ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Hey all, here's my final update and resolution:

After 4 months in the shop at Grand Prix Motorsports in Littleton, Colorado, my 2020 SR/F Premium was finally repaired.  That dealership also buys used motorcycles, so I negotiated the sale of the bike to them.  After 4 months, all I wanted in the worst way was for this to finally end.  I didn't haggle about the low price; I took their check and ran away as fast as I could.

I've been riding motorcycles for more than 40 years, and have never had an experience like this.  It's not possible to get a service manual; all Zero motorcycles must be serviced by Zero dealers.  I have precisely one Zero dealer within two hours drive of my home.  The dealer relies on Zero to diagnose problems remotely from California.  Zero typically takes a week or more to simply reply to the dealer, each time.  Zero sends replacement parts in such a way that it typically takes a week or two for a part to arrive.

It was not possible for me or anyone other than Zero to diagnose the problem, which apparently was an MBB problem.

Zero verbally chastised me for doing "unauthorized" modifications to my motorcycle, by installing aftermarket LED running lights, louder horns, and the eMoto Design dub-J charging kit.  I didn't realize I needed Zero's authorization to modify the bike.  Somehow I thought it was my bike...

My 2020 SR/F suffered from problems in rain (throwing codes, Check Engine Light, etc.), in addition to the common problems of front brake pulsing, terribly harsh suspension, etc.  The rain problems would always go away after the bike dried out, so there was no way I could get the dealer to see them.

So, with simply the "bike doesn't charge" problem, the bike was in the shop from March until July.

My Yamaha Super Tenere ES has been through rain, sleet, hail, intense sun, deep sand, and more, for nearly 51000 miles.  It's been into Mexico three times (it likes tacos!).  I have had no problems whatsoever with that bike.  My Zero cost far more, and took me a grand total of 9385 miles.

I will never buy a Zero again.  When Yamaha produces electric motorcycles, I'll be first in line.

So long, and thanks for all the fish,

 - Fred

Here's the latest: It took nearly 2 weeks for the new MBB to show up from Zero, and it's broken.

This coming Tuesday marks 14 weeks this bike has been in the service department at Grand Prix Motorsports in Littleton, CO.

 - Fred

Apart from the shitty customer service, why is he shouting?

He always types in all-capitals, like a 1943 teletype machine.   

I got a reply to my PM to Zero on this forum; they now say the MBB needs replacement.  They keep telling me to get the current status and updates from the dealer, but the dealer (Grand Prix Motorsports) is unresponsive, typically taking a week or longer to get back to me.  This is nuts!

 - Fred

Quote from: fredx on June 15, 2022, 05:57:23 AM

But Zero won't allow us to fix our own motorcycles.

How can they stop you?  My 2017 SR ABS sensor crapped out during warranty and I replaced it myself instead of bringing  the bike to the dealer.


The charger fan crapped out during the warranty period  in my Energica. Again, I replaced it myself.


I have fixed many problems during the warranty period on bikes. It's less hassle than dealing with the dealers in most cases. Even if I have to pay for the parts myself.


You probably wouldn't need a manual to fix your charging problem--you won't know until you check it out.


-Don-  Reno, NV

How would I check that out, Don?  I am not able to get a factory service manual.

 - Fred

Here's another update: My 2020 Zero SR/F Premium has been in the service department at Grand Prix Motorsports in Littleton, Colorado for over 11 weeks now.  I brought it there in March to fix this problem where it won't charge.

They asked me to come in last month to remove the eMoto Design double-J charging kit.  Fine, I did that, on May 20th.  And now, once again, no progress is being made.  I'm confident the eMoto Design double-J charging kit wasn't the problem -- this problem occurred sporadically before I installed that.  Regardless, neither Zero nor Grand Prix Motorsports appears to be doing anything to solve the problem.

We've had lots of great riding weather.  My 2-year-old top-of-the-line Zero has been out of commission for so long now that I've canceled the insurance.

If I could get a factory service manual, I'd happily fix it myself (I have an electronics background, and a Master's in Computer Science).  But Zero won't allow us to fix our own motorcycles.

Sorry to share negative experiences, but I don't feel good about keeping this quiet.

Cheers,

 - Fred

I never had a problem with the original brake light switch on my 2020 SR/F.  But after the recall and replacement, the new one is flaky.  Tapping the front brake lever doesn't always reliably disengage cruise control, which tells me it's also not reliably illuminating the brake light.

I left my 2020 SR/F plugged into the Turbocord charger while I was away for a month and a half, and came home to an entirely dead bike.  The 12V battery was at maybe 3V.  I charged the 12V, and revived the bike.

But now it has a charging issue a few months later, and has been sitting in the dealer service department for over 5 weeks so far.

This is insane for a $23k motorcycle.  I love riding it, but right now I feel done with the whole experience.

 - Fred