Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[nny]

First off, I apologize if I am posting in the wrong section. I promise I did look for a newbie area but didn't see it.
After mentioning one of the local dealers was becoming a Zero Motorcycle dealer and the advantages of owning an electric motorcycle, my girlfriend became VERY interested. Maybe just as interested as I am. The difference is she has the cash right now. I will be looking at getting one in about 3-4 years .

Anyway, I am doing a bit of research before we possibly put a down payment on it next week and I am hoping you guys can help us out.

She is looking at getting the "S" model with the 31" seat height. This is about the same seat height as her Ninja 250 and she had to put lowering links on it. So my first question is; Is there a way to make the seat height lower without modifying the seat or getting new suspension?

Second, I am kind of a fan of frame sliders and so is she. Is there anything like that for the Zero S model? I didn't see good mounting points for the hardware.

Thanks in advance.

[Richard230]

You should have her sit on the bike.  The Zero is very narrow and that allows for a shorter inseam to accommodate the seat height.  Also, the suspension squishes down a couple of inches, which also helps.  I used to own a 2004 Ninja 250 and I think the 2013 Zero is about as easy to reach the ground as the Ninja.  Zero used to sell a lower seat made by Corbin that I bought for my 2012 S.  Perhaps they offer a lower seat for the 2013 models also.  If so, you could ask the dealer to switch seats at no additional cost before the purchase.  Also, my dealer offered to cut down and reconfigure the stock seat for $100, but I chose the Corbin, instead.  The Corbin is pretty hard and I think the modified seat that the dealer had on one of their bikes was actually a lower and more comfortable solution that the Corbin.

[nny]

Thanks Richard for the response. The dealer near me just became a Zero Motorcycles dealer and their first shipment (aside from the demo they have on the floor) will be sometime this week or early next. One of the models they are getting in is an S model so we will get a good idea if any adjustment will be necessary. If there is any adjustment required I think looking at modifying the seat will be a good start.

I may call Zero motorcycles directly and see what their recommendations are for the frame sliders.

[Justin Andrews]

To echo the above. Always sit on the bike at the very least. Personally I also never buy a bike unless I can test ride it (or a demo bike of the same model)

[Richard230]

Another thought is that wearing boots with thick soles should also help a lot.  This is tough to do when riding a motorcycle with a transmission, as getting a thick-sole boot under the shift lever is difficult.  But since you don't have to shift a Zero, that will not be an issue.   

[grindz145]

Hey!

I would be surprised if your girlfriend would need a lower seat after being comfortable on the Ninja 250. The Zero S has very diminutive features and it struck me as being very low and "small" feeling. I'm not aware of anyone offering frame sliders at the moment, but I could do some research for you. As others have mentioned there are a few custom seat options that I'm aware of, that others have used in the past if all else fails.

Is there any chance you working with Country Rode Motowerks? I work with them part time and I can help you out with some of the more electric specific stuff that the rest of the guys aren't as keen on yet.

[nny]

Thank you guys again for the feedback!

On her Ninja 250, we lowered the back by about two inches for her to feel comfortable. Though I will say that she only wore sneakers the few times she took the 250 out. Her reasoning was exactly like you said, Richard - she wasn't able to get her foot under the clutch lever while wearing her boots. Her being new to motorcycles and manually shifting, it was hard to argue. So, I am hoping that when she does sit on the S (she mentioned she will be wearing the boots), she realizes that lowering it isn't necessary.

grinz145, I am just outside of Albany and working with Phibbs Motor Sports.

[grindz145]

Ahh Cool. Country Rode is just a few hours down the 90, in case you find that you need more options. It will definitely be easier to deal with more sole without having to worry about the shift lever. I know of a couple of women use ridiculously large soles with traditional BMWs though. I'm not sure how they ever pulled that off.

[grindz145]

I was just reading the thread on the Police bike and it made me think about your frame slider question. It might be worth asking Zero if you can buy the crash bars that come on the police bike. They're probably way overkill, but it might be worth it, since bikes do fall over.

