Sam, this is an example of what raw cells look like, I can understand why someone who has not worked with them would think they are protected.
In the below photo you see the other side ... omg ... It's not the same ... AND it's weak like a Capri sun drink bag. This is what I like to refer to as the bomb side of the cell.
Here you can see the cells unstacked. There is a small notch at the top which allows them to sort of stay together, kind of, on one side.
Here, you can see the plastic "protector" <- what you called it. You can see that it does not offer protection. you can also see in the videos we posted how this part is already experiencing severe chaffing from the carbon fiber tank at the top. Feel free to stop and look frame by frame. As much as I enjoy spending my time defending my assertions, I also love it when people use the info provided to do their own due diligence.
And here, I bent the plastic to show you that it breaks quite easily. This is not a protector, it is a "holder" it holds the cell in place with the other cells, it DOES NOT OFFER PROTECTION. I will show the cells below as well.
This is the capri sun like pouch
Here is the crazy thin slot holder, I bend it with one hand to show its lack of protective power.
Have another look from a different angle
Now, please take note of the copper at the top of the battery, this is where the busbars meet the cell tabs. That is protected by a thin sheet of paper-like material in the lightning. It's absurdly dangerous. Not to mention, not waterproof and not protected from fog or salty air.
This is why Zero recalled their 2012 batteries, the cells were protected physically from impact (which lightning is not, other than on the sides) the lightning is EVEN MORE EXPOSED than the 2012 Zero cells. And we all saw what happened over time with those cells, WHICH WERE IN A PROTECTIVE BATTERY BOX.
sooo yeah. in its current state, the bike is a BOMB. It will kill someone or some family given time. If the company would just stop trying to refute my clear and accurate statements, they might be able to apologize for the mistake, say they have learned, and promise to fix the issues. That's all they needed to do. I have since been told that the CEO, Richard Hatfield, has communicated with members of the media and told them that their batteries are protected and that is the heatsink I claim as cells. It is a bold face lie, which I don't understand. It puts them in between a rock and hard place. Now if they later admit to the issues, they end up showing everyone they were lying. It is a poor decision on their side to make choices like that. It says in the manual that if you wash the bike at one of those self car wash places you will void your warranty... really?
Another example of this sort of behavior is Hatfield publicly saying that passenger pegs are optional for all bikes if the customer wanted. Then... in the manual, it says you may not have a passenger on the bike under any circumstances. These sorts of clear contradictions can easily be found from lightning. It really is not hard to find questionable behavior and statements from them if you look.
Btw... the whole passenger area is made from bent sheet metal, so really, don't put a passenger on it
I hope this helps clear stuff up. Please let's all ask lightning to fix the issues, and if something sounds odd, or shady, just ask for very clear concise answers without vague claims.
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Topic: Honest Review of the Lightning Strike (Read 7968 times)