Streamlined Electric Motorcycle Goes 170 Miles Per Charge

Craig Vetter is a legend in the motorcycle world, and the man who made aerodynamic fairings on UJMs like the original Honda GL1000 GoldWing and CX500 SilverWing a thing. He’s influenced every bike-maker, and continues to push the limits of motorcycle aerodynamics. Today, Vetter’s making waves with his Vetter challenge for electric motorcycles. This year’s challenge? Travel 171 miles at highway speeds, without recharging.

In the end the winner was cross-country rider Terry Hershner, whose motorcycle completed the challenge with the lowest cost-per-mile … and at an average speed of some 80 MPH. (!)

Terry’s bike was a collaboration, of sorts, that started off as a relatively conventional Zero S. That’s until electrical genius Harlan Flagg and aero master Craig Vetter got to it, that is. Now, it looks like this under the skin …

… which, yeah. Doesn’t look all that much like a Zero S, anymore.

Still, the feet-forward riding position, smoother ride, increased range, and 80+ MPH cruising speed of Terry’s electric motorcycle have to be upgrades – especially when you consider that there is no regular production electric motorcycle that can do nearly 200 miles at that speed.

It’s a slick looking bike, and the ride itself is a great story. You can check it out over at Green Car Reports, which did an excellent job chronicling the 2014 Vetter Challenge and Terry’s winning motorcycle. You can read the original article at this link, see some photos, below, then let us know what you think about Terry’s two-wheeled streamliner in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Craig Vetter-styled Electric Motorcycle

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Sources | More Photos: Green Car Reports, Off the Grid, Live.

Zero Motorcycles Press Intro | International Motorcycle Show

The FX may be the perfect city bike, but not with those tires. Those are your Saturday tires, for playing in the dirt. Get some Zero S wheels to run street rubber on this bike for everyday use.

Zero had a massive showing again this year, with a central spot on the show floor at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, CA. As press entered the show we were greeted by a pair of ladies handing us Zero brochures and reminding us not to miss their presentation.

Judging by how late most of the paper magazines were to report on these bikes, some even reporting on 2013 models when they’re all sold out, you’d have think they missed it last year. You know we didn’t. Full coverage here. And exclusive video interview with Zero owner Terry Hershner on the completion of his first (of MANY) cross-country trip on the Zero S. Oh how that bike has changed over the year! It was sad that the only Brammo at the event was the wheelie “ride” bike I saw outside near the stunt arena. The show continues in New York this coming weekend.

The big news last year was that Zero had begun using their proprietary powertrain, with twice as much power. That’s kind of a big deal. For 2014, the changes aren’t quite as drastic as that, but there is still a solid lineup. As a Zero owner, I’m most excited about the addition of an on-board clock. It’s been nice learning how long it really takes me to get from A to B, but all I ever really want to know is if I’m late. Although I have their awesome phone holder, I just don’t like riding around with my phone on the handlebar, and the clock is the one thing I really use it for.

Here, Zero’s VP of Global Marketing Scot Harden talks about the 2014 lineup: Highlights include the power tank, a spot in the “tank” where you can now put a spare battery for extended range on the S or DS models, to get up to 171 miles.

Photo courtesy of Zero. Yes, that’s a female riding their most powerful model. Kudos to Zero for letting her move up from the XU!

The bike I’m most excited about, of course, is the SR, which we wrote more about here. A true sportbike, the SR claims 67 hp and 106 ft-lbs of torque with a top speed of 102 mph. I’m hoping to be able to give you a proper ride report from a nearby racetrack sometime before Spring 2014. To quote: “The “R” configuration of the Zero S is designed for riders who simply want to go faster and accelerate harder.” Sounds like any Yamaha R1 owner who flogs the beejesus out of their Zero FX on a daily basis and feels a profound emptiness when that 85mph top speed is found. Regularly. Also sounds a bit like the racers who share the bike’s initials- Scott Russell and Scott Redding.

