ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: biolife on April 03, 2014, 02:38:48 AM
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Hi all,
I've been lurking around this forum for a couple of months now and decided to finally join :)
I live in Vancouver, Canada and have been riding a 50cc scooter for the past year and a half. I used to commute via subway/bus, but was won over to the world of two wheels after a few rides to work on the scooter. After about a year on the scooter, I started looking for something with a bit more pep. One of my brothers had looked into electric bikes a few years ago but found they were out of his price range, so as I began my search for 250cc gas bikes he turned me onto the idea of an electric bike.
To be honest, I had no idea such a thing existed. I'd seen the slow electric scooters that top out at 30km/h but had never heard of full speed (and size) electric bikes that could hold their own. Turns out I wasn't the only one!
Anyway, after doing more research on electric bikes, I found myself more and more drawn to the idea of a quiet bike with instant torque and no clutch that requires virtually no maintenance and has really low operating costs. There was a bit of sticker shock, as the 250cc bikes I had been looking at were 3k or so on Craigslist, but in the end the electric option was too cool to pass up. I'm a sucker for tech.
So 5 weeks ago I put in my order for a Zero SR. The dealer is hoping for delivery in late April.
I'm not sure if there are any other SR owners in Canada, so I may be the first, but it'll be good to join the ranks of electric motorcycle riders. Oh, and as the weather warms up here and the rain dies down, I'm looking forward to riding (relatively) silently past my fellow gas motorcycle riders.
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Welcome to the club! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures when your new rocketship...er... motorcycle arrives. :)
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Wow. Riding a 50cc scooter to looking at 250cc gas bikes to SR purchase.. that's quite a leap!
If the SR is like the 2013 S I rode, it's very quiet but not silent from the saddle. if you're just putting around, then it will be virtually silent from 10-15 feet away.
If you're not putting around, then it makes a pretty cool sound..
2014 Zero SR Launch Video (Natural Sound) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Cod0X4wFk#ws)
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Biolife would you mind letting me know what your purchase price and onroad drive away price is?
Zero Australia want $25,490 drive away for SR, just like to compare with canada as our dollars are about same exchange rate with USA. au$1 = cd$1.02
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Be careful. 50cc to an SR is a hell of jump. But then I went from a 125cc 4 stroke to a Kawasaki ZX6R so if you are sensible its fine. Just don't go whacking the throttle open on cold tyres!
Welcome to the forum. You will love riding electric.
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Thanks, I am definitely looking forward to the bike. I know that a 50cc scooter and a sportbike share little in common except that they both have two wheels, so I made sure to get the proper training and just finished a 26 hour motorcycle safety course. I had the chance to ride a few different bikes, ranging from 125cc to 500cc (a CB500). Hopping on the 500cc bike was quite a bit different from what I have been used to on two wheels, and I know the SR will easily blow it out of the water, but the experience of a faster (but still slower) bike has been very helpful at getting me more accustomed to motorcycle speeds.
Twisting the throttle hard and pulling away is fun, but being able to do so without the deafening noise that comes from some bikes is a huge plus for me. As we were riding in groups for the course, I felt bad riding through quiet neighbourhoods with a bike that can be heard from several blocks away.
I'm looking forward to giving friends rides around the city and letting them really experience the joy of electric. Oh, and the faces on my friends with gas bikes once they twist the throttle and see what it can really do.
@protomech - I've watched that video more times than I care to admit. It's part of my whole routine when showing the bike off to friends ;)
@firepower - Sure, the total cost with taxes, PDI, etc. was CAD $20,800. This is for the 11.4 model. Everything always costs a lot more in Australia, unfortunately!
@NoiseBoy - Haha, definitely. I'll keep my wits about me as I get used to the bike. The lack of a clutch ought to make it a lot easier to focus on riding properly instead of having to fiddle with gears around corners, at lights, down hills, etc. Anyway, here's to hoping it comes soon!
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Hello biolife, welcome to the party! Zero S 2013 in Quebec here and scooter owner 20 years ago. It's definitely a big jump going from that to a zero SR!!! You should however get it easily, the Zero S family having a quick learning curve. Even in the snow it is easy to control, at low speed of course. I can tell you because I used to drive on ice or snow with my scooter, it was pretty hard and the zero is easier, at least at low speed.
I was on my third ride of the year today, always satisfactory to run without using gas! But now the bike is dirty a lot due to the snow melting on the pavement.
Looking for your first ride impression.
