Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[evdjerome]

For those of you who've owned both a 2012 and 2014, what do you like better about the 2014? What did you like better about the 2012?

I'm considering the Zero trade-in deal, but don't want to have buyers remorse. Things I'm afraid I might not like about the 2014 vs the 2012:

• louder motor on 2014
• shorter seat height

-Jerome

[benswing]

I have no buyer's remorse about getting a 2014. 

The things I liked about the 2012 were the light weight and the seat (because I would shift around on long trips.   Can't do that on a molded seat.). 

However the 2014 bikes have more power, more range, and look better IMHO.  The motor is not considerably louder and it is easier to get service. 

[Richard230]

I used to own a 2012 ZF9 S and now own a 2014 ZF14.2 S.  I think the 2014 is a big improvement over the 2012 in a number of areas: It has more power and performance and pulls away from an uphill stop much easier, it has greater range, the suspension is noticeably better, it handles better when going around bumpy corners, it charges faster, the instrument display is a huge improvement, the seat is slightly more comfortable, the motor is more efficient at high speeds, the plastic fairing parts stay in place instead of falling off and the 2014 bike has had no running or reliability issues - while the 2012 bike had a few that were resolved by Zero.

However, I will give the 2012 bike a little credit:  It was just as fast going up a 6% freeway grade as my 2014 S (being able to hold 83 mph for 5 miles without overheating), it was lighter and perhaps a little more efficient at slow speeds than the newer model. I gave the 2012 S to my daughter who rides it occasionally and now has 10 K on the clock. She has not had any problems with the bike during the past 18 months.

I continue to be very happy with my 2014 Zero to the point that I don't have a really big urge to purchase a 2016 model - especially since I spent my Zero purchase budget for this year on a fully factory farkled 2016 BMW R1200RS (which cost just about the same as a power tank equipped SR).   

[NEW2elec]

I think the writing is on the wall with Zero's trade in deal.  You will find it very hard to get the 2012 serviced or get parts in the future.  Depending on your repair skills or money situation I think the trade in is a no brainer.  The earlier bikes will be best as project bikes for EE and other mad men.  The resale value on the open market for 2012s and older will be a couple grand unfortunately. My 2013 will only do a little better but I think  Zero will support the parts for a bit longer.

[dvdt]

I recently made the trade in. My 2012 S SF9 worked well (after the glitch was resolved), but at >22k miles I suspected that some long term items would need replacement soon. The improved performance is helpful during commute (my main use). The motor, under substantial acceleration, is louder for the 2014 S than for the 2012 S. Several smaller beneficial items that I didn't see mentioned: the charging rate increased, minor peeves resolved such as easier access to the key cylinder, having a well lit instrument panel, and moving the charging receptacle to the side (with a cover!). All that said, my main concern motivating the trade in was service in future years, about which I was anxious regarding the 2012 S.

Approaching 500 miles, no buyer's remorse for me for MY12--->14 trade in.

[Ranga]

I never owned a 12 or 14, but I would upgrade just for the sake of having the motor and battery that Zero is still using, and are much easier to maintain and get replacement parts for.

[evdjerome]

Thanks all for your responses. I called my "nearest" dealer today and the guy I spoke with wasn't sure if the trade-in deal was still active. He said he'd call me back once he finds out.

-Jerome

[MostlyBonkers]

Why not get a 2015 model Jerome? Better suspension, brakes, ABS. Zero has also reduced the price of the 2015 range as it starts rolling out the 2016 bikes.

[cirrus pete]

Thanks all for your responses. I called my "nearest" dealer today and the guy I spoke with wasn't sure if the trade-in deal was still active. He said he'd call me back once he finds out.

-Jerome

Jerome
I bit on the trade in for my 2011 and am expecting my 2014 DS any day now. However, this offer has been hugely popular and based on my recent conversation with someone at the Zero mothership, I think they are basically out of the not-insubstantial inventory they had of 2014's in stock. However, I think they really want to help their early adopter base, so they may be able to work something out from existing dealer inventory somewhere. So, if your local dealer stalls out with them, I would probably call Zero directly to ask for help as a last resort...

[Lipo423]

Go for it…as already mentioned this is a no brainer…(I did, and I'm very happy)

The only couple of positive aspects on the 2012 are lower weight, less acceleration noise, seat is more comfortable and more relaxed riding position (The deltaQ is a higher quality charger than the one on the 2014). Everything else on the 2014 is better:

- Suspensions (Specially front, stronger/stiffer bars)
- Brakes (specially the front one…rear is still cr…)
- + Power. The motor is more reliable
- Battery/range +2,4Kw
- Faster onboard charger (7.9h full), but not DeltaQ 
- Far better control panel
- Customized (Bluetooth) 3 riding modes, vs 2
- Optional power tank, or bag tank (zipper is really bad quality - I'm replacing mine with a YKK)
- Wider rear tire
- Waterproofness was improved
- Plastics do not fell apart…on the 2012 they break just in regular road riding…you do not want to speak to the DS owners…(you need special glue to fix/bond them -acrylic- or they will fell apart again...)
- SR optional (go for it if you can)
- 5 year battery pack warranty
- It looks more like a "real motorbike" overall finishing improved significantly vs 2012
- 2012 model parts might be an issue soon

Do I miss anything?

[kcoplan]

Ran my 2012 S into a car that turned left right in front of me last month  . . . last night I picked up my new 2014 S to replace the totaled bike.  I am very lucky to have no broken bones and to get the upgraded bike!

So far I have ridden the 2014 cautiously on the parkway in the dark on the slick new tires, so I not ready to give any sort of performance comparison yet -- but the bike feels solid, it's nice to have a place to grip your knees, and the seat is initially very comfortable (I may miss being able to slide around to change my riding position, like I could on the '12).

I'll update my reactions after riding a few more times!

--Karl

[cirrus pete]

I just picked up my new 2014 DS today. Rode home on very very blustery cold fall day here in the NYC area. My first impression is that the 2014 DS and my old 2011 S seem about as similar as an M3 and an Accord. The acceleration was certainly a lot more robust than my old bike (I scared myself a little bit on the ride home), but also the suspension was so much better, the bike felt so much more substantial, the seat geometry was greatly improved. It was no contest!  It is a lot louder (relatively speaking of course since we are still talking electric here), especially on launch. My bike makes a plaintive howl --not unlike Chewbacca  when the jump to light-speed fails on the Falcon-- when it launches from a stop under heavy acceleration. My old bike didn't do that at all... Based on other comments on the forum, this Wookie impersonation is "normal".
   

[raudy1]

With the new motor, Pedestrians actually turn around when you approach now. I consider the minor increase in sound to be a positive. Harley is very proud of the jet engine sound in their Livewire.

The new 'Hybrid' motor was recently installed in my 2012 DS. At first the noise bothered me, but after seeing pedestrian response I like it.

[evdjerome]

@raudy1 - Good point about the motor noise and safety. My fear was that I'd find it annoying, especially at low speeds. But my guess is I'll get used to it.

If I can find a 2014 DS for around $11k I'll probably do the trade-in. I'm still ho-hum about the idea of an S, which seem easier to find. Oh and the trade-in deal is still active. The dealer in Falls Church said it is active until end of November. The email I got back from Zero said end of year.

-Jerome