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[Straightedg4lif]

I learned about the Zero bikes a few months ago, and I've been obsessed ever since. I signed up for a motorcycle safety class this weekend, and I'm very excited to start riding

I also have been obsessed with the Zero bikes since I saw them last year! I was waiting for the ABS and now they have that. I am still trying to sell my current bike so I can get the Zero but thinking of maybe waiting for the 2016's. I think that it would be a great bike to start with, with the only exception being the price. I must say it is true you WILL drop your first bike, I dropped my Ninja 250 when I stopped on an uneven incline. Luckily it was on my own street and did not do any real damage just scuffed the clutch lever and shifter. Wow was the embarrassing, but it seems to be inevitable for most of us.

My main thing was that I hated to shift, so right away knew that wasn't for me. I bought a cheap 150cc automatic Chinese motorcycle to learn on and got comfortable riding on the streets. (Picture posted below of Chinese bike) I also took the MSF course last June and used the Chinese motorcycle to test on so I would not have to shift at all. Once I completed the course I sold that bike and moved up to the Aprilia Mana which is also an automatic but a lot bigger engine displacement at 850cc's. I really like the Mana but want a Zero since it is about 100lbs lighter than my current bike and love the fact that you just plug and drive.

If you go and decide on the Zero just do as others have said, practice, practice, practice. I road my Chinese bike around the block for close to 50 miles before I took it out on the main roads. Just make sure you go at your own speed and don't feel the need to rush. I'm glad I did it the way that I did, and now feel very comfortable out on the roads, but of course not too comfortable... you always have to be aware! As I heard a lot once I started riding, act like everyone is out to get you and you definitely pay more attention out on the road.

[Straightedg4lif]

I hear big changes are coming with the 2016's. It could be beneficial to wait and see.

I know it's probably rumors, but has anything semi-official been said? I'd love to wait, but as far as I know, the 2015s were released in December, and I wouldn't want to wait that long.

Would love to know the answer to this also. But thinking of just waiting and save up more money so less to finance! They only seem to improve each year and even if nothing great is added or modified I can get a little bit of money off of the "last year model."

[Electric Terry]

On the other hand, I feel that a complete beginner with a $20k bike in LA traffic is a recipe for disaster

Living in LA you must hate traffic now not having had the ability to split lanes and be free from it yet.  Get your motorcycle license and definitely get an electric motorcycle, so you don't have to use a clutch and shift in LA traffic.  You may not want to split lanes at first and stop and go for twenty miles will be murder with a clutch.

But do you get a new Zero or a used one?  I agree you will probably fall over once in your first year.  Luckily the Zero's crash quite well and usually only the bar end gets scuffed on the left side and the brake lever bent on the right.  This is thanks to the steering locks that prevent the plastics from touching the ground I guess.  Since you're in LA I would stop by Hollywood Electrics at 901 N Fairfax in West Hollywood and see what he thinks.  He might have a used 2013 or 2014 S to start on, or as long as it is insured, maybe just get the new one with ABS brakes.  You never know when these might be the difference between injury or not.  When I started riding I didn't have ABS as an option.  I wish I had.

Now that I think about it.  Get a 2015 Zero with ABS.  Period.

There is no price you can put on your safety.  And the ABS as a new rider in crazy LA traffic is worth it. 

S or SR is up to you.  I would recommend the S to start so you're not tempted to get yourself into too much trouble right away.  The S is plenty fast on its own.  Harlan from Hollywood Electrics can always upgrade it to an SR later.

Or get the SR and promise yourself you won't take it out of Eco mode for at least 2 months! Seriously! Not even to try it in a parking lot! (ok well maybe in an empty parking lot, but that's it!)

Give us an update with your new purchase and tell us how it is!

[MichaelJohn]

Or get the SR and promise yourself you won't take it out of Eco mode for at least 2 months!

Hmm...he might make 2 hours...maybe.

[Justin Andrews]

I dunno, when I was riding the 2013 DS which Zero lent me while my 2012 was being fixed, I managed to keep it in Eco mode most of the time.
Mostly because I realised how much more powerful it was, and did'nt want to be too dissapointed in the drop in power when I got the 2012 back...

[MostlyBonkers]

I came back to biking and bought an Aprillia Shiver 750. I dropped it twice but didn't damage it much. I'm glad I got a bike with a decent amount of power.

Just by the fact that you've posted here tells me you're a sensible person who isn't going to go hell for leather the moment you jump on it.

Even the biggest bikes like the ZZR 1400 are very easy to control. They have to be. I don't think you'll have any problem regulating the power and exploring the throttle as you get comfortable. Keep in mind some of the ways people have described dropping their bikes and hopefully you won't have to learn the hard way. Take it steady and at your own pace and you'll have a bike you can ride easily from the start. It will keep rewarding you as you get more in tune with it.

With powerful bikes you get bigger tyres, better brakes, better suspension and so on. That means they're safer in my opinion. Being able to make overtakes quickly and effortlessly is a big safety factor too.

If you go for the S or equivalent ICE bike you'll find it's limits within weeks. Even with my 750 it didn't take long. If you're buying the bike to have fun, you don't want to be opening the throttle to the stop and thinking 'Is that it?' You want to know there's always some more and that when you get there you'll be riding close to the limits of your ability, always bearing safety in mind too of course.

That's how I've found my current bike, a Fazer 1000. I wish I'd got it first even though the 750 was a really nice bike.

Now I'm stepping down to a Honda NC750. Less powerful than the Shiver. That's only because 95% of my miles are my commute. I need to compromise a bit because I've realized I can't justify the initial cost of a Zero at the moment and I don't want to maintain an ICE bike just for the rare opportunities I get to go for longer runs. Otherwise I'd have a Zero SR in a heartbeat.

Get the SR. You won't regret it unless it proves to be unreliable. IMHO there is no risk of losing control unless you ride it like a hooligan. Take your time, use your noddle and you're unlikely to drop it either. Life's too short to faff around if there's no need to.

Just remember to post here and let us all know how you're getting on. I will eat my hat if getting the SR doesn't work out well for you! [emoji4]