Zero Recalls 2012 S, DS, and DSP Motorcycles. Cell Pouches In the Battery Packs May Wear From Contact With the Holders, Allowing Humidity To Enter the Pouch and Cause an Electrical Short Within the Battery

Zero Motorcycles (Zero) is recalling all 2012 Zero S, Zero DS, and Zero DSP (Police) motorcycles.

Cell pouches in the battery packs may wear from contact with the holders, allowing humidity to enter the pouch and cause an electrical short within the battery.

An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

218 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Recalls 2018 S ZF13.0, S ZF7.2, SR ZF14.4, DS ZF13.0, DSR ZF14.4, FX ZF7.2, and FXS ZF7.2 Motorcycles Since the Information On the Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) Label May Indicate the Wrong Model Year

Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain 2018 S ZF13.0, S ZF7.2, SR ZF14.4, DS ZF13.0, DSR ZF14.4, FX ZF7.2, and FXS ZF7.2 motorcycles.

The information on the Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) Label may indicate the wrong model year. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

If the affected 2018 motorcycles are ever subject to a recall, the owner may not realize the safety risk because of the misstated model year.

36 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Recalls 2017 DSP ZF13.0, S ZF6.5, S ZF13.0, and SR ZF13.0 Motorcycles Since the Turn Signal Flasher May Not Change Its Flash Rate to Alert the Operator in the Event That a Turn Signal Stops Working

Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain 2017 S ZF6.5, S ZF13.0, DSP ZF13.0, and SR ZF13.0 motorcycles.

In the event that a turn signal stops working, the turn signal flasher may not change its flash rate to alert the operator. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

If motorcycle is operated without knowing that a turn signal is not working, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

10 units are affected.

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Zero Motorcycles Recalls 2017 DS, FXS, and S Motorcycles For Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) That May Have the Wrong Vehicle Model Information

Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain 2017 S, DS, and FXS motorcycles.

The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) may have the wrong vehicle model information, possibly causing the ABS to function improperly.

If the ABS does not function properly in a braking event, there is an increased risk of a crash.

61 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Recalls 2015 DS, FX, S, and SR Motorcycles For a DC-DC Converter That May Have Insufficient Output Power, such That During High Power Demand, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) May Not Function Properly

Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain model year 2015 SR, S, DS, and FX motorcycles.

The affected motorcycles have a DC-DC converter that may have insufficient output power. During high power demand, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) may not function properly.

If the converter power output is insufficient, during an ABS activated event, the ABS and all vehicle lights would temporarily stop functioning, increasing the risk of a crash.

96 units are affected.

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Zero Recalls 2014 DS, FX, S, and SR Motorcycles for Manufacturing Defect whereby the Motor Rotor may Contact the Stator

Zero Motorcycles, Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain model year 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.

Due to a possible manufacturing defect, the motor rotor may contact the stator while riding.

94 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Motorcycles Recalls 2012-2013 XU, DS, S and 2013 FX for Controller Firmware Problem

Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 XU, S, DS, and model year 2013 FX motorcycles.

The affected motorcycles have controller firmware that, as a result of certain system faults, may shut off power to the motor.

A sudden loss of power to the motor may increase the risk of a crash.

667 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Motorcycles Recalls 2011-2012 S and DS for Defective Front Caliper Mounting Bolts

Zero Motorcycles is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 S and DS motorcycles.

On the affected motorcycles, the front caliper mounting bolts are susceptible to corrosion which could lead to their cracking and possible fracture.

268 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Motorcycles Recalls 2013 FX and XU for Water Penetration into the Battery

Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain model year 2013 FX motorcycles manufactured January 28, 2013, through May 21, 2013; and model year 2013 XU motorcycles manufactured January 16, 2013, through May 20, 2013.

A manufacturing defect with the sealant material in the battery may allow water to penetrate the battery and contact the cells. Water penetration into the battery may lead to corrosion of the cells, possibly resulting in a rapid temperature increase and off-gassing of the cells' electrolyte which may cause a burn to the rider.

