ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Getting to know my new 2014 'S (after trading in my totaled '12 S)  . . .
I'd like to set the custom mode parameters with the App, but cant figure out how.
In the app, on the settings page, the only mode that shows up is Eco, and you cant seem to toggle to the other modes.
So . . . how do I set the parameters for the Custom mode?  Or are the parameters in the App that are labeled "Eco" really the Custom mode parameters?

Am I missing something here  . . . ? 
--Karl

Since there are a few of us riding 2012s with the retrofit 2013 replacement motors, I thought I would start a thread on the performance of the bikes with the retrofit motors.  I know some owners have complained about lower top speed, so I thought I would share my own experience.

Yesterday I had a chance to open the bike up on a stretch of road where I would sometimes run flat out before the motor replacement.  Before the motor replacement, I would top out at around 93 or 94 mph on the (uncalibrated) speedometer on the bike.  Yesterday I topped out at 90.  Conditions were good -- no wind, bike nearly fully charged (9 of 11 bars).

So for me there seems to be a slight loss of top speed, but still in spec for the bike.  I have a ZF6 and am pretty skinny, and a mini-windshield on the back, all of which probably increases the top speed.

I would also say that high speed acceleration seems better, the bike does not seem to be straining as much at top speed, and the bike seems to be drawing down the batteries less under similar conditions with the old motor.  With the old motor, driving to work at high speeds would use up 4-5 bars, while yesterday it only used 3.

So I am still very happy to have a functioning bike back!

--Karl

Just rode to work in the bright sunshine -- nice to have warm weather after riding most of the winter.  I forgot how much the cold saps these bikes' performance.  Got the acceleration back -- and when I opened it up on the highway I was surprised to see the speedo hit 97 (this is on a stock '13 S ZF6).  Now, I know the speedometer on these bikes is a little optimistic, but still . . .   

The ICE biker I passed never heard me coming.

Meanwhile, my wife's '13 XU is operating erratically again (sometimes it runs on bootup, sometimes it doesn't).  The dealer didn't really fix it -- even with all the logs they had no idea what the problem was and just plugged it back together and hoped the problem was a loose connection that would go away. It didn't.

--Karl

I have a '12 S, my wife bought a '13 XU last Fall.  Most of us are familiar with the way the motors on the Zeros "growl" a little when you push the bike forward or backwards with the power on.  I have noticed that my wife's XU makes this "growl" (and you feel the resistance to pushing the bike) even when the key is turned off.  My S does not do this -- key off, no growl, no motor resistance to pushing the bike.

Is this normal for the '13 XU?  Trying to decide whether I need to drag both bikes in to the dealer (need my recall service done on the S anyway, but I dont have a truck or van to take the bikes in).

--Karl

There are three of us planning a ride on Zeros from my house in West Nyack up to Bear Mountain - about 50 miles RT, doable with a ZF6 or better.  Fall leaves are at their peak!  Send me a message if interested.

-Karl

PS -  I have a '12 S ZF6 and usually just lurk on the 2012 list, but now that my wife has a 2013 XU, if figure I can lurk here, too!

My wife took delivery of a 2013 (Demo) XU this week -- that makes us a double Zero family!

Robin was riding my daughters Honda Rebel for two weeks in September while our daughter had the family car  . . . when she started talking about buying a Rebel for herself I insisted she ride my '12 S to work just once, first.  She was sold -- and we got one of the last '13 XUs for sale anywhere, from Carbon Negative, at a slight discount.  Not having to worry about clutching, shifting, and turning at the same time helped close the deal (plus all the "green" pressure I put on her, of course).

The '13 XU has about the same range and top speed as the '12 S, so we can go riding together --- but Robin likes the lower seat height and lighter weight.

--Karl

Tuesday night I rode home in an unexpected steady light rain.  The bike had been outside, covered, all day, temperature in the 30s.

Right from the start I noticed an unusual motor growl -- similar to the usual electric motor noise but much louder and with more vibration -- most prominent when accelerating between around 10 and 30 mph.  I think I have noticed this before in the rain.  Cant say I noticed any change in performance, but I am not likely to be riding or accelerating as fast in the rain, so I probably would not have noticed a decline in performance.

This morning, rode in to work, dry weather, temp in the 20s, no growl, smooth as ever.

Anyone else have their bike growl at the rain?  Seems like it must be more humidity related than moisture in the motor, since it started as soon as I took the cover off and started to ride, before much in the way of raindrops or spray could have infiltrated anywhere.

--Karl

My daughter gave me grip Warner's for Christmas (such a thoughtful child!).  I am trying t figure out the best 12v wire to tap into.  Probably can get to the headlight wire if I need to, but I was wondering if someone who has already done this has a better option.  I don't have the 12v accessory outlet kit, and I don't see why I should need it just to tap into 12v somewhere.

-Karl