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[JaimeC]

I was recently hit by a truck and the insurance adjuster decided to total my 2018 Zero S with 13kWh battery and Charge Tank.  Unfortunately, there is no direct replacement available for that bike here in the States.  For some unfathomable reason, although Zero still sells the S in Europe with the 14.4kWh battery we here in the States get relegated to the lowly 7.2kWh battery and that is entirely insufficient for my needs.  The only way to get the higher capacity battery is to get the MUCH more expensive high performance models (along with their attendant insurance premiums).  Not only that, but the new "SR" is basically just a stripped down SR/F.  I LIKED the older technology as (based on what I've read in here) the older software is far more bug free and reliable than the new Cypher3 operating system.

It turns out the local Zero dealership is ALSO an Energica dealership.  I really like the looks of the SS9+ and the fact that I can get it in RED is icing on the cake.  There are only two strikes against it in my mind:  I REALLY hate having to maintain a chain drive.  I've gotten spoiled by the clean, QUIET belt drive of my Zeros, and my BMW has a maintenance free shaft drive. 

Some years back Sam Baker did a video of what he had to go through to do an oil change on his Energica (yeah, that's another strike against the Energica as the air-cooled Zero motor was also maintenance free) and that video alone was enough to convince me I DIDN'T want one.  However, several people have told me the new motors that Energica uses has a much simpler oil change process (yeah, you STILL have to change the oil but it supposedly isn't as dreadful a chore as it used to be).

Looking for some feedback from actual owners...  My only other option is to wait however many years it takes for Zero to sell the SR/S in red instead of that awful primer gray they feature this year.

Thanks,

[MVetter]

Yeah, chain is a minor hassle that we put up with. I've actually gotta do mine today; it'll take me no more than 10 minutes but I do miss not having to do it at all. On the other hand, my chain never snaps, and it takes a lot longer to swap a broken Zero belt than it does to me to oil my chain every year.

Again correct on the motor. The large oil reservoir/sump shown in Sam's video is gone. Most of the coolant has been switched to the reservoir that was, previously, just for the inverter. The new EMCE motor and inverter now share the same water/glycol coolant mix that is easy to flush and is recommended every 26,000 miles. There is a small reservoir of the ATF like Sam had to do that lubricates the gear reduction. There's a lot less to it now, less fluid, and it's recommended every 18,000 miles.

While the deep blue original SS9 color is my favorite, I'm really liking the new color options they recently offered. Good luck on your decision!

[TEV]

My only other option is to wait however many years it takes for Zero to sell the SR/S in red instead of that awful primer gray they feature this year.

Thanks,

You can always paint it or Vinyl Wrap it in any color you want 

[JaimeC]

Yeah, chain is a minor hassle that we put up with. I've actually gotta do mine today; it'll take me no more than 10 minutes but I do miss not having to do it at all. On the other hand, my chain never snaps, and it takes a lot longer to swap a broken Zero belt than it does to me to oil my chain every year.

I thought changing the belt on the Gen3 bikes was easy.  I know it is a major PITA on the Gen2 bikes but fortunately something I've never had to do on either of my Zeros or any of my Buells.

[Demoni]

The EMCE bikes made a lot of progress from the reduction of fluid service standpoint. The bikes still have the reduction gear on the right side of the motor, that requires oil and needs to be changed, it takes 10 minutes and no fairings need to come off a EsseEsse9 to complete. The coolant flush is also quite easy as there is a convenient drain at the bottom of the motor. No more sump removal or oil filter cleaning like in the 13.4kWh bikes. 

Of the new colors I have so far only seen the Riviera green in person. Really pretty color with just the right amount of metal flake, add in the color matched lower faring and the grey accents it's a good looking bike.

[NEW2elec]

JaimeC, the SS9 and the SRF and SRS are pretty much the same for top speed and power.  Let us know what the insurane difference is between the bikes.