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[Richard230]

I finally got around to reading the October issue of Cycle World.  The editor, Mark Hoyer, has a column titled "Up Front" on page 14.  In his comments he describes distinctive motorcycles that didn't make their Ten Best Motorcycles list.  His first paragraph after his introduction is as follows:

Best Bike You Have To Make Your Own Engine Noises On: Zero S and DS

No, electrics like these are not replacements for gasoline bikes. Yes, they're expensive ($13,995 with the big, we-think-mandatory ZF9 battery pack). No, the real range doesn't come close to the claimed 114 miles - it's more like 45 in normal use.  And yet, these bikes were some of the most compelling machines of 2012. So silent, so easy to ride, after a week or two in the saddle, you begin to wonder what all the noise is about on conventional machines.  Zeros represent the first real step toward a truly useful electric motorcycle. Plug-ins won't rule the roads, but they will find their niche.[/i]

[trikester]

One very definite niche is dirt riding with the DS. I won't go back to gas for the dirt, and ZERO DS ZF6 has plenty of range for most dirt rides.

Trikester

[protomech]

45 in normal use. Well... YMMV.

[kcoplan]

Hell, I easily got 45 miles yesterday on my ZF6 in normal riding on a mix of two lane country roads and parkway - very little stop and go, only at the construction on the parkway.  A ZF9 ought to e good for 60 miles of normal riding - as advertised.

Is a constant 75 on the freeway considered "normal" biking somewhere?

- Karl

[trikester]

In my reply above I forgot to mention that my 2012 DS ZF6 mileage, when dirt riding, is 65 miles

That's extrapolating from the gauge when finishing rides of various lengths up to 43 miles.

I would not want the extra weight of the ZF9 on the dirt.

Trikester

[sgmdudley]

I have a 2012 S9. I have gone from Longmont, CO to Estes Park, CO. 5,000 ft over 8,500 ft
and down to 7,500. Back up the hill 2 miles @ 55 mph from 7,500 ft to 8,500 ft then down
the hill to go back home. Last 10 miles at 60 mph. Had 3 bars left after 67 miles.
Cost 0.43 cents for the trip.

[Richard230]

Hell, I easily got 45 miles yesterday on my ZF6 in normal riding on a mix of two lane country roads and parkway - very little stop and go, only at the construction on the parkway.  A ZF9 ought to e good for 60 miles of normal riding - as advertised.

Is a constant 75 on the freeway considered "normal" biking somewhere?

- Karl

I think 75 mph is considered normal in LA - that is when the traffic is actually moving.  My recollection of the traffic on the LA freeways is that it is either moving at 80 mph or stopped dead in its tracks.