Zero Electric Scooters

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#2287354 1-Aug-2019 19:19

jonathan18:
GenesisNZ: After nearly 20 years of exclusively commuting to work via bus or train, I'm over it and looking at alternative methods.

I've been looking at a Zero 10X and the Speedway V. Anyone in Wellington from the northern suburbs commuting by electric scooter? I'd be interested to hear people's experiences.

I'll be interested in seeing if others do this kind of distance (and in this kind of location), and if so how they find it.

Are you thinking of coming in all the way from say Khandallah into the central city? That's a decent distance plus, of course, a decent incline that may be hard on the brakes going down, though the return trip will be no match for the power of a 10X I imagine (even my 10 has a lot of grunt on hills).

Another factor is that famous Wellington weather - I'd be avoiding scootering in in bad weather for sure, so you'll still be needing an alternative means of transport on those days (including the potential to need to leave the scooter at work if it turns cr@p).

I'm in Newlands, so further out still. A friend has just purchased a Speedway V and lives in the Johnsonville area. I think his plan is to initially take the train, get used to the scooter and then look at potentially scooting all the way in.

I've tried a Speedway before and those things are beasts. You could easily take on some of the steepest hills we have here in Welly.

Agreed about the weather here. I've also been looking into investing in a decent, full face helmet. Any recommendations?

jonathan18

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#2287581 2-Aug-2019 11:12

I think part of the problem with these large/heavy e-scooters is they're really too big to easily take on public transport; I imagine the train may be more feasible than the bus (given they allow some bikes on, yeah?). So, while scooters are good for the 'last mile' either end of a commute, the models that are more suitable for that are those that are light and compact.

Are you wanting to solely use a scooter in full replacement of public transport? Doing so, I would imagine, is going to be 'interesting' from Newlands. I'm assuming you're not suicidal so will avoid Ngauranga Gorge?! If so, what route would be the best alternative? Would an e-bike rather than e-scooter be potentially a better option for this kind of route?

Or are you thinking of still using say the train and using the scooter for the 'last mile' each end?

Either way, perhaps borrowing your friend's scooter and trying it out for yourself may be the best approach, rather than sinking a decent amount of money in before you've got proof of concept?

XinfinityoO

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#2289728 4-Aug-2019 17:07

robfish:

Yes there are fixes for those problems. I have PMed you Jonathan.

You should contact the supplier.

Hi Mate could you also PM the fixes or the solution to the clanking sound. thanks

XinfinityoO

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#2289730 4-Aug-2019 17:10

jonathan18:

robfish:

IMO cruise control at high speed is a dangerous feature.

Yep, I agree. I used it regularly on my old Mi (even though it was a dog to set at anything other than full speed, given the temperamental accelerator) but given its top speed was not too fast it was fine. I then tried it on my Zero 10 and it was quite a scary experience, so quickly disabled it.

@robfish - just wondering if you could give me your advice on the question I asked regarding whether anything can be done to fix the clunking of the front suspension? Given your wide exposure to these scooters, and relationship with the importers, I thought you'd know the answer (if there is one). Next step if I can't find a solution is to go back to the retailer for help... Thanks.

hi mate i have pm'd you for some infor please

GenesisNZ

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#2293097 9-Aug-2019 16:43

jonathan18:

I think part of the problem with these large/heavy e-scooters is they're really too big to easily take on public transport; I imagine the train may be more feasible than the bus (given they allow some bikes on, yeah?). So, while scooters are good for the 'last mile' either end of a commute, the models that are more suitable for that are those that are light and compact.

Are you wanting to solely use a scooter in full replacement of public transport? Doing so, I would imagine, is going to be 'interesting' from Newlands. I'm assuming you're not suicidal so will avoid Ngauranga Gorge?! If so, what route would be the best alternative? Would an e-bike rather than e-scooter be potentially a better option for this kind of route?

Or are you thinking of still using say the train and using the scooter for the 'last mile' each end?

Either way, perhaps borrowing your friend's scooter and trying it out for yourself may be the best approach, rather than sinking a decent amount of money in before you've got proof of concept?

