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[Magpie3469]

In another thread I described some misadventures I had with a newly purchased 2010 DS that I bought from a dealer in Florence, CO.  It turns out that, as I had feared, the batteries are shot, and in may have a controller issue as wellĺSo, it's back to California with the whole bike. Even though I bought it as is, the dealer is working with Zero to see if  they will give me a break on the repair costs.

But now I have the electric motorcyle bug again (I owned a Vectrix scooter I bought the first time they declared bankruptcy).  The dealer is saying that he will also get me a demo from Zero at his cost and with no fees.  The only DS that is listed is a 2014 with the bigger battery pack and the power pack.  It has a little over 1,000 miles on it, and the dealer thinks it only comes with a 1 year warranty (though I wonder if that is just for the motorcycle components, with a better warranty on the batteries).  He says it's listed for $9100, and I would only have to pay tax and $60 for registration fees.

I live about three miles out on a dirt road, and it's about another 10 highway miles into town.  My other drive is that plus about another 20 miles that is mostly highway.  While I may not need all that range, and had been thinking about the model without the power pack, it seems to me that the extra range wouldn't be a bad thing, and for me would probably outweigh the extra weight and decreased acceleration.

Here are my questions:

1.  Does that seem like a good deal?
2. Any other disadvantages  to this system, other than the lack òABS breaks compared to a 2015?
3.  Any thought/experiences with Zero demo models?

Of course, any other obserations and suggestions would be appreciated!

[oobflyer]

Sounds like a good deal to me. A brand new Zero with PowerTank will cost about twice that amount.

One difference between the '14 and '15 is the behavior when the batteries are getting low.
The '14 will start to lose power at around 6% or 7% charge, requiring you to ride more slowly to the nearest charging station.
The '15 will still run at full power until 0% - and then some. Some sort of electronic 'reserve' programmed into the firmware no doubt. (Maybe the '14 firmware can be upgraded?)

BTW - I also have a Vectrix ('07). I've been riding it for 7 years and 16K miles and it still runs perfectly. They made a good bike - it's a shame they went bankrupt.

[flexydude]

don't buy it, get a gas bike instead. you can get a new 250 or 300cc bike for around 5000$, that leaves you with 5000$ for gas, and seeing as a 250 has as good as performance as a zero, if you ride about 12000 miles a year, gas will cost you around 500$ i made the mistake of being an early adopter of this technology, thus I am an early victim of Zero's crappy product and customer disservice.

[Patrick Truchon]

I would get them to check the warranty.  I bought a factory demo 2013 DS last fall that had a two year warranty from the date I purchased it.  Zero hadn't recorded it properly in the system initially, but they fixed it pretty quickly.

[Richard230]

It sounds like a good deal to me.  My 2014 S, with PT, has been very reliable and everything is holding up well.  So far it has saved me a lot of money on maintenance, compared with an IC motorcycle.

[Magpie3469]

Thanks for all the input.  Patrick, I think I remember reading about that on another post, is that possible? Did you also get the 5 year battery limited warranty?

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[ColoPaul]

Are you kidding me??  I'd take that in a heartbeat.   A 2014 DS for tax+$60, and a 1 year warranty?   No brainer!!  You are a lucky, lucky, dog.

[Magpie3469]

Thanks,  fellow Coloradoan Paul. That might just have pushed me over the edge.  It's still a lot of $ for me,  and getting another gas vehicle probably makes more sense,  but i sure do like that clean,  quiet,  and free energy. ..

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[Magpie3469]

Anyone have experience with a demo model from Zero (as opposed to a dealer demo)?

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[Cortezdtv]

Same thing

[Magpie3469]

Cortez,  do you mean same thing,  that it's  a good buy?

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[evdjerome]

That's an incredible deal. The 2014 is soooo much better than the 2010. Take that deal before they change their mind.

As far as the warranty, I believe the 2014 battery pack has a 5 year warranty, so maybe when you buy it it will have 4 years left.

In another thread I described some misadventures I had with a newly purchased 2010 DS that I bought from a dealer in Florence, CO.  It turns out that, as I had feared, the batteries are shot, and in may have a controller issue as wellĺSo, it's back to California with the whole bike. Even though I bought it as is, the dealer is working with Zero to see if  they will give me a break on the repair costs.

But now I have the electric motorcyle bug again (I owned a Vectrix scooter I bought the first time they declared bankruptcy).  The dealer is saying that he will also get me a demo from Zero at his cost and with no fees.  The only DS that is listed is a 2014 with the bigger battery pack and the power pack.  It has a little over 1,000 miles on it, and the dealer thinks it only comes with a 1 year warranty (though I wonder if that is just for the motorcycle components, with a better warranty on the batteries).  He says it's listed for $9100, and I would only have to pay tax and $60 for registration fees.

I live about three miles out on a dirt road, and it's about another 10 highway miles into town.  My other drive is that plus about another 20 miles that is mostly highway.  While I may not need all that range, and had been thinking about the model without the power pack, it seems to me that the extra range wouldn't be a bad thing, and for me would probably outweigh the extra weight and decreased acceleration.

Here are my questions:

1.  Does that seem like a good deal?
2. Any other disadvantages  to this system, other than the lack òABS breaks compared to a 2015?
3.  Any thought/experiences with Zero demo models?

Of course, any other obserations and suggestions would be appreciated!

[Justin Andrews]

I was offered a similar(ish) deal except it was a 2013 Zero-S, trading in my 2012 ZF9. I bit their hand off for it, and I've not regretted doing so at all, not that it won't stop me trading up next year.

The 14's are slightly better than the 13's as well.

[benswing]

Sounds like a really good deal!


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