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[benswing]

Well said!

[Doug S]

My FX 5.7, with 44 hp and 70 ft/lb torque, feels *faster* than my SV650 with flipped numbers, 70 hp / 45 ft/lb torque.

That's SO true, and so few people understand just HOW true it is. Everybody talks about horsepower, horsepower, horsepower, and never even listens when you try to explain how much more important torque is in the real world. I've let two people (both family members) ride my SR, and they come back just dumbstruck by how "powerful" the bike is. I patiently explain, yet again, that it's really not all that powerful, but it's a torque beast, and once they've experienced it, they finally listen, and can somewhat wrap their heads around it.

It's really amazing how much ICEs have colored our understanding of vehicles in general. There's a whole new language one must learn to understand EVs.

[Richard230]

My FX 5.7, with 44 hp and 70 ft/lb torque, feels *faster* than my SV650 with flipped numbers, 70 hp / 45 ft/lb torque.

That's SO true, and so few people understand just HOW true it is. Everybody talks about horsepower, horsepower, horsepower, and never even listens when you try to explain how much more important torque is in the real world. I've let two people (both family members) ride my SR, and they come back just dumbstruck by how "powerful" the bike is. I patiently explain, yet again, that it's really not all that powerful, but it's a torque beast, and once they've experienced it, they finally listen, and can somewhat wrap their heads around it.

It's really amazing how much ICEs have colored our understanding of vehicles in general. There's a whole new language one must learn to understand EVs.

The question is: Is anyone listening?  Especially now that gas prices have dropped into the cellar and people are running out and buying big SUV gas hogs again.     Even Tesla has been taking it in the shorts on the stock market lately.    At least the IRS tax breaks from last year have been rolled over to this year by Congress when they approved the budget bill yesterday.  I sure hope they didn't dump the electric motorcycle rebate from the tax-break law as previously reported that they might do.

[MichaelJohn]

My FX 5.7, with 44 hp and 70 ft/lb torque, feels *faster* than my SV650 with flipped numbers, 70 hp / 45 ft/lb torque.

That's SO true, and so few people understand just HOW true it is. Everybody talks about horsepower, horsepower, horsepower, and never even listens when you try to explain how much more important torque is in the real world. I've let two people (both family members) ride my SR, and they come back just dumbstruck by how "powerful" the bike is. I patiently explain, yet again, that it's really not all that powerful, but it's a torque beast, and once they've experienced it, they finally listen, and can somewhat wrap their heads around it.

It's really amazing how much ICEs have colored our understanding of vehicles in general. There's a whole new language one must learn to understand EVs.

Indeed. It's TORQUE that accelerates a vehicle. Something else to note is that torque ratings are often at the crank and don't account for drivetrain loss. The direct drive belt on the Zero has far less loss than a gearbox and a heavier chain. So an SR and a Hayabusa both are rated at 100+ ft lbs of torque but the SR gets more torque at the rear wheel, gets it instantly and is considerably lighter. No wonder it feels like it's going to pull my arms out their sockets.

[M@2015DS]

I put a deposit down on a 2015 DS 9.5. After a couple weeks the dealer said I needed to pay for the rest of the bike to keep the ball rolling and get it built. It has been a couple of weeks now and although I do not have my jacket yet so I can't ride it anyways I was wondering if everyone here has had the same experience that they needed to pay for the bike in full before actually receiving it.

[MichaelJohn]

I put a deposit down on a 2015 DS 9.5. After a couple weeks the dealer said I needed to pay for the rest of the bike to keep the ball rolling and get it built. It has been a couple of weeks now and although I do not have my jacket yet so I can't ride it anyways I was wondering if everyone here has had the same experience that they needed to pay for the bike in full before actually receiving it.

Keep the ball rolling? It should have been rolling just fine with the deposit you put down. It's either ordered or it's not - giving more money to the dealer isn't going to speed it up. I put 5k down on my SR and paid the balance on delivery, as it should be. I woulldn't pay any more until the bike is delivered. Sounds like your dealer needs cash.

[Richard230]

I put a deposit down on a 2015 DS 9.5. After a couple weeks the dealer said I needed to pay for the rest of the bike to keep the ball rolling and get it built. It has been a couple of weeks now and although I do not have my jacket yet so I can't ride it anyways I was wondering if everyone here has had the same experience that they needed to pay for the bike in full before actually receiving it.

I am not even sure if that is legal.     I put down a $1K deposit before I bought my bike, but I wasn't too happy about it.  My BMW dealer wants a $500 deposit before they will special order a new model.  I have never heard of anyone paying the full purchase price before receiving a motor vehicle.  I note that in California, when contracting to perform home improvements the law says that the contractor can only ask for a $1000 deposit or 10% of the total contract price, whichever is less, as a deposit before commencing work. 

I would give your DMV a call and ask them about this.  If your dealer suddenly went out of business you would loose your entire "deposit".   

[CrashCash]

Hm. I paid for my bike in full. I don't have any fear of Zero or my particular dealership going out of business. Zero was honest and up-front about saying "don't expect it before late December/early January though" and I'm OK with that.

That's how I've always done it. I give 'em the munnies and they give me a bike.

[M@2015DS]

Thanks for the responses. Don't mean to hijack the thread. Just want to post an update.

I spoke with the dealer and to be fair they say they were told that early orders would ship with the demos and thought the bike would be coming in within a week of me paying them. Apparently from what they are saying there is a certain lack of getting good information from Zero.

I spoke with someone at Zero today and that person said that my bike would not be ready until the end of January because it is a 9.4 DS and they are being built last.

Then I spoke with the dealer who apologized profusely and guaranteed me that they did not know this and the story keeps changing from their rep who told them mid-January.

As it is, I am still committed to go electric and think they have the best product at the price point. And in the end, I am not worried about not getting the bike. Eventually.

UPDATE: Just got a call from the dealer. Apparently my bike is shipping TODAY! Looks like there is confusion at Zero and it depends on who you talk to on what information you get.