ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: teddillard on May 25, 2015, 01:04:20 AM
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Seriously, I started thinking about it, and it's really only a matter of time, don't you think? But beyond that, this is the time.
http://insideevs.com/zero-superbike-thats-coming-op-ed/ (http://insideevs.com/zero-superbike-thats-coming-op-ed/)
"I find it hard to believe that almost every one of the people I know at Zero aren’t chomping at the bit to build a 100kW, 150mph-capable superbike with 100 miles of range. I know they can do it, because their battery and motor game is that much higher than Energica, they’ve been keeping to the knitting, learning the ropes of motorcycle manufacture, including dealer support, warranty and customer service, and have built up a good base of dealers around the country, and the world. Hell, even I’ve planned such a bike, because I could build such a bike in my garage.
You just know those guys want to do it. And they can. And by now, Zero management should let them – even if it’s just for show."
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Intermot is biannual.
So your "HV-SRR" must debut at EICMA this fall...
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But agree on your thoughts, besides what else can they be doing with all the funds they raised recently. 😉
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I think the Zero board are a bunch of cheapskates and wouldn't spend the money and take the risk of manufacturing a production sportbike, especially as sales of sportbikes are trending down right now. Updating the DS to make it a more stylish and better performing dual sport motorcycle would make more marketing sense and produce more sales numbers to my mind. I am still mystified why Zero has not tried to produce a cruiser-styled vehicle yet. They would have no competition in the EV field right now with that concept. I guess they are leaving that market segment to Victory. ???
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Im sitting the fence with this one.
On the one hand Zero have a highish volume well developed package, so evolution not revolution makes financial sense.
On the other hand, Victory will no doubt repackage and re-release Brammo, but i reckon that could be 12 months or more, Lightning and Energica are sort of available but a completely different market segment at $30K plus.
Where's the money here? Its in "reasonbly high performance" bikes that are cost scompetitive with ICE bikes, right? However gets that right gets the biggest volume, the lowest costs and best buying power from suppliers. We would all love a hyperbike, but make compromises because few have the money.
I agree that a concept bike makes huge sense for Zero, a test platform for "Gen3". Show off their credentials raise some more money and keep the competition at bay. Shoehorning one into a Ducati or other leading brand is a short cut to that, so why not?
What i do agree with in thats tory is that reducing prices mid season is a strong sign that something good is coming. Its seasonally good in the Southern hemisphere , clears '15 model stocks and punches Brammo in the head while they are down. Then, In late 15 they announce a substantial revamp of the standard range. A hypermotard kit gets added to convert the DS, the SR gets a sportbike fairing and the upgrades they started this year evolve again. For fun, they release a Gen3 concept as a taste and test bed for Gen3 in 17 - when Tesla's factory comes on line and or his competitors provide similar alternatives.
All speculation but one way or the other we win and IF Zero gets this right, they could well win too.
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What we really need is s lower seat height.
What I want is s superbike!
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I second the lower seat height for the vertically challenged! ;)
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I want a cruiser with 24kWh battery and 2 hour recharge time, with a comfy driver's and pillion seat before I want a superbike.
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I think a Large Electric Scooter / Cruiser like BMW C-Evolution or Vetrix or Zev may be the way to go. Integrate fairing and storage using Vetter Style Fairing.
Some open , some fulley enclosed or convertable. BMW has proved there is a market for it.
A second common chassis of this type and family of models based on it, like zero has done with the S,DS,SR, DSR.
here are some ideals from past and present.
http://forums.sherdog.com/forums/f48/monotracer-ecomobile-feet-forwards-motorcycle-1344947/ (http://forums.sherdog.com/forums/f48/monotracer-ecomobile-feet-forwards-motorcycle-1344947/)
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What I would really like to see is the equivalent to a Triumph Spirit GT with ~30 kWh, a DC quick charging port, and a 6 kW charger with J1772 port. Hopefully this will be available and reasonably affordable in the next few years and DC quick chargers will be common enough to make touring practical.
