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[w34p0n2m4n]

So, I'm gonna schedule a test ride at my "local" dealer, but I'm basically sold on the bike already. The thing is, as I'm sure you're all aware, there isn't much of a market or information for the 2013 S.

Aside from any tax incentives or trade-ins or whatnot, have you guys been paying full MSRP for new Zeros?

It doesn't seem like I have much negotiating room since there literally aren't any other options aside from maybe a used 2012 S (but there's not much of a secondary market).

Also, do y'all recommend any of the factory upgrades? Is there anything Zero offers that I can't just do myself for less? Like, maybe it would be worth getting the luggage rack? I saw a thread about installing a 12v outlet and handlebar warmers being cheap and relatively easy. Do they really just use a normal 12v socket? Wouldn't that thing short out in the rain?

[Richard230]

When I bought my 2012 S, I paid full list price.  At that time there were no upgrades or accessories being offered, just the soft luggage, which I didn't need as I already had lots of different types of luggage in my motorcycle debris closet.  What I really wanted was a luggage rack, but Zero was not offering one for my model.  As near as I can tell, nothing on the Zero shorts out while riding in the rain - anymore, now that the BMS board waterproofing was improved. 

My BMW's all have 12V accessory power sockets and I have never heard of one being affected by moisture.  My daughter has one on her 1981 BMW and she also has never had a short - although sometimes the spark plug wires can partially short out during a very heavy rain, but you shouldn't have that problem.   

[w34p0n2m4n]

I just went for the test ride on a S11.4 and it really was awesome. No noise, no vibration, no shifting, just whatever speed I wanted instantly.

I took it around the parking lot once before we went out on the road and I actually scared some guys wife because I stopped behind her and then someone asked me how it felt and she jumped because she hadn't realized I was right next to her.

[CliC]

I paid full list for mine as well, thinking as you did there wasn't any real competition in this space. Now, based on 2012 pricing this year, it looks as if you can save a few grand buying last-year's model, but that doesn't help if you want the latest and greatest.

As for options, I got a second charger, for when/if I ever am able to ride to work, though I still have to figure out how to attach it to the bike. I wanted the passenger footpegs, but they seem to be on eternal backorder.

[Richard230]

I have been having breakfast with Matt most Sundays lately and he has a late-build 2012 ZF9 S that he bought in December.  He has the passenger pegs installed, as well as the lame passenger hang-on strap.  He also had the first Zero accessory charger that I had seen.  It plugs into the receptacle located at the top rear right-hand side of the battery box.  The receptacle is located behind the plastic plate with the lightning bolt on it.  He carries the charger in a Zero seat back strapped to his rear seat.  That thing is pretty heavy and it would likely be a bad idea to carry it in a back pack, should you have a get-off, it could hurt.

So if you can find a 120V outlet with a 20 amp circuit breaker, you can charge your bike with both the on-board charger and the accessory charger at the same time from the same outlet and go double or nothing.   

[CliC]

So if you can find a 120V outlet with a 20 amp circuit breaker, you can charge your bike with both the on-board charger and the accessory charger at the same time from the same outlet and go double or nothing.   

Precisely my plan. Most newer installations have 20A branch circuits, and (conveniently for me) my office has dedicated ones out by each A/C condenser/compressor for the A/C techs to plug in tools. I just need to move closer so I can get there in the first place

I'll probably try to make some sort of mount or carrying arrangement such that I can remove the second charger when it's not needed, because as you say it is heavy. But the two of them do charge the bike in 4 hours, as advertised.

P.S. the NEMA 5-20R 20A receptacle has a "tee" on the neutral pole to take either 15A or 20A plugs:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.middleatlantic.com/images/ipower/5_20r.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.middleatlantic.com/power/ps.htm&h=98&w=115&sz=3&tbnid=T8Wu2LQ9HB1IPM:&tbnh=78&tbnw=92&zoom=1&usg=__rkwVL_AQMBO32Hrf6diC_I4YI_Y=&docid=5i4wSuYxxPv1rM&sa=X&ei=xaJXUZ6vFdDLyAHC14DYCA&ved=0CFEQ9QEwBA&dur=23

The 5-15R 15A receptacle does not. That doesn't tell you what else is on the circuit, and whether it can supply you 16A, but can rule out circuits that won't.

[w34p0n2m4n]

The spec has the 11.4 S coming in at under 400lbs. Does that mean I could carry it on a little hitch-mounted dirtbike rack like this? http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-motorcycle-carrier-99721.html

[manlytom]

The spec has the 11.4 S coming in at under 400lbs. Does that mean I could carry it on a little hitch-mounted dirtbike rack like this? http://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-receiver-mount-motorcycle-carrier-99721.html

Good idea. Don't even need a trailer. If a bike is less than 400lb it should work. I might look into that for my 2011.

[BSDThw]

I'll probably try to make some sort of mount or carrying arrangement such that I can remove the second charger when it's not needed, because as you say it is heavy. But the two of them do charge the bike in 4 hours, as advertised.

It was my plan too, I use 3 charger (sometimes) and don't like to carry it all the time with me.

I have installed it in the GIVI E21 bags. I can connect all 3 at one outlet her 230V 16A but I am able to connect the 2 at an extra socket if I like/need.

[trikester]

Good idea. Don't even need a trailer. If a bike is less than 400lb it should work. I might look into that for my 2011.
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Tom

I have used a hitch rack for many years for a lot of different motorcycles. However, I have always had two additional receivers added to each truck I have owned. These are as far apart as possible, at each side of the rear, and the factory receiver in the center only gets used to tow a trailer. Fortunately, the receiver rack I use was designed to add extra hitch points in any position, unfortunately the company making them retired. He did sell his material and equipment to someone else, so maybe they could be found on the internet.

I can't stress enough how much this improves the stability of the rack when driving. When I first started using just the center receiver, a little 200 pound motorcycle was oscillating up and down in an arc as I drove down good paved roads, and totally scary on bad roads. Using two attachment points even big heavy bikes are stable even on dirt roads.

A word to the wise.

Trikester