Photo: Zero Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles announces recalling at least 94 electric two-wheelers which might develop a rather serious transmission problem. Namely, it was determined that under hard riding conditions, with the motors pushed to the limits for a prolonged time, the rotor may come in contact with the stator, causing the motor to become defective and stall.
Needless to say that a stalled single-speed motor has excellent odds to lock the rear wheel of the bike, causing the rider to lose control and increase the risk of a crash. In fact, it appears that a 2014 SR machine actually had this problem while being ridden on a race track by an expert motorcyclist, as he Zero Defect Notice shows. The event did not cause an accident or injury, but we guess this was a lucky shot.
Following this report, Zero tested one of their motors in the dyno lab and was able to reproduce the failure under sustained max rpm and temperature, so a recall was issued and is expected to begin in April 2014. Zero is notifying customers and a test will be scheduled. In case their machines fail the test, a new, pre-tested and approved motor will be installed, with all the operations being free of charge.
The affected bikes are 2014 Zero SR motorcycles manufactured December 30, 2013, through February 20, 2014, 2014 Zero S motorcycles manufactured December 26, 2013, through February 18, 2014, Zero DS motorcycles manufactured January 24, 2013, through February 4, 2014, and 2014 Zero FX motorcycles manufactured January 14, 2014, through January 27, 2014.
Following this report, Zero tested one of their motors in the dyno lab and was able to reproduce the failure under sustained max rpm and temperature, so a recall was issued and is expected to begin in April 2014. Zero is notifying customers and a test will be scheduled. In case their machines fail the test, a new, pre-tested and approved motor will be installed, with all the operations being free of charge.
The affected bikes are 2014 Zero SR motorcycles manufactured December 30, 2013, through February 20, 2014, 2014 Zero S motorcycles manufactured December 26, 2013, through February 18, 2014, Zero DS motorcycles manufactured January 24, 2013, through February 4, 2014, and 2014 Zero FX motorcycles manufactured January 14, 2014, through January 27, 2014.
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