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Author Topic: Range experiment  (Read 1029 times)

vinceherman

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Range experiment
« on: July 23, 2019, 05:46:00 AM »

I ran a range/economy experiment today.
Rather than ride the interstate home I took a few side streets to the parks.
My one way commute was 51 miles of 30-45mph roads with a fair bit of stop signs/lights.  I consumed 36% of my battery capacity.
Oh, and the ride was much more peasant, if considerably longer duration.

And a side question - is there a way to get the tripometer to show tenths of miles?  I laid out my route as 3.7 miles to this road, then 2.4 to that road.  It would be easier to navigate with the tenths.  I am used to having them on other vehicles.
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flattetyre

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2019, 05:56:09 AM »

I love all these posts where people try to pass off negative aspects of our bikes (long charging, low range at speed) as positives. "Oh wow I get to enjoy the flowers!" "Oh wow I get to drive thru a cool part of town!"

Yeah whatever, you would already be doing it if it was so great. And given a choice, in the long run most people will pick the shortest route home.
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bergercurtis

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2019, 06:42:20 AM »

I did something similar this weekend taking the backroads to Denver. Went up the backroads to the city and just came back at 74 in Eco on I25. The backroads route was much more enjoyable. Less consumed too. I did some charging halfway up when we stopped at a plaza, but Denver to Colorado Springs on the interstate home, straight 73-74 in Eco and I had 6%SoC and 6 miles of range left on the SR/F. Glad I could do some testing of my own this weekend with our dealership let me use the bike.
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-Curtis
2020 Zero SR/F Premium Seabright Blue
Licensed Zero Dealer in Colorado Springs

Curt

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2019, 07:13:52 AM »

I love all these posts where people try to pass off negative aspects of our bikes (long charging, low range at speed) as positives. "Oh wow I get to enjoy the flowers!" "Oh wow I get to drive thru a cool part of town!"

Yeah whatever, you would already be doing it if it was so great. And given a choice, in the long run most people will pick the shortest route home.

So true! Motorcycles are unpleasant to be on. The less time between destinations, the better, and the freeway is the key. Taking a slow route home wastes valuable TV time!

And all these people who ride a bicycle when they could be driving their car.. what are those people thinking, pretending that uncomfortable dangerous sweaty activity is "fun" and dodging the reality that it takes 5x as long and food costs more than fuel? And on the weekend they leave their house and ride in a big circle back to their house, when they could have just stayed in their house in the first place!
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GaryArt1

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2019, 07:21:52 AM »

I love all these posts where people try to pass off negative aspects of our bikes (long charging, low range at speed) as positives. "Oh wow I get to enjoy the flowers!" "Oh wow I get to drive thru a cool part of town!"

Yeah whatever, you would already be doing it if it was so great. And given a choice, in the long run most people will pick the shortest route home.
Yeah but sometimes the best things in life are found when something challenges us to go outside our "norm".  Not to say this new way has to become the new norm but it gives us a interesting alternative.

So yes, when i need to get somewhere, i take the most efficient and fast route but when I ride for pleasure , it is these alternatives routes that I seek out.
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Jarrett

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2019, 07:42:20 AM »

As much as I dislike siding with flat tire, he has a point.  I did the same thing with my DSR.  I didn't ride it the way I wanted so it would go more miles, then I'd convince myself that going slower longer was better. 

If I rode it the way I wanted to, the thermal protection (nanny) light would be flashing at me in 4 good throttle pulls.  If I stayed in it anyway, the computer would force me into commuter speeds until I learned my lesson.  That got old quick.

I just got back from flogging my ICE bike and it never complained once, just wanted to keep pushing harder.  And it was me that pumped the brakes and slowed down, not the bike.  And I rode it until I was tiring of riding it, not until it was out of charge.
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alko

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2019, 09:36:26 AM »

Pay no attention to flattetyre. He poo poos everything on this forum. If he hates ev's so much, than why is he even on here.
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alko

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2019, 09:40:15 AM »

As much as I dislike siding with flat tire, he has a point.  I did the same thing with my DSR.  I didn't ride it the way I wanted so it would go more miles, then I'd convince myself that going slower longer was better. 

If I rode it the way I wanted to, the thermal protection (nanny) light would be flashing at me in 4 good throttle pulls.  If I stayed in it anyway, the computer would force me into commuter speeds until I learned my lesson.  That got old quick.

I just got back from flogging my ICE bike and it never complained once, just wanted to keep pushing harder.  And it was me that pumped the brakes and slowed down, not the bike.  And I rode it until I was tiring of riding it, not until it was out of charge.

I've never seen my thermal protection light flashing ever and ive been riding in 110 degree temps lately. Bike has never fussed ever.
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DonTom

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2019, 10:01:25 AM »

I love all these posts where people try to pass off negative aspects of our bikes (long charging, low range at speed) as positives. "Oh wow I get to enjoy the flowers!" "Oh wow I get to drive thru a cool part of town!"

Yeah whatever, you would already be doing it if it was so great. And given a choice, in the long run most people will pick the shortest route home.
I knew that post was from you before I looked at the username.

Seems you also have a lot of time on your hands.

So instead of wasting time here, why don't you go  fix your flat tyre?

