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[bobbyperu]

Hi guys, I am potentially about to pull the trigger on a 2021 DS. The range and charging time are OK for my needs. I can't go for the other models (except S or FXS) because I only have a driving licence.
There is just one thing holding me back and I would like to get your opinions on it. Although this bike suits my needs, it would nevertheless be very annoying to spend so much cash and then have zero bring out a massively superior battery a few months later for a similar price. I have watched an interview with the CEO where he says DC charging will be somewhere in their future (this was in 2020) and he also says there will be 3 or 4 more 2 yr cycles where they will be able to improve batteries noticeably, and they haven't done so for quite a few years now. I don't really want to wait but since they will announce the 2022 models in about October, what do you think the chances are that 6 months after spending a lot of money on this bike, a similar one comes out with much better range and/or quicker charging, for a similar price? Thanks!

[staples]

Regardless if Zero comes out with an entirely new battery in October, it sounds like you could have 6 months of fun riding! Even if they do come out with the next best thing, that does not mean that your DS will instantly lose all value. If an upgrade is in your future you can always sell the DS and buy new.

[flynnstig82r]

Farasis recently improved their power density by 25% with new 4th generation packs, so chances are very good that Zero will announce a large increase in capacity with the next model update. However, it's not a guarantee that pricing will be the same or that the new packs will appear on the DS model in the first year that they come out. It took the 14.4 kWh packs a year to make their way to the S/DS models, IIRC.

You just have to ask yourself whether you actually need the extra range, keeping in mind that charging speed is what really matters for longer trips. If you're just waiting for the next best thing, you'll be waiting forever as there's always something new around the corner.

[NEW2elec]

Booby I guess your in Peru and would have different license laws.  Make sure that's all you need before you pull the trigger.
I always encourage buying used unless money is no issue.  The DS hasn't changed for a few years so same bike just cheaper and less warranty time.

As for new batteries, even if they do come out with a big improvement, it won't be for the same price.

Good luck if you get one, they are lots of fun.

[bobbyperu]

Thanks for the replies so far, no I'm not in Peru, it's a film character, but thanks anyway What do you guys think about the fact that the 2021 DS is using Cypher 2 whereas they have already released Cypher 3 for other models? Relevant? Or not important? And do you think there would be much used resale value if the new bikes on the market have much better range and quicker charging?

[bobbyperu]

flynnstig thanks for that info, I looked it up and that's exactly the kind of news that is making me hesitant. They have not really changed the DS for several years. Even if a new, much better version is a few grand more expensive, it will be easier for me to stretch to that than to sell the 2021 model and pay the difference. I guess the whole question is when rather than if they change the battery. If I knew now that I would have to wait 2 years, I would pull the trigger...

[NEW2elec]

Do you mind saying where your at?  I'm still guessing EU.

The SRF and SRS have the Cypher3.  They have an internet connection that stays on like Tesla.  It allows you to do more from phone and a few other features like charge level limiting and such.
If your power company has different rates for different times of the day then that might be a good thing for someone.

Here in the US there are (used) SRF/S that are less than $17k. DSRs for $10-12k based on year and kit.

So yes they will drop in value pretty quick but then they level off and drop slower.  But really about like any other new vehicle after you drive it off the lot.

[NEW2elec]

I see you posted again.

Here's the thing.
The SR,DSR, S and DS are we call gen 2 bikes.
Purely my guess, but I doubt they will upgrade the gen 2 bikes with new batteries.
I would say it will be put in whole new models.

[bobbyperu]

Thanks again for your help, yes I am in Spain. The bikes are very pricey here because of sales tax of 21%

[victor6.7y]

Dear Bobby,

I bought a Zero S, and found out that the range is about 80% that of the stated spec. But that is only tested in temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees. So for now I cannot say that the range spec is what you expect from it.

I think the question is why you want the bike? Does it need to be a new one?

Technology wise there will always be something better and newer…. But that does not take the fun away of riding your bike. Unless you need those specifications.

If it is your first bike I would recommend a ICE bike. Motivation, I prefer to learn how to ride with shifting gears before I ride without gears.