All models feature improved suspension:

»  New, more integrated triple clamps
»  New 43 mm forks across the entire model line for increased torsional rigidity and more precise steering
»  Completely reworked internal settings on all rear shocks for more comfort and control

The S and DS also feature aerodynamic upgrades to improve powertrain cooling. More from their press pack:

IMPROVED BRAKING SYSTEM
»  The Zero FX now features larger 240 mm rotors on the front and rear for improved braking performance
»  A new rear brake caliper with a larger 240 mm rotor provides more controlled and powerful stopping power on every model
»  310 mm front rotor on the Zero S and Zero DS

IMPROVED DASH AND CONTROLS

»  Dash has been completely redesigned
»  High contrast and blue backlit LCD screen features new data that allows users to better understand their state of charge, see their current performance profile and view other useful riding information
»  New and more ergonomic right-hand switch assembly with integrated switch to toggle on the fly between eco/sport/custom riding modes
»  New custom riding mode setting allows riders to set their own performance profile in addition to the factory preset “sport” and “eco” riding modes (custom mode performance profile must be configured within the Zero Motorcycles App)

REFINED CHASSIS AND HANDLING

»  New,more robust swingarm pivot design and bearings for increased torsional rigidity
»  Integrated Power Tank frame structure stiffens the frames of the Zero S and Zero DS
»  More robust head tube and head bearings for increased torsional rigidity and improved control
»  Increased ground clearance and improved lean angle for better cornering on the Zero S
»  Larger 140 rear tire on the Zero S for a larger contact patch with better traction

ZERO FX

»  Passenger pegs available as an optional aftermarket accessory
»  Dual projector beam headlights with integrated flyscreen
»  New seat is more integrated, more ergonomic and designed to carry a passenger

Zero

Zero motorcycles had VIP parking, as close as you could get to the entrance while still in the garage. Level 2 charging was also very close, closer than the designated motorcycle parking in the lot nearby. And yes, I was glad for that outlet and the 8 hours I planned to be at the event, as I used up almost every last drop flying to Long Beach from downtown LA, 26 freeway miles.

While my FX seat clearly has room for more people, I just can’t imagine a bike this nimble and fun to throw around through tight traffic being any fun with a passenger. The heavier and more powerful S and SR are far more appropriate for bringing a friend along on a ride.

Source: Zero

Terry Hershner Completes First Cross-Country Trip On Electric Motorcycle

This is cool.....way cool.

The first cross-country trip in U.S. history took months, and even after the invention of the automobile, it could still take weeks to get from one coast to another. With the dawn of the electric vehicle era comes a whole new set of records to make and break, and Terry Hershner just became the first man to drive from one coast to another on a pure electric motorcycle. Our hats off to you, Terry.

Hacking into his Zero S electric motorcycle, giving it a bigger 18 kWh battery, and adding some slick aerodynamic bodywork, Hershner and the Zero team were able to turn the 63-mile street cruiser into a 200-mile endurance racer. Terry left San Diego, California last Friday at 1:40 in the morning, and the race was on.

And race Terry did, as another electric motorcycle team, Moto-Electra, with two riders, a custom motorcycle, and a chase-van equipped with a generator, attempted their own coast-to-coast journey. Despite having to replace a motor in Texas due to a loose sprocket bolt (which Terry takes the blame for) and solo-driving his custom street bike, Terry was able to beat Moto-Electra, arriving in Jacksonville, Florida last night.

Congrats to Terry on this impressive accomplishment. This journey took more than a little grit and determination. Welcome back to the Right Coast.

Source: Off The Grid

First Long Distance Test | 2013 Zero FX

Photo Courtesy of Philip Wayne. Yes, that’s comedian Alonzo Bodden just hanging out at the Rock Store.

A month ago, I took delivery of a 2013 Zero FX. My first impressions are here. It’s been a wonderful month, even as I’ve had to work hard to keep The Smug from blinding everyone around me. Well, putting in an 80-mile day on Sunday was a great way to temper The Smug. If you aren’t familiar with The Smug, please take a moment and familiarize yourself here in South Park. Granted, that episode aired way back in 2006 when lowly hybrid drivers could think they were cool. Not so anymore, now that pure EV’s are becoming almost as ubiquitous, and Tesla is profitable.

