Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Messages - griffbl

Pages: [1]

Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Does anyone know when Zero plans on updating the FX?

« on: April 23, 2019, 04:19:32 AM »

To clarify, my 2019 Alta EX R Redshift was a fully street legal (turn signals the works) enduro type bike....not a motocross version. I used it like you would a zero FX, meaning I did not ride super hard core stuff off road, but the Altas was up to that task and more at home off road than is the current FX iteration (and to be fair to the FX, the opposite is also true if you are on road vs. off road more frequently). You could right straight to any trail head, and be legal doing it. Just like an FX. I had just hoped the FX might be due for a little better suspension, or some battery life improvements etc. soon. The Alta had a battery rated at 6.5 vs. the 7.2 for the Zero FX (if those numbers are comparable) but the charge times on 110V with a single external Alta charger vs. the charge times for the Zero with the built in charger are less than half the time to a full charge. A full four hours less! That is why I was asking the question as to charge times.

Yes, BRP bought the Alta assets. There was not a lot of proprietary tech there, but there was some. I do not thing BRP i.e. Can Am has any interest in building a motorcycle. Especially off road types, as it has been pointed out, that is a very small market, and no doubt lead to Alta's demise. I think BRP was just interested in what they could glean what Alta had learned as to software, battery, electric motor design and integration.

Thanks!

Brad

Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Does anyone know when Zero plans on updating the FX?

« on: April 22, 2019, 05:20:39 AM »

Fellow Riders-

I bought an 2019 Alta EXR, and loved it. Then of course, Alta's bankruptcy happened and I sold the bike. Probably should have just ridden it until it broke, but I did not. Does anyone know when the FX is due for a re-fresh? I wish it had a bit better suspension, and or maybe a charger that was external to the bike per Alta. That would make the bike a bit lighter, and I know it can be convenient to have the charger on board. I notice the Zero MMX has an external charger as one is not built in. Charge times are much longer for the Zero than was the case with the Alta when I used a single external charger and 110V. Oh well. I was just hoping Zero might be making some improvements soon, as the bike seems due for a re-fresh and not just a color change. Many Thanks!

Alta Motorcycles / Re: left hand rear brake for the Redshift

« on: September 17, 2018, 04:15:15 AM »

I installed a cable kit on my 2019, which routes to the foot pedal and mounts on the rear Master cylinder. Very clean installation, retains the foot brake, and causes no pressure problems given that it is a simple CABLE and does not change the factory setup. I like it a lot! I love a left hand brake as I change all of my bicycles to "moto style" with the right brake lever operating the front brake. Very nice, simple, solution.

Photo is of me going over Cinnamon Pass in Colorado at nearly 13K feet. No re-jetting required

Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Which 2018 ZERO FX Model to buy?

« on: October 22, 2017, 04:19:57 AM »

Quote from: Keith on October 22, 2017, 02:57:40 AM

Hi, I ride a 2016 FX so my opinion might count, or not. I would advise against the single pack unless your needs are very limited, as in short commute, little or no freeway. Range with one pack is very limited and the power is less at freeway speeds. But it is light and inexpensive.

Two packs is better. I like modular but it is now an extra cost so the 7.2 non-modular might be best, again depending on your needs. I wouldn't worry about upgrading the batteries, they only improve incrementally and 5 years is a great warranty.

Personally I went for the works and bought four packs and two external chargers. I ride off road mostly and to keep up with my friends gas bikes, I do 40 miles of trail in the morning, swap packs at lunch and ride the rest of the day, then charge all four overnight, two on the bike and two external. Then I'm ready to do it again the next day. That means I always have the range I want and it means I spent a lot of money.

I do ride with one pack sometimes. I have some single track on my own land and the lower weight is nice when range is not an issue. But for anything over 15 miles I use two. The power drops noticeably when the charge gets low.

It's a great bike, you'll love it, although the suspension doesn't match KTM or Alta. Hope this helps you to decide.

Keith-

Thanks so much! That is very helpful! I ride mostly off road, fire roads, some pavement, but nothing ULTRA gnarly any more....so my use is similar to your own. I am thinking the 7.2 non modular might be a good possibility also. So it is probably 7.2 non-modular vs Modular with just two batteries and one external charger. Do you notice a big difference in power with only one battery installed?

Thanks!

Brad

Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Which 2018 ZERO FX Battery Option is most Practical ?

« on: October 22, 2017, 01:24:43 AM »

Howdy and thanks in advance for your help!

I would like to buy a 2018 FX. I had originally thought I would buy a 3.6 and buy an extra battery. I thought that might be a better way to take advantage of future battery enhancements. But it is more expensive, and another charger is required if I want to charge a battery off the bike. I just thought since some Police Departments etc. use these, that the batteries might be updated more frequently. The 3.6 would allow me to enjoy a lighter motorcycle at times, by using a single battery when only one was required for range, etc. But that benefit may be less than I envision vs. cost etc. What do you guys think? Also, does the 7.2 integrated version of the FX utilize the same 7.2 battery as on other models? If so, that would probably ensure battery upgrades in the future on my existing bike. Thanks again for your help!

Brad in Dallas