Zero Motorcycles delivering 2012 models to customers now!

[emotofreak]

http://visforvoltage.org/forums/electri ... s/zero-x-s

Can't wait to see the real-world reviews.

[dkw12002]

This might be the time to buy 2011s.

[grindz145]

OMG I can't wait until I have cash for one of these.... Absolutely my ideal motorcycle right now. They have some sharp guys working there

[dkw12002]

The Zero S with the big battery retails for $14,000

[Alan B]

Any data on watt hours per mile?

[dkw12002]

2,080 megawatts...no wait, that's Hoover Dam.

[dkw12002]

The batteries seem to be made to outlast the bike. 100,000 mi. for the 2011, 200,000 for the 2012 smaller battery and 300,000 mi. for the larger battery.

[Hillhater]

you seem to be quoting only the "sales" info.
how about some actual first hand data as Alan B asked ?
watt hrs per mile at 68mph ?
Watts at 68 mph ?
Actual useful range in normal mixed use, rather than EPA UDDS figs ?

[maydaverave]

A review of the 2011 bike would be great but a little confusing in a thread about the new 2012 model.

[dkw12002]

Ah yes, but you can compare. 2011s are still for sale.

[Alan B]

I've heard of 2011's at really great prices. If you compare the technology between 2011 and 2012 they are just about on different planets. Brushed vs brushless, new batteries and BMS, etc. If you are after a deal, the 2011's or a used bike may be it. If you want the features and technology then there is a price to pay. Anyway it is great to hear they are delivering. Aren't some of the other companies in the emoto business still not delivering after years of promises?

[dkw12002]

An additional $7000 for the big battery and new bike is something to consider.

[Alan B]

What is the power consumption of your 2011 at various speeds?

[dkw12002]

I don't know.

[Alan B]

I would just like to hear how many watts your 2011 uses to go 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mph on level ground at constant speed. Does it display watts, or amps? What is the voltage?

Then when someone rides a 2012 we'll have something to compare.

Thanks,

[dkw12002]

Not on mine.

[Alan B]

Do these bikes actually NOT display their energy consumption rate somehow? Amazing!

[IBScootn]

What type, AH rating are the batteries on the 2012?

[liveforphysics]

What type, AH rating are the batteries on the 2012?

X/MX packs have ~40Ah usable, ZF-6 packs have ~80Ah usable, and ZF-9 packs have ~120Ah usable. Discharge capacity varies slightly depending on temperature of the cells.

The cells are pouch-type NMC. Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide. Super safe, super high cycle life.

[emotofreak]

The Zero S bikes average between 6(hwy)-12(city)miles per kWh. You will find this correlates well with advertised UDDS and Hwy commute ranges.

[dkw12002]

2011 Zero S is 52 V nominal, 14 series cells and the 2012 is 66 V nominal, 18 series cells.

[Alan B]

The Zero S bikes average between 6(hwy)-12(city)miles per kWh. You will find this correlates well with advertised UDDS and Hwy commute ranges.

Great. So 167 watt hours per mile highway, and 83 watt hours per mile city, to state it in terms we often see on ES.

So to compare with a bicycle in the city, the motorcycle is approximately 3 times the energy consumption. Roughly. Interesting, not surprising.

The 66V 120 amp hour pack has about 8 kilowatt hours, so on the highway this would last 48 miles, and 96 miles in the city.

Great to have some data.

[dkw12002]

Commuter speed to me is 74 mph cause that's what most people drive their cars on I-35. Suddenly the claimed 114-mile range is looking elusive. Someone on another forum said manufacturer estimates of range are usually 35% optimistic. That would be consistent with many e-bike claims too. I do plan to ride one soon when my dealer gets the 2012 demos in. Someone also pointed out that while the 2011 is claimed to get 43 miles per charge, the average is more like 27 and if you ride WOT, it is 19, which is what we e-bike riders suspected all along.

[dkw12002]

Here is what one owner of a new 2012 Zero S said about it. I asked what to expect riding it at 74 mph.


Re: Range of 2012 Zero S with ZF9 at 74 mph?

« Reply #1 on: Today at 10:58:09 PM »

Quote


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I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the ranges are quite exaggerated. I don't want to discourage anyone - the bike is awesome, but the range-claims are not realistic.
I have over 200 miles on my 2012 S FZ9. If you ride at speeds between 70 and 75 MPH the fuel gauge bars disappear at the rate of one bar for every two and a half to three miles. So assuming that one starts with a full battery and rides to empty - there will be around 33 miles on the odometer.

I did get 60 miles on a charge once, but I kept the speed around 50 MPH to achieve that range.

This is still a vast improvement over previous bikes and I'm enjoying the ride. Luckily I can charge at work, so I can ride fast each way (50 miles round trip).

[emotofreak]

Just to reign this in a bit. Zero only advertises 63 miles "HWY commuting range". Which is defined, right there on their site, as follows:

********************
For 2012, in order to give our customers additional range information, Zero collaborated diligently with the Motorcycle Industry Council on the development of a new "Highway range" test and reporting standard for electric motorcycles. This new standard is meant to provide a range value riders can expect to achieve when using the motorcycle for highway commuting. It is based on an extensive 3rd party research which concluded that, when coupled with the distance traveled on city roads getting to and from the highway, as well as the distance spent in highway congestion, the average "highway commute" is made up of 50% steady-state high speed riding and 50% city-like riding. For Zero's higher top-speed S and DS models, the steady-state high speed used in this test and reporting standard is 70 mph. For Zero's lower top-speed XU, this speed is 55 mph.

The Formula:
S and DS 70 mph Highway Commuting Range = 1 / [0.5/(70 mph steady-state range) + 0.5/(EPA UDDS range)]
XU 55 mph Highway Commuting Range = 1 / [0.5/(55 mph steady-state range) + 0.5/(EPA UDDS range)]
*********************
They never claim that it does 63 miles @ 70mph sustained the whole way... They are just reporting the numbers as per the MIC's range testing procedure.