Having plenty of time, I made plans with a riding buddy for a day in Malibu, my favorite way to spend a Sunday. I didn’t change my settings, keeping torque and top speed at max, and regen at 65%. But I tried to keep my speed below 70mph and tucked way down for improved aerodynamics for the 17 mile, mostly freeway ride to brunch at Sunset Blvd & the PCH. Thanks to all that conservative freeway riding (including drafting a van as long as I could) I used only about 35% of the charge. Plugged in at brunch for about an hour and left for the canyons with 73% charge.

Oana rides a Yamaha WRX250 supermoto so we figured we’d have comparable bikes. The Zero FX has about twice as much horsepower and gobs more torque, but she’s much more experienced when it comes to riding supermoto bikes. This was my first time in the twisties on the FX so I was cautious. Supermoto bikes, with their softer suspension and more upright seating position, enable a much broader range of body positions than a 477 pound 177 horsepower rocketship. I had a hard time believing it really is OK to sit however you want, and essentially un-learn all the strict lessons I’ve internalized after a decade on R1′s. As you can see from my Cyclemeter route, the fun in the canyons was dramatically truncated (purple line indicates my usual route) due to needing to be back in Hollywood by 6PM. The Mile 19 average is where Cyclemeter decided I’d launched into hyperdrive and flown over the hill at 108 mph. Not possible on a bike with an indicated top speed of 85mph, which is actually closer to 75mph on radar, but amusing nonetheless.

It felt great to be out in my favorite canyons on a motard, to have a bike far less likely to launch me over the cliff into oblivion for the slightest mistake. The coolest thing about motards is they’re so easy to ride and so forgiving. This was no different. I really want to go out and play in Malibu more often, but it will either take spending the night somewhere in the vicinity before and after or installing CHAdeMO nearby, and getting the $1800 upgrade. I’d totally do it if the Rock Store installed a station. What’s interesting is that I stumbled upon LA’s ONLY CHAdeMO station while sniffing out a new restaurant being built near where I work. Why waste time with half measures like J1772 when we could charge so much faster? Sure, home charging doesn’t need to be more than 110, but for places where we’re just passing through, it’s great to be able to charge fast.

LA’s first CHAdeMO station. Now, about Malibu, Blink…

However, the bonus of having to hang around the Rock Store for a couple hours is that I ran into a lot of friends I hadn’t seen in months. I rode up with Oana, and didn’t subject her to waiting with me, then rode down to Malibu Country Mart with Christine & Emily on their Ducati superbikes. They were just enjoying a relaxing ride, so we didn’t set a blistering pace. I had about 20% when I arrived at the Rock Store, and about 35% when I left a couple hours later. The ride back was all downhill, and I knew I could make the 13 miles. I plugged in at Malibu Country Mart, having to park on the sidewalk in front of a store. The security guard asked me to move, then took a picture. After I explained that I couldn’t use the J1772 stations on this bike (which were actually full of pure electric cars today!), he said he’d tell his wife, who’s a big advocate for getting more charging stations into the Mart.

After a leisurely lunch, we took off down Sunset Blvd back into town. Except the pace was a bit much for the ~30% of charge I had left, so I barely made it to the next outlet 23 miles away where the bike refused to continue. I knew Everleigh restaurant used to let Brandon and Harlan plug in out front, but that has changed. So I limped through Sunset Plaza desperately seeking an outdoor outlet. I asked a maintenance man if I could just roll into the service hall and plug in, and he told me about the secret outlets in the planters in the plaza.

So I slowly rolled into the plaza and spotted one amongst the pansies. Seriously. Parked the Zero, did some window shopping, then decided to drop into the Verizon store to get my other LiIon battery charged. (I need to stop leaving the Mophie at home!) Sat and chatted with the salesman who was very interested in motorcycles and curious about electric ones. Thanks to the diet Red Bull I’d had at the Rock Store, I was happy to tell him allllll about it. An hour later I had to take off to meet up with some friends 3 miles away. Although the indicator was still flashing and showing no bars, I had plenty to get there, then plugged in (thanks to their extension cord!) and juiced up enough to get home after our dinner.