[nny]

I was just reading the thread on the Police bike and it made me think about your frame slider question. It might be worth asking Zero if you can buy the crash bars that come on the police bike. They're probably way overkill, but it might be worth it, since bikes do fall over.

Nice! I haven't had the opportunity to get in touch with them yet but I will definitely ask about those when I do. Actually, I am going to at least shoot them an email now. I will keep this thread updated with their answer.
Thank you!

[nny]

I just heard back from one of the sales reps at Zero Motorcycles. Looks like grindz145 nailed it. Engine guards will be available for the S and DS. Also, the suspension can be adjusted by an inch.

[NoiseBoy]

They need to come up with a different name for them though, you can't have engine guards on an electric bike! 

For what it's worth, the Zeros 'crash well'.  I came down hard at about 20mph and the only damage was scuffing to the peg, mirror and brake lever.  I just bent the lever back into place with my hand and when I got home I sanded down the scuffing so I didnt have to buy any new parts.  Im not really sure what 'engine guards' would be there to protect?  There aren't any cylinder heads to protect so to me it seems you would just increase the chance of bending the frame in a bigger crash.

[nny]

Well, the frame sliders I have on my R6 are mounted at a point where the impact of a crash will be absorbed at the strongest part the frame and the pucks will take most of the damage from the slide. It is really just to keep the frame from getting mangled. I have a friend that used to take his bike to the track with me and could vouch for how well they do their job.

However, I will admit I am not familiar with the effectiveness of engine guards on the Zero S. I would think though that anything to have the battery not be what absorbs any of the impact of a fall would be a huge plus. Though from what you had mentioned, maybe it isn’t necessary as the other typical parts absorb it all anyway.

NoiseBoy, I am sorry to hear you went down, I know how heart breaking it can be to see your baby on its side. For whatever it is worth though your input here is really appreciated.

[aaronzeromoto]

Engine guards will be available for the S and DS.

I am not sure this is true, but if it were...you'll notice that the right guard has a bracket on it that they police use to mount different items (night stick holders, shotgun mount, radar gun holder).  As non-police customers, what would you mount there or does it concern you?  It's not removable.  BTW, I don't want to highjack this thread so feel free to PM me directly with thoughts.

With respect to frame sliders, I don't think we have a good solution for you today.  So feel free to point toward solutions you like with hopes that you'll see them added in the future on our motorcycles.  I appreciate the insight.

Regards,
aaronzeromoto

[nny]

I am not sure this is true, but if it were...you'll notice that the right guard has a bracket on it that they police use to mount different items (night stick holders, shotgun mount, radar gun holder).  As non-police customers, what would you mount there or does it concern you?  It's not removable.  BTW, I don't want to highjack this thread so feel free to PM me directly with thoughts.

With respect to frame sliders, I don't think we have a good solution for you today.  So feel free to point toward solutions you like with hopes that you'll see them added in the future on our motorcycles.  I appreciate the insight.

Regards,
aaronzeromoto

I doubt she will have any use for the bracket the engine guard has. It would strictly be for the protection it offers.

My personal choice for frame slider has been from Woodcraft Technologies. Though I will say that after reading the comments from NoiseBoy, I do question if they are necessary. I suppose once we have the opportunity to look at the bike in person we can make that decision.

I suppose since you had asked. I typically change my own tires on my R6 and swap out wheels between track days (I have a spare set for track tires). The rear stand I have lifts up the back by swingarm spools. They make rear stands that don't require the spools and I may end up just getting one of those. I am real curious how my front end stand will work with the Zero. Bar end sliders wouldn't be a bad addition and availability of parts (though I am sure I can just go through the dealer). I only say all of this because I am somewhat a track day junkie and the moment she rolls the bike into our garage I will be drooling over the idea of taking the Zero S to the track. I doubt she will ever let me though LOL.