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[Perseverius]

Hi everyone, my first post. Hopefully there will be many more after I've made my mind up. At the moment I have a choice between a brand new 2014 S and a demo 2013 S. The 2014 model has the same price tag as a new BMW F800 (BMW being the benchmark for overpriced bikes this side) while the demo is less than half this price. I've taken the demo for a test ride along with a 2013 DS (also available at half price) and I was very impressed. The bike felt a little soft compared to the DS which was a good thing since the roads I tested the bike on was pitted and potholed with gravel and sand in random places. The acceleration was great and the bike was doing 195km/h in no time. Of course range is the biggest concern and can't be checked with a 20 minute test ride, but speed is also important and can save your life. For me the biggest difference between the 2 models is the power tank. From what I've heard you could in theory upgrade the 2014 model with a 2017 power tank some day, but with the 2013 you don't have any such options. For me this bike only makes sense as a commuter that saves you money in the long term. So I'll need it to be able to do an 80km daily commute at speeds ranging from 60km/h (when the traffic slows to a crawl and I filter through) to 160km/h. When the traffic opens up again the cars in the fast lanes tend to do 160km/h plus and it is good if your bike can match and exceed that speed, unless you want to risk getting rear-ended. The actual speed limit is 120km/h, but unfortunately things have devolved to the point where the law is contemptibly irrelevant I'm afraid. But that is a topic for another time.
Can the 2013 S handle these requirements or should I go for the 2014 S?

[Richard230]

I don't think there is that much difference in performance (if any) between a 2013 S and a 2014 S with the same battery packs.  Both should handle your commute with an 11.4 kWh battery.  I would go with the 2013 model, especially if you can get it for half price.  Keep in mind that a 2014 S will be worth about that (in the used bike market) the moment you ride out the door.  So unless you are going to keep the bike forever (and none of us ever do) and plan to install a power tank within the next year or two, the older bike sounds like a much better deal to me.

[Cortezdtv]

I would get the 14
13 is the bastered year

14 15 etc are compatible which not only means parts in the future but much easier service

[benswing]

The 2013 and 2014 Zero S motorcycles both have the same internals (battery & motor).  The main difference is that you can upgrade the 2014 with a power pack that will add about 40km per charge.  However, with your commute, that seems to be a moot point. 

In your situation I would probably go with the 2013, unless you foresee wanting a power pack in the future.

[Justin Andrews]

If I was looking at buying a Zero right now, I'd be holding out for a 2015.

I can however recommend a 2013 S, I've had my second hand one for about five months now, and have put 4500 miles on the clock (for a total of 12500 miles)
Its a good bike, and really really nimble.

[Perseverius]

Thanks for the good advice guys. The 2015 models will only be available in July next year (this side) and that makes them completely unaffordable since our currency is predicted by most economists to be on the verge of a Zim style free-fall. At least after more than half a decade of stealing public funds our president's more than 800 corruption charges are about to finally catch up with him. Maybe. Always look on the bright side. I'm more worried about our nuclear project with Russia. If Putin manages to get nukes here it would undo all the anti-missile efforts of the US. Way off topic again, sorry.
If the 2013 S is a solid bike that would allow me a commuting range of about 100km / 62 miles, and save me from the robbery at the fuel station then my choice is obvious.

[DynoMutt]

You will have a problem going more than a few seconds at anything above 130km/h, and the S models will never touch 160km/h unless you're going downhill.  At those speeds, one would run down the battery *much* more quickly than at 50km/h as the big enemy is wind resistance.  But the real reason for only lasting a few seconds at those speeds is battery and motor temperature.  The controller throttles back to 130 or even slightly less depending on temperature and charge remaining.  You would find it necessary to take local roads very quickly.   But, you'll get great distance benefits if you draft behind trucks in the right lane!

Buy Au.  I think that is what Beatrix is advertising with that chest display.  If your paper becomes unfit for use in the lavatory, have assets that people want in trade.  Keep only enough Zim paper for day-to-day, and that goes for bank assets denominated in the Zim units.  And don't use USD as a safe haven, it's a trap.

http://www.nytimes.com/images/blogs/freakonomics/posts/Zimdollars.jpg

[Burton]

I commute every day at 60mph in the morning. Afternoons are for more fun if you know what I mean.

My morning commute is a little over 27 miles one way and so far I have made the trip in temps ranging from 75 - 14 F and I arrive at 61% SOC indicated. My bike is a hotrod with size six controller, ventilated motor, no fairings, and a topcase and is using 172 watts per mile at this speed no matter what the temperature is so far. This would give you a 62 mile range at 60mph but the stock 2013 S should get more range since my controller has custom programming.

I have attached a graph of my usage to date for my morning experiments.

[Perseverius]

You will have a problem going more than a few seconds at anything above 130km/h, and the S models will never touch 160km/h unless you're going downhill.

Did you read my first post? The top speed was 195kph or 121mph. And after about 20 minutes of putting the bike through its paces the bar was still indicating that the bike is fully charged. But the weather here is still a bit cool at about 34 deg celsius or 93 deg F, so maybe that helped.

Thanks for the stats Burton, for me that translates to about 100km at 100kph.

[DynoMutt]

Yes I did, and I know for a fact that no Zero that hasn't been heavily customized goes any faster than 103MPH, so the criteria that you describe are entirely out of bounds for considering use of any Zero at all let alone having to decide between a 2013 S and a 2014 S.

[Perseverius]

Well then, I've decided to go for the 2013 S. The dealer is asking the equivalent of 7900 USD. Maybe I'll make a quick video then to show DynoMutt that the bike can reach 121mph. Like the next guy I don't like being called a liar.

[Cortezdtv]

Yes I did, and I know for a fact that no Zero that hasn't been heavily customized goes any faster than 103MPH, so the criteria that you describe are entirely out of bounds for considering use of any Zero at all let alone having to decide between a 2013 S and a 2014 S.

He said heavily customized 

I think a fx with the 98 in the rear can go faster than 103 but what do I know my speedo said 75 

[Richard230]

One way you can get up to 121 on a stock S is to change the speedo output to kph.  All it takes is a push of a button.   

[Perseverius]

Yes I did, and I know for a fact that no Zero that hasn't been heavily customized goes any faster than 103MPH, so the criteria that you describe are entirely out of bounds for considering use of any Zero at all let alone having to decide between a 2013 S and a 2014 S.

He said heavily customized 

I think a fx with the 98 in the rear can go faster than 103 but what do I know my speedo said 75 

So you thought DynoMutt was suggesting that the dealer would be using a heavily customized bike as a demo? I'm not convinced that he would be that stupid even if he somehow managed to jump to the conclusion that I live in Zimbabwe.

[Cortezdtv]

Sorry I was being sarcastic with the first line


I just like the phrase  heavily customized


But I'm pretty sure if he got the high speed gear set he would be able to approach the speeds he wants; burton can attest to the hearing and top speed of his bike.....