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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: rotoiti on April 16, 2012, 09:09:52 AM

Title: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: rotoiti on April 16, 2012, 09:09:52 AM
Zero DS "Features (http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-ds/features.php)" page says "Ability to accommodate a passenger with an optional accessory". What kind of accessory is it? I have not seen it in the dealer's catalog. Did anyone install it?
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: stevenvillatoro on April 16, 2012, 09:55:50 AM
The optional accessory is a pair of foot pegs for the passenger, I believe.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: Richard230 on April 16, 2012, 08:15:42 PM
My guess is that the kit should also contain a seat strap or some sort of grab bar for the passenger, in addition to the foot pegs.

I am still waiting for the 2012 Zero accessory catalog to appear.  I have money to spend on farkles if they have some functional accessories for their new models.   ;D

A easy to use helmet lock and a luggage rack would be nice, to name two examples that come to mind.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: protomech on April 16, 2012, 09:43:10 PM
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/03/md-quick-rides-2012-zero-s-and-brammo-enertia/comment-page-1/#comment-39013 (http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/03/md-quick-rides-2012-zero-s-and-brammo-enertia/comment-page-1/#comment-39013)

Quote
Tom says:
April 5, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Actually, the Zero rear passenger foot pegs are in the design stage and are not approved by the DOT yet. They are not officially available.

Unsourced claim, but there you go.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: oobflyer on April 16, 2012, 10:14:11 PM
I received this email on April 11 from Zero, in response to my query about installing the footpegs this week:

Quote
They were planned to arrive this week. So I think yes.

I took my FZ9 to the dealership yesterday and left it there for the week. During this week they will update the software to address the throttle 'glitch' problem, they will 'download the logs' to see if there are any problems (in response to my concerns about range), they will install the footpegs, and also replace a couple of the black plastic rivets that fell off when I leaned on the plastic area where the 'gas tank' would be (I was trying to 'tuck').

I'll pick the bike up next Sunday - hopefully it will be ready to ride with a passenger  :)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: dkw12002 on April 17, 2012, 02:28:04 AM
Let us know. Do you mean Zero says your lower mileage at higher speeds indicates something is wrong with the battery? Far as I know, you are the only one who has posted info about how fast the battery is depleted at higher speeds, yet that is what I think all of us want to know....what is the range at 80 mph indicated? That is highway commuting speed where I live at least. Somehow, when this question gets asked, it gets turned into range at 45 mph or something else, or includes lower speeds to get up to speed. No, no. I just want to know how long the big battery can go at an indicated 80 mph, flat surface, 200 lb. rider. I have a feeling the range is going to be quite low...perhaps 30 miles, but hopefully somone will let us know. In other words, we want the worst-case scenario or close to it...not the best-case scenario. I can easily take a Zero S onto W I-10 between San Antonio and El Paso and run it 80 mph and never even see another car let alone have to slow down if that's what they need. The speed limit there is 85 mph so I wouldn't even have to worry about a ticket. LOL
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: rotoiti on April 17, 2012, 02:38:50 AM
FWIW, I took my ZF9 to work today via 5 miles of local roads (in Eco mode) and 27 miles of hilly Hwy I-280. I maintained 70-75 mph on the highway in Sport mode. I used 6 bars out of 11.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: oobflyer on April 17, 2012, 03:02:34 AM
I started a post on this topic - see "Real World Range".

I don't think you can ride the bike at 80 MPH for long enough to test the range at that speed. The top allowable "continuous" speed is 75 MPH. At that speed (75) the motor gets hot after riding for about 15 miles - the temperature light comes on - and if you don't slow down manually, the bike will slow you down automatically, to prevent damage to the motor.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: dkw12002 on April 17, 2012, 03:53:55 AM
Thanks. First I heard about the speed governor. I suppose on a typical highway commute that would still be OK. I try to think in terms of my car and my Ninja 250 and how I drive those and I was thinking 80 mph indicated on the Zero is really a 75 mph actual speed and 75 indicated is actually 70 mph. It looks right now like the bike might be a little slow for some commuters. Another 10 mph would sure be nice. The Ninja 250 goes 95 mph actual and some people worry about it being too slow for the highway. Mostly those folks are into speed though and not so much a novel, environmentally-friendly ride. Getting more speed is going to involve more weight..perhaps a high speed fan, radiator, something to cool the battery, and an even larger battery and motor, but I see that coming.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: oobflyer on April 17, 2012, 04:02:10 AM
It's actually not a speed governor - it's based on the heat in the motor. You can easily accerate up to 85 MPH to pass, you just can't hold that speed indefinitely because the motor heats up.

