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[NetPro]

Thank you, Curtis!

If this bike weren't so expensive I would take it apart and play electronic technician with it: Hook up my scope to it and see what I can hack and discover.
But I am holding that urge back mostly because of the lack of schematics and circuit's information. (Don't want to void the warranty either)
Currently limiting my tinkering to mechanical things like replacing the handlebar, sidekick extender, testing windshields, fixing the tank lid gap, fine-tuning belt tracking & tension, adding a parking brake, etc.

[DonTom]

Commissioning the encoder is setting the proper voltage (~4.3VDC) for the gap in position sensor. Then timing the phasing to the motor so the sine waves are in sync for controller output and motor.

Not a sinewave. I looked at the signal on a scope from the motor controller while the motor was running (wheel off the ground). It's PWM, more of a squarewave.

The reason I checked it was because I have heard others here call it a sinewave and that didn't sound right to me, so I checked for myself. However, that was on my SR, but there is not reason to expect a different waveshape on the SR/F.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Redblade]

So wait a minute...I was constantly sold on the "zero" maintenance aspect of these bikes...and now it turns out you have to get the motor commissioned all the time? My regular services for my ICE bikes and slingshot were always around $175...and now I am looking at still spending that on this zero that is way less capable? That is a bummer.

[Curt]

[...] and now it turns out you have to get the motor commissioned all the time? My regular services for my ICE bikes and slingshot were always around $175...and now I am looking at still spending that on this zero that is way less capable? That is a bummer.

A short while-you-wait service every 8K miles, skipped by many without apparent repercussion, is not "all the time".

You and others choose to stay away from EVs until they can do a superset of what ICE bikes do. Have fun with that! Yawn.

[Redblade]

You do realize I have an SR/F right? And every 8k miles is about when I service my ICE bikes as well...you aren't very bright.

[Curt]

You do realize I have an SR/F right? And every 8k miles is about when I service my ICE bikes as well...you aren't very bright.

Sell it.

[DonTom]

So wait a minute...I was constantly sold on the "zero" maintenance aspect of these bikes...and now it turns out you have to get the motor commissioned all the time? My regular services for my ICE bikes and slingshot were always around $175...and now I am looking at still spending that on this zero that is way less capable? That is a bummer.

There is some maintenance, just a lot less than on an ICE bike.

I have never had the motor re-commissioned since I owned either of my Zero bikes. Both have over 7,500 miles with no issues. Only a dealer can do it, and the Zero dealer here in Reno doesn't even know how to do it! At least not yet. They are kinda new to Zero and the one mechanic they had who was trained on Zeros quit about two months ago.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Redblade]

But the cost is similar...I don't care if it is less maintenance if the price is the same. I also would be concerned about the warranty being voided if the commissioning isn't accomplished.

[DonTom]

But the cost is similar...I don't care if it is less maintenance if the price is the same. I also would be concerned about the warranty being voided if the commissioning isn't accomplished.

I don't think it matters here in the USA.  They would have to prove the lack of the maintenance caused your warranty issue and that is very unlikely to happen.

Besides, I think I heard somewhere (can anybody here verify?) if there is a maintenance issue that the owners cannot do (such as the motor commissioning) for them to void the warranty, the shop must offer the service for free. And we know that is not going to happen.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Richard230]

Yesterday I had the brake fluid and coolant replaced in my BMW R1200RS. Those two service items cost $342.  In 1500 miles I will need the 24K mile service. I bet that will set me back around $800.  So I have no complaints about the cost of servicing my Zero, every 8K miles or so. It is a lot cheaper than servicing an ICE motorcycle of similar performance.

[Redblade]

Yesterday I had the brake fluid and coolant replaced in my BMW R1200RS. Those two service items cost $342.  In 1500 miles I will need the 24K mile service. I bet that will set me back around $800.  So I have no complaints about the cost of servicing my Zero, every 8K miles or so. It is a lot cheaper than servicing an ICE motorcycle of similar performance.

That is a terrible comparison, an SR/F doesn't really compare with top of the line motorcycles...besides in price. I think a more fitting comparison would be the 2019 Yamaha MT-09. Similar performance (actually better 0-60 with the MT-09) and the cost is under 9k. That gives you over 10k money saved up to spend on maintenance for probably over a decade before you even reach the price of the SR/F. You can do the oil changes yourself every 5k miles for under $30 and save the big maintenance for the shop.

[Richard230]

Yesterday I had the brake fluid and coolant replaced in my BMW R1200RS. Those two service items cost $342.  In 1500 miles I will need the 24K mile service. I bet that will set me back around $800.  So I have no complaints about the cost of servicing my Zero, every 8K miles or so. It is a lot cheaper than servicing an ICE motorcycle of similar performance.

That is a terrible comparison, an SR/F doesn't really compare with top of the line motorcycles...besides in price. I think a more fitting comparison would be the 2019 Yamaha MT-09. Similar performance (actually better 0-60 with the MT-09) and the cost is under 9k. That gives you over 10k money saved up to spend on maintenance for probably over a decade before you even reach the price of the SR/F. You can do the oil changes yourself every 5k miles for under $30 and save the big maintenance for the shop.

Well that is the only comparison that I had as I perform the servicing myself on all of my other motorcycles.  I was just trying to make a point regarding maintenance costs between electric and ICE motorcycles when performed at a dealership.  Besides, both the insurance premium and the yearly DMV registration cost more for my Zero than my BMW. So it is hard to perform an accurate comparison between a particular ICE model, of which there are a great many to pick from, with a Zero, or other electric motorcycle, of which there are just a few to compare with.

[Bill822]

I'm more than a little skeptical that anyone would buy an SR/F to save money

[DonTom]

I'm more than a little skeptical that anyone would buy an SR/F to save money

If they bought a SR/F instead of  LiveWire, they saved quite a bit!

-Don-  Auburn, NV

[stevenh]

I'm more than a little skeptical that anyone would buy an SR/F to save money

Excellent point!  I've bought my two electric bikes because they are fun, not because they are practical.  I like the fact that they don't need as much service, but that's not the deciding factor for me (or most of us I would assume). 

Steve