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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: w34p0n2m4n on March 21, 2013, 07:00:38 AM

Title: cold weather performance
Post by: w34p0n2m4n on March 21, 2013, 07:00:38 AM

Howdy,
I'm trying to decide whether or not to get a 2013 Zero S, but I live in Colorado. Leaving aside the tax thing, does anyone have any real-world experience with operating the motorcycle in cold weather? Zero's documentation says that the 2013 S battery capacity can be reduced 30% at around freezing (going from memory). Is that accurate?

Title: Re: cold weather performance
Post by: WindRider on March 21, 2013, 07:32:31 AM

Here's a good cold weather Zero thread:

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=2430.0 (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=2430.0)

Title: Re: cold weather performance
Post by: Zero ninja on March 21, 2013, 08:38:44 AM

So this is my experience with my 13' DS 11.4. I bought the bike at the end of February with the temps in the mid to high twenties. I could not resist riding, so I was riding some days in 15 degree temps in the morning. The bike performed fine but I found I could not charge the bike until it warmed up to 31 degrees. So I would put the bike in a garage at work and let it warm up so I could charge it back up to ride it home. Riding the Zero in cold temps works fine so long as you have a warm place to put some charge back into the bike. I found my watts per mile were really high during the cold rides (209), so my mileage per a charge was really down. Zero sent me a document on my bike that said I was ok to ride as long as it was not -22 degrees. They also say it is not recommended that the bike be ridin while the battery temp is below 23 degrees. Of course I did not have this document until after I had done my 15 degree rides. Anyway the only tough thing I have found was keeping the bike warm enough to charge other than that cold weather was not an issue for me.

Wade
Tooele, UT

Title: Re: cold weather performance
Post by: benswing on March 22, 2013, 04:13:28 AM

Good place to go is the cold weather thread.  Overall A couple of people have noticed a dropoff in performance, but most seem to ride fine regardless of temperature.  I've been riding all winter in 20's-40's weather and have been able to use the full range. 

Title: Re: cold weather performance
Post by: w34p0n2m4n on March 30, 2013, 10:42:56 AM

Thanks for all the info.

Any speculation on why there's no battery warming? Maybe it wouldn't result in a net performance gain? Just curious.

Title: Re: cold weather performance
Post by: Richard230 on March 30, 2013, 08:57:01 PM

Quote from: w34p0n2m4n on March 30, 2013, 10:42:56 AM

Thanks for all the info.

Any speculation on why there's no battery warming? Maybe it wouldn't result in a net performance gain? Just curious.

Probably because it doesn't get all that cold in Scotts Valley, CA.   ;)