It's only happened to me twice since I got the bike - once when I was riding directly into a strong headwind at 75 MPH for 5 or 10 miles, and once when I was riding a tad above 75 MPH for 15 miles.

For me (an ex-CBR1000 rider) the speed isn't an issue. The flow of traffic on my freeway commute is around 70 MPH, so I never feel left in the dust.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: CliC on April 17, 2012, 05:16:04 AM
I posted (I think) in oobflyer's range thread. After 40 miles of ~90% 50 mph+ riding, ~70% at 70, I had 2 bars left. So at max speed, I think 30-40 miles is about what you'd get.

Considering that's about half an hour at 75 mph, the battery is delivering close to 25 hp on average to the controller and motor. It's more than I would have thought needed to push 500 lbs of rider and bike through the wind at that speed.

Anyway, back to topic. I look forward to the accessory catalog, too, and I think it's important for Zero to get it out on the web site soon (my dealer had a hard copy, but I didn't look at it in depth). The S and DS are primarily commuter machines, and accessories for extra cargo and possibly a passenger are important. If you do get the pegs, would you mind posting some pics? I'm curious where they attach on the DS.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: dkw12002 on April 17, 2012, 06:37:46 AM
I will be curious how the new bikes handle a passenger. I'm fairly sure mine would not do well. Hitting a pothole with another 120 pounds on board would be a problem I'm thinking. Footpegs? We don't need no stinking footpegs. Family On A Moped! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBurIPdPFfQ#)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: ZeroSinMA on April 17, 2012, 10:52:46 PM
My personal favorite.

(http://www.scooterdiva.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/family.jpg)

The baby in the bucket is photoshopped but the rest is real.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: blake on April 18, 2012, 02:28:44 AM
we seem to have gotten somewhat off thread topic here ;-) but at the Zero demo ride session last week I was told the foot pegs were a $350 option
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: Richard230 on April 18, 2012, 03:44:13 AM
we seem to have gotten somewhat off thread topic here ;-) but at the Zero demo ride session last week I was told the foot pegs were a $350 option

Yikes!    :o
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: CliC on April 18, 2012, 06:11:40 AM
we seem to have gotten somewhat off thread topic here ;-) but at the Zero demo ride session last week I was told the foot pegs were a $350 option

"Sorry, sweetie, you'll have to take your own car." :)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: blake on April 18, 2012, 06:51:50 AM
Zero gave me the same response when I suggested they make ABS an available option as well as LED lights ("they're trying to keep the costs down").  I think this must be the only motorcycle though where passengers have to bring/buy they're own foot pegs! ;-)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: rotoiti on April 18, 2012, 09:31:08 AM
I was quoted $250 for the footpegs; arrival date -- about a month from now.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: blake on April 19, 2012, 03:31:18 AM
I was quoted $250 for the footpegs; arrival date -- about a month from now.

Thanks - now that our dollar is more or less at par I'll use this to argue for a lower price vs the $350 they quoted me... ;-)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: ZeroSinMA on April 19, 2012, 05:46:57 AM
I was quoted $250 for the footpegs; arrival date -- about a month from now.

Thanks - now that our dollar is more or less at par I'll use this to argue for a lower price vs the $350 they quoted me... ;-)

oops we &%@#@'d the U.S. dollar...

