Zero in Australia

Last time I checked (a few months ago) Zero were not shipping outside
the US. Now it looks like they're AU$13,590 on the road in
Australia... and you can book a test ride.

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/shop...oduct_info&myCountry=13&cPath=1&products_id=8

I have put in for a test ride.

 

Interesting, but -
top speed 105 km/h
range "up to" 80 km

 

In aus.motorcycles on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:09:13 -0700 (PDT)

13 grand for a 100kmh bike with 80km range and 4 hour charge.

It's probably the best that can be done with current tech, and it does
sound very appealing for a commuter except... luggage!

Would it kill them to maybe add some small panniers? Something to put
your lunch and a jumper in? Never mind the milk...

Zebee

 

There was a stand at last year's Perth Motorcycle show with electric
bikes and scooters. They were called Sustainable Transport Company, I
had a quick look but they were quite expensive and not enough range
for me to get to town and back. Other than that I remember little
about them. Found this on the net http://www.nope.com.au/where-to-buy/
0429 880 004 Email , and no, it's not me.
Ah, here it is http://www.nope.com.au/products/electric-scooters/nope-j50-neo/
.. Looks like a city scooter, 50km/h 50km range AU$3250 ride away
price.

Theo

 

My commute is 35km each way with a 90 km/hr zone in the middle.

Methinks I wouldn't make it home again, so close but no banana as far
as my needs are concerned. I'll stick to the Breva.

 

I rejected Zero last time I looked at them (in 2009) but the 2010
range has moved on a bit and I'm starting to wonder now. The main
drawback of owning one is having to hire a Duke for the weekend to
make it to Unagural or PI.

I do about 70km per day and 17,000 km per year, all weather. Out of
each 34 km commute, nearly 30 km is at 100kph which is basically the
top speed and most of the rest is at 80kph. On paper, it can deliver
exactly what I need. The question I have is: how long will this thing
last? Part of me says 'go for it' and part of me is thinking 'don't
buy one of the first 50,000 units'.

 

I rejected Zero last time I looked at them (in 2009) but the 2010
range has moved on a bit and I'm starting to wonder now. The main
drawback of owning one is having to hire a Duke for the weekend to
make it to Unagural or PI.

I do about 70km per day and 17,000 km per year, all weather. Out of
each 34 km commute, nearly 30 km is at 100kph which is basically the
top speed and most of the rest is at 80kph. On paper, it can deliver
exactly what I need. The question I have is: how long will this thing
last? Part of me says 'go for it' and part of me is thinking 'don't
buy one of the first 50,000 units'.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Personally I would go for a safety margin of at least 20% more than the top
speed zone I was going to ride in. My VTR 250 was about the minimum I would
ride now. Sometimes being able to keep the dickheads behind you is the safest
way to ride.

Fraser

 

Good point - I am concerned that the top speed is too close to the
limit. One question I will be asking is if this is the advertised top
speed, what will its top speed be after a year? My idea of a
nightmare is grinding along at 90 kph when all the other traffic wants
to do 100+. I will need to have a look at one; it's not a petrol
engine so I'm led to believe performance at the top end is totally
unlike what you would expect from a petrol engine i.e. the time to
accelerate from 90 to 100 is quite short (?) I think it can get the
front wheel off the ground at 70?? The torque does not reduce
significantly with speed - something to do with the internal workings
- this may be completely wrong. If that's the case the 105kph limit
might be due to the OBC.

I will put something in the forum if it's anything to write home
about.

 

Actually the maximum torque of an electric motor is at zero rpm.
That's why they don't need a gearbox, and the peak kW output is not
directly comparable with a petrol engine. An electric motor that seems
modest on paper will still give good acceleration from standstill.

The torque curve after that depends on the type of motor and I'm not
really sure.

There is another reason why the margin between top speed and your
required speed is important. You don't think they worked out that 80km
maximum range at top speed in a headwind with the lights on do you? If
your commute is 70km a day, running at maximum part of the way means
you might not get home unless you've got somewhere to plug it in at
work.

Then of course after a couple of years when the battery is no longer
fresh...

I think these are still toys for now, but they'll suit someone with
modest needs who might otherwise consider a 125, but then such people
will have a budget of around $10,000 less.

 

In aus.motorcycles on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:28:19 -0700 (PDT)

On the other hand... a one make race series, say 5 laps, would be
hellish close racing.

Zebee

 

That very much depends on the type of electric motor. E.g. a series
wound AC/DC motor does have max torque at zero revs but they are very
power inefficient, OTOH you could hold the shaft of a 3hp induction
motor (with a pair of multigrips, not your hand) and you'll find it
has damn-all torque at zero revs. Those are very efficient at speed
and have heaps of torque at near full revs. I have no idea what sort
of motor they put in electric vehicles.

Theo

 

I would be inclined to be more worried about distance between charges
and allow a large margin as my experience of most battery operated
things is they are at their optimum for a while then drop markedly.

 

Yes. It will also have to do the same old run when it is dark at 4pm,
with heavy sheets of rain being driven by powerful 70+ kph gusts of
wind.

I'm inclined to agree it cannot meet my demands. Next year's model,
however...