Does 2% really mean 2% or is there a "reserve" in the battery?

[Marshall G]

As my battery dwindles towards the end of the ride and I start looking for the truck, range anxiety starts to set in. For the record, I've done several 35+ mile pretty hard-core single-track desert rides with hills, sand washes, whoops, rocks, cactus - pretty much all kinds of varied terrain. Loving the bike (hate the phone/Arkenstone thing - it can't even keep track of simple mileage).

However, on a couple of occasions, I get back to the truck with 2% battery remaining. I'll ride around in circles trying to kill the battery, but I don't want it to die while I'm 1/2 mile from the truck, so I'm hesitant to run it until dead. So, has anyone run until dead? Is it linear? Does 2% really mean, I've got like 1 mile to go? Or, does it have more in the "tank" so you can get back to the truck? Like a reserve.

Any input is appreciated. Next time, when I get home from a ride like this, I'll put my wife in the truck and have her follow me around until I run out, but in the meantime...

Thanks,
mg

 

[markanddona]

As my battery dwindles towards the end of the ride and I start looking for the truck, range anxiety starts to set in. For the record, I've done several 35+ mile pretty hard-core single-track desert rides with hills, sand washes, whoops, rocks, cactus - pretty much all kinds of varied terrain. Loving the bike (hate the phone/Arkenstone thing - it can't even keep track of simple mileage).

However, on a couple of occasions, I get back to the truck with 2% battery remaining. I'll ride around in circles trying to kill the battery, but I don't want it to die while I'm 1/2 mile from the truck, so I'm hesitant to run it until dead. So, has anyone run until dead? Is it linear? Does 2% really mean, I've got like 1 mile to go? Or, does it have more in the "tank" so you can get back to the truck? Like a reserve.

Any input is appreciated. Next time, when I get home from a ride like this, I'll put my wife in the truck and have her follow me around until I run out, but in the meantime...

Thanks,
mg

Don't ride by yourself in the summer in the desert and always carry a tow strap. What HP and re-gen are you running?

 

[FreddyFugazi]

I dont think that is a good idea. The owners manual says not to let the battery drain completely under the storage section and I have read a few cases where people who did let it drain completely had to have their battery replaced. I am not sure if that issue has been resolved but I would go by the manually and not risk it.

 

[Marshall G]

I dont think that is a good idea. The owners manual says not to let the battery drain completely under the storage section and I have read a few cases where people who did let it drain completely had to have their battery replaced. I am not sure if that issue has been resolved but I would go by the manually and not risk it.

Yikes. Well I didn't run it that low on purpose. The ride just dictated it. I'd like to finish with 25% remaining, but I guess battery technology isn't there yet.

 

[Marshall G]

Don't ride by yourself in the summer in the desert and always carry a tow strap. What HP and re-gen are you running?

I never said I was riding by myself. And I do carry a tow strap (always have - and I've been on both ends of it, on other bikes). I'm running 29 hp and 25% regen on mode 1. 32 hp and 35% regen on mode 2 and I toggle between them.

 

[FreddyFugazi]

Next time, when I get home from a ride like this, I'll put my wife in the truck and have her follow me around until I run out, but in the meantime...

This is what I think would be a bad idea just given what I've read. The battery really shouldn't get bricked if it fully drains. I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure that is a Stark issue not a battery tech issue.

I'm with you on trying to save 20-25% of the battery when planning a ride to avoid any problems but circumstances can still put you in a sticky situation sometimes as you have found. I'm surprised the bike didn't go into a limp mode at 2%. When I had a Surron it would go into a limp mode around 15% SoC to extend the battery life. I intent to use a low power map (10-15hp) when below 30% SoC if I am worried about getting to my destination.

 

[Marshall G]

Sorry, what's SoC?

 

[Marshall G]

Guessing state of charge.

 

[markanddona]

I never said I was riding by myself. And I do carry a tow strap (always have - and I've been on both ends of it, on other bikes). I'm running 29 hp and 25% regen on mode 1. 32 hp and 35% regen on mode 2 and I toggle between them.

I had mine on 35 and it lit the tire up on pavement! Stay safe bro. Did you get the Ti kit?

 

[markanddona]

I had mine on 35 and it lit the tire up on pavement! Stay safe bro. Did you get the Ti kit?

 

[markanddona]

This is what I think would be a bad idea just given what I've read. The battery really shouldn't get bricked if it fully drains. I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure that is a Stark issue not a battery tech issue.

I'm with you on trying to save 20-25% of the battery when planning a ride to avoid any problems but circumstances can still put you in a sticky situation sometimes as you have found. I'm surprised the bike didn't go into a limp mode at 2%. When I had a Surron it would go into a limp mode around 15% SoC to extend the battery life. I intent to use a low power map (10-15hp) when below 30% SoC if I am worried about getting to my destination.

Doesn't stark have several videos of Taddy and the boys running them down to zero?

 

[Slothie]

down to zero is fine. it is already within cell specs. you cant discharge it too deep while riding.
until you ride it to zero and put it then 3 months empty in your garage all is fine.