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[siai47]

I have noticed on my SR/F that the brake light does not illuminate when slowing down using regenerative braking.  The SR/F is almost capable of coming to a complete stop when you are in the ECO mode.  The only time you need to apply the service brake is to come to a complete stop.  Adding the stopping power of the mechanical brakes (to illuminate the brake light) combined with the regenerative braking doesn't get you smooth stop--more like an abrupt stop.  I used to ride in town in the ECO mode because I like the "one pedal driving" (to use an EV term) which allows deceleration control by only using the twist grip "throttle".  I have now switched to the street mode to reduce regeneration and allow an easier application of the mechanical brakes.  The way the SR/F is set up now, you are likely to be rear ended by someone who didn't know you were stopping because of the lack of a stop lamp.

Most EV's I have owned and many hybrids, including cars with adaptive cruise control, will turn on the brake lights when regenerative brake levels reach a certain threshold.  I know for a fact the Tesla's do it as my prior car and the one I have now does it.  I know the Chevy Bolt and Volt do it.  I test drove the Bolt which can use one pedal driving to a complete stop and observed the brake lights come on.  The Volt that I owned would also turn on the bake lights either when doing a high regen stop or the adaptive cruise control was engaged.  Obviously, for your safety, a motorcycle which uses regenerative braking should also act in the same manner.  A similar situation exists in and ICE motorcycle but to get the same deceleration from engine braking as you get with the SR/F's regenerative braking you would need to keep downshifting and should be aware that by doing so, you are not using the mechanical brakes (or brake light)

I think this issue needs to be addressed by Zero and see if there is some way to integrate brake light illumination during regenerative braking.  In any event, at least be aware of what other motorists are seeing on the rear of your motorcycle and it isn't brake lights when you slow rapidly with regen.     

[ben.m]

I didn't agree with that.
I almost don't use the brakes, because my own mode is 100% regen.
if brake lights illuminate each time i release a bit the throttle my bike will be a christmas tree !
I even think it can be dangerous, or it has to be perfectly implemented (i.e. only when full regen but not for a small one, depending of the speed, etc...)

[Richard230]

What I do while riding my 2018 S and slowing down using regen is to touch the front brake lever slightly (not enough to activate the brake noticeably) and that turns on the brake light.

[daniels1216]

I’d say know your surroundings before going into full regen braking by making sure.  The person behind is not tail gating and also it doesn’t hurt to put small taps on the brakes as the engine regens. That’s how I ride anyway.

[noyesknifer]

I would suggest for now making your own custom ride mode, and having the break regen at 100, and the neutral regen at 20 (so i've heard 0 and 20 have no difference).  If you want to slow down using regenerative braking then you slightly pull the front brake like Richard230 said.  When you slightly pull the brake the light will show.

[JaimeC]

Please note that regen only comes on when you roll the throttle fully off to the stop, so you wouldn't have to worry about your bike "looking like a Christmas tree."  As long as you hold it off from the full stop, you are coasting, not activating the regen.

I think this is a great idea but I don't know if it is possible the way the bikes are currently constructed.  I *THINK* (I don't know for a fact) that the brake light is activated by a mechanical switch on the front and rear brake levers and NOT by the computer.  If it were activated by the computer then a simple software update would make that possible but if it is hardware (as I suspect) then it can't be done with the existing models.

[stevenh]

Please note that regen only comes on when you roll the throttle fully off to the stop, so you wouldn't have to worry about your bike "looking like a Christmas tree."  As long as you hold it off from the full stop, you are coasting, not activating the regen.

I think this is a great idea but I don't know if it is possible the way the bikes are currently constructed.  I *THINK* (I don't know for a fact) that the brake light is activated by a mechanical switch on the front and rear brake levers and NOT by the computer.  If it were activated by the computer then a simple software update would make that possible but if it is hardware (as I suspect) then it can't be done with the existing models.

