ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Hi ctrlburn.  What I hear most when I ride is frogs.  Any pond within 100 meters is easily located.  Having my ears exposed makes me more aware of my surroundings and at slow speeds a better rider defensively.  I was turned onto exposed hearing by a Harley rider when I was at the 95th anniversary in downtown Milwaukee.  This person made me aware that I was the only person wearing a helmet.  He was right.

That hose is part of the motor cooling system.  It ducts cold, blown air to the brushed motor when needed.  There is a feedback temperature sensor on the motor.  I wrapped it with gaffers tape to tame down the industrial look that it had.

for me was the Fox rear shock and spring.  The factory rear suspension is under damped and over sprung so much that it creates an unsafe ride condition in many circumstances (ask me how I know).  Fox designed a rear shock and spring that makes the 2011 DS ride smooth and handle bumps the way a motorcycle should.  I won mine in an eBay auction for way too cheap but I would recommend the shock even at full MSRP.  The install is a simple procedure that shouldn’t worry anyone.  Get yours soon and you too will have a true magic carpet ride.

Yikes


Sad you think you 11 is more reliable than a 14..... The reliability from 12 and newer bikes to 12 and older is incomparable!   



If you get the offer take it..... If you don't..... Don't come crying on this forum when they won't trade your bike in in a year.... I'll be here to call anyone on it.....

Don’t get me wrong, I love my zero and the experience it provides.  My description of the 2014’s being turds means heavy and has nothing to do with reliability.  Being an off road guy, I am not interested in a 372 lb. dual sport motorcycle with a > 9’ turning radius.  Weather the 2014’s are more reliable than my 2011 is information I do not have an opinion on.  When it eventually fails and my manufacturer tells me I can’t have a service manual and my dealer tells me “I can’t find the diagnostic port” and “you’re on your own” just isn’t good enough.

If I were in the used electric motorcycle market and I wanted to buy a mint 2011 with the upgrades I have done, I would put a value of maybe $4000 to $4500 on the one I have.  If I were in the market for a left over model that didn’t sell, there is no way I would pay close to MSRP for one.  Out the door price would have to be 75% to get me thinking.  I still have a hard time telling inquisitors that I paid $10,000 mine.  So is paying another $7000 to trade “up” for a model that weighs even more than the 300 lb. turd I have?  Not for me.  I’m going to enjoy the one I have and when Polaris is ready, or I can’t keep mine functional, I’ll upgrade.

Your description sounds like the same problem I have right now.  You need to check the status led on the speed controller.  The speed controller is below the battery charger, the status led is at the right rear corner.  After the key is turned on, you should hear one beep, the contactor will energize and the status led on the controller should flash green once then turn on solid green.  If it flashes red, you have an error condition.  If it does not do anything and you can hear the contactor energize, the controller is not powering up properly.  Try tapping on the right rear side with a soft hammer with the key on to get the led to turn on.

Erasmo:  Plasitdip is something I've always been curious about.  Not sure I could dip my hose deep enough in the container.  Would a paint brush work?

trikester:  Good to know that tape will hold up to white water rafting.  Riding in the rain should be a cake walk.

Whats up Cam,

WI is warming up, it was only a matter of time.  We ride here all year but have some time off during ice forming and thawing.  We try to battle the frostbite with fire and warm clothing.  I have heated grips that give me some flexibility.  It's all worth it when you get that sensation of two wheel performance that puts you in the zone of what we cyclists crave.  Pushing the limits.

Coal

Galfer has a good reputation with brakes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-12-ZERO-ZERO-S-Galfer-GG-Rated-G1054-Compound-Street-Rear-Brake-Pads-/310549977691?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AZero%7CModel%3ADS&hash=item484e389a5b&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-12-ZERO-ZERO-S-Galfer-GG-Rated-G1054-Compound-Street-Front-Brake-Pads-/400375479638?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AZero%7CModel%3ADS&hash=item5d383cfd56&vxp=mtr