Zero Motorcycles

[Killroy1999]

I test rode a Zero SR a while back in Scotts Valley and it was really nice. I did it just for fun because I was not looking to buy at the time. Do to a recent life event, I thought I would treat myself after saving a lot of money. I have not had any motorcycles for a while.

I'm short and it actually fit me and it was nice and easy to ride. I did not goose the throttle, but its fast enough. I'm a electric vehicle fan and I like the clutch-less one gear configuration of the Zero.

I'll probably by used. There is a 2014 Zero SR demo bike with 90 miles on it listed for $12,000 in the area. MSRP is $16,000, which is not a big deal for me.

I was wondering if any BARFers are on Zeros and would like to gush about owning one.

There are 2 or 3 Zero owners at work, so I will ask them too.

 

[Butch]

I have ridden them in the dirt and the street. They are pretty cool.

 

[Ogier le Danois]

I came across a 2012 model that was about 1/2 MSRP of a new one. It was snapped up quickly.

 

[kuksul08]

I rode the FX. My coworker has an S.

They are neat bikes. I wont buy one until the range improves while keeping performance the same.

 

[Killroy1999]

I rode the FX. My coworker has an S.

They are neat bikes. I wont buy one until the range improves while keeping performance the same.

I'm OK with the range which is:

base 151 city miles/ 77 highway miles
and 185/95 with the optional extra battery pack

 

[kuksul08]

I'm OK with the range which is:

base 151 city miles/ 77 highway miles
and 185/95 with the optional extra battery pack

In practice it's less than the ratings. No one goes 70 on the freeway. Suddenly you can't go from Santa Cruz to Sunnyvale and back on a single charge.

If you determine your needs and then feel the bike works that is great.

 

[LectricBill]

Test rode a 2012 and didn't like the acceleration off the line, the brakes, or the suspension. Ended up with a Brammo Empulse. But I hear the new ones are much improved in all those areas. If you rode one and liked it, and if its range meets your needs, I'd urge you to go for it. I'll never go back to gas, except for a touring machine.

 

[Killroy1999]

Test rode a 2012 and didn't like the acceleration off the line, the brakes, or the suspension. Ended up with a Brammo Empulse. But I hear the new ones are much improved in all those areas. If you rode one and liked it, and if its range meets your needs, I'd urge you to go for it. I'll never go back to gas, except for a touring machine.

I interviewed with Brammo as a engineer back in the days when they were trying to do V12 kit cars before motorcycles. I'm glade they dropped the idea.

I know it is traditional, but I could do without the 6 speed. Brammo looks are better. The new Victory Empulse TT seems pricey at $20K. What is the range now?

 

[Pierre I am]

I'd love to own one of these to commute to work/school. But personally I would wait a year or so for the newer models.

 

[Gabe]

Awesome commuter. The 2014 is the first really finished product Zero made. The 15 has better suspension and 10% more range. I predict we'll hear about some significant improvements for the 2016, including a faster onboard charger as well as having a J1772 port so you can use public fast-charge stations.

I'll bet you can find a 2014 for under $10,000 if you wait for the right deal.

 

[TripleSeven]

Does it make noise? Meh.

 

[Killroy1999]

Awesome commuter. The 2014 is the first really finished product Zero made. The 15 has better suspension and 10% more range. I predict we'll hear about some significant improvements for the 2016, including a faster onboard charger as well as having a J1772 port so you can use public fast-charge stations.

I'll bet you can find a 2014 for under $10,000 if you wait for the right deal.

The public charging SAE J1772 standard would help.

For commuting, most of the time you let your bike sit for hours, so charging is not an issue, but if you need charging on the road you can just plug into any normal 110 volt outlet. The rub is that with the on board charger it charges at a rate of 13 miles/hour

Zero does have a off board additional charger that will boots that to 23 miles/ hour and 43 if you have 2 chargers, but the charger is bulky..

Those numbers are all for 95% charge, but Tesla has found out that a 80% charge is the fastest charge and Tesla's Superchargers charge at a rate of 340 miles/ hour, but only charge 1/2 at a time for 170 miles.

Here is a video that shows how the so called fast charging can be a hack:


youtu.be/io0wPZ-VK5I

 

[luckyducks]

Unless I'm leasing, I can't imagine spending $12k on a bike that will be well and truly obsolete in a year.

E-bike tech is progressing at rapid rate. I'd wait...

I'm waiting for a manufacturer to sell us the chassis and then let us lease a modular powertrain. That way, when battery, control and/or motor tech progresses, one can simply turn in their old hardware for upgraded hardware.

 

[sanjuro]

Unless I'm leasing, I can't imagine spending $12k on a bike that will be well and truly obsolete in a year.

