ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

I agree with nnelson65 that the motor needs to re-commissioned. The motor at 30K is probably just fine including windings and bearings. If the angle sensor (encoder) is out of whack it could explain the jerky start and reduced range. I'm making all this stuff up.

You're making all this stuff up? o.0 Whaaa?

Anyway, I've scheduled an appointment next week with another dealer to have the motor recommissioned.   I'll report back.

A 60 degree spread between what the motor says and what my thermometer says? That's a big gap. I'd spot you 10 or 20 degrees, but 60? Especially at 45mph with moderate acceleration.

I've never seen motor temps this high. Did Zero update their firmware that inflates motor temps in a half 'backside" way to protect the motor?  so? I keep coming back to the idea that my motor is cooked. Maybe Zero found out motors were cooking and added a multiplier to the temp readings to put bikes into thermal limit sooner.

2017 SR

You may recall my post from January about the dealer replacing the Motor Controller ($2k) and performing a motor commissioning.  The bike never was back to the way it was, but the thermal issues aren't nearly as bad as they are now.  (Motor temp was showing to be above 255°F and it was being put into Phase I thermal protection.  Now, it's showing ~170°F on a warm day, even though actual motor temp isn't anywhere close to that).

Other symptoms include a jerkiness when I start moving from a stop. 

Anyway, I'm wondering if some of the motor windings have been damaged and have shorted to each other.  I have over 30k miles on it.. and let's just say I've been extremely fond of the incredible power the thing has been able to produce (read: I usually gun it whenever my light turns green  )  So, I'm now sheepishly paying for said fun.

Thoughts?  Recapping-
-Motor temp reads far higher than actual - I had a laser thermometer on it one day when it was 40° out and motor was 80°, dash was showing 150°ish IIRC
-Jerkiness when I start moving from a stop.

Update- new controller was installed and it allowed the dealer to commission the motor, but the motor temps are still all over the place and the dealer can't figure it out without calling Zero and they're closed on weekends.

Going on a month with the bike and taking the bus to work really sucks. I need my motorcycle. ICE bikes are gaining more appeal day by day.

Yeah, I guess I'll keep it. Still mad, but after having a chance to sleep on it, I came to the realization that after 27k miles and beating the p*** out of it (gunning it everytime a light turned green), I was just asking too much from it. God, it's a fun motorcycle. But, you can't expect them to hold up at top performance without something breaking eventually. Something had to give. Maybe I should have expected it, given the benefit of hindsight. Maybe someone can learn something from my expensive mistake. Take it easy with the right hand grip

Sensor was my first suspect. Dealer says it only needs a motor controller, according to their conversation with Zero.

Mostly I'm posting to vent. Who knows. Maybe others have experienced this and can offer insight. My 2017 SR has been diagnosed as having a defective motor controller. It started going into thermal protection when it was 40* outside. 1st stage thermal protection shouldn't kick in until the motor reaches 255*. I put my hand over the motor and it feels maybe 80*? Dealer took it in and like I said, they said I need to cough up $1826.25 for a new motor controller. I called Zero and they aren't willing to help on any of it. It's out of warranty and they won't cover it. I asked if they could at least meet me half way.  Nope. They aren't willing to budge one bit.  Welp, electric motorcycles were fun while they lasted, but I'm going back to internal combustion. I may part this one out unless someone has any other suggestions.

Thanks.