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Author Topic: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models  (Read 1547 times)

Richard230

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Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« on: June 22, 2013, 08:36:15 PM »

Here is a link to a very positive review by Consumer Reports magazine of the various 2013 Zero models.  They really like them and the only negative comment seems to be that the bikes' finish is not up to expectations at their price point.

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2013/06/from-zero-to-hero-riding-the-blazingly-quick-electric-zero-motorcycles.html
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Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

dkw12002

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2013, 10:34:05 PM »

Excellent review. To me the bike is amazingly engineered. I approve of all the changes they have made to the S model..no gimmicks like you see with some "new or re-designed" models of gas bikes, but actual improvements...power, range, torque, storage, a newly designed motor, improved mirrors, tires and motors (remember the tubed tires and DC motor from just 2 years ago in the 2011 model S?). The product line is also well thought-out. If I wasn't already able to spin my tires and get out ahead of all other traffic easily with my S model, I might want an FX with even more torque.
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trikester

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2013, 10:48:11 PM »

The FX still has tires with tubes.

Trikester
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dkw12002

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2013, 10:58:27 PM »

I found those to need almost daily attention due to pressure loss...just like a bicycle. The one advantage is you can replace a tube instead of the entire tire if you get a puncture. Not a biggie I guess, but my tubeless tires have stayed at 30 lbs. pressure for 3 weeks straight now. I like tubeless. It was always kind of a pain to have to get the compressor out to adjust tire pressure on my 2011 S, so to me tubeless is a real improvement.
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craigq

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2013, 02:32:58 AM »

Nothing wrong with tube-type tires. Also, I think Zero is using really cheap tubes; the OEM ones on my XU needed weekly attention, the rear got holed by a nail and the replacement rear tube doesn't drop any measurable amount of pressure over 3 weeks.
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bikeless

Richard230

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2013, 04:03:12 AM »

The "Bike Master" tubes that I installed in the tires of my Triumph leak air at the rate of 2 to 3 pounds a week.  My Zero S tubeless tires deflate about 1 pound every two weeks.  I really prefer tubeless tires for pavement riding.
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Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

trikester

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2013, 08:49:43 AM »

When I put the larger tires on my 2013 FX I also used HD tubes. They are very thick and lose air slowly.

Trikester
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dkw12002

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2013, 09:08:11 AM »

Trikester, do you ride your FX around town, on the interstate, and/or off road?
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ZeroSinMA

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2013, 10:14:28 AM »

The FX still has tires with tubes.

Trikester

My 2011 S had tube tires. Had to refill them before every ride or every 3 days, whichever came first. My 2013 S has tubeless tires. Check once a month for maybe 1 lb loss.

Air molecules move slowly through thick vs thin rubber.
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BSDThw

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2013, 12:12:06 PM »

Is it really such a common problem that tubes loss air?

I have never really had lot of pressure loss at my DS, now I have both tubes replaced by Michelin when I swapped tires and don't see a loss for the last 1 1/2 month.

Do we have different air LOL.
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Air Drag Sucks - 2012 Zero DS ZF9 - 2013 Zero FX ZF5.7

NoiseBoy

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Re: Consumer Reports reviews the 2013 Zero models
« Reply #10 on: June 24, 2013, 11:25:54 PM »

Strange reports. I had tubed tyres on my 2 KTMs and lost 3psi in 6 months which i put down to seasonal temperature changes. Maybe the valves are leaky or the rim tape is poor and causing nicks in the tube?
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