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[Richard230]

So I visited my Zero dealer, Mission Motorcycles, today and put down a deposit on a 2014 Zero S.  While I was talking to the sales lady, she told me that the shop has sold more Zero motorcycles than Yamaha motorcycles (they carry all of the Japanese brands, including Zero) this year - putting them in the "doghouse" with Yamaha.  Needless to say, my first thought was maybe Yamaha needs to start selling an electric motorcycle of their own and stop blaming Zero for cutting into their sales in the San Francisco area and blaming their dealer and their customers for promoting and buying Zeros instead of investing in a 120-year old technology.  The times they are a-changing. 

[Olav]

Or,

Mission is the only Zero dealer for Northern California so a Zero customer is force to deal with those people if they want one.

While there are 9 Yamaha dealers minimum in the Bay Area alone that customers would rather do business with than that dealer.

I wish whoever does dealer expansion/relations at Zero would get off their ass and find a quality dealer in the South Bay.

[NoiseBoy]

In one 6 mile journey this evening I saw a leaf going the other way, followed a new BMW i3 and a Twizy. Plus 3 Prius (Prises? Prii?) taxis. I have never seen more than 1 electric vehicle in a journey before.

Is this the start of the quiet revolution?

[aaronzeromoto]

Congrats Richard230. 

I spent the morning today with Wendy and Teresa.  They always provide us with great feedback and input on how to improve our business.  I know I always try to return the favor and return their calls in a heartbeat.  Of course, this is where I get my Yamaha V-Star serviced (which isn't getting many miles these days).  So I am biased.

Regards,
aaronzeromoto

[Olav]

Congrats Richard230. 

I spent the morning today with Wendy and Teresa.  They always provide us with great feedback and input on how to improve our business.  I know I always try to return the favor and return their calls in a heartbeat.  Of course, this is where I get my Yamaha V-Star serviced (which isn't getting many miles these days).  So I am biased.

Regards,
aaronzeromoto

Zero Choose ContiEscape For The DS Electric

Sorry, this information is incorrect and the press release is inaccurate.

Regards,

aaronzeromoto

Looks like the info is correct after  all.

Yah Teresa is "helpful".

[NoiseBoy]

Olav, I appreciate you have a problem with the dealership but I don't think this thread is the place to discuss it.

[dkw12002]

I notice Fiskar went bankrupt. I hate to see that. Tesla seems to be doing great though and the Nissan Leaf as well with Suzuki and others maybe releasing e-motorcycles. I owned 3 Priuses the last 3 years and am on my second Zero S, along with the 3 e-bikes I own so I am probably doing my part, but it still looks dicey to me. We may be one breakthrough away from electric vehicles becoming mainstream. Of course sky-high gas prices would help too, but that would not be my preference.

Hey Richard. Why the S and not the R version? Seems like the S will be very close in performance to your present bike.

[protomech]

2013/2014 S is much quicker than the 2012 S.

Richard230: ZF11.4 or ZF8.5?

[Richard230]

2013/2014 S is much quicker than the 2012 S.

Richard230: ZF11.4 or ZF8.5?

2014 ZF11.4 with the Power Lump installed where there ought to be a fuel tank.   

I want to be able to ride to Zero HQ (well actually Santa Cruz) and back home without having to recharge.   

[NoiseBoy]

I notice Fiskar went bankrupt. I hate to see that. Tesla seems to be doing great though and the Nissan Leaf as well with Suzuki and others maybe releasing e-motorcycles. I owned 3 Priuses the last 3 years and am on my second Zero S, along with the 3 e-bikes I own so I am probably doing my part, but it still looks dicey to me. We may be one breakthrough away from electric vehicles becoming mainstream. Of course sky-high gas prices would help too, but that would not be my preference.

Hey Richard. Why the S and not the R version? Seems like the S will be very close in performance to your present bike.

I wonder how you got through so many Prius? Is it a leasing thing?

[dkw12002]

No, I bought it. I trade cars once a year just to have a new car. I do the same thing with bikes usually. My oldest of 5 bikes is a 2012 Vespa 300, but I bought it at the end of 2012 and it is low mileage. The Grom, Ninja 300, and Roughhouse 2-stroke are all 2014s. I probably won't replace the 2013 S though cause the bike I would want is the R version....but it too heavy for me, I think.

[WindRider]

Congrats on the new bike Richard. 

Looking forward to reading about your long distance trips with all of that power on board. 

[NoiseBoy]

No, I bought it. I trade cars once a year just to have a new car. I do the same thing with bikes usually. My oldest of 5 bikes is a 2012 Vespa 300, but I bought it at the end of 2012 and it is low mileage. The Grom, Ninja 300, and Roughhouse 2-stroke are all 2014s. I probably won't replace the 2013 S though cause the bike I would want is the R version....but it too heavy for me, I think.

I was about to say that isnt very eco friendly, but thinking about it, assuming you sell them on cheap it enables someone who otherwise couldnt afford to drive an eco car to potentially scrap their old banger and buy a Prius. 

Ref: SR,  You would be fine, I rode an 11.4 DS and it felt heavy pulling it off the stand but once i was riding or just stopping at lights etc. it was fine.  Im not a big guy either.  If I can ever afford one I will definitely get an SR.

[Richard230]

I chose the heavy S because I am looking for only maximum range so that I can extend my riding envelope.  I don't use much acceleration when I ride.  In fact, I find the Eco mode on my 2012 S to be quite adequate for most of my riding needs.  While I do prefer a lighter bike (the 2014 will be 100 pounds heavier than my current S), it will still be lighter than any of the other IC motorcycles in my collection.  Besides, no doubt the extra road-hugging weight will give a smoother ride over the bumpy and potholed California roads around here.   

[dkw12002]

My bikes are all high mileage too. The 2-stroke Roughhouse is 50 cc and gets 90 mpg. The Ninja 300 and Vespa 300 Super get 65 mpg and the Grom 125 gets a whopping 111 mpg. Admittedly, being eco friendly is not my primary concern though. The high mileage is a byproduct of owning light-weight bikes so I can move them around easier. At 355 lbs. the Zero S is the heaviest but still manageable. 

I am hoping for a breakthrough where they can pack more power into less weight. It's either that, or go with something like an FX with speed and torque but lower mileage, but that seat is a little tall for me.