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[mikeisted]

Upgrading to a newer model is a great idea.  However it would need to be at a heavily discounted price and not just a token offer.  It still involves further expenditure when one could argue it should not cost anything at all (to get back to just having a working bike). 

With my failed battery, Zero are offering a new battery for about £3,450 - so say around $5000.  I'm being told this is a 50% discount, so am I to believe a new battery is $10,000?  And of course I am paying against 'the final price' whereas Zero are paying the cost of production only.  You get the idea.

I would certainly entertain a genuine effort to upgrade, but remain to be convinced that it will be possible.  But I would love to be proved wrong, if only as it would prove that Zero really does care about these issues.

[Richard230]

When my 2008 Electric Motorsport GPR-S, for which I paid $8,000, burned up after only 300 miles, EMS bought the bike back from me for $7,000 and then built a new 2010 GPR-S, with an upgraded motor and larger battery pack, and sold it to me for $9,300.  That seemed like a fair deal at the time, considering how much motorcycles depreciate when pushed out the door.  I never really expected too much from their one-year warranty as it was never put in writing and they claimed that my 2009 bike was not repairable. 

[peter]

I'm a little lost by the idea that the manufacturer can't keep a decent parts supply in stock for a 2012 model motorcycle. Is the expectation of electric motorcycles really that they'll be unusable fairly quickly because parts won't be available for superseded models after a couple of years?  Or that getting the parts will take so long that upgrading to the latest model and having to spend money seems like a reasonable option for dealing with a motorcycle that's still under warranty? Really?

Maybe my perspective is skewed because my normal ICE bike is 33 years old and I can still get parts for it from the original US importer. And I've got several friends riding 40ish-year-old Brit bikes (Commandos mostly). Look how many airheads and UJMs still run.

So maybe my expectations of product support are just wrong for the electric motorcycle world.
Peter

[kcoplan]

I'd probably be happy to trade up and even pay something for the privilege -- but no-one at Zero has suggested that is an option.

Like FlexyDude, I am waiting for the repair kit to be shipped -- but my bike is sitting unusable in my cellar rather than at the dealer, and for various reasons I kind of doubt I will be riding it for the winter.

I have also been told that the repair kit will be ready in a week or two and that I am "first" on the list to get the repair since my bike is unrideable (it starts glitching after about 3 miles and then once per mile once it starts).

And, Peter, it is not really a question of stocking parts -- the problem is that for a few of us, replacing the motor does not fix the problem -- it just comes back after a few months to a year (I had a year of glitch-free riding before the problem came back with a vengeance).

The good thing is that Zero is supporting these backs even thought the warranties have expired (though in my case, at least, I think they ultimately have a legal obligation to do so under NY's lemon law).

Meanwhile, I have been enjoying wife's lighter and more nimble (but not as fast) 2013 XU, whose stalling problem seems to have been a simple problem of loose batteries.

--Karl

[mikeisted]

Well Karl,

My warranty expired 4 weeks after buying the bike and it cutout in the rain late at night in the middle of nowhere 4 weeks after that.  Had to push it 400 yds to safety with cars going past at 70mph.  Yes the BMS is being replaced for free but apparently only after I have found the money for the battery.  So I would perhaps question that support is being provided meaningfully in my case.

I am by nature an optimist and like to believe the best of people, but I am beginning to fear that the critical element in your case is the lemon law.

[mikeisted]

I've mentioned this on my original thread, but I'll tie off here as well.  Zero Europe are fixing my battery and BMS issue free of charge.  Obviously I'm delighted and credit must go to Zero for this.  The new MD on this side of the pond joined only in September I believe.

I'm looking forward to getting the bike back, but as I have said previously, remain mindful of other possible issues reported here...

But for now,  a good result :-)

[flexydude]

so three months in the shop and still no new motor, same story from john logan, looks like 3 more weeks...

[flexydude]

Still no motor, over 3 months in the shop...

[flexydude]

4 months and 2 weeks and still no motor, promised by end of january. I have decided to stop making payments and let the bank reposses it and take the 4g i still owe and hire a lawyer and file under lemmon law. fukk zero

[MotoRyder]

So sorry to hear about the wretched support.
IMO, customer support is so important for manufacturers to do.

Since they don't have many (or any) marketing and/or promotional events for the public, they need support from early adopters to promote their products.
 
As a leader in the market, and pushing to get stronger, one would expect better involvement from the factory and field reps to keep customers satisfied.

From the tale woven through this thread, it sounds like worthless junk sitting in the shop, and indeed a 'lemon' of a vehicle!!

[Camresearch]

So sorry to hear about the wretched support.
IMO, customer support is so important for manufacturers to do.

Since they don't have many (or any) marketing and/or promotional events for the public, they need support from early adopters to promote their products.
 
As a leader in the market, and pushing to get stronger, one would expect better involvement from the factory and field reps to keep customers satisfied.

From the tale woven through this thread, it sounds like worthless junk sitting in the shop, and indeed a 'lemon' of a vehicle!!

I agree, the early adopters take the risk and deserve maximum support, even at the cost of the manufacturer... They are the best advertising the company can have and potentially their worst nightmare if they don't treat them right!!!

My brother blogged about his DS before he got it in 2010... He didn't say anything when the bike died and the company is lucky about that....

http://zerods.blogspot.com.au/2010_09_01_archive.html

This is now my DS.  That I am trying to restore to life...  I have told Jason that I will report to him regarding the progress of the restore so he can blog on if he wants.... ZERO take heed, I am much more critical than my brother!!!

Cam

[Brammofan]

My brother blogged about his DS before he got it in 2010... He didn't say anything when the bike died and the company is lucky about that....

http://zerods.blogspot.com.au/2010_09_01_archive.html


Cam

Hi Cam
I remember your brother's blog and read it for a couple years. Really enjoyed it. Please tell him Brammofan says hi.
I always wondered why he stopped posting.

[Camresearch]

Hey Brammofan,

Yeah, I remember you were one of his two readers .....   I will say hi for you...


Cheers,
Cam 

[Camresearch]

The Good News Brammofan, is that Jason is alive and well still up the coast of NSW.  The bad news, as already mentioned is that his Zero died and he has gone back to the "Dinoburners", which is hard, to imagine.. 

We suspect the motor is responsible.  I haven't had time to look at it yet.  It is on a long list of jobs I am trying to catch up with, plus I like to do my research first before I pick up a spanner.  I also have a one year old daughter who takes priority over my workshop hobbies too. 

When I have a better idea about what is really going on with the bike I will let you guys know.  The good thing is Jason really looked after the bike well.  Even though it hasn't been used in the last couple of years, it was still well maintained... Jason is just like that about things, which is good for me.....

The forum has been great for information about the bike.  I feel I really know it well now and have a fair idea about what I am doing with it now.

Cam 

[Camresearch]

Hey Brammofan, Jason says "Hi"... I told him that I would pass it on. 

Cheers,
Cam