ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Quick update

Someone came around today and picked up the XU, so it's gone and we're rid of dealing with Zero. Great rejoicing in this household.

Now I have some space to sort out some of the other bikes needing work in the garage.

Peter

Hi folks

So, we've given up on the pile of garbage that Zero sold us. If anyone needs the details (and if you're thinking of taking up this offer, make sure you read the details)  - our story is covered in these posts:

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=3504.30

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4876.msg33145

As you'll see from the second of these, the last problem was the throttle acting as though it was sticking on. It seems to be intermittent. I've canceled the bike's plates and it's no longer road registered.

That being so, I don't rate this bike as safe to ride. And it's clear that Zero has no interest in supporting pre-2013 bikes. So if anyone else who owns a 2012 XU and would like this bike as a source of spares to cannibalize, you're welcome to it. I live in the northeast USA, about 1.5 hours from Boston (on Cape Cod). You'll have to come & get it, or organize for it to be picked up. Bike's got clear title.

I realize that getting rid of it means I can't ensure that it's not used on the road, but I would strongly discourage its use on the road. It's been extremely unreliable, and the last problem - the engine not slowing when you shut the throttle off - is potentially very dangerous. But it's got a good battery bank, DC-DC converter, BMS (because all of them have been replaced) and motor. Not sure if the latest problem is the MBB or just the throttle control, but I'm past caring. The forks don't leak and iirc the bike has <1500 miles on it so the tires & brakes are fine.

I tried to offer it to the dealership from where I bought it. They never got back (2 phone calls and an email). I tried Hollywood Electrics and they weren't interested, but offered me a deal on a 2014FX. We're not interested and never want to deal with the Zero motorcycles company ever again. I find Zero exceedingly unimpressive (I'm trying to be polite).

A friend gave me an early-80s Suzuki 250 to fix up for my wife to ride & to replace the Zero, so I'm passing on the goodwill and offering the Zero on to someone who can use it for parts, for free. We want it gone and no longer wasting space in our garage.

Anyone interested can send me a private message.
Peter

Because the <=12 page seems to be dying slowly?

And thanks, pinaz, for this thread.

As there's no way I'd ever consider buying another Zero, this is no help to me at all.

Peter

Thanks Cornish

I've notified the dealer of this problem - haven't heard back yet. I've also just contacted Zero to let them know.-If this happens with multiple bikes (and isn't just another example of our bad luck) then it's potentially serious.

XU has 1900 miles on it.
Peter

Hi folks

So I had a new twist on the excitement of owning our Zero XU this afternoon. (For those who came in late*, the sorry tale of this XU - http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=3504.0)

When I'd shut off the throttle, the motor didn't actually slow down. I had to brake to get the bike to slow. Rolling on the throttle would make the motor increase but shutting off the throttle didn't seem to do anything. A warning was flashing - (I wasn't paying all that much attention to it, as I was trying to keep well back from the car in front of me) - seemed to be the "problem with the throttle assembly" from checking the manual - 1 then 3 short blinks. Then the speedo switched to showing 0 for my speed, for a bit of added interest. I braked to turn into the street near home, the motor dropped revs, the speedo started working, and for all of ~45 seconds everything was right again. Maybe it'll be all right next it gets ridden, maybe not.

The thrill of owning a Zero! It's controllable with the XU, as it doesn't have the hp to pull the skin off rice pudding, but on a more powerful bike this could be rather a problem.

So I'm guessing a dud throttle assembly (again, for this bike)? But then why the speedo playing up as well? Anyone had this experience?
Advice from the Forum Gurus accepted with gratitude.

Bike's worked since late November last year (amazing record of reliability for this bike!). It didn't get ridden for about 3 months post New Years Eve (I rode it to work that day) thanks to the wonderful winter we had here in New England this year. So it's had December, then April-late July working fine. Quite the reliability record for this one. Only now it's giving trouble again.

Peter
*Yes, it's a reference to the Ghost Who Walks.