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[firepower]

found them here, look for "2013 IMAGE LIBRARY"


http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/press/

[Richard230]

Well, I am really impressed.  I can't believe how Zero manages to make such huge improvements to their model line each year.  They really know how to keep their customer base drooling - and broke.  

I received an email today from Zero regarding their new 2013 models and it included this link to their 2013 model website.

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/2013/?utm_source=zero-db&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=2013%2BUS%2BLaunch%2BEmail

This means that I am getting closer to being invited to their factory for a tour.    All they need to do now is to get the press to crash a few bikes and then write about them.    I think these new models will generate some real enthusiasm from the press.  Maybe even Hell for Leather.  

[Biff]

Wow the line up is great this coming year! Where as before I was only considering a DS in the 2012's, the large FX looks attractive  in the 2013's too! Now I have a choice to make! Great improvements all around. I am a bit disappointed thought that they didn't have a J1772 option as I have a 240V j1772 charger in my garage. CHAdeMO is something I don't see coming to my area anytime soon and J1772 is already an accepted standard. CHAdeMO is faster and better than J1772 for sure but I still think J1772 is a better option until more CHAdeMO stations arrive.

J1772 is still an option.  But J1772 will not charge you any faster than plugging into a 110V outlet, since J1772 is just a fancy 220V AC plug, not a charger; it still uses the onboard charger to put energy into the battery.  Chademo on the other hand is a charger, and can charge much faster than the onboard charger.   Also, many of the J1772 Stations have 110V plugs in them as well, so you can charge just as fast as you wound with the J1772 plug, and still allow someone with a leaf or other vehicle with a more powerful onboard charger to use the J1772 plug at the same time.

-ryan

[wainair]

Thanks ryan, what I was hoping for was a j1772 port to bypass the on board charger so I could quick charge from my level 2 J1772 that I have in my garage for my car already. I figure for general charging/standby plug-in I would just use the regular on board charger but if I wanted a quick charge one Saturday afternoon I could use my L2 J1772. Here's to hoping they make it an accessory option in the future.

[wainair]

Oh! I just noticed a 17"rear!!! YES!

[cirrus pete]

Looking at a map there is not a single CHAdeMO charging location on the entire east coast of the US!

[trikester]

Finally! A 17" rear wheel. From now on I won't have to go to the work of modifying a new ZERO DS to 17". Had to convert the 2010 and then did it again on the 2012.

Looking at the big weight increase on the smaller DS (heavier than the 2012 DS ZF9) I think I will be looking toward the street legal FX as a lighter dual-sport with almost the same range as my present 2012 DS ZF6. Since I ride more dirt than pavement it makes sense to go for the lighter bike, now that it is street legal (a 2013 DS @ 363 pounds is too much for me on dirt). The new FX weighs slightly less than my 277 lb 2010 DS does. 

Trikester

[wainair]

It will be a great option for Japanese riders. What was the format the Tesla stations going to be? Is it CHAdeMO or did Elon design his own plug?

[Harlan]

Thanks ryan, what I was hoping for was a j1772 port to bypass the on board charger so I could quick charge from my level 2 J1772 that I have in my garage for my car already. I figure for general charging/standby plug-in I would just use the regular on board charger but if I wanted a quick charge one Saturday afternoon I could use my L2 J1772. Here's to hoping they make it an accessory option in the future.

There is no such thing.  J1772 relies on an onboard charger in all applications.  Its just that with cars, it's not much of a compromise to install a larger, level 2 charger.

[Daveruns]

Sorry to go against the grain, but I don't see much change here. They are providing a larger battery pack, but sacrificing some efficiency. Faster speed, but how many times do you really need to cruise at 95 mph. The bike weighs more, that is probably good on a windy day. Hopefully some improvements went into the electric motors and other problem areas, but there is no mention of that.  I worry about Zero having 3,000 bikes out there with 30 plus different configurations and parts lists and all electric one of a kind. Makes maintenance and reliability almost impossible. I love innovation as much as anyone does, but there are downsides here. I think there is a general consensus among manufacturing types that the learning curve on something this complex is at least 10,000 units. I recommend that Zero freeze their designs for awhile and concentrate on reliability. The coolest technology on the planet is worthless sitting in the garage or shop waiting for repairs.

