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Messages - Apollo

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5
1
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: March 13, 2024, 11:13:41 AM »
If you end up going back to HQ to pick it up you might consider heading North a bit and testing the bike out at the Magic Dock Supercharger in Scotts Valley to test for compatibility.
https://www.plugshare.com/map/tesla-ccs-locations

   This was very important for me when before I originally picked up the bike.  Lightning mentioned they have employees that live up past that area and check in once every couple of weeks to ensure their bikes work with the Magic Dock.  They said they have never had an issue and are very happy it worked on the first try.
    I checked the map and there are about three Magic Dock charging stations in the western US.  I don't hear much about new MD installs.  I think Magic Dock is a temporary solution that will probably go away.  Tesla is now going to provide supercharger support for all licensed manufacturers.  As Ford/GM are the bigger boys on the block, EV Bike manufacture are at the bottom of the pile for support from Tesla Licensing.
   

2
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: March 10, 2024, 08:41:53 AM »
What ARE these appropriate fixes they are discussing, that needs a long thought out thorough discussion?
Since the bike is so new, if it's that broke ass already they should probably just give you a new one, instead of making you wait months if that's what the hold up is for a battery or something, or at least a loaner until then.
Aaron

   The log files from the bike show that one of the cell packs is not reporting for duty when under heavy load.  Cruzing down the street or freeway things seem fine. Under heavy load one of the cells seems to break down much earlier than the rest and go resistive.  This causes total milage available to go down abruptly. 
   Lightning had a tech drive down 8 hours to my home to inspect the bike.  We drove it normally and at full throttle. (my favorite).  It works well, but it looks like a cell is bad.
I asked for some different gearing, a USB port near the dash, the dash to be mounted at a different angle, and a few other minor things.  Nothing that would require major reengineering.
    Naturally, I want a NACS charging port and an extra 100 HP.  But Lighting seems to be doing its best to fix the issues.

3
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: February 22, 2024, 12:11:11 PM »
Was it a HaulBikes truck, and did they make the delivery on Monday? When I took delivery of my new Energica the driver was telling me he'd just dropped off a Lightning in Hollister.

Small world, hope you're reunited with your Strike again soon.

   I would suspect it was. Lightning has already contacted me to review the initial findings and we are discussing the appropriate fixes.
   I also asked for some "minor changes" that are not offered by Lightning but may be possible.

4
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: February 07, 2024, 01:29:42 PM »
Sounds like he is bikeless while they figure it out.

    Yes, I am Lightning-less while the issue is resolved.  Fortunately for me, I have other toys to keep me busy.  My Karts and my Ohvale GP-2.  Both are track toys.  It's been a river of water coming from the sky this last week so missing the bike won't be a big issue.  I didn't bring up the thought of a loaner bike as it would be a liability challenge for everyone.  I can easily live without the bike while it's getting repaired.  I asked them to not worry about downtime for me, it would be better to keep it an extra week and work the bike hard.  I am not in a hurry.
  Lightning has stated on the phone they plan on swapping out the battery pack and doing diagnostics to find out why the original pack had a bad cell.  They also mentioned they are going to do a filmed dyno run to ensure the bike is putting out good power and mileage under heavy load.
  Realistically I think they are doing pretty much everything I can expect.  Remote diagnostics, eager to service, shipping back and forth, repair, and proof the repair has fixed my issues before returning the bike to me.

5
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: February 03, 2024, 11:57:48 AM »
[quote
That's awesome and congratulations. Bike looks great.

What kind of range do you get?
  The bike is working well and is lots of fun.
I have been having some issues with range when using heavy-throttle applications. (My Favorite).  We ran the logs up to Lightning and they found that one of the cells is not performing properly under heavy loads.
  Lightning has said, "We will make it right".  Today a giant truck showed up at my door and it's being shipped back to Lighting for them to review the cell pack and repair the battery structure.  Then they will test it and ship it back.
  Although the bike has an issue, Lightning has been very eager and interested in ensuring the bike is working properly.  Every phone call and every email has been answered right away.


6
Energica / Re: Weather Range Loss
« on: December 17, 2023, 11:12:55 AM »
I am not sure about the Energica's, but I rode home with my new Lightning and it was 37 degrees outside.  Also, some kids stole my gloves.  Grrrrr.....
The bike seemed to run fine, but I was so cold my Range was to the nearest hotel for the night.  When it gets that cold, I don't ride very far.

7
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: December 12, 2023, 03:02:30 AM »
I've discovered the PERFECT response to clowns who do what this one did to you:
Carry a bunch of these... you'll never know when you need 'em... ;)
https://www.amazon.com/stick-wheel-weights/s?k=stick+on+wheel+weights
   I am upset that I hadn't thought of that before.  Make sure to put them on the front wheel.

8
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: December 11, 2023, 09:23:35 PM »
I had a nastygram note on my Zero while it charged and I stepped in for an espresso. The woman was furious I took an electric CAR spot for a motorcycle. She apologized profusely when I showed her it was electric.

   That is pretty much the effect I received. People see the bike and get unhappy I have taken a charging spot. Then they realize I am charging and they understand.
   I think I only had an issue at one location.  As I arrived there were three charging stations with one available.  I pulled in and hooked up the charging cable.  Soon after there was a line of four cars waiting in line to charge.  Others arrived, noted the line and my motorcycle took a spot.  At first glance they were not happy, but after a closer inspection saw the cable connected.  But there is always one lady who wants to be first, asks me to move my motorcycle while it's charging so she can park her car in the charging spot, etc.  I just whipped out my phone and took a picture.  She immediately left. 
  Fun all around..