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Congrats biolife! I can't wait to hear your impression going from a 50cc scooter to something that has over two thousand percent more torque, lol ;)
Be careful! I hope to visit Vancouver one day and join you for a ride!
Terry
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Don't forget that your SR will have really crappy range at first until you get your right wrist under control! :) It isn't very easy to do!
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Be careful. 50cc to an SR is a hell of jump. But then I went from a 125cc 4 stroke to a Kawasaki ZX6R so if you are sensible its fine. Just don't go whacking the throttle open on cold tyres!
Welcome to the forum. You will love riding electric.
Leave it in ECO mode you'll be fine ;D
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Biolife would you mind letting me know what your purchase price and onroad drive away price is?
Zero Australia want $25,490 drive away for SR, just like to compare with canada as our dollars are about same exchange rate with USA. au$1 = cd$1.02
Wow that price pretty high. Not to brag but in the US I got mine for 17000 out the door. For about $26K AU I would fly to the US disassemble the bike and put it in a carry on. :o. Just kidding
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Hello biolife, welcome to the party! Zero S 2013 in Quebec here and scooter owner 20 years ago.
...
I was on my third ride of the year today, always satisfactory to run without using gas! But now the bike is dirty a lot due to the snow melting on the pavement.
Thanks for the welcome! I guess Quebec's riding season is a little shorter than Vancouver's ;) Glad to hear it's clearing up enough to pull the bike out of storage and let it loose again!
Congrats biolife! I can't wait to hear your impression going from a 50cc scooter to something that has over two thousand percent more torque, lol ;)
Be careful! I hope to visit Vancouver one day and join you for a ride!
Terry
Thanks! I'll be sure to post a review of my own, and perhaps even a few videos here and there to provide a bit more info for inquiring minds.
Sounds like a plan! :)
Don't forget that your SR will have really crappy range at first until you get your right wrist under control! :) It isn't very easy to do!
Haha, good advice. By the way, thanks for posting your review. Reviews (real ones from actual riders) on the SR are few and far between, and it was your review in particular that made me decide on the SR. I'm sure I won't regret it!
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Biolife,
I am incredibly jealous of you right now :) Any of the Zero Models were out of my pricerange, so I got a gas bike. I really want an SR. Congrats on the purchase, Im sure you will love it. Can't wait to read your review!
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cloroxbb I assume then your new ICE was under $3895 ?
http://www.cycletrader.com/Zero-Motorcycles-For-Sale----Zero-Motorcycles-Motorcycles/search-results?type=356953&make=Zero+Motorcycles (http://www.cycletrader.com/Zero-Motorcycles-For-Sale----Zero-Motorcycles-Motorcycles/search-results?type=356953&make=Zero+Motorcycles)|705321056&modelkeyword=1&sort=price:asc&newsort=1
You did say any ^_^
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cloroxbb I assume then your new ICE was under $3895 ?
http://www.cycletrader.com/Zero-Motorcycles-For-Sale----Zero-Motorcycles-Motorcycles/search-results?type=356953&make=Zero+Motorcycles (http://www.cycletrader.com/Zero-Motorcycles-For-Sale----Zero-Motorcycles-Motorcycles/search-results?type=356953&make=Zero+Motorcycles)|705321056&modelkeyword=1&sort=price:asc&newsort=1
You did say any ^_^
Haha, nice. If I were to get a Zero, it would be at least a '13.
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cloroxbb, How is the Givi top box working ?
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cloroxbb, How is the Givi top box working ?
My Zero-accessory Givi top box works just fine. I have now managed to get it to also fit the old Givi mounting plate that I have installed on my R1200R by cutting a notch in the bottom of the plastic attachment "hook" on the plate to accommodate the additional metal reinforcing bulge that Givi installs on their newer top boxes.
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ok then $7800
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Zero-Motorcycles-XU-ZF2.8-111207537 (http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Zero-Motorcycles-XU-ZF2.8-111207537)
:)
I have seen 2013 DS go for 10k via private sale.
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cloroxbb, How is the Givi top box working ?
It is awesome. I love it. I have more pictures at this link if you want to see them...
http://www.cb500x.com/index.php/topic,682.7.html (http://www.cb500x.com/index.php/topic,682.7.html)
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ok then $7800
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Zero-Motorcycles-XU-ZF2.8-111207537 (http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Zero-Motorcycles-XU-ZF2.8-111207537)
:)
I have seen 2013 DS go for 10k via private sale.
