Recall for Zero bikes

[Brammofan]

I know we have quite a few members who are Zero owners. Looks like a recall notice was just issued due to brake light switches.
 http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/results.cfm?rcl_id=12V307&searchtype=quicksearch&summary=true&refurl=email

[Richard230]

It just hit the SpamBot on my BMW forum too.

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2012/zero-recalls-450-electric-motorcycles

[Shinysideup]

I saw in the government notice that the number of units affected was 450.

Do we think that's the total of all those models sold so far?

[Richard230]

I saw in the government notice that the number of units affected was 450.

Do we think that's the total of all those models sold so far?

That would be my assumption and that number sounds about right to me.

[Brammofan]

Looks like they just issued a second recall, this time for BMS boards that were not adequately waterproofed.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=QuickSearch&rcl_ID=12V310000&summary=true&prod_id=1484812&PrintVersion=YES

[Richard230]

It looks like being in a hurry to get the bikes to consumers is a risk that can come back to haunt you.  Zero took the chance to make a fast buck by getting their bikes on the market quickly and (perhaps) corner what market there is for electric motorcycles, while Brammo spends years making sure that their product is foolproof and of the highest quality, while most likely loosing a number of sales.  There must be a middle ground here somewhere.   

[protomech]

I don't know that I would characterize these recalls as being results of taking risks and rushing to market - I think they're simply characteristics of selling a relatively large number of bikes.

We've seen cases where Enertias have disabled their throttle, and Brammo has serviced those on a one-by-one basis. These faults may not be due to systemic design flaws (which the Zero BMS flaw is), but nevertheless recalls are a the correct way to handle a design flaw once you have enough customers that you can't fly a tech out to each one.

[Car Loss]

There must be a middle ground here somewhere.

I'm guessing the middle ground is having experienced, on-the-ball people.  Yeah, there's the occasional oopsie, or simple bad luck.  But that just pushes back the problem: you then need experienced, on-the-ball people in testing and quality control.

Carlos

[Richard230]

As a longtime BMW owner I am sensitive to manufacturers putting products on the market without adequate testing.  It took BMW about 10 years to finally get the oil-head boxers (mostly) bug free.  My 2009 F650GS has had a number of recalls and running updates during its four year run (a new F700GS is coming out next year, although it will still have the same 800cc twin motor - go figure).  About the only bike that they manufactured that didn't have a bunch of problems during the first year or so was the new S1000RR. Somehow they got lucky with that one, although this year's model did require a recall of most of the bikes made during the first part of the year - to replace their rod bearing bolts.   

Although BMW seems to use the customer to beta-test their new models they do seem to be willing to repair most of the engineering and manufacturing oversights as warranty service programs, although that requires a lot of trips back to the dealer to rectify.  I really wish they would take more time to long-term test the bikes before offering them for sale to the public.

That is why I have always been really nervous about Zero's 2012 models as they were a substantial upgrade from the 2011 bikes and they hit the market a lot sooner than I had expected.  It is good to see them performing a formal DOT recall to repair the bikes.  BMW has a tendency to sweep their problems under the rug and only goes for a DOT recall if they run into a really serous and potentially dangerous problem - like the rod bearing bolts.