I'm mainly looking to avoid the bus.

I have made the trip twice now from my hood in Newlands to Johnsonville train station, no issues at all. Not too much of a hassle taking the scooter on the train at all, especially when compared to a bike (something I've also tried recently).

I haven't been brave enough to take it all the way into the city yet. Overall though, super enjoyable ride and fairly practical.

nzkiwiman

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#2302346 20-Aug-2019 12:59

Pretty sure I have replied in this topic before, though I can't be bothered searching.

After finding out that a couple of my preferred e-Scooters have a weight limit that is lower than my current weight, I am back looking at the Zero 9 as an option for summer scootering; use around the home (Mosgiel) as an alternative to taking out the car (Mosgiel isn't very big), use as an alternative to walking from my car park to work and vice versa and also exploring parts of Dunedin I haven't been to in a while (and if I drive out of town, I could in theory explore the destination on the scooter rather than via car/foot)

$1500 is more than I wanted to spend on what will just be a "summer" fun thing, and looking at images - I am slightly concerned that the scooter doesn't fold up as well as I would need it to for storage in my car boot and while at work and that it might be heavier than I expect

EDIT: I did go back and look for my replies. In searching I saw reference to http://www.moove.co.nz and the E-Twow Booster.
This scooter certainly looks more portable and can still carry my heft based on the handy comparison .... but without being able to test any of these things, its really hard to know what would be suitable for my requirements, or be suitable for me

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robfish

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#2302351 20-Aug-2019 13:14

The NZ Zero distributors have an agent in Christchurch. Can you get there for a trial ride?

I can fit my Zero 10 into the boot of my VW Golf and the 9 is smaller and lighter.

I can also admit that I don't very often use 3rd gear on my 10. 2nd gear stills gets up to 42 kph (as does the 9 in 3rd gear)

Rob

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Wannabe Geek
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#2305413 24-Aug-2019 17:04

jonathan18:

robfish: Yes the clunking sound is a bit disconcerting.
Don't get tempted to tighten the suspension though. The cable feeding the front strip light can be easily cut if not unsoldered and removed before separating the stem from the shaft.

The best way to overcome it is to put your weight over the rear when going over bumps and crossings.

Ok, so I'm starting to get a little worried with the clunking emanating from the front suspension. It wasn't there until relatively recently, and given I ride really carefully (never jump curbs, avoid potholes etc) I can't work out where it's come from.

Given, @robfish, you say to avoid tightening the suspension, is there nothing active one can do to fix this problem? (Shifting weight to the back is a workaround response to a product failure, rather than a true fix I reckon.)

There are a couple of other things that have me slightly worried:

1. Handlebars can somehow twist independently from the point where the red screw-in part tightens (ie, this is a rotational turn of the bar from the outside of the red part, as opposed to a wiggly handlebar).

2. Wear on the fabric covering the wires, in particular where they join into the board - see this photo.

I've done less than 300 careful kilometres on mine and I'm worried, if these issues continue to get worse, whether it'll remain ride-able and/or safe in a year or two. I didn't spend close to $2k for something for the short-term.

(Reflects my concern, raised with the sellers, of the lack of any decent maintenance instructions with these scooters - the manual with my old Mi 365 was pretty good in this regard, so I'd expect even more of an emphasis on ensuring on-going performance and safety from a scooter capable of twice the speed and distance.

Hi Jonathon, I had the same problem of the clunking suspension, apparently its a known problem with the zero 10's, they were supplied with a spring that wasn't long enough and so dropped whenever going over even a small bump but the manufacturers apparently know this and sent new ones to the agents Freed Pev (in Victoria Park, Auckland), as soon as I mentioned it to Freed they immediately offered to replace the spring at no charge which they did and no problem since.

As far as the handlebars go this used to drive me spare too, I see that someone said in a post that they were going to use locktite, I just got a large pair of grippies onto it (being careful not to damage the red anodising) and tightened them right up & no problem since.

Haven't noticed any problem re the covering of the wires.

