2012 zero line up at milano show

[John in CR]

I only even noticed because I now have a "motorcycle" (dirtbike), that might get fixed up as a learner, then possibly converted to electric if it survives the learning process.
viewtopic.php?p=493399#p493399

AW, I'm more worried about you surviving the learning process, or were the race crashes all equipment issue? I don't know, maybe it's just having a hardcore e-guy like you testing the waters of the dark side with a gasser dirt bike that makes me cringe. What happens when you like it? You might start trying to see how many buses you can jump or something.

[Arlo1]

AW, I'm more worried about you surviving the learning process, or were the race crashes all equipment issue? I don't know, maybe it's just having a hardcore e-guy like you testing the waters of the dark side with a gasser dirt bike that makes me cringe. What happens when you like it? You might start trying to see how many buses you can jump or something.

Yup its lots of fun. I broke one foot and the same leg and the other ankle and dislocated my shoulder and cracked the ball in my shoulder jumping a car when I was 15 I got a month in the hospital that way. Then when I was ~23 I was practicing while hung over and went into a whoop section I could double triple then when landing the double I give it throttle to launch for the triple and my bike bogged. I went head first into the last jump then my bike flipped over and the sub frame stabbed me in the ass and crushed my t4 vertebrae and squishing my brain into my head and three days later I went cross eyed for 6 weeks! I have had lots of small crashes and broke more bones then I can remember but its still fun! I live to fly in the air on a MX bike! Just wear a brain bucket!

[amberwolf]

Oh, no worries on that kind of thing. I might love speed but only on a racetrack, and not on this style of bike--I'd much rather be leaning *back* to go fast.

I'm not a stunter, even if I had the desire for it I don't have the timing/coordination to survive that sort of thing, much less have fun doing it.

No, the basic idea is to re-learn fixing two-strokes, then to learn to ride this thing, then to get what's needed to make an electric version (probably just "convert" one, like the blue scrap DR350, by rebuilding around the headtube/VIN tag what would essentially be a new vehicle, most likely in a recumbent style).

I expect it to be at least as long a journey from here to there as it has been from my first motor experiments on a bike to today's CrazyBike2 version. And still, for most things, I'd rather ride the bicycle stuff. There's more advantages than disadvantages, to me.

[sflorlando]

Im sooooo close to giving the car to the wife and using this as my main mode of transportation.

I dont want to get all up in Lukes ass about how great a job he did...but ya having someone on here that helped build it goes a long way.

[liveforphysics]

Im sooooo close to giving the car to the wife and using this as my main mode of transportation.

I dont want to get all up in Lukes ass about how great a job he did...but ya having someone on here that helped build it goes a long way.

Thanks. I have a blast riding them everyday, and I think you will be really happy.

[mistercrash]

Im sooooo close to giving the car to the wife and using this as my main mode of transportation.

I dont want to get all up in Lukes ass about how great a job he did...but ya having someone on here that helped build it goes a long way.

Do it! Give the car away. I sold my car and bought an Escooter for transportation. It's nothing like a Zero but I haven't looked back. I just love to ride it, rain or shine. Hot or cold it don't matter. We kept just one family car and when I drive it, I find it sooo boring. The scooter is like an adventure every time I take it. I can just imagine what riding on a Zero is like. Just do it.

[rochesterricer]

Great stuff Luke! While I do like the looks of the Brammo Empulse better, the Zero appears to be A LOT lighter. Can you give us a ballpark number for the KW output of the motor/controller?

[zap mc]

You don't get a 114mile range production bike by just picking something, .

despite the great work that has been done on the development of this bike we relly need to get a reality check with regards to this 114 mile range claim.

The 114 mile range is claimed for the 9kw Zero only ( not the 7kw) and refers to the The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Universal Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) this is done in a lab and not on a road with wind resistance.

This is the CITY range ONLY and refers to a speed of BELOW 20 MPH and as such is a bit misleading to constantly quote it as some sort a reasonably attanable average range.

