ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

I posted elsewhere, but I have purchased a 'new' in 2013, 2011 xu to discover it is Glitch-zilla!!!  I've owned it since May and have only been able to ride it (semi-dependably) 14 days.  The rest of the time I've been trying to get it serviced.  The last time I saw it was June 28th, 2013... The local dealer has been working with Zero throughout the late Spring and Summer to try to fix it.  Was to pick it up and the service man sure it was fixed tested the bike only to have it cut out again...

We have about 30-50 days left of standard motorcycling weather in Michigan.  This seems beyond crazy to pay a loan, interest, insurance, for use of a car when I thought I purchased a dependable product and all of the accessories to go with the Zero.  Losing power in the middle of rush hour traffic is downright dangerous!

Reading about others experience tonight is making me rethink my whole experience with Zero.

Sounds  to me like Zero is expecting after several months of riding the motorcycle the real 'break in' will be us and not the batteries.  I can do a test in two weeks of fairly constant speed, with few hills, without stop and go at a 20-25 mph speed.  This is normally a bit dangerous on the city streets, but on a Sunday morning a city loop should be safe.  I think I will check about getting this documented and verified.  I can videotape the test and suggest others do too.  17 miles I'm currently getting is 50% of the 30 miles advertised and less than the 25 miles EPA prediction. 

Considering the pricing difference and mileage difference between 2011 and 2013 models... for what I paid, I'm feeling just a bit taken to the cleaners.  For less than half the mileage I paid a little more than half the price for an older technology.  Would you pay the same rate for an older less than 50% capable Apple computer or smart phone?   At the moment this does not feel like the incredible deal I was told.  I think I need to do some further note comparisons.  I'm hoping I'm mistaken and will be relieved to endorse the bike again.  I'm hoping I can get the 25 miles per hour... stay tuned.

**Update!  I took the cycle in and was reminded my bike has not had two years of ownership, so I'm still under warranty.  Good news.  I took it in because of a clunking sound/feel that sometimes occurred after acceleration. (Any one else experience that?  I cleaned and lubed the chain, but that didn't do it.)  I also took it in because the Zero representative was curious about the instant termination of drive once the one bar was flashing.  The cycle didn't slowly lose power as the last light flashed, it just stopped on the road dead.

I Want both the dealer and the company to prosper, because the are absolutely needed.  Likewise I expect them to  do the very best and most fair by me or any of us.  I really think they are trying, but we'll see.

Yeah... stay tuned...

I just spent serious money for me, on a 2011 XU.  The salesman said it would be highway worthy and would get 25 miles on a charge.  I contacted Zero this past weekend about concerns about the range and found out how to test it.  I did two tests. 

The first was on fairly level grade with only one short hill mainly in eco mode. At a little over 17 miles I got the flashing two, then one bars.  I was able to make it the block and a half to my garage.   On the second test, I rode again in city traffic, at speeds between 25 and 45 mph with one hill a block long.  (I also rode back down that hill.)  At 18.6 miles it was completely dead with no warning except two 20 second pauses in power.  I was in the process of actually showing the cycle to an interested person in a parking lot when the cycle died.  Now the great PR I'd like to share about Zero motorcycles.  The cycle is getting 25% less miles than presented, with a top speed of 51 mph.

I was told I was getting a special deal and not to share the 'super' price I was getting.  I've been praising Zero all over my networks, but with this test, I feeling I need to go back and inform my networks from the state ev organization to a couple of potential fleet buyers about the regional dealer. 

I purchased the vehicle based on being able to cover my regular commutes of a maximum 10 miles one way, normally 8 miles. I've written Zero and my dealer and haven't heard a thing back.   This is not making it.

As I'd prefer a win-win I'm open to suggestions on how to handle this because I'd rather see Zero known for good products to my network and others who follow me.