Author Topic: Saw a Zero in the motorcycle lot today (Read 2436 times)

eigenvector · « **on:** July 21, 2015, 04:50:52 PM »

Didn't get a real close look at it, although I really should have in hindsight, but someone commuted in today on a Zero.

It really resembles a dirtbike - real trim, slim, very light in appearance. Had all the controls, throttle, clutch, etc - although I'm not sure how you'd know when to shift on a bike that is driven by electric motor (indicator light?). Had a big square battery where the engine would normally be, shrouded in fairing and frame, the motor was buried at the bottom where the swingarm attaches.

One of the things that struck me most about it was how many cooling fins were on the bike. They were under the seat, on the motor, every surface that saw airflow. I guess to cool the motor and what looked like an amp or power converter.

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/motorcycles/ in case you're wondering what I'm talking about. If I had the money and room in the stable I might even try one - looks perfect for commuting.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2015, 04:57:31 PM »

Quote from: eigenvector on July 21, 2015, 04:50:52 PM

Didn't get a real close look at it, although I really should have in hindsight, but someone commuted in today on a Zero.

It really resembles a dirtbike - real trim, slim, very light in appearance. Had all the controls, throttle, clutch, etc - although I'm not sure how you'd know when to shift on a bike that is driven by electric motor (indicator light?). Had a big square battery where the engine would normally be, shrouded in fairing and frame, the motor was buried at the bottom where the swingarm attaches.

One of the things that struck me most about it was how many cooling fins were on the bike. They were under the seat, on the motor, every surface that saw airflow. I guess to cool the motor and what looked like an amp or power converter.

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/motorcycles/ in case you're wondering what I'm talking about. If I had the money and room in the stable I might even try one - looks perfect for commuting.

As far as I know, these are direct drive, no gears....

Gene · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2015, 05:00:41 PM »

Personally - I love the idea of an electric bike. BTW - no shifting, all the energy goes straight to the drive. I had a chance to drive an EV1 when they still existed and it's like operating a rocket ship - just *whoosh*.

BobbyR · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2015, 05:15:42 PM »

It will be very hard to out 0-60 an electric bike. They have instant torque.

jeremyillingworth · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2015, 05:53:31 PM »

Next time I'm in Vancouver or Seattle I intend to test drive one. I don't put on enough miles on a year to warrant switching to electric and I can't justify the price just for the fun but electric bikes look very exciting and will only be getting better. The same 67 horsepower as a CB750 but 144 pounds of torque.

jeremy

eigenvector · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2015, 06:00:11 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 21, 2015, 04:57:31 PM

Quote from: eigenvector on July 21, 2015, 04:50:52 PM
Didn't get a real close look at it, although I really should have in hindsight, but someone commuted in today on a Zero.

It really resembles a dirtbike - real trim, slim, very light in appearance. Had all the controls, throttle, clutch, etc - although I'm not sure how you'd know when to shift on a bike that is driven by electric motor (indicator light?). Had a big square battery where the engine would normally be, shrouded in fairing and frame, the motor was buried at the bottom where the swingarm attaches.

One of the things that struck me most about it was how many cooling fins were on the bike. They were under the seat, on the motor, every surface that saw airflow. I guess to cool the motor and what looked like an amp or power converter.

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/motorcycles/ in case you're wondering what I'm talking about. If I had the money and room in the stable I might even try one - looks perfect for commuting.

As far as I know, these are direct drive, no gears....

I was kind of wondering about that. I wasn't specifically looking for the clutch or gear shift, just kind of figured it had one to keep the motor at a more or less constant RPM, but direct drive works too - no shifting needed.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2015, 06:04:50 PM »

Someone stole the Victory Brammo road racing bike a couple of days ago. The cops recovered it today with the rear wheel removed. The guy was going to try to part out the prototype race bike.

Duanob · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2015, 01:38:24 PM »

They had a booth at the local motorcycle expo here last year. Pretty cool but they were so crowded with spectaters I never got a chance to ask questions.

eigenvector · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2015, 05:23:59 PM »

I hope they don't turn into one of those new techs that everyone talks about but no one actually buys into. I say this as someone who did this very thing though.

jeremyillingworth · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2015, 09:44:25 PM »

I think they're here to stay. My father bought a Nissan Leaf a few years ago. He does a lot of city driving but kept his Volvo for out of town trips. Comparing the cost of gas to electricity it's gets the dollar equivalent of 177 miles per gallon over the first year. Electric vehicles are the way of the future and I would buy one if a did more driving.

jeremy

Duanob · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2015, 02:08:54 PM »

Quote from: eigenvector on July 23, 2015, 05:23:59 PM

I hope they don't turn into one of those new techs that everyone talks about but no one actually buys into. I say this as someone who did this very thing though.

My questions were the typical, How long between charges? And Where can you charge it if your out on the road? But like I said, I never got the chance to ask. Nice looking bike though.

754 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2015, 01:24:45 PM »

I saw one a few days ago here..dark red...
It was noticeable by its silence, took another look then saw the Zero name..... I think actually. Visible from the rear cuz it gets a second look..

Gene · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2015, 09:48:34 PM »

I kinda dig the whole "silent" thing . . . Ninja bike.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2015, 02:33:40 PM »

Some have gears, some don't. I guess it depends on how much power the motor makes.
I rode one last year with no gears. I think the motor made 96bhp. 0 to 100 came up in the blink of an eye.
I had a job to do with the bike and ringing its neck from a standstill wasn't one of them, I think had I tried, it would have probably spit me off the back quite easily.

At a guess, it would have been on par performance wise with a good CB750 up to 100mph.

calj737 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2015, 03:55:51 PM »

Dang, Sam, you sure make the girls look good standing there!

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2015, 04:37:33 AM »

scrapvalue · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2015, 05:00:32 AM »

Quote from: Gene on August 02, 2015, 09:48:34 PM

I kinda dig the whole "silent" thing . . . Ninja bike.

Everyone who rides one will die. Don't you know loud pipes save lives! :-)

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2015, 07:18:37 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on August 09, 2015, 03:55:51 PM

Dang, Sam, you sure make the girls look good standing there!

Just 4 U Cal,

calj737 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2015, 08:59:42 AM »

Just my size too, Sam! You're an awesome friend

Steve F · « **Reply #19 on:** August 10, 2015, 09:37:26 AM »

I saw one at the museum!

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #20 on:** August 10, 2015, 12:43:55 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on August 10, 2015, 08:59:42 AM

Just my size too, Sam! You're an awesome friend

I might have some new ones for you this weekend, I'm out with a different factory team from the Orient.

calj737 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2015, 12:49:45 PM »

I like Asain cuisine in pairs too!

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #22 on:** August 10, 2015, 02:40:45 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on August 10, 2015, 12:49:45 PM

I like Asain cuisine in pairs too!

The white one is the same team I rode for and the rider was part of my pit crew.
The white bike is a satellite ride but with backing from the factory.
He finished 3rd behind the 2 factory bikes in Germany last weekend.

Sam.

flybox1 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 12, 2015, 08:58:59 AM »

saw one for the first time yesterday.
weaving around a slow car, he gave it a good twist and off he went.. like a fart in the wind.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #24 on:** August 12, 2015, 10:37:28 AM »

So they make fart noises upon acceleration?

News:

Author Topic: Saw a Zero in the motorcycle lot today (Read 2436 times)

scrapvalue