ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Thanks guys all very useful info. Does anyone know if there is a big difference in the ride and maneuverability between the different battery sizes? I ask because I had the 2012 S ZF6, looking at the specs on the newer models seeing that 100 lb difference kind of scares me. I would want to invest in the range, but not if it makes the ride feel less nimble.

A little context: My 2012 S is the only bike I've ever owned. The only other bike I rode (just once) was a very generic looking Yamaha street bike for a required motorcycle safety course while I was in the Navy. I enjoy riding but I feel like the 2012 Zero S felt perfect, not that I had anything to compare it to.

I think I'll try to arrange a few test rides, that will be the ultimate test. Going to be hard to wait to get my hands on a new one if I ever do, but I'm getting a little more motivated to save up for one in the long term.

Sorry if I got a little off topic. Anyone still waiting to get their bike to be picked up?

Well I guess I was a little late to be notified. Just did the change of warranty/owner forms on Zero's website so they can send me the official emails.

I'm pretty sad about the ordeal. I loved my 2012 Zero S and was really looking forward to riding it through the summer like I did last year. If I were in the market for a new bike, I'd be ecstatic. Unfortunately in my current situation with family, finances, and house issues, I cannot justify nor afford doing the "financial assist" towards a new bike since I'd be at least $5k out of pocket for a new S.

So I guess I have similar thoughts to ColoPaul. If the recall never occurred I'd be happily riding my Zero through the summer (assuming bike didn't have issues/became a ball of flames). Since it happened and I cannot afford a new bike, I will not be. I genuinely feel that something great has been taken from me and there really isn't anything I can do about it.

Take the money and get a cheaper ICE bike is what co-workers tell me. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my car and house maintenance (it seems like both are fixer-uppers) and the "zero maintenance" was what attracted me to an electric bike in the first place. Not to mention free charging at work. I just don't have the time and resources to have another engine at the house, it seems like everything from my car to my lawn-mower like to have issues when I need them most.

I guess the irony of it all is that I felt like a bit of an unofficial spokesperson for Zero for the years I owned and rode it, defending the brand when people tried to say electric motorcycles were stupid, or spitting out the specs for the newer models and comparing mine and how far they've come when questioned with range, power, charging etc. I'm sure some of you feel the same way. I legitimately gave people advice on whether or not electric would be a good idea for them or not, based on their riding desires and intentions. I feel a little embarrassed that now my bike will be recalled for a defect and I won't get a replacement.

Maybe within the next decade I'll source the money for a new one. Maybe it will be my mid-life crisis venture. Until then, I hope you all get/got what you wanted out of it. I enjoyed every mile I put on that thing, even if it were barely 1000. Such a waste to see a bike with just 1800 miles see a landfill.

Vent over. In all honesty I'm not completely opposed to financing a new bike if given the option, but I'm 99% sure I won't. It might come with a divorce, or at least a very very unhappy wife and a lot of explaining to do.

Well that makes me feel a little better. Hopefully when they get back to me tomorrow it's a quick fix. Where can I find the 2013 motor kit? I couldn't find it on the ol google. I'd also like to get passenger pegs eventually but I can't find much for the 2012s anywhere.

So just over a month ago I bought a used 2012 Zero S ZF6 with just under 800 miles on it. Everything was going well, but due to weather I was barely riding it. Well, after putting a little over 100 miles on the thing it decides not to charge anymore. Here's a breakdown:

Bought it in late December (2015) from a motorcycle dealership in Charlotte NC. Rode it about once a week or so, short trips only, and charged back to full after each ride.

Tuesday: I decide to use the bike to run errands since I'm already out getting a state inspection (VA) and ride it down to 2 of 11 bars. This was the first time I'd seen the battery indication flash because I'd never used it that much in one go. Put it on the charger that afternoon when I got home.

Here's where thing's started acting up. I had a motorcycle safety course the next day and since I would be using it the next day I was curious to see how the charge was coming along. It was a little under 50%. Turned the key back off, left it for about two hours and checked again. Still at the same spot, I knew this wasn't right so I unplugged it and waited 15 seconds, plugged it back in. Checked it twenty minutes later and it was up to about 75%. A few hours later check it again, still stuck at 75%. This time I checked the light indication, it was showing the outer red and green lights flashing, according to the user manual this is indicating high temperature, which is why it will not charge. I couldn't believe it would be running high temp in my cold garage (~50F), but I left it off the charger for about an hour, and put it back on, finally getting it to charge full just before I had to leave for the class.

Wednesday: I drive down to my safety course, mixed city/freeway driving, I use about 25% battery. The instructors tell me first few hours is classroom so I can charge until we ride. Put it on the charger, same indication but I decide to leave it on to see if it will clear itself. During breaks I re-attempted to charge, still high temperature warning. Ride for the course, and ride home, at about 25% battery remaining.

I have not been able to charge since. I have waited 24 hours and tried, still nothing. I called Zero, of course they told me I have to go through an authorized dealer for diagnostics. Closest dealer is in Richmond (over an hour away), and I will take it up there this week if I can't get a solution. Anyone have this problem or hear of it? I've tried to research it but all I've seen is that the 2012 models aren't the most reliable but I haven't found any mention of the same problem.

Would getting the quick charger bypass the internal temperature sensor and get me charging again? I don't want to throw $600 at something 2012 specific if it doesn't work.

Any help or info would be appreciated
Cheers