-Don- Auburn, CA
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1971 BMW R75/5
1984 Yamaha Venture
2002 Suzuki DR200SE
2013 Triumph Trophy SE
2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
2017 Blk/Gold HD Road Glide Ultra
2017 Org Zero DS ZF 6.5/(now is 7.2)
2017 Red Zero SR ZF13 w/ Pwr Tank
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DonTom

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2019, 10:21:30 AM »

I ran a range/economy experiment today.
Rather than ride the interstate home I took a few side streets to the parks. My one way commute was 51 miles of 30-45mph roads with a fair bit of stop signs/lights.  I consumed 36% of my battery capacity. Oh, and the ride was much more peasant, if considerably longer duration.
I have always looked for the shorter, slower routes when I am on my Zeros. Always have and always will. I am never in a hurry, I am retired.

For longer trips, I have a very nice choice of ICE bikes. But I have put more miles on my two Zeros since I have owned them than I have on my seven ICE bikes combined. And by far. The Zeros are ridden almost every day.

I actually wish there was a direct route between here and Reno that was 100% away from the freeway. If there was such with charging stations I would use it every time.  I stay off the freeway as much as I reasonably can and I enjoy my two Zeros more than any bikes I have ever owned.

I have plenty of ICE bikes for long distances. The Harley is the most comfortable. The Zeros are the least comfortable-- but I still enjoy them  the most of all. The lack of comfort on the stock seat is not a big issue to me as I know I will stop  to charge on the longer trips, such as when I go back to Reno.  Yeah, I can get back faster on ANY of my ICE bikes. My choice is still my rather uncomfortable SR.

Now that I said that, I do have a limit to how much lack of comfort I can hack. The Zero SR/F is well over that limit. Everything else I really like about the bike, it just doesn't fit me and it only took five minutes on one to be over my limit on reasonable comfort.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
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1971 BMW R75/5
1984 Yamaha Venture
2002 Suzuki DR200SE
2013 Triumph Trophy SE
2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
2017 Blk/Gold HD Road Glide Ultra
2017 Org Zero DS ZF 6.5/(now is 7.2)
2017 Red Zero SR ZF13 w/ Pwr Tank
2020 Energica EVA SS9
2023 Energica Experia LE
2023 Zero DSR/X

Calidave

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2019, 11:08:24 AM »

I used to always push hard on the freeway to "optimize my time," but I and some friends have recently discovered feeling much better taking less hectic, less efficient routes.
Keep exploring.
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DonTom

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2019, 01:12:10 PM »

I used to always push hard on the freeway to "optimize my time," but I and some friends have recently discovered feeling much better taking less hectic, less efficient routes.
Keep exploring.
Yeah, and with our electric motorcycles, to optimize your time on a long trip, ride very slow! You waste more time charging than you gain by riding fast--and by quite a bit--even at a 6KW charge rate.

IMO, electric motorcycles teach us good habits. Even the slower  posted speed limits on many back roads! Many are in a habit of hurry and more hurry--and for no reason other than habit.

If people were truly in a hurry, they would leave a lot earlier instead of rushing everywhere.

I have been riding since the late 1960's. I have never owned a motorcycle that I have enjoyed more than my two Zeros. That's not saying they are good for every trip. If they were, I would give up ICE  motorcycles completely.

-Don-  Auburn, CA
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1971 BMW R75/5
1984 Yamaha Venture
2002 Suzuki DR200SE
2013 Triumph Trophy SE
2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
2017 Blk/Gold HD Road Glide Ultra
2017 Org Zero DS ZF 6.5/(now is 7.2)
2017 Red Zero SR ZF13 w/ Pwr Tank
2020 Energica EVA SS9
2023 Energica Experia LE
2023 Zero DSR/X

Bill822

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2019, 02:05:29 PM »

Some good posts above. Riding is seldom the easiest way to get somewhere. Even with gas bikes, quick laps but far more gas stops than in a car. Riding my SR/F has encouraged me to take roads I seldom travel, made me more attentive to my riding, and made me learn new things. We could all do with a little more time away from screens and a little more time being engaged in the moment.
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vinceherman

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #13 on: July 23, 2019, 06:10:48 PM »

Much of my range experimentation is to learn more about how my bike is going to behave.  I know that this is not a long distance touring machine.  But I suspect that I can coax a long distance trip out of it.
In order to do so, I need to learn.
Learn how to manage range.
Learn how to modify the bike for better comfort.
Learn the ins and outs of having an EV.
I cannot do this alone.  I have a community of like minded riders who are tackling many of the same issues.
I will continue to read and learn from what others post here.
I will continue to post my experiences and my questions.
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Jarrett

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Re: Range experiment
« Reply #14 on: July 23, 2019, 06:19:09 PM »


I've never seen my thermal protection light flashing ever and ive been riding in 110 degree temps lately. Bike has never fussed ever.
Really?

On my very first Zero test ride, I put the demo FX into Level 2 thermal protection mode unknowingly while on the highway.  Scared the crap out of me.  I thought the bike was shutting off. I had to coast off the highway exit ramp.  Every Zero I've ridden minus the SR/F, I've put into at least Level 1 Thermal Protection mode.  If I did it on the SR/F, I didn't see the light on the dash, but I never felt it cut the power back likes the pre-SR/F bikes do.

I guess I'm a bad scenario for Zero bikes, a big guy with a heavy hand.  They don't take that combo well.  At least the pre-SR/F bikes don't. I just jumped in a little too early.

It's ok though, one day they'll make an SR/F that can provide the range/refueling speed of an ICE bike without limiting performance, and I'll buy it.
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