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[Potato2]

Hi everyone,

First post on the site.

Curious from those of you with removable batteries, does it help or hinders your day? I dont have easy access to an outside outlet and also live on the 3rd floor. They seem super practical but also inconvenient due to the size and extra thing to carry. What do you all think?

Thanks!! 

[Curt]

Hello and welcome!

In models with removable batteries, the primary intent is to allow a quick swap during enduros and races. I don't believe it's practical to carry 38 kg (84 lb) in and out on a regular basis in order to use an external charger as the only means of charging.

Moreover, the batteries probably should not be taken indoors, let alone charged indoors.

I'm not sure there's a good solution to this problem, other than working with the building management to see if an outlet can be made available, or charging at another location.

[Fred]

I have a modular FXS and have never removed the batteries - except when I once tried removing the front one to see if it made wheelies easier. (It didn't.) I can't see a great deal of use for it and I suppose that's why Zero no longer do a modular bike. I believe the original idea what to meet military requirement for "recharging" really quickly by swapping batteries. I'm sure there are other use cases, but not enough to keep the concept alive.

Now, I could buy a cheap FX without batteries that I could use for the occasional weekend off-road fun that would be perfect. Two bikes, one set of batteries!

[Curt]

The FX and FXS are still available in modular form for 2020, but it's an option that costs almost $1000. I would not opt for it since I'm not racing and would not spend another $5000 on spare batteries.

I used to take out my front battery on my 2016 for fun. Most of my riding needs only a 30 mile range and the FX is super light and maneuverable at 250 lb!

[Fred]

The FX and FXS are still available in modular form for 2020, but it's an option that costs almost $1000.

My mistake. I thought the option had been discontinued. Although at that price you can almost consider that it has!

[Potato2]

Hello and welcome!

In models with removable batteries, the primary intent is to allow a quick swap during enduros and races. I don't believe it's practical to carry 38 kg (84 lb) in and out on a regular basis in order to use an external charger as the only means of charging.

Moreover, the batteries probably should not be taken indoors, let alone charged indoors.

I'm not sure there's a good solution to this problem, other than working with the building management to see if an outlet can be made available, or charging at another location.

Hey thanks. Some of the offerings in Europe (Super Soco, NIU, etc) are pretty cool if they every come stateside. The Super Soco TC for example has a 24lb removable battery with about 100mi of range with 2 batteries. For someone like me, without an outlet this seems like a great option. 

[Fran K]

There is a temperature consideration.  My bike ktm de rated after 11am and it did not even frost last night, going to get up to 72 today.  I think it is about half charged stored unheated building. Having the battery in a warm place will get you normal power better, de powering unexpecetedly could happen in a dangerous spot.

There might also be a business consideration.  If there are a lot of replaceable battery bikes then some aftermarket firm could come along and make a copy.  Look on ebay at the lower cost aftermarket batteries in the tools, Makita in particular.