It just sets a false expectation for the customer and is damaging to the industry. Nothing destroys credibility more than a customer who has read the blurb and expects 100 miles on their commute being told they will probably get about 40, and if a dealer sells it on the basis that it is being used for a specific purpose such as commuting a fixed distance and it does not fulfil that need then it could be deemed as not fit for the purpose and a refund would be in order.

[Elliot]

..........................

[emotofreak]

You don't get a 114mile range production bike by just picking something, .

despite the great work that has been done on the development of this bike we relly need to get a reality check with regards to this 114 mile range claim.

The 114 mile range is claimed for the 9kw Zero only ( not the 7kw) and refers to the The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Universal Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) this is done in a lab and not on a road with wind resistance.

This is the CITY range ONLY and refers to a speed of BELOW 20 MPH and as such is a bit misleading to constantly quote it as some sort a reasonably attanable average range.

It just sets a false expectation for the customer and is damaging to the industry. Nothing destroys credibility more than a customer who has read the blurb and expects 100 miles on their commute being told they will probably get about 40, and if a dealer sells it on the basis that it is being used for a specific purpose such as commuting a fixed distance and it does not fulfil that need then it could be deemed as not fit for the purpose and a refund would be in order.

Zap MC you are WAAAAY off base here. 1st, Zero is the ONLY manufacture to actually test to the MIC's recommended range test procedures. Bashing them for actually doing the tesing and reporting this data to you, is silly. These procedures were developed by a consortium of manufactures and this is what the industry agreed upon. It's not like Zero is cheating or something. If you think the UDDS test is flawed, complain to the MIC.

The EPA UDDS drive cycle is an actual trace taken from real driving around LA. The dyno loads DO simulate aero and inertial loads.

You can see from this chart the average speeds are 25-35 with a good section at 55. I actually think it is reasonably representative of "city driving". Even with the 2011 S bikes, every time someone questioned the ability to achieve the UDDS range, a simple test ride consisting of driving around town, adhering to speed limits and accelerating sensibly, results in meeting or exceeding the UDDS range. Though you'd have to sit on a 2012 Zero for 5-6 hours to prove the real world UDDS range ;p

You really can't blame Zero (or anyone else) for riders blasting around at full throttle ('cause it's fun) and then complaining about the range. ICE cars and bikes rarely achieve their advertised MPG's in the real world as well. Surely you don't expect manufacturers to advertise their worst case numbers as the norm?

Additionally, Zero goes to great efforts to educate it's dealers and customers and provides REAL TEST DATA that you can use to make an educated decision.

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/range/

[Hillhater]

Why do you guys keep sticking your head in the sand over EV range. ?
Actual real life Range is one of the biggest issues with all EV's and exaggerating figures will only hurt the industry .
Its pretty obvious from both these threads that the 114 mile range is a maximum rather than a real practical figure .. ( which is nearer to half that apparently,.. from owners data) .
...so maybe we should criticise the EPA UDDA method as being unrealistic.
What matters, is the range owners actually get in normal daily use.

PS.
from that linked page..

There are four factors that impact range: route, rider, weather and motorcycle. By considering each of these factors a rider can better predict the total range of the motorcycle.

Unless i missed it,..they dont actually mention the pack capacity anywhere on that page ..???

[RWP]

Zero + Luke = Infinity

[minuteman2k]

So Glad the DS ditched the chain and went belt drive

That and the new Headlight has sold it for me !!

[rochesterricer]

Went to the Minneapolis Motorcycle Show this past weekend. Zero was one of the few companies that didn't have models you could sit on. They only had them on displays. I was really disappointed, as I really wanted to see how they felt between my legs.

[sk8norcal]

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boar ... pic=1929.0

Real World Riding Range from my experience so far:

70-75 MPH: 34 Miles
At 65 MPH: 39 Miles
At 45 MPH: 55 MPH

[edcastrovalley]

Damn. I just ordered a 2011 ds which I'm supposed to pick up on Monday and now after reading this thread I'm wondering if I should hold out for a 2012. The 2011 ds is still an awesome bike. My wife even said to go for the 2012. Boy is this tough!

