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[Spires]

Ok, I think I worked out a way for me to get a Zero DS, I currently have an 09 zero X. FUll throttle riding on the road gets me about 14miles, probably double that with trail riding along a lot of hills. How is the DS in this area? Also about the rear tire on the DS, is it the same size as the front? Can a front tire be used on the back for improved trail riding? I would be using it mostly for the trails. One more thing, about the front sprocket, is it the same simple 14-18 tooth machine gear used on the Zero X and MX?

Thanks in advance..

[picasso]

Why full throttle riding? Freeway? Electric is not the best thing for that.

[Harlan]

Wheels are different front and back.  Front is a 17" and back is 16".  The swingarm won't accept a larger diameter wheel without modification.  Battery should allow for 20-25 miles of full throttle riding, probably 40-45 miles under normal use.

[trikester]

After 18 miles of dirt riding on my DS the "fuel" gauge was at the upper edge of the 1/2 mark. So using that as an indicator I would get about 36 miles. However, my GPS shows that the speedometer and odometer on my DS are both 5.5% low. Therefore, that 18 miles would actually be 19 miles indicating a range on dirt of 38 miles. Pavement riding at 35 mph, with some stop and go, gets me about 32 miles (using the gauge at 1/2 after 16 miles as the indicator). MY test in Death Valley only got 26.1 miles riding until it shut off. However, factoring in the error it would be 28 miles. The big factor on that particular ride was the very steep 1 mile climb at the end which really sapped the remaining energy. Without that final climb I might have made the 30 to 32 miles.

It seems to me that I saw in the specs that the X, S, & DS had the same motor sprocket. However, I'm going on memory (I'm almost 76) so that would have to be checked out.

BTW - The DS is a far better dirt bike than I expected it to be. It handles very well in the soft, tight, and rocky, stuff. A pleasant surprise to me, because I always considered dual-sports to be a compromise in performance, both on road and off road. The DS exceeded my expectations in both areas.

trikester

[Spires]

I dont ride highway, but its a good indicator on maximum battery distance. I know I can go the absolute bare minimum of 14miles. So when im in the dirt, if im nowhere near 14miles yet I can relax and enjoy myself. After 14, then I keep an eye on the odometer.

[manlytom]

Hi guys, what model year DS are you talking about ? the 2010 model has supposedly a range of 50 miles - average riding. Obviously to keep the battery healthy I would try to avoid draining it all of and the test ride I did I charged it up at every occasion. Not yet experience and considering to buy the S model.

cheers
Tom

[Richard230]

According to recent motorcycle magazine tests, expect more like a maximum range of 25 to 35 miles in real-world riding, depending upon how fast you go. You might get 50 miles out of the bike, if you rode at 25 mph on level ground.

[gasdive]

I got 45 miles out of my DS on level ground at 25 mph to the point that the display started blinking.

=:)

PS Battery pack is twice the size of the offroad bikes.

[Richard230]

Here is a review of the Zero DS:

http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/bikes-zero-motorcycles-dual-sport/

[manlytom]

my latest experience with the range on the 2010 Zero S. I did about 25miles and down to two bars and battery beeping at me. ride was mixed with a bit of up/downhill, twisties and couple of fast stretches. The last few miles had me stop at traffic lights that tended to go red whenever I got close ... The ride is quite representative to our area. Had a lot of fun even if I did not push to hard though. so a bit surprised of the rather low range I got out of it. how much mileage would be left with two bars ? If I work out the average on that ride - 25miles divided by 9 bars would be 2.8miles. So about another 5 to 6 miles left with two bars. Making it 30miles range.