Yes, the Brammo’s J1772 and longer range allowed me to enjoy Malibu a lot more than I did on my Zero FX. However, the FX is not a direct competitor to the Empulse, and it’s still the winner when it comes to the daily battle that is LA traffic and barely paved roads. The Empulse competitor would be the 2013 Zero S, a version of which I hope to test at Laguna Seca’s REFUEL event. Things I learned on my Zero’s first 80 mile day- having a slow-charging bike makes for a better social life, and it’s funny trying to explain to parking lot attendants that you need to park near an outlet. Many minds were blown that day.

Source: Gas2.0

Juice flows to new 2013 Zero Motorcycles Police Model [w/video]

Any "CHiPs" fanatic who has ever wondered what it'd be like for Ponch and Jon to not have to yell over their Kawasaki bike engines, it's Zero Motorcycles to the rescue. The California-based maker of electric-powered motorcycles made a version of its DS available for police work last year and is expanding that option to the S model. Zero says it plans to boost production of police- and security-oriented bikes because more squads in Asia, Europe and South America are "taking interest" in electric-powered motorcycles.

The good news is that the 2013 versions of the DS and S are about twice as powerful as the 2012 variants and can go about 10 percent further on a full charge. The DS and S can each handle 120 miles of city driving and about 75 miles of highway driving on a single charge. Beefier tires, updated styling and more on-board storage are also part of the Police/Security DS and S lines. The motorcycles can also be recharged via the CHAdeMO fast-charging standard.

Zero Motorcycles' work with the Thin Blue Line dates back to at least 2011, when both the police squads in London and Scotts Valley, CA, ran trial tests with an electric-powered Zero DS. Scroll down to watch video of the new machine in action and listen to Officer Francis Poncherello David Ball discuss the tactical advantages of a quiet drivetrain, along with the official Zero Motorcycles' press release.

E-scooter, motorcycle sales will dwarf plug-in cars' by end of decade

Plug-in cars may be a lot larger than electric scooters and e-motorcycles, but when it comes to numbers sold, two-wheelers will outnumber four-wheelers by a huge margin by the decade's end, Pike Research says. It's a global trend that will be led by big organizations.

Demand from fleet operators like delivery companies, police departments and security departments will push annual e-scooter and e-motorcycle sales to about 18.6 million units by 2018, according to the Pike Research report. About four out of five e-two-wheelers in the world are being sold in China. E-bikes are attractive as fleet vehicles because their lighter weight allows for a longer single-charge range than many cars as well as performance specs that are similar to their fueled counterparts.

In a separate report last week, Pike said that global plug-in vehicle sales will total about 3.8 million units a year by 2020. About 50,000 plug-ins were sold in the US last year.

Terry Hershner Crosses The US On A Zero Electric Motorcycle - VIDEO

In this video, Zero motorcycle owner Terry Hershner walks me through the modifications he’s done to his 2012 Zero S to not only make it around town, to 4th place in a TTXGP race, but also over 3,000 miles in 5 days. He worked closely with Hollywood Electrics’ Harlan Flagg to upgrade the controller, among other changes. Terry only had to hitch a ride the last 800 miles from El Paso because all the level 2 charging stations around there were closed to the public. At that point he didn’t have time to make it to Los Angeles using Level 1 charging, so the ride ended after over 3,000 hard miles. In this video, Terry walks me through the mods he did to make the trip possible. Some of the mods are for more social reasons, like those nights when two best friends want a ride on your motorcycle and you don’t want to be rude and only give a ride to the prettier one. Problem solved- this electric motorcycle carries two passengers. It earned the name The Zero Bus after the Zero party.

Hershner rides his Zero S as his primary form of transportation in Orlando, FL. He also let Jeremiah Johnson take it for a little spin around the banking at Daytona. Jeremiah completed the TTXGP world final race in 4th place, behind the two Brammo’s and the Muench, which finished 2nd. After the bike raced Daytona, Terry configured it for the long haul by adding a set of on-board chargers, as well as a few other upgrades. He rode from Orlando to Miami for Thanksgiving, then began his journey toward Los Angeles.

