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[Richard230]

Here is a link to a French journalist's blog who has his hands on a 2013 Zero DS and gets to test it by riding around Normandy, France, for the next 10 days.  He will be posting updates daily.  His first report includes a 6 minute-long video of his ride around the countryside and the bike sounds like it is shifting while he is riding.  Now we know that the Zero doesn't have a transmission so I think the thunking noise must be bugs hitting the bike. Either that or the bike has a sloppy key holding on the motor sprocket.   

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-zero-electric-motorcycle-in-a-rural-environment.htm

[hein]

"The bike in the video is a BMW R1150GS" -- it's his baseline me thinks. Hein.

[Richard230]

Well, I sure didn't notice that cylinder.  It must have some sort of cover over the top.  I am not sure how a GS is going to set a standard for a Zero along that route.   

[Richard230]

OK, here is Mike Werner's first DS review installment and it is a very positive one:  http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-zero-electric-motorcycle---day-1---hands-on.htm

Be sure to watch the 10 minute DS ride video at the end if you want to see what the Normandy countryside looks like on a sunny day.  One thing if for sure, they have very narrow roads and the building setbacks are very minimal, especially considering the amount of open land surrounding most of the homes and businesses. 

[lolachampcar]

Got a bud with a flat in Antibe.  I'd love to find a way to ship over my Zero DS and stay for a few weeks.  It is the PERFECT bike for the South of France.

[Richard230]

Here is installment number 2.  No video, but some nice photos of the Zero at some picturesque Normandy locations.   

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-zero-electric-motorcycle---day-2---70-kms-ride.htm

[Richard230]

Here is part 3 of the Zero DS review.  This one contains a 7-minute video and two short videos.  I also note that a comment is made about the motor overheating when trying for a top speed run and I think I heard brake squeal in one of the videos.

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-zero-electric-motorcycle---day-3---video-taping-ride.htm

[Richard230]

Day 4.  The reviewer's wife gives the Zero a try and likes it.   

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-swmbo-tries-the-zero-ds-electric-motorcycle---day-4.htm

[CliC]

He seems strangely under the impression in Part 1 that the brakes' bite can be adjusted with the Bluetooth app. At first I thought he just had that confused with regen, but after seeing his second comment about it I'm not so sure.

Of course if that _were_ possible...hmm... :-)

[Richard230]

Too bad the Zero's squealing brakes can't be toned down with the App.   

[Richard230]

Half way through the test and this episode has some beautiful photos, along with a 10-minute riding video.  Mike Werner is concerned about the Zero's limited range during his recent ride, but it looked like he was going pretty fast to me and he doesn't hesitate to past cars when it is safe to do so.  The brakes are still squealing when he sort of stops at a stop sign.  Apparently the "California" stop also works in France.   

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-zero-ds-electric-motorcycle-on-a-railroad-run---day-5.htm

[NoiseBoy]

The bit about overtaking being dangerous is total nonsense.  Car drivers can't hear a Harley with straight through pipes until they are directly alongside their window so im 100% certain that at highway speeds the noise is totally irrelevant to safety.

85% of car drivers don't hear the sirens of emergency vehicles because the cars are so well insulated and the radios are so loud.  People need to remember this when discussing the loud pipes saves lives myth.

[Richard230]

Here is day 6 of the report.  Mike takes a 146 km ride along the Normandy coast and returns home with one bar showing.  No video, but some nice photos, as usual.   

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-zero-ds-electric-motorcycle-long-distance-test---day-6.htm

[kingcharles]

I noticed that the bike has Dutch licence plates. I guess he got the bike straight from the EU importer who is located in Alkmaar, the Dutch city famous for its cheese market

Nice reviews!

[Richard230]

Here is Day 7 of the test.  Mr. Werner likes the bike's road lighting, but not the instrument lighting.  Also, apparently the Beatles are hiding out in Normandy, France.   

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-zero-ds-electric-motorcycle-at-a-concert---day-7.htm