I thought Luke might have been with Zero. With him being from Santa Cruz and the Agni motors showing up on his bicycles, I had my suspicions.

[Arlo1]

Damn. I just ordered a 2011 ds which I'm supposed to pick up on Monday and now after reading this thread I'm wondering if I should hold out for a 2012. The 2011 ds is still an awesome bike. My wife even said to go for the 2012. Boy is this tough!

I thought Luke might have been with Zero. With him being from Santa Cruz and the Agni motors showing up on his bicycles, I had my suspicions.

Im pretty sure it was public right away

[edcastrovalley]

[/quote]
Im pretty sure it was public right away [/quote]

No doubt. I'm probably the last one to figure it out. Lol.
I was doing some last minute research when I found this thread. Lots of good info here.

[edcastrovalley]

Zero 4a.JPG (115.64 KiB) Viewed 326 times

I just ordered a 2011 ds which I'm supposed to pick up on Monday

I got it! The only difference is that it is actually a 2010 DS that was bought new in 2011. It only has 300 miles on it so it's practically brand new. I'll write more later .

[Doctorbass]

Zero 4a.JPG

I just ordered a 2011 ds which I'm supposed to pick up on Monday

I got it! The only difference is that it is actually a 2010 DS that was bought new in 2011. It only has 300 miles on it so it's practically brand new. I'll write more later .

Congrat!!

It look nice!

I see that yo have the black rims and the gold colored disk holder wich confirm it's a 2010. Mine will be red rims and silver disk holder ( 2011) but i think this is the only difference?

Doc

[edcastrovalley]

Congrat!!

It look nice!

I see that yo have the black rims and the gold colored disk holder wich confirm it's a 2010. Mine will be red rims and silver disk holder ( 2011) but i think this is the only difference?

Doc

Thanks Doc!

I believe you're right, the 2010 and 2011 are very similar. The 2010 models had large blue stickers which the previous owner took off on my bike. Also my key switch (ignition switch) is on the "gas tank" whereas the 2011 has it up by the speedometer. Also the 2010 has chain drive instead of belt drive (2011) which I would like to have but, I'm ok with that.

I took it to work today taking the same route I take with my ebike. It's nice and fast but it's harder to anticipate the traffic signals like I can on my ebike. You just fly up on a traffic signals just as they turn red whereas on the ebike I can watch the signals from a long ways off cruising along at 22 to 25 mph slowing for the reds and speeding up for the greens. And even if I hit red, I'm cruising down the shoulder passing all the cars anyway.

STILL, I like being able to stay ahead of the oil burners and not riding on the debris they cast onto the bike lanes. Plus I get there 10 minutes faster on my 16 mile (one way) commute. My "fuel gauge" showed 1/2 "tank" remaining when I got there and fortunately, I'm able to charge at work.

Ed

[mr.electric]

Great looking products in the Zero line up. Luke thank you for helping to make EVs feasible as commuter vehicles for non techies.
Higher gas prices have really helped Plug-in vehicles too.

[liveforphysics]

You guys are going to LOVE this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHKXP_YA40s

[Harold in CR]

Really rude of Trevor to spray mud over all them gassers laying all over the trail.

Gotta love it.

Besides the E advantage, power wise, what do you think is the reason he got by so many riders that just fell over ?? Is the bike that much lighter ?? Looks like the riders need to be in very good physical shape, to be able to stay upright . NICE video. Just need to install the moving camera lens film, so the mud doesn't block the view.

Thanks for the awesome video, Luke. Thumbs up.

[fechter]

You guys are going to LOVE this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHKXP_YA40s

Oooh! the carnage! That guy is an amazing rider. Reminds me of where I used to ride in Napa county during the rainy season. That mud is enough to stall almost anything gas powered. I bet there were some burnt clutches after that one.