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Messages - vchampain

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 11
1
Ask for a replacement vehicle - it tooks me months when I had to fix my bike, and they did not think about lending me another bike but lent me on old zero 2012 when I asked for. Not the same experience but at least you have a bike !

2
Why ?  They have a great network of niche motorbike dealers & shop, does not seem crazy...

3
Interesting. I thought that Polaris buying Brammo would have boosted them, but so far it doesnt seem to be the case...

4
Same for me - 12.54 kw battery, 20% increased range.

5
Thanks a lot, i'll try S100 & finish with a plastic shiner.

6
Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Checking belt tension
« on: June 26, 2016, 06:58:55 PM »
Don't know about the tool, but it is key to have the right tension - i broke 3 consecutive belts after my dealer replaced it with the wrong tension... Not a great experience to lose any torque in the highway !

7
Hi !

After the Zero recall which upgraded the battery to a 12.5, i'd like to polish the plastics which are a bit scratchs (nothing deep, but the normal use of plastic rubbing against a jean or keychain).

Any idea what product / method works best ? Someone advised Mirror or toothpaste, but it did not work so well. I also used a plastic renovating product which works ok but only hides scratches - i also need a surface treatment to polish them.

Any idea ?

V

8
General Discussion / Re: Future Zero rider in Paris, France
« on: May 16, 2016, 01:21:33 PM »
Hi Corentin !

if you're in Paris and are looking for an affordable Zero, we should talk - i have a Zero 2013 with low mileage perfectly working in Paris 5e, and I'd like to move to a SR. Used Zeros are great bargains because you get a good discount. You can contact me in private message if you're interested.

- I'd be riding about 15000km/year (9000miles) including rain.
   Rain is no problem - i just changed the tires to have a better grip.

- Commuting distance ~80km/50miles round trip (hopefully soon a  new job closer)
   This is perfect for the range. You also have plenty of autolib station where you can park & refill with a 20 € or so yearly fee.

- I tend to "lack discipline" when it  comes to speed
   You can set a maximum speed giving you more discipline (or saving your permit ;-) ) if you want using the bike's mobile app.

- Night-time temperatures where I live are typically -5°C/23°F during winteri
   I've had zero for 5 years and low temperatures are not a problem. Very high ones could be - you just need to avoid charging your bike in full 45°C sun.

- I'm still not completely sure wether or not I'll  e q le to charge at work.
  If you're in Paris look at the autolib network. You have some everywhere. Else any garage plug will work.

- DS Vs S?
  Question of choice. I have a S.

- 9.8kWh Vs 13kWh battery?
  I would go for the bigger one considered the difficulty to change it but, again, it all depends on your budget.

- Selling the BMW Vs keeping it for freezing / heavy rain riding? ( I trust a Bavarian bike designer better than a Californian one in those conditions)
  Freezing/rain wont be a technical issue. You're attached to your BMW, you can buy a used Zero and keep two bikes if your budget is stretched.


9
General Discussion / Re: EV sales falling
« on: January 09, 2016, 08:09:13 PM »
I thing there are very different categories

   a) Tesla is a "passion" purchase - no chance you'll ever save money over the lifetime of your car. It is more a car for high net worth individual looking either for performance (good torque) or "cool factor". These one should not be influenced by oil prices, because they do not care about oil.

   b) Plug-in hybrid & Zero Motorcycles can save money over a lifetime. But the amount of money you're saving depends on the gap between electricity prices & oil prices. When oil is down, and if electricity is made out of non fossil energy sources (renewables or nuclear), this amount reduces and the number of adopters should decelerate at least.

  c) Govt's reactions also play a role - if they stop expanding charging stations number because oil is down, e-bike or cars will be less attractive. Not because of price, but because of convenience !

10
General Discussion / Impressive electric motor
« on: January 02, 2016, 12:47:15 AM »
See here

11
Pics and Vids / Re: ZEM Tahiti has started ! Merry Christmas
« on: December 26, 2015, 04:36:28 AM »
In fact if you do the math you see that even if ypur e-bike uses electricity from a fuel gas plant, you make more kilometers per liter of fuel than with an ICE. This is because ICE engine have a low efficiency (20% with a thermodynamic theorical max at 37%), while large CCGT plants can reach a 54% effinciency and electric motors a close to 100% ratio (you can check this by putting your hand on your zero's engine after riding). Moreover stanby suck a lot of energy with an ICE bike & braking is not regenerative.

12
Pics and Vids / Re: ZEM Tahiti has started ! Merry Christmas
« on: December 26, 2015, 12:22:34 AM »
@Erasmo Yes, but guess what electricity is made of ?

13
Pics and Vids / Re: ZEM Tahiti has started ! Merry Christmas
« on: December 25, 2015, 03:31:27 PM »
Bravo ! You should rent them...

14
Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Survey on Zeros so far
« on: December 17, 2015, 12:51:24 AM »
2012 XU - had battery issues. Took some time to be solved. Now fixed- i gave it to my mother, she enjoys it.
2013 S - 9000 km. A few issue - the "click", bad belt replacement causing it to break twice in a row and generated . BMS changed.

Overall first issues induced tough discussions with dealer (i suppose they were learning too, but we also had communication issues). Now much better - minor issues happen but they lend me another zero each time. I will probably sell the 2013 to buy a SR.

Riding mainly in a the city. Enjoy the bike, its smoothness and the time saved (no need to wait at the gas station, I just plug it in the morning once a week).

15
For me the issue is not so much about the product or about making a loss, than about the service delivery. Uber invested billions and is still losing money. You can be independently funded and have an agressive market approach.

Where big companies really have a competitive advantage, it is about service - see BMW. They did 10x what Zero did with their new (and expensive) scooter. First because they targeted the highest volume 125 cc market (which Zero XU did when it was still proposed). Second because you know that if you have issues, you'll find a large network of BMW dealer. This is also where Polaris' acquisition of Brammo could make sense.

Tesla has a specific network and a "zero concern" policy. Zero should either do the same, or let other do it but ensure that both delivery (ie training or skype-supporting remote dealers, which they do) and experience (ensuring that anybody with an issue get a replacement or a compensation) are great. Sure that's a little more expensive, but in the long term the company's survival entirely depends on this.



V


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