E-bike tech is progressing at rapid rate. I'd wait...

I'm waiting for a manufacturer to sell us the chassis and then let us lease a modular powertrain. That way, when battery, control and/or motor tech progresses, one can simply turn in their old hardware for upgraded hardware.

My co-worker told me he is leasing a Chevy Spark for $79 a month.

While I have to find out his down payment (hypothetically, you could lease a Mercedes for that little if you made a large down payment), but he told me that next model year the distance on one charge increased from 150 to 250 miles, making his vehicle obsolete.

But considering he commutes 14 miles a day, it seems like a good choice for a 2nd car.

 

[LectricBill]

I know it is traditional, but I could do without the 6 speed. Brammo looks are better. The new Victory Empulse TT seems pricey at $20K. What is the range now?

The pricey Victory Empulse TT range should be only slightly improved with the slightly larger battery capacity. In the real world, I get 90-100 miles in the city, 60 miles at a constant 75 mph, and count on a conservative 70 mile range in normal mixed driving. The new Zero easily trumps those figures.

I too preferred the no-tranny, belt drive of the Zero, but have come to appreciate the Brammo approach. It does allow 0-30 mph in 1.5 seconds off the line (holeshot junkie!) and 100 mph top speed with a lower voltage, smaller motor. But I most like the control in city driving. 1st gear in Sport mode will hold the bike to 15-20 mph down the steepest of SF hills without brakes. For normal city driving, I leave it in second gear which gives me decent acceleration/regenerative braking and don't have to use the clutch to stop or start and is good for 50 mph top speed.

 

[Blotman]

Simply put, my Zero S is the best commuter for the Bay Area traffic. It's light and nimble like my Ninja 250, but packs more torque than my previous commuter (BMW F800R), which I command at the twist of the wrist without having to downshift into my powerband. With almost 20,000 miles on the odometer, it is also the least hassle-per-mile vehicle I've ever owned. It did have a problem covered under warranty, but other than that, I've only had to replace the rear tire this entire time. I have the 2013 model and it seems they've made big improvements since then. With almost 100 miles of highway range, I could make it from Fremont to Alice's and back with plenty of charge to run errands. It also has taken me all the way out to Modesto, with an overnight charge of course. The fact that it's quiet doesn't make other cars around me react any differently compared to the Ninja or BMW. In fact, it makes me now aware of my own surroundings. Also, the lack of vibrations and noise really allows you enjoy the ride and scenery. Not sure any one can recommend a better bike for my situation, but I would love to hear them try.

 

[louemc]

Simply put, my Zero S is the best commuter for the Bay Area traffic. It's light and nimble like my Ninja 250, but packs more torque than my previous commuter (BMW F800R), which I command at the twist of the wrist without having to downshift into my powerband. With almost 20,000 miles on the odometer, it is also the least hassle-per-mile vehicle I've ever owned. It did have a problem covered under warranty, but other than that, I've only had to replace the rear tire this entire time. I have the 2013 model and it seems they've made big improvements since then. With almost 100 miles of highway range, I could make it from Fremont to Alice's and back with plenty of charge to run errands. It also has taken me all the way out to Modesto, with an overnight charge of course. The fact that it's quiet doesn't make other cars around me react any differently compared to the Ninja or BMW. In fact, it makes me now aware of my own surroundings. Also, the lack of vibrations and noise really allows you enjoy the ride and scenery. Not sure any one can recommend a better bike for my situation, but I would love to hear them try.

Awesome Endorsement :thumbup

 

[domingo3]

New Zero models are expected to be announced in less than two weeks. I'd hold off until then to buy. Even if the new models don't convince you to buy new, it should put downward pressure on the used models.

I really dig the Zero SR. Two things holding me back the most are the cost (knowing the electrics will continue to improve and resale value will suck), and reliability concerns. Reliability is hard to nail down. For
every anecdote I see where the owner says they've ridden x0K miles only changing tires and brakes, I see another anecdote of someone who's had the bike in the shop for months searching for gremlins, waiting for parts, etc. I think I could get over the price if I knew it would be a dependable commuter.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

For $20k I'd rather a top of the line BMW or Ducati

 

[scotinexcile]

My co-worker told me he is leasing a Chevy Spark for $79 a month.

While I have to find out his down payment (hypothetically, you could lease a Mercedes for that little if you made a large down payment), but he told me that next model year the distance on one charge increased from 150 to 250 miles, making his vehicle obsolete.

But considering he commutes 14 miles a day, it seems like a good choice for a 2nd car.

I would be interested to find out how your friend manages to pay just $79 per month on a lease :teeth