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[protomech]

Warmer temps sure were nice while they lasted. Yesterday dropped down to 35F midday, back up to 37 when I went home but still saw the vanishing bars. Arrived home with 1 flashing bar left @ 26 miles. Used 3.9 kWH to overnight charge (150 Wh/mile), but that may include a pack balance .. so battery used was probably 3.0-3.2 kWh.

Edit: It was raining yesterday. I use more power in the rain, so 150 Wh/mile is reasonable for me @ 45-55 mph.
The overall wall power usage doesn't bother me, I'm more concerned about seeing a > 50% range reduction according to the energy gauge with temps in the mid 30s.

I guess I just need to get off my butt and contact Zero support, verify that nothing is wrong.

[BSDThw]

Sorry but I don't ride my bike at the moment, too much salt on the street that eat my aluminum.

But the last commuting rides I did, I was lightly covered with ice when arrived at work (10miles) so it must be around 32°F. I could see slightly more energy use at the display but nothing like you have. I can't test it more for you, but I believe there will be a mismatch in your system.
Maybe oxidation at a current / voltage sensor point?
But I think it is odd.

Do other folks agree with my experience? So let protomech know and he can decide to be sure there is a defect or otherwise we find out it is a design glitch. 

[swiftsam]

I've been riding to work all winter so far on my '12 ZF6 with morning temperatures between 25 and 45.  My round trip is 25 miles and I haven't noticed any real change in battery indication compared to warm weather.  I almost always get back with 1 bar more than half a "tank", and I haven't seen a change worth reporting as the weather changes.

[trikester]

I've been riding to work all winter so far on my '12 ZF6 with morning temperatures between 25 and 45.  My round trip is 25 miles and I haven't noticed any real change in battery indication compared to warm weather.  I almost always get back with 1 bar more than half a "tank", and I haven't seen a change worth reporting as the weather changes.

That's reassuring to read. Thanks.

[NoiseBoy]

It dropped below freezing for the first time this Winter yesterday.  Funnily enough i didn't take the bike out.

[Richard230]

I take it that the temperature outside was Zero.   

[protomech]

That's what my bike looked like when I walked out of work Thursday ; )

45 degrees when I left Friday. 6 bars remaining when I got home.

[pepeps]

Today I test rode a DS in 41 degrees F.
The gauge read 50% charge throughout the ride, but after about 20 minutes my top speed was 41 mph after gradual deterioration.  I don't know if this is because of the relative cold or because of an incomplete charge; perhaps it was a malfunction.
Although I am committed to the concept of electrics, I doubt I will purchase until performance is more assured.
For the cost it did not seem a very refined machine.

[NoiseBoy]

Was it a ZF6?  I havent experienced that on the ZF9 but it happened below 50% on the X.  Its because the power available from each cell decreases when they get cold and low on charge.  On a bigger pack like the ZF9 the load is spread across more individual cells so it is much less noticeable.

[ColoPaul]

Today I test rode a DS in 41 degrees F.
The gauge read 50% charge throughout the ride, but after about 20 minutes my top speed was 41 mph after gradual deterioration.  I don't know if this is because of the relative cold or because of an incomplete charge; perhaps it was a malfunction.

I have a ZF6 and have seen similar cold performance, although not as dramatic.  Maybe a top speed of 60ish at 1/2 charge at that temperature.   

[protomech]

Last night I got a chance to pin my ZF9 after a 35 degree F cold soak at ~70% SOC. I could hit a maximum of 75 mph in Sport mode, and it held that speed for at least a mile.

[swiftsam]

Last night I got a chance to pin my ZF9 after a 35 degree F cold soak at ~70% SOC. I could hit a maximum of 75 mph in Sport mode, and it held that speed for at least a mile.

I just got a speeding ticket going 70 when it was 19 degrees out.  I had just gotten onto the highway and was trying to jump in behind a truck for wind cover.  passed an unmarked car in the process.  I guess I'm saying I haven't experienced enough cold-temp performance degradation for my own good.

[benswing]

Cold temp performance has been perfect for me.  Went for a 60 mile ride in 28 degree weather and the battery gauge reading was accurate (similar to performance in 50-60 degree temps), performance was great!  Had an estimated range of 80-85 miles.  Didn't feel like going fast in the cold, but I'm sure it would have been a (icy) blast.

Seems like any anomaly in performance is on individual bikes.  I've been riding in all temperatures and haven't seen much performance difference in different temperatures. 

Slightly less range in cold temps, but when compared to similar speed runs at higher temperatures, there has been only very little difference.

[protomech]

Seems like any anomaly in performance is on individual bikes.  I've been riding in all temperatures and haven't seen much performance difference in different temperatures.

Yep, that seems possible.

I'm also typically seeing the anomaly only after the bike sits in the cold; when I start from my garage @ 55 degrees F there is very little range degradation.

Somewhat tempted to charge the bike to full, then let the bike sit overnight @ 25 degrees, then go for a ride and see if the indicated charge immediately plummets (as it does on the far end of my commute).

[kcoplan]

Last night I got a chance to pin my ZF9 after a 35 degree F cold soak at ~70% SOC. I could hit a maximum of 75 mph in Sport mode, and it held that speed for at least a mile.

I just got a speeding ticket going 70 when it was 19 degrees out.  I had just gotten onto the highway and was trying to jump in behind a truck for wind cover.  passed an unmarked car in the process.  I guess I'm saying I haven't experienced enough cold-temp performance degradation for my own good.

Hey, Swiftsam, does that count as the first speeding ticket ever for an electric motorcycle?  I think you should frame it and put it in a museum!

I rode in in mid-20s weather this morning and had no trouble hitting 89 on the speedo, but I discount that by 5-10%.

--Karl