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[manitou]

I was getting excited about the possibility of getting one of these electric bikes affordably (asking $5k).  However, after reading some threads, it seems they have reliability issues until 2013.??

An feedback is greatly appreciated.  I was hoping to go see it tomorrow, but may stall a day or so to see what people say here.

thanks!

[Richard230]

My 2012 ZF9 S has never had a problem that needed a shop visit. The only real issues have been with the poor body work and the fasteners.  I gave it to my daughter and it still runs like new.  I think most of Zero's concerns with the 2012 bikes has to do with their motors and batteries, which Zero no longer can replace.  Why I don't know, but it probably has something to do with money.   

[KrazyEd]

I had a 2012 XU, the runt of the line. Fork seal issues when new, after that no issues for a year.
Motor replaced under warranty ( totally different from S/DS motors ), but, bike was destroyed
before I got a chance to do any real riding with new motor. I would suggest doing research
on the bike with Zero using the V.I.N. It seems as though the bikes are either good, or, not,
depending upon each individual bike. The good ones keep on working, the bad ones have
continual problems. Reach out to Corteztv, he seems to have more personal experience
with the 2012s than most. Even so, it would seem to me that $5k might be a bit high for a 2012

[kcoplan]

You might check if it has been ridden in rain much or on salty roads.

I have a '12 S ZF6 which had the motor replaced with the retrofit upgrade motor by Zero, which they treated as a warranty repair.  I rode a lot in the rain and on salty roads, and my original unsealed motor repeatedly came down with the "Gltitch" (check the threads on thie Glitch on this forum).  Basically, stalling and sometimes even running in reverse.  No troubles yet with the new (sealed) motor, but I haven't been through a winter yet.

You might ask if the motor has been replaced with the upgrade motor yet.

I am very happy with my S, and 5k seems like a good price.  Make sure you test ride it for a while (sometimes the glitch does not show up until 10-15 minute into a ride) and ask specifically whether it has had any stalling problems.

-Karl

[evdjerome]

I concur with Karl - check to see if the motor was replaced with the sealed motor. If not, I'd pass. If so, I think $5k is a little high for a '12 ZF6.

[mikeisted]

My 2012 ZF9 failed once due to the ingress of water into the battery compartment and has again failed due to an as-yet undiagnosed problem.  It has done less than 5500 miles and is well looked after, garaged and kept on charge.

The failures are not the reason I would advise against buying the bike.  The design of the BMS system is.

 Essentially, there seems to be a range of conditions which will cause the throttle to immediately disable.  It doesn't matter if you are on a busy road or in the middle of nowhere, the bike just stops.  It happened to me once on a wet, busy road at night and again recently, albeit in less dramatic circumstances.

I think this is potentially dangerous and so until the BMS is redesigned (unlikely), I advise looking at later models.

Wish I could be more positive!

[peter]

There's also the issue that Zero motorcycle years are rather like dog years*, rather than normal years for a motorcycle. My personal experience is that it's much harder to get parts sorted for a 2012 Zero XU than for a 70s / early 80s, rare Italian motorcycle. Or a not-so-rare early 80s Japanese motorcycle, for that matter. I don't see how that's going to get any better. I'd be fascinated to hear a fanboi explanation for how it will.

And that's without going into reliability. I know I'm biased from the appalling reliability record of our Zero.

Don't do it. If you really want to waste the $5K, do it in a way that will involve less personal risk & heartache.
Peter
* i.e. 1 year == 7 years

[MostlyBonkers]

I test rode a 2012 model last summer. I too hoped that I could justify buying one second hand. I remember spending a lot of time reading around this forum as well.

Don't do it.  There's a reason Zero are offering a good deal for existing 2010-12 model owners to upgrade. Apart from a few lucky owners, most seem to have lemons on their hands. Zero are trying to pull them back because each one out on the road is a liability to them and their reputation.

[benswing]

I had a 2012 and rode it for 2 1/2 wonderful years. I rode it through the rain, rode it over massive potholes, and it was pretty much bombproof. However I know that my experience was not the same as everyone else's experience and I have upgraded to a 2014 bike because the parts for 2012 bikes are becoming more scarce and new dealers have never seen them before since everything changed in 2013. I also recommend going with a 2013 or later bike.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[manitou]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.  The seller seemed like a very up front guy.  Had some warranty work done, but no motor replacement.  Has experienced the shutdown/reboot twice.  I ultimatly passed due to range more than anything else.  I live ~20miles outside Austin and would like to be able to put around there for a bit and back on a single charge.  I'm on the hunt for 2013+ now.

[Cortezdtv]

5k seems a little high, for that price I would look into gettting a 13, there have been a few here and there right around that price range or not much more.


If you do want that 12, like said above, give it a good test ride, make sure throttle responce is smooth, its going to be competely different from a gas bike, but still wont have "glitches"

If you were to buy it you would most likely be able to trade it in if you liked it so much you want the newer style, but if you can save up to 6000 7000 and pick up a 13 S it will probably be a better suited bike.


There are still plenty of people who have rode there 2012 for a long time and had very little if no issues so, if the bike has been reliable, it probably will be for a long time. Sometimes when bikes sit they have more issues than when they have been used regularly.