Congratulations on your choice, I researched a lot and rode a lot of scooters before buying the Zero and I don't believe that anything in NZ can touch them for features and power - indeed I had an Inokim before this, 2nd best but sold it because no suspension so it hurt my wife's back on long rides

dubya

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Wannabe Geek

#2307931 29-Aug-2019 16:50

I've had my Zero 10X for almost two weeks now and am absolutely delighted with it (with one exception which I will mention later). I've done about 220k's on it so far.

I've had it up to just over 50kph through Hagley Park and along the causeway going to Sumner but that is faaarrr too fast for me so I have found I am happy mostly cruising around on the '1' speed setting, rear wheel drive, and on econo mode. I can get about 6 hours continuous scootering at those settings. The higher and faster settings are always handy if I want to have a burst of fun or go up steeper hills etc.

I really like the higher handlebars which I find more comfortable as I used to use the Lime scooters quite a bit, so I got used to those heights. Suspension seems really good as do the road tyres. The brakes work well but occasionally there is a bit of rubbing. It doesn't happen very often and I just give them a quick flick and the noise goes away. I've just bought two cheap LED front lights from Wish to put on the handlebars if I'm ever out at night. They haven't arrived yet but should be a good addition if out after the sun goes down.

The only bug I have is the creaking that comes when the stem moves backwards and forwards. It seems to be an inherent and well known issue with the Zero 10X.

This is the sound and it can be quite clearly heard on this You Tube video:

9wLOs5ZwBMM

If anyone has had the same issue and has found what is causing it, where it is coming from and if/how they have fixed it I would really really appreciate the feedback and advice.

Happy scootering. Summers coming!!

LiveM

26 posts

Geek

#2307999 29-Aug-2019 18:41

I think you will find the play in the neck is pretty normal and common across all brands. Likewise the creaking is fine and happens on the best of brands too.

dubya

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Wannabe Geek

#2308040 29-Aug-2019 19:10

LiveM: I think you will find the play in the neck is pretty normal and common across all brands. Likewise the creaking is fine and happens on the best of brands too.

OK thanks for that. It is fairly loud and therefore I find it very annoying. I have the O ring around the folding mechanism fairly tight to keep the stem stiff and reduce movement and that seems to magnify the noise a bit.
As I said it's very annoying. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution.

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dubya

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Wannabe Geek

#2312539 7-Sep-2019 21:16

For anyone with stem looseness or creaking, help is apparently on its way.
There's also a couple of temporary measures mentioned here as well.

https://m.facebook.com/story/graphql_permalink/?graphql_id=UzpfSTgwNTUxNTQwOTpWSzozNTA0MDkzNTI1NzE0Mjc%3D

nzkiwiman

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#2314322 10-Sep-2019 14:52

Thought it was about time I actually ordered from Freed; then I saw the Eco Reco L5 Plus on sale ..

Main difference being the tyres and the brakes

Would anyone get it over the Zero 9?

BlueOwl

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#2314342 10-Sep-2019 15:32

nzkiwiman:

Thought it was about time I actually ordered from Freed; then I saw the Eco Reco L5 Plus on sale ..

Main difference being the tyres and the brakes

Would anyone get it over the Zero 9?

I tested both back in March when the Zero 9 was $1500 and the Eco Reco L5+ $1700, and I preferred and purchased the Zero 9. The tyres, suspension and brakes are better on the Zero giving it a smoother ride and better stopping power with that front disc brake. The colour controller display was nicer too on the Zero. The motor and battery performance is about the same on both.

That said, I see the Eco Reco is now at a very attractive price. If you're price sensitive then the Eco Reco is a very good deal right now - and as others have said, it's best to test drive before putting down this kind of money.

LiveM

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Geek

#2314618 10-Sep-2019 23:27

I tried them both last summer and found the Eco Reco was a little more stable, a tiny bit less powerful, and a bit less bulky if I remember correctly. I found the brakes totally fine, even on steep hills, and the suspension was great. I told myself at the time I would get that over the Zero 9.

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