The XU obviously handles my commute perfectly, but more than one or two errands and I'm coasting home. I'm in Olympia, and as far as I can tell have the only Zero in town. I will be using the SR to handle the local day trips, trips to Tacoma, Centralia, and when I want to do an overnight or full day trip to Seattle. For longer touring I have a gas BMW with cases.
I loved test riding the S but know that in a year I'd be hunting for a Size 6 controller upgrade, so went ahead and did it now. Go big or go home, right? The Zeros are still expensive and if I'm going to put up the money to be an early adopter I may as well do it right.
Hopefully someone will snap up the 2011 XU. I want to sell it for a very fair price, it is under warranty and has a good battery. It's the perfect bike to figure out if electric is something you'll enjoy without putting too much money in, or if someone wanted an electric dirt bike. I'm planning to list it on the local CL but perhaps should put it here first just in case.
Side note: has anyone in the Seattle area used the CHAdeMO chargers that are part of the Electric Highway with a Zero? I don't want to drop the money on that option if it is useless. I do hope someone comes up with a genuine Level 2 charger that fits the Power Tank space as I believe that would be a really good option for these bikes. The battery is getting to be a very good size, it's just the time to refill that produces anxiety. In many ways the 2011 XU was perfect for that as it would do a bulk charge in just over an hour, an easy amount for a single stop. Charging speed is actually what took the FX out of consideration for me, since it charges at half the speed of the S/SR in addition to the shorter range.