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I ran in sport mode so there was no engine breaking. If I want to slow the rear wheel I use the rear break. This gives me VERY fine grain control over the chassis balance and weight distribution on the suspension.  I find the engine breaking to be too abrupt to be safe for me on the track at these speeds, it can upset the chassis in a corner.

The only difference between a gas bike and an electric when racing is I don't need to shift. Like a gas bike though, I do need to know where I am, they know gears I know throttle position. A gas bike segregates their throttle up between gears I only have one so fine grain throttle control is important and remembering where it was last time is required to improve the next lap.

Another thing that is extra important for me is lean angle per line. I learn a few lines in-case I need to pass in a corner. I need to know where my pegs hit the track on all of those lines so I can safely slam it down into the corners without lifting the rear (again my pegs are less than half the length of the stock pegs) I also scrape my break lever I am leaned over so far.

I and the Zero have been REALLY well received at all of the race organizations I have competed with. MWGP is especially awesome, right up there with CVMA.

Sounds like an absolute blast!  It seems like knowing/remembering the right gear for each particular corner would be easier than remembering throttle position for each.  I imagine (precise) throttle position is more nuanced with a lot more room for differences.  I have so much to learn!  I didn't even realize the Zero had different modes! 

The post suggesting you move the rear brake lever to the bars sounds like a great idea.  Thanks for indulging my many questions.  I only recently started looking into electrics and am excited at the possibilities and evolution of the technology.  Great stuff.

Fantastic photos!  Congrats on the race!  How was the Zero received by the other riders?  And, more importantly, how did it do around the track?  I imagine not having to worry about finding the right gear for each corner allowed you to concentrate more on your lines.  Is that true?  Also, how pronounced is the engine braking and did that make it hard to dial in the right speed going into turns?  So awesome.  Thanks for posting! 

Great video Jeff!  Was hoping it would pan out and there you'd be, black cape blowing in the wind, utility belt at the ready, eyes burning intensely from behind your mask ... then you throw your leg over the Bat-Pod (electric version, of course) and speed away. 

Hi Opa.  That's quite a move from the Aprilia to the Zero!  Not that I know a whole lot about the Zero (yet) but the Aprilia is an amazing bike.  Glad to read that you're happy with the transition.  I can relate to having comfort become more important with age!  Over the years I've gone from a Ninja 600 (very aggressive riding position) to the Ninja 650 (more of an upright) to a Triumph Bonneville (cool bike and super comfortable but I missed the performance of the sport bikes) to my current bike, a VFR800 (great mixture of sport and comfort).  Every bike has had great aspects to it and I've enjoyed riding them all.  I can't see myself giving up the VFR but who knows?  I need a Jay Leno garage (and budget)! 

I thought I read that some electrics have oil or some sort of coolant for the battery packs.  Is that right?  And, if so, is there maintenance associated with the coolant?  It seems unlikely that air would be enough.  Congrats on the FX.  It's a great looking bike and looks like a lot of fun. 

Thanks for the info protomech.  The Zero SR looks like a great option.  I had the same thought re when the LiveWire would become available and, fortunately, I'm a patient man.  Hopefully, I can also be a disciplined man and start socking away my pennies for when the H-D is available.  I have no idea how much it's going to run but imagine it starting in the low $20K range.

I'm down in San Diego but make it up to Hollywood every once in a while.  I'll check out Hollywood Electrics next time I'm there.  I imagine things will be busy at Zero Motorcycles over the next year in anticipation of the LiveWire's release and the need and desire to be competitive.  I like the changes they made from the Zero S to the SR.  Looking forward to seeing what they do in response to the LiveWire. 

I admit to never being a big Harley fan.  Always said I had no interest in owning one.  The LiveWire has definitely changed my mind (assuming it performs wells).  I also blew off electrics as an interesting but fledgling niche that would never really gain widespread acceptance.  Having a mfg with worldwide recognition like H-D step into the arena and design a bike like the LiveWire really feels like a game changer.  Are we on the cusp of a new era of motorcycling?  Who really knows?  But I'm really excited about it all and am ready to join those of you who found enlightenment early on.  For now, I'll watch and learn and hold on to my Honda!