We followed his adventures on Facebook, seeing his reports of napping next to the bike to recharge bike and rider simultaneously. He says he wasn’t burning up the pavement, but he did get at least one speeding ticket. More importantly, he showed America that it is possible to cross the country on an electric motorcycle, even with a deadline.

Electric Cowboy rides Zero S, sets speed records on Bonneville Salt Flats

Brandon Nozaki Miller – A.K.A. the Electric Cowboy – is on a mission: to prove you don't need big-time money to have big-time fun competing on an electric motorcycle. To help make his case, he's just set several land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Aboard his Zero S steed (affectionately named Foxie Cleopatra), he reached an averaged speed of 101.652 miles per hour over a mile distance, placing himself in the record books of both theFIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) and AMA(American Motorcyclist Association), in the category of electric motorcycles under 150 kilograms. The effort also landed him the FIM record for the kilometer distance at 102.281 miles per hour.

Pretty cool, right? But this leads us to an obvious question: how do you get a battery-powered bike that's rated for a top speed of 88 mph to break the ton? Answer: Modifications. Lots of them.

Perhaps the biggest gain came from a simple swap of the stock rear 108-tooth sprocket with a slightly smaller 98-tooth disc. Other hardware changes included the addition of a steering damper and other bits to make it AMA compliant at the higher speeds, as well as little tricks like sawing off over five inches from his handlebars.

The Cowboy also employed some high tech savvy in his high-speed bid. Hacking into the bike's controller, he bumped up all the parameters, especially torque in upper range, to feed more power from the Zero ZF6 pack. While this is risky business – the magnets in permanent magnet motors can lose their attractive/repulsive properties if exposed to too much heat – Miller managed to come out on the winning end of the equation.

Good thing, because after the benefit of some TLC from the crew down at Hollywood Electrics and a new set of handlebars, Foxie is going up against the gassers of the Chuckwalla Valley Motorcycle Associationthis weekend. Though Miller wouldn't predict how he would fare against the 250cc bikes, we expect he will, at least, have lots fun while spreading his EV-positive message.

Source: Autoblog Green

Senate committee approves $2,500 federal tax credit for electric two-wheelers

Last week, the Senate Finance Committee approved a federal tax credit worth 10 percent of the price of electric bikes and motorcycles, up to a maximum of $2,500. If the bill passes, it would end an existing electric vehicle tax credit for golf carts that can't be taken on public highways, unlike electric bikes. The committee approved the amendment by a voice vote as part of a broader package of tax measures after a debate over whether e-bikes are worth it. Creating more U.S. jobs, and not losing them overseas, was cited as a reason for supporting it. E-bikes are very big in China – about 25 million of them were sold there last year, compared to less than 100,000 in the U.S.

Major car and motorcycle makers are considering entering the e-bike market in the U.S. As for now, three smaller companies have been selling bikes and bringing in investors: Brammo, BRD, and Zero Motorcycles. Last month, Brammo Inc. closed the first $13 million of a $45 million funding round, and has other financial backers.

Some analysts think federal tax credits are critical for building up sales volume and ramping up production volumes, bringing down retail prices long term. Plug-in passenger vehicles have a tax credit worth up to $7,500, depending on the size of the battery. The Chevy Volt can get a $7,500 credit, but the Toyota Prius Plug-in only earns $2,500.



Source: Autoblog Green

Zero Motorcycles 2012 Launch Video - 114 Miles Range - VIDEO

The Zero S Electric Motorcycle:

Charge On with the new 2012 lineup from Zero Motorcycles

PRESS RELEASE

Zero Motorcycles today announced its 2012 model line that includes a revolutionary new powertrain, models capable of exceeding 100 miles range, a power pack designed to last the life of the motorcycle and top speeds of up to 88 mph. Stealthy looking and contemporary, every model has been transformed to be faster, go further and, in the spirit of all two wheeled enthusiasts, to be more fun than ever before. Innovating at an exceptional pace, Zero Motorcycles plans to begin delivery of its complete 2012 model line in February 2012. This will mark the first time in transportation history that a mass production electric motorcycle capable of exceeding 100 miles range will be available for consumers to own.

