ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: johnphillips390 on June 27, 2017, 05:33:30 AM
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So received the following overnight. I took a leap of faith purchasing my Zero, but this makes it near impossible to maintain my Zero, certainly for any future firmware updates etc
This message is to inform you that Zero Motorcycles is ending consumer sales in Australia and other Asia Pacific markets
Zero and its distributor partners in the region have invested significant resources into developing these markets over the past several years, but have been unable to build an economically sustainable retail business. Unfortunately, the costs of providing an exceptional customer experience coupled with unfavorable exchange rates and taxes in these markets makes it difficult to offer competitive pricing today.
Please know that continuing to support our existing customers is extremely important to us. Therefore, Zero will continue to provide support to Australian owners through GBT Imports, Zero’s exclusive distributor, to ensure a matchless ownership experience is maintained.
This decision came after much deliberation, and was the best choice for the business at this time. Zero will continually monitor the region for changes in economic and consumer trends that could create more positive market conditions for electric motorcycles in the future.
All questions and comments should be directed to support@zeromotorcycles.com.
Thanks you very much for choosing Zero.
Best Regards,
Mac McMath
VP of Global Sales
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Wow, that sucks for Oz... I'm an Aussie living in LA on a 2016 DSR. Love the experience of riding it in the California climate, and paying virtually nothing for my transport.
I understand the decision based on market factors, and for the ultra premiums that have to be paid (shipping,tax, exchange rate) I am not sure I'd be riding a zero back in oz right now.
Here's hoping the wind changes on importing th de great machines.
Safe riding and keep an eye on the used market herein the meantime;) Always something going online!
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Please know that continuing to support our existing customers is extremely important to us. Therefore, Zero will continue to provide support to Australian owners through GBT Imports, Zero’s exclusive distributor, to ensure a matchless ownership experience is maintained.
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Please know that continuing to support our existing customers is extremely important to us. Therefore, Zero will continue to provide support to Australian owners through GBT Imports, Zero’s exclusive distributor, to ensure a matchless ownership experience is maintained.
Tough ask as they are an importer/ distributor, not a dealer who should have the required knowledge and tools to perform updates, diagnose electronic and software issues
Mechanical issues don't bother me, but the electronics are a different matter
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Tough ask as they are an importer/ distributor, not a dealer who should have the required knowledge and tools ...
Let me stop you right there, it has been my experience that Zero authorized dealerships have had none of those things (knowledge and tools) unless I am physically present to insist that the work is getting done.
No love remaining for moto dealerships. An importer/distributor that can operate basic computer software has a better chance of doing a correct install or diagnostic on a Zero Motorcycles vehicle. Best wishes for those fellow Zero riders in Australia. Let us know how it works out...
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Ug just saw that email today. With my bike not going and the Victoria dealer gone bust customer support from the US has been helping me. Got no joy from the importer (wouldn't even talk to me) had the NSW dealer put my case to him/them with no joy. The NSW dealer suggested contacting customer support in the US who have been helping me.
I mentioned to the tech that WiFi would be a great addition to the bike as then he could connect to my bike via my home router etc and he thought it could be done through the DBI port connecting to a WiFi card (I'm thinking arduino here).
Any electrical engineers out there think they could come up with a wiring diagram and arduino setup?
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Not just over for Australia but the asia pacific regin too.
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Ug just saw that email today. With my bike not going and the Victoria dealer gone bust customer support from the US has been helping me. Got no joy from the importer (wouldn't even talk to me) had the NSW dealer put my case to him/them with no joy. The NSW dealer suggested contacting customer support in the US who have been helping me.
I mentioned to the tech that WiFi would be a great addition to the bike as then he could connect to my bike via my home router etc and he thought it could be done through the DBI port connecting to a WiFi card (I'm thinking arduino here).
Any electrical engineers out there think they could come up with a wiring diagram and arduino setup?
That would be fantastic if it can be done
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Not just over for Australia but the asia pacific regin too.
You're right, bad news for us all
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Agree with everyone that this is very disappointing news although this has been known to some of us for many months, just not official.
We're a tiny market here in Australia but very enthusiastic and have punched above our weight with contributions to these forums, group rides, fast charging, bike mods etc.
There may be some good news after the bad as the proposed changes in Australian motor vehicle import laws in 2018 could allow us to bring in new or near new Zeros at a lower price. In Australia:
- From 2018 you can personally import a new car or motorcycle from another country once every 2 years.
- The other country’s vehicle standards must be comparable to Australia, the vehicle can’t be more than 12 months old and must have no more than 500km on the odometer.
Maybe a 17kWh 2018 SR might be a possibility after all.
P.S. For fellow Australian Zero owners, I have the connectors to access the Main Bike Board and Sevcon controller and happy to share those if you need help to fix, maintain or upgrade your bikes. Also have a few spare parts from my stripped down SR if you need them (tank, fairings etc). Whether its a speedo adjustment or firmware updates I'm happy to assist Oz Zero owners and Zero remote support in keeping our bikes on the road.
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Agree with everyone that this is very disappointing news although this has been known to some of us for many months, just not official.
We're a tiny market here in Australia but very enthusiastic and have punched above our weight with contributions to these forums, group rides, fast charging, bike mods etc.
There may be some good news after the bad as the proposed changes in Australian motor vehicle import laws in 2018 could allow us to bring in new or near new Zeros at a lower price. In Australia:
- From 2018 you can personally import a new car or motorcycle from another country once every 2 years.
