I would be the first one to cop to being a Electric Motorcycle Enthusiast — my Zero test bikes have provided some of the most spirited and enjoyable riding experiences I can recall.
So I was not prepared for what I encountered when a test bike was provided to me in early December, and as I’ve continued to ride it — weather permitting — through the winter.
The complete story can be found at Revzilla’s Common Tread — Cold realities: Testing a Zero SR/S in winter – RevZilla.
Earlier Zeros — which were simpler machines without multiple computers running dash displays and stability control systems — just had to cope with reduced range and ability to deliver current in cold weather. The newer bikes use a small 12v battery to run those systems, and if it isn’t supplying stable voltage, the bike simply won’t go.
At all.
Most of the year, the new SR/F and SR/S are brilliant. Below 35 degrees though, not so much.
Rolling Physics Problem 