tuning to upgrade the spring rate in both the forks and shock.  If any of you are in the Southern California area and plan on carrying more than 300 pounds (including yourself) I would get the suspension upgraded through Hollywood Electrics and MotorRev Suspension Tuning.  It only takes a few hours and the bike is forever changed.  If you're a bigger guy (150 pounds or more) and carry anything else on a regular basis (powertank, passenger, chargers, Husky, top case full of tools, etc) you will appreciate this upgrade.

[deckofficer]

Thanks Terry. Since it was finished 13 years ago it's no longer a project. As a very respected member of the EV community I would like your input. Would you consider towing a battery trailer behind your Zero? I have found a small aluminum trailer with a 500 lb payload and swivel hitch (so you can still crank and bank in the twisties). Plenty of room for batteries and camping gear. 

[Richard230]

I bet Zero and their lawyers would recommend against towing a trailer with a Zero.   

[odedmaz]

For 2018 I'd like to see a Zero representative in this forum, to answer some questions.

Communication with Zero is bad. Most of our questions are left unanswered, we speculate a lot.. [emoji4]

[Richard230]

For 2018 I'd like to see a Zero representative in this forum, to answer some questions.

Communication with Zero is bad. Most of our questions are left unanswered, we speculate a lot.. [emoji4]

I can't think of any vehicle enthusiast forum where a representative from the manufacturer will comment or reply to any member's question - although the Brammo forum was an exception while the company was still in the business of making motorcycles.  It just isn't something that is authorized by management or approved by their lawyers.  So you get what you pay for when receiving advice on a forum like this.