[wainair]

... J1772 relies on an onboard charger in all applications.  Its just that with cars, it's not much of a compromise to install a larger, level 2 charger.

I did not realize that. I thought that the electronics for the charger were in the head units that came with L1 and L2 J1772 cords. I guess that is just the circuit safety electronics in there. There definitely more room in a car for bulky charging hardware. Well charge times weren't that bad on the bikes anyways...

[emotofreak]

Sorry to go against the grain, but I don't see much change here.

Almost double the power
~50% more energy
Standard wheel sizes
Better aesthetics
J1772 and Chademo charging

Not much to see here, move along 

Point taken about the reliability though. Once the tech matures enough it will stabilize. Can't ask a company to stop innovating because they will be crushed by their competitors.

[protomech]

Wow the line up is great this coming year! Where as before I was only considering a DS in the 2012's, the large FX looks attractive  in the 2013's too! Now I have a choice to make! Great improvements all around. I am a bit disappointed thought that they didn't have a J1772 option as I have a 240V j1772 charger in my garage. CHAdeMO is something I don't see coming to my area anytime soon and J1772 is already an accepted standard. CHAdeMO is faster and better than J1772 for sure but I still think J1772 is a better option until more CHAdeMO stations arrive.

Probably they will have the same J1772 plug option that the 2012 bikes have. Onboard charger is around 1.5 kW, small improvement from 2012 but 240V doesn't improve charge times at all.

After my initial regret of not being in line to get the newer, faster, sleeker, more powerful '13 S, I am still quite happy with my '12.  Can't help but noticing that they jacked up the price a couple of grand.  My ZF6 has all the power and range I need.

Two points of comparison:

2012 S ZF9 to 2013 S ZF8.5, more range, more power, faster charge speeds, same price.
2012 S ZF6 to 2013 XU ZF5.7, more range, same power, lower weight, lower top speed* and (onboard) charge rate, $1000 less.

* 2013 XU claims 77 mph, 2012 S claims 88 mph max, 75 mph sustained. 2013 XU can probably sustain 75 mph as well.

Looking at a map there is not a single CHAdeMO charging location on the entire east coast of the US!

http://www.plugshare.com/

There's one CHAdeMO in CT, and a handful in TN just north of me. (not exactly east coast)

Definitely low penetration to date.. and betting on one charging standard emerging from the CHAdeMO / SAE / Tesla HPC / Tesla Supercharger mess is.. frustrating.

[oobflyer]

The ChaDeMo charging is the game-changer. There is simply no comparison to charging from 240V, 30A to 480V, 125A. If you stop at a ChaDeMo charger it will be like stopping for gas.

I have a 2012 ZF9 and I also have a Nissan Leaf. The Leaf charges via ChaDeMo. There is a ChaDeMo charger about 60 miles from my house. I can drive there, charge for 20-30 minutes and keep going to my destination.

As far as charging station availability - it's the whole chicken/egg thing - if people buy the bikes/cars and request the city/county/utility companies to install chargers they will come.

Zero has just leap-frogged Brammo  

[emotofreak]

Looking at a map there is not a single CHAdeMO charging location on the entire east coast of the US!

http://www.plugshare.com/

There's one CHAdeMO in CT, and a handful in TN just north of me. (not exactly east coast)

Definitely low penetration to date.. and betting on one charging standard emerging from the CHAdeMO / SAE / Tesla HPC / Tesla Supercharger mess is.. frustrating.
[/quote]

But look at Japan and Europe. Chademoriffic! Hmm, better to use this map.

http://www.chademo.com/04_maps.html