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I want a cruiser with 24kWh battery and 2 hour recharge time, with a comfy driver's and pillion seat before I want a superbike.
I want a bike with a 30kWh battery and a 10 minute recharge time that's the same size as the SR.
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It looks like everyone wants something different. What is an EV manufacturer to do when trying to reach the broadest market so that they can sell the most vehicles? ???
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Well the current lineup is a nice start. But by just adding some fairing(no vetter, just regular tourbike fairing) to the existing frame would broaden the market a lot for a small investment.
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Agree, just add fairing and sell more!
However, a little faster and some more capacity would also be nice.
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It looks like everyone wants something different. What is an EV manufacturer to do when trying to reach the broadest market so that they can sell the most vehicles? ???
True. People "just" want their favourite ICE bike to be electric. We'll get there, but it'll take time and many different manufacturers.
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I want a cruiser with 24kWh battery and 2 hour recharge time, with a comfy driver's and pillion seat before I want a superbike.
I hope you realize how expensive a 24kWh battery would be, as well as an onboard charger that powerful.
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I want a cruiser with 24kWh battery and 2 hour recharge time, with a comfy driver's and pillion seat before I want a superbike.
I hope you realize how expensive a 24kWh battery would be, as well as an onboard charger that powerful.
You don't need a super duper onboard charger, just a proper DC inlet.
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I want a cruiser with 24kWh battery and 2 hour recharge time, with a comfy driver's and pillion seat before I want a superbike.
Bell Custom Cycles already makes one! Check out the V9. You can get it with either a 18.8 or 33.7 kWh battery. When I asked last fall they can make a CHAdeMO system for it so you should be able to have well under a two hour charge time.
http://brutusmotorcycle.com/brutusV9.html#specs (http://brutusmotorcycle.com/brutusV9.html#specs)
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Yeah, I've seen them. Nice specs, shame about the styling. I mean, it looks good but it's not my style.
Picky bastard, aren't I. ;)
I do like the Triumph Spirit GT idea.
As we all know, the Zero seat has about a 100km limit. By the time your battery is flat your arse feels like the bed of a hydraulic press. If you're two up you have been on pretty intimate terms with your passenger for an hour or more. When you pull up you're looking at a 6-7 hour charge time before you can set off again.
None of this matters for an urban commuter, which is what the Zero S is, but if we are looking to a bike that can do anything an ICE can we want comfort, range and quicker charging.
I've modded my S by adding another 2.2kW of charger. When I had it apart I was looking at the seat and tank and thinking of possibilities. Next project, perhaps.
Unfortunately the size of the frame precludes adding another monoblock, which is where a cruiser frame comes in. Not sure a tourer would be large enough to carry another monoblock, but it could carry 150% more than the Zero S.
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800 to 900 lbs. is a bit heavy. Close to 3X the weight of my FX. Ask Terry what happens if it should drift off the road.
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But the weight of the V9 is in line with full size cruisers. It is rarely mentioned but the S/SR are small bikes. I stored a friends H-D Road King for a few weeks and when it was next to my SR you realize just how small they really are. Heck, my V-Strom looks small next to the H-D. And the SR makes my Strom look big.
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Exactly. The SR is a small, albeit really quick, fun, light bike. I think it's spot-on to call it a "commuter" bike - though I hate that term.
Maybe the market points to a cruiser, (which I wouldn't take if you gave it to me) but what I think they need is a true sport bike, in the same class as Mission, Energica, Lightning, and the rest. Because they can, and I want it. :D
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I want a cruiser with 24kWh battery and 2 hour recharge time, with a comfy driver's and pillion seat before I want a superbike.
I hope you realize how expensive a 24kWh battery would be, as well as an onboard charger that powerful.
Oh, thanks for reminding me. I want all of those things, and I want it to be $9k.