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[Larry295]

Just curious: has anybody tried to buy or sell a 2012 ZF6?
Since those bikes don't need any maintenance, and the batteries are good for +200,000 miles, I am curious how the value is dropping over time.
One would assume that the value should hold pretty firm, wouldn't it??

[NoiseBoy]

No it plummets like a stone because they release the 2013 model which is much better.  They are now selling the 2012 brand new from stock for the half the original retail price.

[Larry295]

This is really not cool from the part of ZERO. 
They are locking current owners into their bikes without any possibility of upgrading!!!

[emotofreak]

Just like computers, the next ones are always better. You buy a computer when the price and performance match your needs. You don't expect the computer manufacturer/dealer to somehow compensate you when something better comes out do you? I think once people realize that these bikes are the "real deal", even the '12's, their resale will hold better. Rising gas prices will help too

[protomech]

Resale prices are still pretty volatile because there's little information on the long-term reliability of the bikes. They won't have many of the issues that gas bikes run into as they age, but may have other issues specific to electric powertrains or Zero's particular implementation.

Zero is probably too small to offer a leasing arrangement .. and leases are rather uncommon in the bike world anyhow.

Zero offers a 2 year warranty standard, and Brammo recently matched that warranty length. That's longer than most Japanese bikes (1 year typically) but matched or exceeded by some European bikes (Ducati, 2 years; BMW, 3 years). I think an optional extended warranty, including battery durability a la Nissan would go a very long way towards easing some of the resale volatility and ensuring a new buyer can buy with confidence.

In any case, buying any vehicle new and selling after one year of ownership will result in taking a bit of a bath. Zero is no exception.

[s44captain]

I briefly tried to sell mine but the US market was spoiled. I did get a couple inquiries from Europe. Because of their import tax a huge amount of money can be saved. The trick is to figure out shipping. Maybe Zero could help on that end? I decided to keep mine at least another year and got very lucky upgrading to the 9kw battery when Zero had a big police bike order and was converting police DS 6s to 9s and slipped my 6 in with that production run (and 3k out of my pocket). The 2012s are still fun and if you feel the need for speed call Harlan for a controller. Plus the 2012s seem to have all the bugs worked out, which if you have been reading the 2013 page should help you appreciate the 2012s.

[ZeroSinMA]

Just curious: has anybody tried to buy or sell a 2012 ZF6?
Since those bikes don't need any maintenance, and the batteries are good for +200,000 miles, I am curious how the value is dropping over time.
One would assume that the value should hold pretty firm, wouldn't it??

When I upgraded from 2011 to 2012 I punted 50% of the 2011 list price I paid. I assume an "upgrade" from 2012 Zf9 to 2013 will be at least as painful, so plan to hang onto it a couple more years. The 2012 is still a great bike, and it looks like the 2013s will be a stable design for a few years, at least relative the radical improvements between 2011 -> 2012 and 2012 -> 2013, so used Zero prices may hold up better from the 2013 models going forward. Plus it looks like Zero has a few bugs to work out of the 2013s. But I do expect to take a bath on the resale value of the 2012. Resale to Europe is intriguing.

[BSDThw]

Resale to Europe is intriguing

Maybe the reason is the 2012 has Power values that allow 16 years old to ride it. The 2013 you have to be 18.

Zero did a special advertising for that at the end of 2012!
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/uk/press-releases/nov-19-2012-licence.html

[nicktulloh]

No it plummets like a stone because they release the 2013 model which is much better.  They are now selling the 2012 brand new from stock for the half the original retail price.

Could you tell me where they're selling for 1/2 price?