- The other country’s vehicle standards must be comparable to Australia, the vehicle can’t be more than 12 months old and must have no more than 500km on the odometer.
Maybe a 17kWh 2018 SR might be a possibility after all.
P.S. For fellow Australian Zero owners, I have the connectors to access the Main Bike Board and Sevcon controller and happy to share those if you need help to fix, maintain or upgrade your bikes. Also have a few spare parts from my stripped down SR if you need them (tank, fairings etc). Whether its a speedo adjustment or firmware updates I'm happy to assist Oz Zero owners and Zero remote support in keeping our bikes on the road.
EVtricity, that is a fantastic offer of assistance that I would love to take you up on when the time arises. Ive no intention of giving up my Zero and will attempt to keep it running as long as possible
This is a great group as you say and maybe we get even tighter and take matters into our own hands as much as we can, I'm up for it anyway cheers
John
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Do you think there's any chance that someone could persuade Zero that the diagnostic equipment currently in the hands of an Australian dealer would be best passed on to a Zero owner who can provide some unofficial support? Probably not, but worth a try.
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Agree with everyone that this is very disappointing news although this has been known to some of us for many months, just not official.
We're a tiny market here in Australia but very enthusiastic and have punched above our weight with contributions to these forums, group rides, fast charging, bike mods etc.
There may be some good news after the bad as the proposed changes in Australian motor vehicle import laws in 2018 could allow us to bring in new or near new Zeros at a lower price. In Australia:
- From 2018 you can personally import a new car or motorcycle from another country once every 2 years.
- The other country’s vehicle standards must be comparable to Australia, the vehicle can’t be more than 12 months old and must have no more than 500km on the odometer.
Maybe a 17kWh 2018 SR might be a possibility after all.
P.S. For fellow Australian Zero owners, I have the connectors to access the Main Bike Board and Sevcon controller and happy to share those if you need help to fix, maintain or upgrade your bikes. Also have a few spare parts from my stripped down SR if you need them (tank, fairings etc). Whether its a speedo adjustment or firmware updates I'm happy to assist Oz Zero owners and Zero remote support in keeping our bikes on the road.
It's good that you can take on this role.
Let's make sure the unofficial wiki manual is up to the task of keeping owners informed and able to deal with small issues (or at least troubleshoot safely) on their own, too. AU/NZ are large areas to cover even with some dealers present. Anyway, feel free to make comments or direct questions to the areas to improve, or possibly contribute directly.
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Do you think there's any chance that someone could persuade Zero that the diagnostic equipment currently in the hands of an Australian dealer would be best passed on to a Zero owner who can provide some unofficial support? Probably not, but worth a try.
If you know your dealer, try asking them for spare or throwaway hardware at least. The main issue, though, will be licensed access to the software and online support.
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Do you think there's any chance that someone could persuade Zero that the diagnostic equipment currently in the hands of an Australian dealer would be best passed on to a Zero owner who can provide some unofficial support? Probably not, but worth a try.
If you know your dealer, try asking them for spare or throwaway hardware at least. The main issue, though, will be licensed access to the software and online support.
I'm on it. My Zero dealer at Procycles Hornsby is only 5km away so I'll go in and have a chat to them.
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Evtricity is there an Australian Zero forum or group? I like to join.
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Evtricity is there an Australian Zero forum or group? I like to join.
Hi firepower!
The only Australian electric motorcycle forum / group I'm aware of is https://www.facebook.com/groups/SydneyElectricRiders/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/SydneyElectricRiders/). You're more than welcome to join. This is the group who did the recent Jenolan Caves road trip with 9 electric bikes.
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I am sorry to hear Zero is closing down in such a big market as Australia. I worry about the local market here in Norway too, as adaption of electric motorcycles seems very slow and I do not think dealers are making much money on selling this brand here.
Due to our harsh climate with loads of rain and a long winter, motorcycles are more a hobby here than a practical way of getting from point A to B. And local fans of MCs are quite traditional, seems the loud engine sound is a big part of the typical badass biker type image. I went to some MC gatherings here, and it was clear the engine sound was a big deal to them. Haha.
The hardcore bikers here are curious about electric MCs, but need a push that does not exist to adapt. And regular people, who probably would be the best target group for electric motorcycles, basically rather buys cars for practical reasons.
I hope to see more of those traditional brands jumping on to electric engines, like Harley Davidsson, then we might see some faster adaption of electric motorcycles as a whole among existing MC-fans. Seems Zero is on the bleeding edge here, but I hope they will manage.
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Pretty gutted to get that email the other day too. After selling the SR when I moved at the start of the year I'd been eyeing off an FXS since.
I did a call around the dealers today, but none had any stock left. On the off chance anyone knows of any available FXS' (either new or anyone looking to sell due to Zero's exit) I'd love to know. Otherwise, looks like I'll have to wait until the new import laws, which at least opens up an Alta Redshift as an option too.
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Pretty gutted to get that email the other day too. After selling the SR when I moved at the start of the year I'd been eyeing off an FXS since.
I did a call around the dealers today, but none had any stock left. On the off chance anyone knows of any available FXS' (either new or anyone looking to sell due to Zero's exit) I'd love to know. Otherwise, looks like I'll have to wait until the new import laws, which at least opens up an Alta Redshift as an option too.
There's a 2016 DSR at Procycles at Hornsby but no FXS unfortunately
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Yep. The NT dealer still had a DSR too, but no FXS' or FX's that are tard-able.