ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: Lipo423 on August 26, 2012, 10:40:51 PM
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I know there was a discussion about this topic a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if any improvements have been made.
Offthegrid: Have you been able to get any improvement after the controller change/software twisting?
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I have not upgraded the controller yet. I think Zero has figured out it is the motor encoder and not the controller as I previously suspected. I'm going to focus on that issue first.
What helped my acceleration is I ordered a 25 tooth front sprocket (vs the 28 stock) Can definitely tell a difference! I didn't lose much top end if any. Worth it in my opinion.
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Electric Cowboy is also testing a sevcon size 6 controller (+50% max current).
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I met Electric Cowboy when he was working on his bike at Hollywood Elect a couple of weeks ago. He told me that the his bike with the new higher current controller had fantastic acceleration. In fact, it sounded like it would scare the hell out of me if I rode it to max!!! :o
Trikester
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That sounds very promising ;D
Let's hope he can report something back to us ::)
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Mwahahahahahahaha!
Currently I have the size 4 in my ZF6 but I have really been able to increase the performance even with just the size 4!
Now... Harlan has the size 6 in a 2012 ZF9... That can REALLY FLY! I mean like holy crap, it is awesome! I like to use nice explanatory descriptions , and the only thing I can say about the size 6 is omg. I have thoroughly tested the bike for Harlan, and let me just say it is outstanding and his mounting system and new wiring is without any doubt as good if not better than the original.
As soon as the Harlan is satisfied with the mechanics of reliably securing the sevcon size 6 to the zero, I will be installing one. I feel like a kid waiting out front of a Toys are Us!
I am about 85% sure I will be able to lift the front wheel off the ground with my software tuning and Harlan's Sevcon Install.
BTW, on the size 4 I have had the ZF6 with a size 4 at an indicated 102mph... with a size 6 in a ZF9 (45 lbs more) I believe I did a 0 to 60 in 6 seconds without my special touch, now imagine that on a ZF6!
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Mmmmm...it seems you guys are building up a rocket - I want also one!!! ;D
Has Harlan being able to fit it in the same place? It looks like Gen 4/size 6 is around 8 cm longer, right?
How much does it cost?
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At what point to these mods violate the warranty? ;)
You guys are funny. I almost always drive around in ECO mode. Well, to each their own....
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This is good news, this is what the zero needs to improve acceleration, this should be an option to buy new, like the size of the battery , the more options to choose the better. If you want faster sportier bike order model 6, if you want economy commuter order model 4.
Hopefully the new ceo will make ordering a zero like ordering a pc, choose components that suit your need and budget, BMW, Ducati and HD have shown owners like their bikes to be different for many reasons and purposes.
Also faster acceleration will allow it to compete with the Brammo Empulse.
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Agreed, during my talk and subsequent emails back and forth with Mr. walker I discussed heavily the need for upgrade options with a higher profit margin and a lower initial price point to get more zeros in the hands of owners initially. He said this was the marketing strategy for HP for over a decade and it worked.
I too am very excited for the size 6 upgrade and can't wait for it!!
I would love to see a way to add 6 total chargers to the ZF9 model as well. It would be the same battery charging (C rate) as the ZF6 with 4 chargers. I don't know if anyone else has done this yet besides me but it really makes the bike just as useful as a gas bike. Its nothing for me to do 300-400 miles in a day now and go on rides with other motorcycles to the beach and back in a day. Literally there are no limits. i just wished I could charge even faster sometimes. 6kw of charging on the ZF9 would be awesome! The charging stations put out a max 7.2kw so right near the max possible anyway. With that I'd love to do a Florida to California cross country trip on the bike! (After I get the glitch solved of course!) ;)
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I don't think (http://brammoforum.com/index.php?topic=1526.msg11358#msg11358) we'll have near-parity with gas for touring purposes until we get batteries that support level 3 quick charging and significant aero improvements. Near-parity isn't a requirement for touring, of course; you've done quite well with your 4 delta-q chargers. But I think most people won't tolerate significant inconvenience while touring.
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Agreed, during my talk and subsequent emails back and forth with Mr. walker I discussed heavily the need for upgrade options with a higher profit margin and a lower initial price point to get more zeros in the hands of owners initially. He said this was the marketing strategy for HP for over a decade and it worked.
I sure hope that we won't have to purchase ink cartridges from Zero every month to keep our cheaper motorcycles going. :o
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I sure hope that we won't have to purchase ink cartridges from Zero every month to keep our cheaper motorcycles going. :o
Of course not! The local Office Depot will refill the old ones for a fraction of the cost. Just be sure to buy new ones when the old ones leak a puddle of electrons all over your leg...