128 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Motorcycles Produces a Military Motorcycle with New Capabilities

Motorcycles of a different breed may be coming back to military uses. Zero Motorcycles is leading the way. Damon Lavrinc of Wired.com has the story. Here's an excerpt:

"Electric motorcycles just went from practical to tactical with the Zero MMX, the first all-electric bike developed specifically for the U.S. Special Operation Forces." -- Damon Lavrinc, Wired.com

Read more.

Makes and Models Expanded to Include Electric Motorcycles

My Makes and Models subject has now been expanded to include three electric motorcycle makes: Brammo, Vectrex, and Zero. There are other makes also attracting attention but most of them don't have production models yet. Take a look at my Makes and Models.

As you see in my last blog post, I have also added these three electric motorcycle makes to my Motorcycle Seat Heights feature.

As I create addition information regarding electric motorcycles, I will post here in my blog and in my Motorcycle Views Newsletter.

Terry Hershner Rides Zero S Electric Motorcycle on 3000 Mile Trip in 5 Days

Terry Hershner decided he wanted to take a motorcycle ride from Orlando, FL to Los Angeles, CA. That's a 3000 mile journey. However, he wanted to take the trip riding a Zero S electric motorcycle. These bikes don't go very far between charges and a charge can take 8 hours. Terry wanted to make the trip in 5 days. Do the math and this looks to be impossible. Terry had a plan to do it with modified charging methods. Take a look at an article with a video by gas2.org's Susanna Schick. Most of your questions will be answered.

Take a look

When Will Electric Motorcycles Make It to the Big Time?

Dexter Ford of the New York Times thinks that electric motorcycles may have a place but it may be a long time coming. Here's an excerpt from his article:

"The appeal of an electric motorcycle is obvious. It would deliver its power silently and instantly, without the need for oil, fire, smoke, noise, clutch or gearbox. Each fill-up would cost just a dollar. It might even talk to your iPhone, though it's hard to imagine what kind of a useful conversation the two might have. An electric bike might someday be the next big thing, in a 'what would Steve Jobs have ridden' sort of way." -- Dexter Ford

Read more.

Zero Motorcycles Recalls 2012 DS and S for Drifting Motor Encoder Position Signal

Zero Motorcycles, Inc. (Zero Motorcycles) is recalling certain model year 2012 S and DS motorcycles.

These motorcycles are equipped with a motor encoder position signal that may drift over the extended use of the motorcycle. If the signal drifts outside of the given parameters, the motor controller may shut off, resulting in the motorcycle inadvertently losing power.

315 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Motorcycles Recalls 2012 Motorcycles for Battery Problem

Zero Motorcycles, INC. is recalling certain model year 2012 S, DS, X, XU, and XU-LSM motorcycles.

Insufficient weatherproofing may cause a short circuit of the battery management system when subjected to wet conditions, resulting in the motorcycle inadvertently losing power.

254 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Motorcycles Recalls 2011-2012 Motorcycles for Faulty Brake Light Switch

Zero Motorcycles, INC. is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 S, XU, and DS motorcycles, model year 2011 MXD, and XD motorcycles and 2012 X motorcycles.

The brake light switch at the front brake lever may not activate until significant brake lever travel occurs.

450 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Zero Motorcycles Recalls 2009-2010 DS and S for Front Brake Problem

Zero Motorcycles is recalling certain model year 2009 Zero S motorcycles built from September 2, 2009 through December 22, 2009; model year 2009 Zero DS motorcycles built from July 27, 2009 through December 28, 2009; model year 2010 Zero S motorcycles built from February 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011; and model year 2010 Zero DS motorcycles built from January 20, 2010 through March 31, 2011.

The front brake caliper bracket may experience permanent deformation when subjected to high braking loads. This condition could induce misalignment of the front brake pads with respect to the front brake rotor.

The number of units affected is 160.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.