If you want to go the distance and money is not a issue, I guess energica are the way to go at the moment. Charge speed is important if you have want to travel further than your battery capacity. Waiting 2 hours is long…. Waiting 10 even more 

If the battery capacity is sufficient and money is not an issue, I would go for comfort. Find a bike / position on the bike that suits you and your driving style. If you don’t know what your driving style is, go try different bikes. A cruiser, a sports a adventure. Comfort on a motorcycle is for me more important than the price.

I had a sport bike that was converted in a naked. After driving 1.5hour / 2 hours in a day I was done for the day. With my zero I don’t mind driving 2 hours.

[bobbyperu]

Thank you for your insights Victor. I am interested in the DS because I want to commute 66km (each way) to work a few times a week (I can charge at work if necessary) But I also live near a lot of long forest trails so I wanted to be able to go for a few hours into the forest on other days. The silence is one of the reasons I want to go electric...I don't necessarily want the whole world to know which part of the forest I am in. Also, the torque - I have a driving licence so I can only go for a 125cc, but the ones I have ridden (ICE) are not very exciting for me, so I was hoping to get around this with the DS. So everything makes sense. The only thing holding me back is the idea of spending a lot of money and then having them bring out a much better battery very soon afterwards (Looks like the battery manufacturer has just released a gen 4 battery so this is very likely). It shouldn't be an issue if the current bike meets my needs, but then that's human nature, and it would be very annoying all the same! I haven't found any second hand zeros around where i live....

[princec]

The battery advance isn't that significant enough that a current machine will be instantly worthless in the eyes of 2nd hand customers... I'd say, get what you can afford, right now, and enjoy it, until something else takes your fancy. Life's too short. The DS sounds ideal for what you want it for and should easily cope with a 130km round trip.

Cas

[flynnstig82r]

Depending on traffic speeds in Spain, you could probably make the round trip commute with the 14.4 kWh battery even if you couldn’t charge at work. Since you can charge, the existing batteries will easily have enough capacity. Long forest trails are where electric bikes are highly efficient, so I wouldn’t worry about that either. No one wants to have buyer’s remorse, of course, but it doesn’t sound like you need a bigger battery than the current 14.4 kWh for any of your typical trips, and longer trips are much more affected by charging speed than battery capacity.

If I had to guess, I’d say that Zero will introduce a 16 to 18 kWh (nominal) battery pack on the 2022 SR/F and SR/S models, but not until the 2023 model year on S-platform bikes, if ever. The S-platform was introduced in 2013 so there’s a strong possibility that it could be discontinued without ever gaining a larger battery than 14.4 kWh.

[bobbyperu]

Thanks again everyone for your help

[wavelet]

Thank you for your insights Victor. I am interested in the DS because I want to commute 66km (each way) to work a few times a week (I can charge at work if necessary) But I also live near a lot of long forest trails so I wanted to be able to go for a few hours into the forest on other days. The silence is one of the reasons I want to go electric...I don't necessarily want the whole world to know which part of the forest I am in. Also, the torque - I have a driving licence so I can only go for a 125cc, but the ones I have ridden (ICE) are not very exciting for me, so I was hoping to get around this with the DS. So everything makes sense. The only thing holding me back is the idea of spending a lot of money and then having them bring out a much better battery very soon afterwards (Looks like the battery manufacturer has just released a gen 4 battery so this is very likely). It shouldn't be an issue if the current bike meets my needs, but then that's human nature, and it would be very annoying all the same! I haven't found any second hand zeros around where i live....

If this is your first motorcycle, I actually don't recommend starting with the DS (I initially how you could even ride it with no A2 license, but it turns out there's a loophole in the requirements -- it's a 59BHP bike). It's better to start on a lower-power bike -- unexciting is a feature, not a bug, where acceleration is concerned.

And also, NEVER buy a new bike as your first, regardless of the drivetrain type. You don't really know whether you'll enjoy motorcycling at all, or which kind of riding or bike you prefer, until you've ridden for a few months at the very least.
An electric bike least of all, since the changes in technology tend ot adversely affect resale value.
Buy used for a first bike.