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You guys are too funny lol!
As for the questions :
1) has hollywood electrics been able to fit it into the same area :
yes! and with a new heat sync, it actually fits better than the size 4
2) offered as an upgrade :
No question, at very least HE will be offering it as an upgrade to all of their customers.
3) Price :
As of yet not sure. Excited to find out though!
On a side note, I just rode an off the shelf ZF9 today, wow, I was really surprised. I didn't know my bike with the tweaks to the software I have made was so different! even with a size 4!
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Hi EC,
are u talking about 2011 Foxie Cleopatra or a 2012 one ? If foxie C what have been the tweaks ?
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I tweaked foxie C pretty well too, but this was referring to my 2012.
If you want me to tweak your 2011 for you send me a message on FB and I'll let you know what you need to get so I can do it remotely.
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I visited Hollywood Electric today and test rode their ZF9 with the Sevcon 6 controller.... Now that's more like it!!
First, a little background:
I was seriously looking at electric motorcycles earlier this year. Waited and waited for the Brammo and then finally went to Hollywood Electric to check out the Zero. While I did like the ZF9 overall, I was quite disappointed with the off the line acceleration. Felt like a 150cc scooter. Once rolling and at speed, the bike felt pretty decent... not spectacular, but decent. I was riding on city streets so I didn't test high speed acceleration. I've been riding for about twenty years and I currently own quite a few motorcycles. For me, the Zero just didn't cut it. Although it would be used primarily for commuting, I felt that the bike lacked excitement.
Fast forward to present day. The Hollywood Electric modified ZF9 is a blast!!! I cannot believe that this little rocketship only has 28hp. Initial takeoff is soft (no clutch would be the reason, i'm sure) but off the line acceleration is now fantastic. Pinning the throttle from 30 mph produces so much torque and acceleration, it left me giddy! Its no superbike but from a rolling start at say 40mph, because there is no downshifting involved, you'll probably leave those superbikes in the dust... for the first 100 feet at least!
In my opinion, this is the way the bike should have left the factory.
Thank you Josh and Harlan for getting me excited about electric bikes again!
Jose Soriano
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Any videos of the size 6 controller in action? : )
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I visited Hollywood Electric today and test rode their ZF9 with the Sevcon 6 controller.... Now that's more like it!!
First, a little background:
I was seriously looking at electric motorcycles earlier this year. Waited and waited for the Brammo and then finally went to Hollywood Electric to check out the Zero. While I did like the ZF9 overall, I was quite disappointed with the off the line acceleration. Felt like a 150cc scooter. Once rolling and at speed, the bike felt pretty decent... not spectacular, but decent. I was riding on city streets so I didn't test high speed acceleration. I've been riding for about twenty years and I currently own quite a few motorcycles. For me, the Zero just didn't cut it. Although it would be used primarily for commuting, I felt that the bike lacked excitement.
Fast forward to present day. The Hollywood Electric modified ZF9 is a blast!!! I cannot believe that this little rocketship only has 28hp. Initial takeoff is soft (no clutch would be the reason, i'm sure) but off the line acceleration is now fantastic. Pinning the throttle from 30 mph produces so much torque and acceleration, it left me giddy! Its no superbike but from a rolling start at say 40mph, because there is no downshifting involved, you'll probably leave those superbikes in the dust... for the first 100 feet at least!
In my opinion, this is the way the bike should have left the factory.
Thank you Josh and Harlan for getting me excited about electric bikes again!
Jose Soriano
The sevcon upgrade I predict will be the most common and popular upgrade to the 2012. Perhaps to be considered necessary for any spirited rider. Just because you have more power on tap doesn't mean you need to use it. But when that teenager on the cell phone comes over on you, with someone right on your back fender, you'll be glad you did it. I'm very anxious for perhaps Richard Walker himself (CEO of Zero) to endorse and support this as an accessory upgrade to help grow the company by having more positive feedback and more ICE riders turn their heads and investigate whether a Zero will be their next bike as well. Perhaps it coul be sold with a left side air duct to the motor or a copper tubing water cooling kit to help remove any excess heat produced to the motor. But from my experience, the motor cooling is not a problem. It's the controller.
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I cannot agree more offthegrid.
They should put this as an available option, not to use it every moment, as you pointed out, but it is definitely needed.