Zero's new Z-Forcetm power pack uses a completely new battery cell chemistry and configuration that is up to 95% more energy dense and is rated to 3,000 complete charge cycles before hitting 80% capacity. This means that a Zero S could travel as much as 308,000 miles on its original power pack. All Zero's on and off-road motorcycles leverage the new technology meaning that the power pack is designed to exceed the longevity expected of any conventional motorcycle. The result is a complete electric motorcycle line that offers owners exhilarating rides while saving on gas and virtually all routine powertrain maintenance.

"The 2012 model line is truly game changing. It marks the first time in history that riders can actually own an electric motorcycle that is capable of exceeding 100 miles of range on a single charge," said Scot Harden, VP of Global Marketing of Zero Motorcycles. "Every model in the lineup goes faster, further and is more fun than ever before. These are not concepts. In less than three months, riders can see and purchase 2012 models at authorized Zero Motorcycles dealers."

The Zero S, a street fighter, and Zero DS, a dual sport, are both available in a 6 or 9 kWh configuration. As measured by the EPA UDDS, the Zero S is capable of respectively achieving 76 or 114 miles. Both motorcycles offer a higher top speed, with the Zero DS hitting 80 mph and the Zero S topping out at 88 mph. Perhaps more importantly, both motorcycles offer a broad torque band and stealthy acceleration from 0 rpm that makes them incredibly fun to ride. In addition, all the street models, including the Zero XU, feature new brushless motors and regenerative braking that allow riders to recoup energy during deceleration. The Zero XU, a motorcycle designed for inner city riding, now uses the same maintenance-free belt drive system as the Zero S and Zero DS. Brushless air-cooled motors, life of motorcycle power packs and belt drive systems make Zero's lineup of street models just about the world's easiest to own form of transportation.

If you are interested in opening up new off-road riding possibilities with a nearly silent dirt bike, Zero has two models that are better looking and faster than ever before to meet your needs. For 2012, Zero streamlined its off-road model line. The Zero X, designed for trail riding, is now exclusively available with lights and is street-legal. With 33% more overall power and 75% greater range, it now uses the same championship winning powertrain as the Zero MX. Built for motocross riding and now exclusively available for off-road only, the Zero MX also received more power and offers riders the ability to accelerate harder and hit higher top speeds. Both off-road models have a bold new design that speaks to their more aggressive and longer lasting powertrain.

Pricing information:
Each Zero Motorcycles model is 100% electric and, as a result, is sometimes applicable to receive government rebates or credits. Zero sells its motorcycles through dealerships and, in states or countries without dealerships, sells motorcycles through its website. Each motorcycle comes with a two year limited warranty and will begin shipping in February. Zero and its dealers will accept pre-orders from customers who would like to secure a new 2012 electric motorcycle. The complete pricing for each model is below.

Zero S
MSRP: (ZF6) $11,495* | €11,495**
MSRP: (ZF9) $13,995* | €13,995**
Zero DS
MSRP: (ZF6) $11,495* | €11,495**
MSRP: (ZF9) $13,995* | €13,995**
Zero XU
MSRP: $7,695* | €7,695**
Zero X
MSRP: $9,945* | €9,945**
Zero MX
MSRP: $9,495* | €9,495**

*Does not include local shipping, applicable taxes, PDI, or road registration fees.
**Includes Product, Shipping, and VAT. Does not include PDI or road registration fees.

About Zero Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles is committed to transforming the motorcycling experience by bringing to market highly innovative electric motorcycles that offer exceptional value and performance. Zero is powered by innovation, driven by passion, guided by integrity, and measured by results. Through extensive research, insight and experience, Zero combines the art and science of motorcycle development to create and manufacture products that excite consumers and inspire brand loyalty. Zero is determined to be the pre-eminent global electric motorcycle company.

Videos, photos and more press related info:
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/press

For general product or company information:
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com

London police to patrol streets on electric Zero DS motorcycle

London's boys in blue are to embark on a greener era of patrol with the unveiling of the Metropolitan Police's first electric motorcycle: the 2011 Zero DS.