(http://research.stlouisfed.org/fredgraph.png?g=6yb)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: oobflyer on May 01, 2012, 04:53:40 AM
I brought my bike home last week... sans the promised foot pegs. The manager of the local dealership told me that Zero is having problems with the 3rd party vendor for the pegs. The pegs are now not expected until... July  :(

Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: oobflyer on May 07, 2012, 11:07:24 PM
While at Sear's Point this weekend I got the scoop on why the passenger foot pegs are delayed.

Originally Zero had designed the passenger foot pegs to match the rider foot pegs, i.e., flat. But after testing it the passenger was not comfortable with knees bent and ankle flexed on the flat pegs.  So Zero decided to switch to a round passenger foot peg, making it easier for the passenger to position their feet. Now they are waiting for approval of the new design, then they can start producing them.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: Richard230 on May 08, 2012, 04:21:41 AM
Thanks for the info, oobflyer.  That makes sense.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: manlytom on May 08, 2012, 06:42:06 AM
so in the meantime we DIY with a pipe into the lower hollow frame tube. would just work I guess.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: rotoiti on May 08, 2012, 09:04:00 AM
so in the meantime we DIY with a pipe into the lower hollow frame tube. would just work I guess.

Yup, it works :)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: oobflyer on June 17, 2012, 02:16:10 AM
When I asked about getting the foot pegs before the Laguna Seca Motorcycle races at the end of July, this was the response from Norcal Mastercraft:

Quote
Keep your fingers crossed.  Zero has a tentative date of 6/30.  They will be checking with the manufacturer around the 15th.

From manytom
Quote
so in the meantime we DIY with a pipe into the lower hollow frame tube. would just work I guess.

So, I bought a 24" piece of PVC pipe, a couple of 2" caps, and some "grip tape" - it's better than nothing.

My wife and I rode 30 miles (each way) to a nearby town (Rio Vista) - the temporary foot pegs did the job nicely.

 :)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: oobflyer on June 30, 2012, 10:28:47 AM
I got the email yesterday that the foot pegs are in - woo hoo! The dealership is shipping them to me - I should have them soon  :)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: RickSteeb on July 01, 2012, 05:17:46 AM
I got the email yesterday that the foot pegs are in - woo hoo! The dealership is shipping them to me - I should have them soon  :)

The foot pegs, complete with "seat strap", are now on the Store / Accessories / Street page at zeromotorcycles.com for $349.99...

I like the PVC pipe kluge for the price difference!  Might get a bit jiggy on a bumpy road tho...

 ::)
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: manlytom on July 01, 2012, 06:29:14 PM
I checked out hte Zero page and cannot fully figure how they go on -- exactly were and seems to have more bits than just the pegs...

photos pls. once someone has them installed.
Title: Re: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: CliC on July 02, 2012, 12:26:17 AM
I think they bolt into two holes on the inside of the vertical frame members near the rear of the battery. You can't see the holes; I had to feel for them.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: BSDThw on July 02, 2012, 02:14:38 AM
Its also my information, this two holes/nuts are great I use it to fix my side bag frame.

At an advertising video the foot pegs are fixed at the seat screws but I was told this was the first try.
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: oobflyer on July 04, 2012, 10:55:41 PM
The foot pegs arrived yesterday - I bolted them on last night  :)

There are holes in the frame for the pegs - the left one just bolts on, but the right one requires that you move the rear brake fluid reservoir from the frame to the foot peg itself.

The pegs came with a 'grab-strap', but I was unable to figure out how to mount the strap to the seat (the hardware that came with the strap seems to be a 'universal' collection of bolts and washers - none of which fit on the Zero).

I sent an email to Zero regarding how to mount the strap - meanwhile my wife will just have to hold on tight   ;)

Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: manlytom on July 05, 2012, 09:24:12 AM
thx for sharing. if possible pics of the other side as well pls.

as it seems it is a whole assembly that kind of justifies the price. not just standard pegs....
Title: Re: Carrying a passenger on a Zero S/DS
Post by: baumisch on July 25, 2012, 05:18:35 PM
Please more pictures ...