I want a DS or SR. XU is cool, but I want something with a little more range, and I don't care for the styling and such... Im not worried, Ill get one maybe next year.
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I stopped by the dealership yesterday to see their 2013 DS. Strange as it is, yesterday was my first day to see an actual Zero bike. The weather was pretty dismal, and it was pouring rain, but thankfully this model was inside. I found the key was already in the ignition, so I hopped on, started it up (though you would never know it's on except for the headlight and dash lighting up), then twisted the throttle ever so slightly.
That was enough for me. That five feet on an electric bike were enough to cast away any doubts I might have over spending $20k on a motorcycle.
Being able to ride a motorcycle inside a closed area and have nobody even notice was so foreign, so unique, and so cool. It was like riding a robot.
I'm looking ever forward to the day my bike arrives. Sounds like it may be 3-4 weeks at this point...!
Biolife,
I am incredibly jealous of you right now :) Any of the Zero Models were out of my pricerange, so I got a gas bike. I really want an SR. Congrats on the purchase, Im sure you will love it. Can't wait to read your review!
Thanks :) I definitely went back and forth at least a few times before deciding on the SR. The jump from a gas bike to an electric bike is such a shock, but as you learn more about it there are lots of perks that come with electric that you just don't get with gas.
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Did you get your bike yet?
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Nope, hoping for delivery this week so I can pick it up on Saturday... I'll be posting here within a day or two of getting it to give my first impressions. :)
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I hope for you that it is only a few days away :) Here it's raining and it will be like that for another week, too bad.
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Yeah, same here! I don't know if I can wait another week... Well, I know I can, I just don't want to... :P
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I'm in the PNW, and I put in an order for an SR also. It arrived on Tuesday and is going through PDI right now! I can't wait, but unfortunately I'm out of town this weekend so I will have to wait. I have put a thousand miles on a 2011 XU and am addicted to electric. I knew I would kick myself in six months if I didn't step up for the SR instead of the S. This bike isn't a sensible decision as I have a commute the XU was perfect for (less than two miles, no freeway needed), but I'm going to enjoy it. We only live once, right? I'm having the yellow body work put on from a regular S so it will be a bit stealth as well. Anybody need a 2011 XU? It was purchased NOS so it is still covered by the warranty. I'll give a very good price.
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Where in PNW?
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2 miles! That's quite short, open the throttle once and your at work the next moment!
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Where, indeed? I'm in Seattle, welcome to the club!
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The XU obviously handles my commute perfectly, but more than one or two errands and I'm coasting home. I'm in Olympia, and as far as I can tell have the only Zero in town. I will be using the SR to handle the local day trips, trips to Tacoma, Centralia, and when I want to do an overnight or full day trip to Seattle. For longer touring I have a gas BMW with cases.
I loved test riding the S but know that in a year I'd be hunting for a Size 6 controller upgrade, so went ahead and did it now. Go big or go home, right? The Zeros are still expensive and if I'm going to put up the money to be an early adopter I may as well do it right.
Hopefully someone will snap up the 2011 XU. I want to sell it for a very fair price, it is under warranty and has a good battery. It's the perfect bike to figure out if electric is something you'll enjoy without putting too much money in, or if someone wanted an electric dirt bike. I'm planning to list it on the local CL but perhaps should put it here first just in case.
Side note: has anyone in the Seattle area used the CHAdeMO chargers that are part of the Electric Highway with a Zero? I don't want to drop the money on that option if it is useless. I do hope someone comes up with a genuine Level 2 charger that fits the Power Tank space as I believe that would be a really good option for these bikes. The battery is getting to be a very good size, it's just the time to refill that produces anxiety. In many ways the 2011 XU was perfect for that as it would do a bulk charge in just over an hour, an easy amount for a single stop. Charging speed is actually what took the FX out of consideration for me, since it charges at half the speed of the S/SR in addition to the shorter range.
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The XU obviously handles my commute perfectly, but more than one or two errands and I'm coasting home. I'm in Olympia, and as far as I can tell have the only Zero in town. I will be using the SR to handle the local day trips, trips to Tacoma, Centralia, and when I want to do an overnight or full day trip to Seattle. For longer touring I have a gas BMW with cases.
[...]