The police squad confirmed this week that it's to trial a Zero Dual Sport (DS) bike manufactured by Zero Motorcycles. The Met squad will use the electric bike in its Motorcycle Tasking Team and in its BikeSafe and ScooterSafe programs. Mick Cheeseman, sergeant in the Motorcycle Tasking Team, says the electric Zero DS will be tested "under everyday police conditions" to assess whether or not it's suitable for widespread use within the squad.

Zero Motorcycles Europe's managing director, Edwin Belonje, predicts London's police will be impressed with the electric motorcycle:

The Zero DS will provide them with an insight into the huge benefits of electric vehicles, including noise reduction – particularly relevant in pedestrian areas – reduced running costs as there are minimal servicing and maintenance costs associated with electric vehicles, and obviously lower fuel costs.

London's trial follows a similar action taken by the Scotts Valley police force in California, which has seen the department use the Zero DS for stealth patrol.



Source: Autoblog Green

Take a Test Ride in a Zero S at 101 and Hollywood

The Need for Speed

In spite of constantly whining that currently available electric motorcycles aren’t fast enough, I must admit… There’s a special feeling that comes from exceeding a bike’s specified top speed. Sure, it was downhill, but still. 75mph is well above the 67mph limit Zero claims the 2011 S taps out at. Now imagine the speeds one can achieve with a little engine modification… I’m not sure why they chose to supply both a digital and an analog speedo, but there they are. The digital one reads 75, so it must be right.

This is the 4^th Zero I’ve test ridden, and by far the best. It feels much more solid and capable of higher speeds than any other Zero S I’ve ridden. The belt drive does indeed make it blissfully silent and almost completely maintenance free. And with a top speed of 75mph, I’m likely to go through fewer tires than on my R1, so it will even be lower maintenance in that regard. However, at 75mph I was just barely keeping with the flow of traffic on the Hollywood Freeway. On the other hand, I was tearing up the curves on Mulholland like I actually knew how to ride a Supermoto (I don’t, and feel completely lost on them).

I could’ve gone faster on Mulholland (links to video), but that’s as fast as I want to go on a bumpy road in a residential neighborhood. The ride up Laurel Canyon (links to video) was great too, despite the fact nobody could hear me coming up alongside them. I didn’t feel any less visible than I do on my gas bike. This video is of the final and fastest segment, on the Hollywood Freeway. This is the toughest test of any small vehicle, and I feel the Zero S performed adequately. I would’ve felt safer if I had a bit more speed in reserve, in case I needed to throttle my way out of a hazardous situation. But for the rider who prefers not to risk a double point infraction, this bike is more than adequate for LA riding. (More than 20mph over the speed limit is worth 2 points in CA.) Apologies for the fog in this video, the earlier ones are clearer. Those GoPro anti-fog inserts are hard to come by.

I rode the bike as aggressively as I would any other bike, and while I really missed the raw acceleration I get off the line from the 180hp gas guzzler I normally ride, the Zero S had no problem leaving cars in the dust at each green light. I checked my mirrors a few times on Hollywood Blvd, sure that the cars would’ve been right behind me, only to find they were still taking their time moseying away from the light. I returned the bike to Hollywood Electrics with about 30% less juice, after an aggressive 13.3 mile ride which included about 2 miles at top speed and doing my best to win imaginary drag races at every green light (after first checking to make sure no cross traffic planned on running their red light!).

To compare the Zero S to a more comparable machine, EmpulseBuyer shows the ownership costs of this bike against ownership costs of a Suzuki SV650. The SV650 is an excellent comparison, as both are great entry-level/commuter bikes that are also loads of fun in the canyons. In fact, the SV650 is so much fun in the corners, and cheap to own, that many people race them.

Motorcycles Make Los Angeles A Fun Place to Live

Here’s the route I took, which I recommend for anyone test riding a motorcycle capable of 60+mph from Hollywood Electrics:

(click map to go to google maps)

Of course, Hollywood Electrics won’t let anyone test ride a motorcycle without a motorcycle license, and the best way to get one of those is to find a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course near you. Students who pass the course can usually skip the DMV’s driving test and get a discount from most insurance companies. As reported here, electric motorcycles & scooters are set to outpace electric car sales worldwide. This is very exciting news for people who’d love to see scooters & motorcycles as ubiquitous here as they are in the rest of the world. Yes, riding is more dangerous than driving. Mainly because it requires MUCH more concentration. But that’s also the joy of riding- being at one with your environment, undisturbed by phone calls, texts, thoughts of anything beyond the vehicles around you.

