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[NoiseBoy]

I was offered a pick of very low mileage (ex press I think) 11.4 SR's for £10,000 recently so I wouldn't say that was a massive bargain.

[Yon]

The shop here has a BRAND NEW 2013 Zero S 11.4 that they're not permitted to license due to local regulation available for the equivalent of 10,000 EURO.  They're allowed to sell for race but nothing else locally.  Sure they'd be open to export.  They also have a 2013 DS 11.4 with the same issues but 500-600km demo rides.

[MostlyBonkers]

Hi Yon, where are you based?

[MostlyBonkers]

I was able to get up to Streetbike on Saturday and take the bike for a spin. Here are a couple of pics from the showroom.





I noticed a squeaking noise from the motor/front sprocket area when at low speeds on occasion. I believe this is quite common and not an issue.

Otherwise the bike was very similar to the 2013S I tested 18 months ago, that's if you ignore the new display and different mode switch. It's such an odd experience jumping on the Zero after riding my Fazer. There doesn't seem to be anything in front of you on the Zero. It feels even more upright than the Fazer and the wide handlebars make it feel like a dirt bike more than a roadster.

Unfortunately by the time I got on the bike it was dark and the conditions were icy. Having traveled by motorway I wasn't prepared for just how bad the ice was. I took the same country road I had ridden with the 2012 DS during the summer and soon came across ice that hadn't melted all day. The back wheel stepped out to ensure I was under no illusion that the white stuff wasn't dried out road salt and I re-planned my route to take me back to the main roads as directly as possible. Considering that the road I was on was little more than an ice rink, I thought the bike handled it well. Having effortless control over the torque on the back wheel certainly helped.

This time I had mounted my phone to the handlebars so I had the perfect opportunity to measure indicated versus actual speed via the sat nav. Top speed was 95 indicated, 91 actual and the bike had no trouble sustaining this for a few hundred yards. There was no hint of any temperature warning lights, but of course the weather was freezing. Indicated speed became more accurate the slower I went so that I reckon 41 = 40.

I finished my test ride having covered just under thirty miles with 65% capacity remaining. That gives me confidence that my 24 mile commute each way should be easily attainable in all weather conditions. My commute has a bit more distance at high speed than my test ride, but also a lot more city riding too. I would have taken the bike further if the conditions weren't so bad.

The rear brake is just as terrible as it was on the 2012/13 models. Ironically it serves as an ABS system; you'd literally have to stand on the pedal to get it to lock up. The feel is completely wooden too. I'd be inclined not to use it at all other than for low speed manoeuvring and holding it on a hill. The front brake isn't a patch on my Fazer's dual discs and the feel isn't as pleasant. That might improve a bit with age and it is certainly powerful enough, even with my fat carcass onboard!

Going back to the price, I have to agree with Justin and consider that it is a reasonable deal, with everything taken into account. I know the 2015 models are shipping now but we can't expect to see them in the UK anytime soon. I also looked at the 2013 price list with Jason and let's not forget that a 2013 S 11.4 was £13,500 18 months ago! This newer model is going for £4,500 less. I still resent how we pay the same amounts in sterling as products go for in USD in their home market, but that's rip-off Britain for you and probably reflects the higher cost of sale from exporting, local taxes and so on.

Going back to my man-maths, I could justify the purchase with a monthly repayment of £200 undercutting the cost of a season ticket on the train by about £80/month. The difference should cover electricity and the extra cost of insurance and perhaps even stretch to tyres. Any other costs I would have to consider as part of enjoying my hobby. I just hope that I'd still be happy with the bike in four years' time when I'd finally finish paying it off!

It's getting towards two years since I read the review of a 2013 Zero S in Motorcylce Monthly. I was totally inspired by that article and here I am as a result. Now that my wife has sold her interest in the flat she owned with her ex and has a bit of money slpushing about, can she be convinced that lending a good chunk of it to me to buy an electric bike is a good idea? Watch this space! For those of you who are the pillars of this forum, you'll be well aware that the saga continues!

Thanks for the original post Justin. Watch your six for when my wife comes after you! ;-)

[mikeisted]

Very interesting review.  I'll try it out when I pick up my ZF9, which should be back from Holland in the next week or two. 

[Justin Andrews]

After about 5,000 miles of riding the rear brake on my 13 has gone from wooden to passably usable, I'd say its the worst rear brake I've experienced on a bike but that accolade remains reserved for Yamaha (who take the award for unreliability) for the time being.

Battery chemistry, I find I'm using about 5% extra battery during very frosty days, which is a bit better than the batteries in the 2012 models.

Overall the 2014 looks like a nice bike.

Thanks for the original post Justin. Watch your six for when my wife comes after you! ;-)

Forewarned is rarely forearmed... But thanks for the warning.
Looks like I'll need to get the Size 6 controller fitted to my bike sooner than I intended if I'm going to need to take evasive action.

[MostlyBonkers]

Thanks Mike. It's good to hear that you'll be getting your bike back fairly soon. It's well worth taking the 2014 for a spin. If your battery pack is being swapped out for a new one with cells from the new manufacturer, then you should be ok. In your shoes, I'd make the most of your 2012 when it comes back and keep an eye on what unfolds over the next few months. If nearer the summer you are sold on owning an electric bike for good, then I would be very tempted to get my hands on a 2015 SR. They sound like so much fun! Mucho cash required but that's all relative.

[MostlyBonkers]

Thanks Justin, good to know. Please keep us posted on the electric car purchase too!

[AustinSZF8.5]

The rear brake is just as terrible as it was on the 2012/13 models. Ironically it serves as an ABS system; you'd literally have to stand on the pedal to get it to lock up. The feel is completely wooden too. I'd be inclined not to use it at all other than for low speed manoeuvring and holding it on a hill. 

Interesting. I have no real issues with the rear brake on my 2014 S (delivered 5/2014). I don't get much feedback from it, but I certainly don't have to stand on it to lock the rear and I find it easy enough to modulate at the threshold. In fact, it's got more initial bite than many of the other bikes I've owned. I ride with a lot of rear brake to assist maneuvering, that would have been a deal breaker for me. Maybe the cold temps and/or water splash affected your ride, though I've been riding in near freezing temps the last month or so and it's still seemed fine to me...

[Justin Andrews]

I think the rear brakes on the Zero's are just a sod to break in. Mine started out "tricky" and mellowed over the 5k miles I've done. The 2014 at Streetbike is basically brand new, so its no surprise to me that the rear brakes are not bedded in yet.

[MostlyBonkers]

I just heard yesterday that Streetbike have taken a deposit for this bike. Anyone know who's guilty? It's a step in the right direction for the UK market and I'm really pleased it's found a home. Hopefully there'll be news on UK dealership arrangements soon, if I haven't already missed it!

[Justin Andrews]

Yep, I'd heard a deposit went on it over the weekend, which is good news.

Fingers crossed for Zero returning to the UK sooner rather than later, I've not heard anything on the front though.