Ninjette Newsbot
January 18th, 2016, 08:00 PM
In addition to the two new models in the 2016 Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) lineup, the supermoto-esque FXS (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/first-ride-2016-zero-electric-motorcycles-fxs) and the high-powered dual-sport DSR, there are a bunch of newsworthy pieces to the puzzle. For example:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/1_motor.jpg?itok=YwVTKNzM ©Motorcyclist
The 2016 Zero Motor
New Zero motors for 2016 feature internal permanent magnet technology embedded into the rotors for enhanced cooling.
1 // New motors. Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) has continued to develop its motor technology, and this year debuts something called an IPM, for internal permanent magnet. In this and the previous Zero motors, the spinning part of the motor carries a series of permanent magnets. Attached to the case of the motor, which is finned for passive air cooling, is a series of coils that induce a magnetic field when power is applied. Before, the Zero motor had a series of magnets bonded to the circumference of the rotor, spinning with a minuscule air gap between them and the windings. Now the magnets are embedded into the rotor, which helps wick away heat and allow the motor to run cooler under all conditions. (A clever design of the rotor’s facing surface helps move a small amount of air around inside the housing.) Last year’s Zero S could be run into heat-management mode after several miles of high-speed running, which first results in a warning light and then a reduction in power to keep the motor from overheating. Supposedly, the 2016 Zeros all have much greater thermal headroom.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/2_monolith.jpg?itok=ajdJXf-f ©Motorcyclist
Zero "Monolith" Power Pack
New cell chemistry results in 10-20 percent more range without sacrificing performance.
2 // Updated batteries. Zero has worked with its battery supplier to subtly alter the chemistry of the 28 flat cells that make up one power “brick.” (Except for the FX series, which has independently removable batteries, Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) bikes have “monoliths” made up of three or four of these bricks.) Each cell produces 3.6 volts for a combined 102 volts in each brick. All Zeros operate on 102 volts, so the bricks are run in parallel to build capacity. This new cell chemistry results in 10-20 percent more range (because of their increased energy density) without sacrificing performance (because their discharge capability has also increased).
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/3_charging.jpg?itok=UZkfmDJj ©Motorcyclist
Zero J1772 Charging Plug
New for 2016 is the onboard charging package that uses the standard charging plug found at electric-car charging stations.
3 // Faster charging. All Zeros come with on-board chargers that plug into standard 120-volt household power. You could also piggyback as many as four external chargers to reduce recover time but this year Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) has released an on-board charging package that uses the SAE J1772 standard charging plug—the kind you see at most electric-car charging stations. With the Charge Tank accessory, which fits where the storage box is normally (or where the Power Tank fifth battery would go) “effectively triples on-board charging speed,” says the company. The largest standard battery configuration, the ZF13.0, will recharge to 95 percent in three hours, while the ZF9.8 gets there in about two hours. The Charge Tank costs $1,988.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/4_prices.jpg?itok=bTg4dK1h ©Motorcyclist
Zero Pricing
Zero has managed to reduce costs on certain models compared to 2015, a savings passed on to buyers thanks to improvements in battery technology plus greater volume.
4 // Lower prices. Improvements in battery technology plus greater volume has allowed Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) to reduce costs, and MSRP, on certain models compared to 2015 models. For example, a 2015 Zero SR with the four-brick battery configuration sold for $17,345 with a total capacity of 12.5-kWh. This year, that bike costs $15,995 with 13.0 kWh of capacity.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/5_modes.jpg?itok=aBSZPpIU ©Motorcyclist
Zero Ride Modes
In addition to Eco and Sport modes, all Zeros now have a third Custom mode that can be user-configured through the Zero app on your smart phone.
5 // Ride modes. All Zeros have three ride modes, two hard-coded as Eco and Sport. Eco limits power and top speed, softens throttle response, and increases regenerative braking. Sport maxes out performance but reduces regen. The third is called Custom, and can be user-configured through the Zero app. (Your phone talks to the bike via Bluetooth.) In Custom, you can choose any combination of top speed, max torque, and regen setups (both throttle-closed regen and additional regen when you apply the brakes).
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/6_assembly.jpg?itok=tYyj4Vwr ©Motorcyclist
Built To Order In Less Than A Week
Once you order a Zero model, the request goes into their system and your bike is built to order.
6 // Almost made to order. Zero’s sales model is unusual in that it requests its 80-some US dealers have three models on hand for demo purposes but doesn’t load them down with inventory. Instead, when you order a Zero model, the request goes into the system and your bike is, essentially, built to order. Depending on how far you live from the Scotts Valley, California, factory, you could have you new Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) in less than a week.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/7_colors.jpg?itok=y6lJEQDt ©Motorcyclist
Zero Color Kits
Kits made up of the “tank” cover, rear fender cover, and front fender let you embrace your brightest or darkest mood.
7 // Change colors at will. Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) sells “color kits” that allow you to change your bike’s hue at will. Made up of the “tank” cover, rear fender cover, and front fender, the kits let you embrace your capricious side. Prices have not yet been set.