9
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: December 10, 2023, 10:17:28 PM »
Glad you got it, the bike looks great.  How was the charging speed?

Steve

  Typical of bikes with these batteries.   20kw charging at 75amps.
The hardest part was people kept telling me I couldn't park in an EV charging spot.
Then they started wondering why I had the power cable connected.
One lady insisted to her family that I had a Kawasaki and had just removed the labels.
Fun stuff...


10
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: December 10, 2023, 08:47:15 AM »
How did the pickup go, Apollo?? What's the bike like to ride long distances? We're dying to know how your trip home went!
Picked up the bike! Richard from Lightning went with me to the DMV for the California new vehicle inspection and registration.  No issues.  Received my Plate and Tags.  Richard mounted them on the bike for me and I was off to San Diego.  It was about a 400 mile (644km) ride, so I decided to break it in half.  The nice folks at Lightning asked me to check in with them at each charging stop to ensure charging and batteries were behaving properly.
Everything went well except it started getting colder than I expected.  At my last charging stop, it was 37F (3C) outside. I only brought my summer riding gloves so my fingers started complaining loudly.
  The next morning I hopped on the bike and continued south. Immediately hit a big hill named the Grapevine just north of LA. The bike has so much power it was easy to look around and wonder why everyone was going so slow.
The next stop was in Pasadena for a charge.  Grabbed some Starbucks and a muffin and headed back on the road. A fair bit of traffic for a Saturday afternoon, but I used the carpool lanes and managed an average of 60mph (96kph) most of the time.  Once I got out of LA and started the trip down to San Diego, the speeds picked up to a 75mph (120kph) average.
   Made it home just in time for Burgendy Carne Asada marinade tacos with avocados from our trees.  A nice warm shower and time to relax.  Made sure the bike was pugged in should I decide for a quick ride in our local hills come morning time.

11
Energica / Re: Energica for Sale?
« on: December 02, 2023, 02:04:39 AM »
AAA does tow bikes, but you need to specify "flat bed towing" when you call them or they may send a regular truck that cannot accommodate bikes.
  Thanks.  I have AAA so I will check to ensure flatbed towing is available.

12
Lightning / Re: I ordered a Lightning.
« on: December 01, 2023, 10:34:14 AM »
I've been notified that my bike is ready for pickup!  Yea!
I probably will fly over next Thursday, pick up the bike Friday morning, stop by the DMV, and ride home.
I will try to take some pictures and maybe a video.  I don't do many YT videos and am always in awe of how well Sam's videos come out.
I have a video camera and mount, but I'm not sure how well it will attach on the first try.

13
Lightning / Re: Whatever Happened to Lightning Motorcycles?
« on: December 01, 2023, 10:28:40 AM »
If they are losing money, the first thing they need to stop that is move the fuck OUT of Commiefornia.  That right there, while the move might ding them pretty good, will save them millions in the long run. 
As it stands their stuff comes IN via Florida to begin with, because Cali's ports are such a disaster, and is trucked to them. that eats cash fast.  Why not move to florida, have the stuff delivered first time right to your door?  From what is being said, the shop they have there is not super big, so it's not like you are moving a billon dollar warehouse.
Aaron

  Energica's headquarters are not in CA as we all know.  A support, setup, and distribution area is.  This is mainly due to the super large number of units sold in CA.  I don't have any numbers, but CA has more motorcycle registrations than any other state by almost double.  CA also has more EV registrations than any other state by almost double. Most likely that's why they are in CA.

  Note that Ducati moved it's headquarters to CA a while back.(2003) They used to be East Coast based. (NJ)
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ducati+North+America+Corporate+Headquarters/@37.4218949,-122.0602486,11.76z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x808fb5b476af9941:0x860448da97d7d32d!8m2!3d37.4100956!4d-121.9881435!16s%2Fg%2F1tj73v8g?entry=ttu
Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki are all headquartered in Southern CA.(and Hyundai, Nissan, Rivian)
Toyota Sales USA is in CA, but the business headquarters moved to Plano TX in 2017 to lessen the tax load.
I would suspect that someday in the future Tesla will shutdown it's CA plant.
There must be something good in CA.


Energica shows the US Headquarters in Mooresville NC, and Sales and Service to be in S.San Fran CA, but I suspect the NC location does most of the bike setups and shipping to dealers for the East Coast.
Energica may get a container of bikes to NC, then separate the bikes for West. They then load the
West Coast bikes onto a truck and ship.  Delivery via rail would be cheaper, but that requires more lead time and a much larger shipment.
I would highly suspect the business operations at Energica NC have already looked over the books to determine the most economical way to get the bikes to customers.
For more info on how the inner workings of Energica operate internally, is probably better answered by MVetter.
He probably has more knowledge of how things are done at Energica than us.

Apollo

14
Energica / Re: Energica for Sale?
« on: December 01, 2023, 09:24:48 AM »
get a good number for a towing company that does bikes.

Aaron

   Why, do you live in a swamp?

15
Energica / Re: Energica for Sale?
« on: December 01, 2023, 03:50:06 AM »
... although we have not seen one yet really on the streets. 
aaron

   I will have to find what city people live in so I can start parading around so it will seen "on the streets".

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