Side note: has anyone in the Seattle area used the CHAdeMO chargers that are part of the Electric Highway with a Zero? I don't want to drop the money on that option if it is useless. I do hope someone comes up with a genuine Level 2 charger that fits the Power Tank space as I believe that would be a really good option for these bikes. The battery is getting to be a very good size, it's just the time to refill that produces anxiety. In many ways the 2011 XU was perfect for that as it would do a bulk charge in just over an hour, an easy amount for a single stop. Charging speed is actually what took the FX out of consideration for me, since it charges at half the speed of the S/SR in addition to the shorter range.
Welcome! You should add yourself to the map (http://www.evfr.net/).
Reference for the electric highway: West Coast Green Highway (http://www.westcoastgreenhighway.com/electrichighway.htm)
I have not used CHAdeMO or know anyone who has yet. I think there is a concern about CHAdeMO station compatibility, whether the Zero DC input voltage will work with most stations (in the US, anyway). Clicking through the WA state map (http://www.westcoastgreenhighway.com/WAelectrichighways.htm) doesn't reveal an obvious concern, but it'd be great to have a definitive answer. My Zero DS is really well fitted-out now, and a CHAdeMO charger might make the difference in whether I can perform good day trips.
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Reference for the electric highway: West Coast Green Highway (http://www.westcoastgreenhighway.com/electrichighway.htm)
I have not used CHAdeMO or know anyone who has yet. I think there is a concern about CHAdeMO station compatibility, whether the Zero DC input voltage will work with most stations (in the US, anyway). Clicking through the WA state map (http://www.westcoastgreenhighway.com/WAelectrichighways.htm) doesn't reveal an obvious concern, but it'd be great to have a definitive answer. My Zero DS is really well fitted-out now, and a CHAdeMO charger might make the difference in whether I can perform good day trips.
I spoke to soon; really, I forgot what I had already researched. The electric highway consists of DC J1772 charging stations by AeroVironment (http://evsolutions.avinc.com/services/subscriber_network/) which will not benefit charge time without an extra charger.
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The fast chargers are CHAdeMO, and support 50-500V 120A. These should THEORETICALLY be compatible with the Zero CHAdeMO kit.
Reference:
http://www.westcoastgreenhighway.com/pdfs/DCfastchargeequipment.pdf (http://www.westcoastgreenhighway.com/pdfs/DCfastchargeequipment.pdf)
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By the way, just heard back today from the dealer that the bike is still stuck in customs. They have been following up with Zero on it, but the only information Zero has provided so far is that the bike (probably with a shipment of some other bikes from Zero) is at the border waiting to clear customs into Canada.
The bike was set to leave Zero's warehouse on April 16th, and has been held up at customs since at least April 23rd. Not sure what's going on, or why it's getting delayed so much. Hopefully Zero isn't smuggling illegal substances in the storage compartment... ;)
Anyway, I hope things get sorted out soon. The border is only like half an hour away, so maybe I'll just head down there, snag the bike and head south. :P
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Just saw your post in another thread, so you should receive your bike in the next weeks? Or you still don't know when?
That may seems strange but I'm excited that you will receive your bike, I don't know why :o
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Just saw your post in another thread, so you should receive your bike in the next weeks? Or you still don't know when?
That may seems strange but I'm excited that you will receive your bike, I don't know why :o
Here's the latest from the dealer:
Nothing as of yet. Not just the SR, all my sold models are being held in the void right now!
Rather frustrating. I will be in touch very soon though.
My timeline in the other thread is just an estimation... one that I really hope isn't optimistic! :)
It's a roller coaster of emotion! At this point I'm pretty convinced that the customs agents are just taking a joyride on my new SR. I don't blame them - I'd do the same thing!
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"At this point I'm pretty convinced that the customs agents are just taking a joyride on my new SR. I don't blame them - I'd do the same thing!" Bio, Are you encouraging someone else to illegally "borrow" someone's motorcycle without their consent so that they can ride it for free? I feel like we should be a bit more supportive of each other, especially guys who are trying to spread awareness about electric vehicles as an alternative form of transportation. OK EVERYONE I am JOKING as I know that's not the case, but I do hope you and a few more see the irony of this.
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Picked it up today. Mixed traffic meant I couldn't really open it up. The SR is really the S, just more. The last ten percent of range has lots of miles hidden in it, but the performance really is dead at that point. I can tell I'm going yo have fun with this bike. If you're thinking S, just do the SR.
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Today was the day - I got the call from the dealer confirming the bike had arrived and was ready to go. Went there, picked it up, and drove it for 130km before finally returning home.
Overall a great purchase. Will post a full review in the next few days!
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Happy for you!
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Congrats! Looking forward to reading about your experience and maybe seeing some videos!