E-REVIEW:
First Ride On The 2016 Zero FXS Electric Hooligan (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/first-ride-2016-zero-electric-motorcycles-fxs)
Click here for full story... (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/7-cool-things-about-zero-electric-motorcycles)
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/1_motor.jpg?itok=YwVTKNzM ©Motorcyclist
The 2016 Zero Motor
New Zero motors for 2016 feature internal permanent magnet technology embedded into the rotors for enhanced cooling.
1 // New motors. Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) has continued to develop its motor technology, and this year debuts something called an IPM, for internal permanent magnet. In this and the previous Zero motors, the spinning part of the motor carries a series of permanent magnets. Attached to the case of the motor, which is finned for passive air cooling, is a series of coils that induce a magnetic field when power is applied. Before, the Zero motor had a series of magnets bonded to the circumference of the rotor, spinning with a minuscule air gap between them and the windings. Now the magnets are embedded into the rotor, which helps wick away heat and allow the motor to run cooler under all conditions. (A clever design of the rotor’s facing surface helps move a small amount of air around inside the housing.) Last year’s Zero S could be run into heat-management mode after several miles of high-speed running, which first results in a warning light and then a reduction in power to keep the motor from overheating. Supposedly, the 2016 Zeros all have much greater thermal headroom.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/2_monolith.jpg?itok=ajdJXf-f ©Motorcyclist
Zero "Monolith" Power Pack
New cell chemistry results in 10-20 percent more range without sacrificing performance.
2 // Updated batteries. Zero has worked with its battery supplier to subtly alter the chemistry of the 28 flat cells that make up one power “brick.” (Except for the FX series, which has independently removable batteries, Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) bikes have “monoliths” made up of three or four of these bricks.) Each cell produces 3.6 volts for a combined 102 volts in each brick. All Zeros operate on 102 volts, so the bricks are run in parallel to build capacity. This new cell chemistry results in 10-20 percent more range (because of their increased energy density) without sacrificing performance (because their discharge capability has also increased).
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/3_charging.jpg?itok=UZkfmDJj ©Motorcyclist
Zero J1772 Charging Plug
New for 2016 is the onboard charging package that uses the standard charging plug found at electric-car charging stations.
3 // Faster charging. All Zeros come with on-board chargers that plug into standard 120-volt household power. You could also piggyback as many as four external chargers to reduce recover time but this year Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) has released an on-board charging package that uses the SAE J1772 standard charging plug—the kind you see at most electric-car charging stations. With the Charge Tank accessory, which fits where the storage box is normally (or where the Power Tank fifth battery would go) “effectively triples on-board charging speed,” says the company. The largest standard battery configuration, the ZF13.0, will recharge to 95 percent in three hours, while the ZF9.8 gets there in about two hours. The Charge Tank costs $1,988.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/4_prices.jpg?itok=bTg4dK1h ©Motorcyclist
Zero Pricing
Zero has managed to reduce costs on certain models compared to 2015, a savings passed on to buyers thanks to improvements in battery technology plus greater volume.
4 // Lower prices. Improvements in battery technology plus greater volume has allowed Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) to reduce costs, and MSRP, on certain models compared to 2015 models. For example, a 2015 Zero SR with the four-brick battery configuration sold for $17,345 with a total capacity of 12.5-kWh. This year, that bike costs $15,995 with 13.0 kWh of capacity.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/5_modes.jpg?itok=aBSZPpIU ©Motorcyclist
Zero Ride Modes
In addition to Eco and Sport modes, all Zeros now have a third Custom mode that can be user-configured through the Zero app on your smart phone.
5 // Ride modes. All Zeros have three ride modes, two hard-coded as Eco and Sport. Eco limits power and top speed, softens throttle response, and increases regenerative braking. Sport maxes out performance but reduces regen. The third is called Custom, and can be user-configured through the Zero app. (Your phone talks to the bike via Bluetooth.) In Custom, you can choose any combination of top speed, max torque, and regen setups (both throttle-closed regen and additional regen when you apply the brakes).
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/6_assembly.jpg?itok=tYyj4Vwr ©Motorcyclist
Built To Order In Less Than A Week
Once you order a Zero model, the request goes into their system and your bike is built to order.
6 // Almost made to order. Zero’s sales model is unusual in that it requests its 80-some US dealers have three models on hand for demo purposes but doesn’t load them down with inventory. Instead, when you order a Zero model, the request goes into the system and your bike is, essentially, built to order. Depending on how far you live from the Scotts Valley, California, factory, you could have you new Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) in less than a week.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/small_1x_/public/images/2016/01/7_colors.jpg?itok=y6lJEQDt ©Motorcyclist
Zero Color Kits
Kits made up of the “tank” cover, rear fender cover, and front fender let you embrace your brightest or darkest mood.
7 // Change colors at will. Zero (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/tags/zero) sells “color kits” that allow you to change your bike’s hue at will. Made up of the “tank” cover, rear fender cover, and front fender, the kits let you embrace your capricious side. Prices have not yet been set.
E-REVIEW:
First Ride On The 2016 Zero FXS Electric Hooligan (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/first-ride-2016-zero-electric-motorcycles-fxs)
Click here for full story... (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/7-cool-things-about-zero-electric-motorcycles)