Source: Gas2.0

A Zero Motorcycle Featuring a Removable Battery Pack

Charging an electric vehicle may be easy for those with garages, but not everybody has an outdoor outlet to plug into. Zero Motorcycles is making charging a bit easier by introducing a removable battery you can charge inside.

Zero’s new XU electric motorcycle features a removable 2 kWh battery and stand alone charger that can rejoice the battery in as little 1.2 hours. The Zero XU is a “city bike” with a maximum range of about 30 miles on a charge (rated at 25 miles by the EPA, and a top speed of around 51 mph. So its not exactly a record setting electric motorcycle in terms of range or speed.

However, the removable battery makes it so those without access to a garage or charging outlet can simply take the power pack and plug it in at home. Buying a second power pack means double the range, and makes the bike applicable for a Federal Tax Credit, lowering the $7,995 MSRP, and a typical charge (depending on where you live) costs just 21 cents.

21 cents for 25 miles of riding? I may suck at math, but that is pretty damn good, and the batteries have an estimated lifespan (at least 90% capacity) of 32,000 miles. Hopefully Zero will integrate this feature into their other models as well, which could make electric motorcycles much more appealing to apartment dwellers like me.

I have but one question; how much does the battery weigh? I live on the third floor of a three family home, and lugging a 50-lb pack up three flights of stairs every day doesn’t sound super appealing.

Source: Gas2.0

Zero Motorcycles Awarded Additional Grant Funds to Support Advanced Electric Powertrain Development Program

Zero Motorcycles has been awarded its second grant in the state of California to further the development of advanced electric powertrain systems. The most recent award comes from the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD) where Zero was awarded a $177,906 grant in partnership with the city of Santa Cruz.

This new grant adds funding to the $900,000 grant from the California Energy Commission awarded last month. The funds will be used to develop an advanced new electric powertrain for Zero Motorcycles. Additional matching funds from the City of Santa Cruz and others provide Zero with total funding for the project of $2,018,000.

Zero says that it now has the financial momentum and expertise it needs to develop electric motorcycle powertrains that exceed current levels of performance, range and efficiency.

Source: Green Car Congress

Introducing the Zero S Motorcycle

The Zero S





So you wanna go green but can't afford a Tesla or Fisker Karma? Join the club, and then have a look at the Zero S street legal all electric two wheeler. Built for fun, built to last and built to never use a drop of gasoline. What more do you want?

The Vectrix is another all electric two wheeler but is a scooter rather than a motorcycle. Pricewise, the two are very similar.

From Zero Motorcycles web site:

Motor
Type	Brushed permanent magnet electric
Top Speed	55 mph (90 kph)
Power System
Type	Patent-pending lithium ion array
Capacity	4 kWh (58volts @ 70Ah)
Range	Up to 50 miles (80 km)
Recharge time	Less than 4 hours
Input	Standard 110V or 220V
Drive Train
Transmission	Clutchless one speed
Drive system	17T / 61T, 420 Chain
Chassis / Suspension / Brakes
Front Suspension Travel	8 inches (203 mm)
Rear Suspension Travel	9 inches (229 mm)
Front Brakes	2 Pot Hydraulic, Stainless Rotor, Hand Actuated, Full Float
Rear Brakes	1 Pot Hydraulic, Stainless Rotor, Foot Actuated, Full Float
Front Tire	110/70-16
Rear Tire	140/70-16
Dimensions
Wheel base	55.75 inches (141.6 cm)
Seat height	35.5 inches (90.2 cm)
Head angle	24 degrees from vertical with 8 inch (20 cm) fork
Trail	3.26 inches (82.8 mm)
Steering Angle	+ 35 Degrees, -35 Degrees
Weight
Frame	29 pounds (13.2 kg)
Power Pack	80 pounds (36.3 kg)
Total weight	270 pounds (122.5 kg)
Economy
Typical cost to recharge	Less than $.01 per mile or kilometer