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Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

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Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#51

Post by JumpinJack_Cash »

blululu wrote: post #46
JumpinJack_Cash wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are going nowhere. Electric motorcycles are a terrible idea because they are not the problem as far as emission go. Given the ratio between the weight of the motorcycle and the weight of the passenger/s they are extemely efficient, having the whole passenger vehicles switch to motorcycles would be even better than have them switch to 3000 pounds EVs. The vast majority of people are too coward to drive them unfor…

Eh, you’d be surprised how much particulates a 2 stroke engine with no catalytic converter spits out. But the more important point is that electric motorcycles are amazingly fun to ride. No clutch and crazy of acceleration gives an amazing ride.

> > electric motorcycles are amazingly fun to ride

Every motorcycle is fun to ride, and the acceleration part, Yamaha clocked the 0-60 in 3s bit back in 1999[0] , we are really splitting hairs to somehow elevate the concept of electrification like it's some sort of re-inventing the wheel for the fun of the consumer and not for political goals, I have come to believe that it's a form of brainwashing

That is unless the concept of 'electrification' is used to mask the inability to use a manual gearbox as it pertains to motorcycles.

[0]https://accelerationtimes.com/models/yamaha-yzf-r6-n-a

Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#52

Post by rabuse »

mmh0000 wrote: post #36

I’ve been wanting an electric motorcycle for years. But every time I look at the pricing I just can’t justify it. An entry level electric bike for $25k or a top of the line BMW for $18k. It’s just not even a comparison.

The range is also typically laughably bad also. I just can't justify having to perfectly calculate a trip, or ending up stuck on the side of the road with no quick ability to just gas it back up.

Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#54

Post by somerandomqaguy »

jeffbee wrote: post #33

Yeah but there’s nothing to break or fix on a Zero! I needed all those Honda service manuals over the years because honing cylinder walls and fitting rings and grinding valves and bedding in crank bearings are things you sometimes have to do. What’s complicated about an electric motorcycle?

>Yeah but there’s nothing to break or fix on a Zero!

...........?

Wheel bearings, axle grease, wheel alignment, fork seals, suspension bearings, head bearings, chain/belt, sprockets, brake system (pads, piston, caliper, seals, master cylinder, fluid, rotors), tires, cooling system. Plus the classics of levers, hoses, bent handles bars or forks, stripping bolts, broken kick stands, etc. None of that goes away with an electric bike.

And you do need to do inspections on electrical connectors at minimum. Being electric doesn't solve small design flaws. Suzuki infamously made the green connector of death. The headlamps and ignition switch on the same connector, which inevitably burns out due to resistance in the connection growing due to corrosion which eventually causes it to melt. Saw a similar problem with a Kawasaki with corrosion interfering with kill switch circuit.

Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#55

Post by dharmab »

whartung wrote: post #41
porknubbins wrote: post #17

Are there any OEMs whose service manuals are hard to find? I restore cars and motorcycles and have never had trouble finding a pdf or hard copy for around $20. Its good that they are doing this though a lot of the secrets I’d want to know about an electric motorcycle are about the ECU when that software is some of the most tightly guarded of any.

BMW no longer sells service manuals for their bikes. There are, essentially, bootlegs on line, but my understanding is that while before they had a dedicated Window application for their manuals, they're moving to an online only system, and only for dealers. So, while there are manuals floating around now, who knows how that will go moving forward. Obviously, this will be a key sticking point in the future with the "…

Yup, exactly. I was one of the last mortals to get a copy of the software for my BMW motorcycle and now field emails from riders worldwide looking for service data.

Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#56

Post by dharmab »

porknubbins wrote: post #17

Are there any OEMs whose service manuals are hard to find? I restore cars and motorcycles and have never had trouble finding a pdf or hard copy for around $20. Its good that they are doing this though a lot of the secrets I’d want to know about an electric motorcycle are about the ECU when that software is some of the most tightly guarded of any.

Volvo's data is only available via digital subscription.

BMW motorcycle data is not available at all to consumers anymore, only certified techs.

Suzuki doesn't publish data, but Clymer usually fills the gap.

By contrast, Honda will still sell you some really great dead tree manuals on their motorcycles.

Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#57

Post by dabluecaboose »

toyg wrote: post #53
i_k_k wrote: post #40

Off topic, but does anyone make simple electric motorcycles? You know, a frame, battery, motor, etc., but without a connected app and all the goo that comes with it.

Maybe Maeving? They're kinda proud of being barebones.

Well, that's very cool and was interesting to read about. Shame it's not available in the US yet

Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#58

Post by driverdan »

mmh0000 wrote: post #36

I’ve been wanting an electric motorcycle for years. But every time I look at the pricing I just can’t justify it. An entry level electric bike for $25k or a top of the line BMW for $18k. It’s just not even a comparison.

Your numbers are completely wrong. Zero has a bike for $12k https://zeromotorcycles.com/model/zero-fx and BMW sells bikes that go well into the $20k ranges. You can get a Surron for under $4k, but it's more like a cross between a bicycle and motorcycle.

I do agree with the general premise, that electric is more expensive. There needs to be more competition to drive prices down like is happening for cars.

Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#59

Post by mmh0000 »

subhro wrote: post #44
mmh0000 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/models/sport/r1250rs.html Okay. 20k. Still less than an electric and more powerful with more features.

1250RS is not top of the line for sure in any of the segments it is marketed at. I would say a K16 would be more towards the top.

I disagree, the 1250RS is basically a redesign of the K1200S (my current bike). Just swapping out the inline-v for the BMW boxer motor.

Top of the line, in it's class. A sports bike, with shaft drive, linked brakes, traction control, and heated grips.

Find me an electric bike with those features for anywhere near a comparable price. Specifically, I will not even consider a bike without a shaft drive (or in the case of an electric, a hub drive would be acceptable.) I am done maintaining chains and belts.

Re: Zero Motorcycles makes its service manuals free

#60

Post by Mengkudulangsat »

mmh0000 wrote: post #36

I’ve been wanting an electric motorcycle for years. But every time I look at the pricing I just can’t justify it. An entry level electric bike for $25k or a top of the line BMW for $18k. It’s just not even a comparison.

Taiwan is doing electric bikes right. They're not a $25k toy, they are $2k tool.
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