100% off throttle regen is how I have it set.  As Jamie mentioned, if you just roll of to neutral, there is no regen, then you can apply more as you roll forward (all the way to 100%).  I really never need my brakes at all any more.  I use Richard's approach of touching the front brake if I am going to use a bunch of regen (and touching the break at 100% regen makes sure I am using a lot of regen!).  This throttle regen behavior is specific to the SR/F though, the other bikes are just on when not applying power (off throttle regen).

Steve

[gadgetgirl]

I'm really curious how people completely stop using brakes. With 100% neutral and brake regen, I still end up moving at stop signs/lights with what feels like a reasonable slow-down distance in traffic (when not speeding). Are folks using a slow-down distance of 50'+?

[alko]

Regen on an ev slows down the bike similar to engine braking on an ICE bike, and i know of no ICE bike brake light that come on during decelaration. In fact with ice bikes, i use to slow down by down shifting and not touch the brakes till the last second. Even with manual shift cars/trucks, there is no brake lights while deceleration from engine braking.
Not sure if my 3500 Chevy duramax which had really strong exhaust brakes had the brake lights come on.

[DonTom]

I have noticed on my SR/F that the brake light does not illuminate when slowing down using regenerative braking.  The SR/F is almost capable of coming to a complete stop when you are in the ECO mode.  The only time you need to apply the service brake is to come to a complete stop.  Adding the stopping power of the mechanical brakes (to illuminate the brake light) combined with the regenerative braking doesn't get you smooth stop--more like an abrupt stop.  I used to ride in town in the ECO mode because I like the "one pedal driving" (to use an EV term) which allows deceleration control by only using the twist grip "throttle".  I have now switched to the street mode to reduce regeneration and allow an easier application of the mechanical brakes.  The way the SR/F is set up now, you are likely to be rear ended by someone who didn't know you were stopping because of the lack of a stop lamp.

The brake light on my Tesla will come on by slowing down, regardless of reason.

The way to do the same thing on a motorcycle is to buy a Nolan helmet, like I have. A nice up high brake light on the N100.5 when the  B901L-R  is installed.

BTW, the light must be ordered from Italy.  No instructions come with it that are in English. The light has many fuctions besides the brake light, can also be a fog light and none of this is obvious until you read the instructions in English, which can be found here. 

-Don-  Reno, NV

[MrBlc]

For the programmers in here, it's also possible to rig an accelerometer to the brake light (placed under the seat)..
The electronics needed are not complex or expensive really..

[Crissa]

Are folks using a slow-down distance of 50'+?

You don't?  No wonder I get such good Wh/mi ;

The Unofficial Zero Manual lists the Gear Brake, which has an accelerometer.
https://zeromanual.com/wiki/Aftermarket#Brake_Light

I ordered one, but the kit was bare-wire for my Zero, and I also need a stand to dig that deeply.  I'll probably source some connectors to finish this instead of using the butt connectors they sent.

Although I've switched to using the brake pedal in custom mode.

-Crissa

[DonTom]

For the programmers in here, it's also possible to rig an accelerometer to the brake light (placed under the seat)..
The electronics needed are not complex or expensive really..

And for those who are not programmers, simply buy one here.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[bergercurtis]

One step further is that even with the SR/F brake light on, it's only marginally brighter than the running light. Both should be addressed.

[ben.m]

Please note that regen only comes on when you roll the throttle fully off to the stop, so you wouldn't have to worry about your bike "looking like a Christmas tree."  As long as you hold it off from the full stop, you are coasting, not activating the regen.

I think this is a great idea but I don't know if it is possible the way the bikes are currently constructed.  I *THINK* (I don't know for a fact) that the brake light is activated by a mechanical switch on the front and rear brake levers and NOT by the computer.  If it were activated by the computer then a simple software update would make that possible but if it is hardware (as I suspect) then it can't be done with the existing models.

You must not know the SR/F ! On the right mode you can have a very good regen just releasing a bit of the throttle.
So yes if they did that the bike would looks like a christmas tree, definitely ! 
Please don't give them that kind of ideas...

And as already been explained, the one who wants the lights can put regen to work only when using the brakes lever, so just a mode to configure.