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[KenMac]

I'm posting hoping to see if anyone has any thoughts or any real comparison between the DS & SR.  I will be ordering one in the next week and it's definitely a hard decision. 

Here's where I'm coming from..  Been aware of Zero for a while but hadn't had an opportunity to test ride anything until about a week ago when I had a chance to hop on a 2014 S 11.4.  Absolutely loved the first ride.   Just took it out again and still loved the experience.  Bike feels so light and maneuverable.  In between I've been researching as much as I can.  Currently have a VTR1000 Superhawk, a R1200GS BMW, and a DL1000 Vstrom (vstrom I'd trade away to get the Zero).  In general I love the Vstrom & GS... ideal sort of motorcycle for me which would seem to translate well toward picking up the DS, right??  Haven't had a chance to ride a DS but did at least sit on one and found it quite comfy.  I was actually all set to order the SR today until they showed me the DS they had in the back in prep for sale to a local police department.  I do like to play though so the power behind the SR is extremely tempting... Perhaps too tempting?  I found it easy enough to speed on the S model but I"m sure that's partially because I've just never ridden anything like these bikes before so I'd get used to it in time.  Whether I pick the DS or the SR I'd go with the ZF12.5 option.

I do plan to use this as my daily commuter and around town bike.  The other bikes would be for longer trips on the weekends since I go up to the mountains in NC quite a bit.   Up front cost doesn't bother me as I'm figuring long term this bike would be saving me money on fuel & maintenance. 

So.... If anyone has any thoughts that might help me make the decision, I'd love to hear especially if anyone has familiarity with both!


Thanks!

[Cortezdtv]

 if you are not going to ride off-road get The SR

[KenMac]

if you are not going to ride off-road get The SR

Nope.  Most I'd do would be a dirt road but otherwise wouldn't plan on any off roading.  Main reason I'm considering DS is the more comfortable seated position.

[Electric Terry]

Don't compromise! Get what you want! The guys at Hollywood Electrics can make you a DS with SR acceleration, or make you an SR with DS handlebars.  They can customize absolutely everything on the Zero's and have it shipped right to your door just as you want it.

[Cortezdtv]

Or like terry said
If you want that seating position do a ds with the size 6 and s wheels

Mmmmhmmm.  Would be a badass bike for sure

[NoiseBoy]

If you are keeping the R1200GS the SR would make the most sense to me.

[KenMac]

If you are keeping the R1200GS the SR would make the most sense to me.

Definitely keeping the GS.  I am going back and forth a bit but starting to lean more towards the SR and having this opportunity to chat back and forth with you all is certainly helping me get my thoughts out.  All else being equal the SR does have slightly better range on the 12.5 size.  Since this is an around town commuter bike I could also lean towards the fun aspect of the SR.  I do plan on getting a Givi top bag for carrying stuff but wouldn't really plan on any other mods.

[Doug S]

I've had my 2014 SR with the Givi box for almost a year now (it arrived in the last week of January 2014), and I wouldn't do anything different. I can't speak for the DS, since I've never ridden one, but the SR is one AMAZING machine. Light, agile, best commuter machine I've ever driven, and it'll stretch my arms better than my ZX-11 ever did.

[KenMac]

I've had my 2014 SR with the Givi box for almost a year now (it arrived in the last week of January 2014), and I wouldn't do anything different. I can't speak for the DS, since I've never ridden one, but the SR is one AMAZING machine. Light, agile, best commuter machine I've ever driven, and it'll stretch my arms better than my ZX-11 ever did.

Thank you. That is exactly what I needed to hear. 

[ultrarnr]

Get an SR and take it to Deals Gap! Have taken mine a few times there. Much easier when you don't have to worry about gears and engine RPMs.

[Richard230]

Plus, if you care about such things, I am sure the SR will have better resale value when it comes time to trade-up, trade-in, or move-on.bb

[MichaelJohn]

Another vote for the SR - I couldn't be happier with mine. Every time I ride it I marvel at what a wonderful machine it is. Small, agile, comfortable, fairly light and blazing quick. You wouldn't regret it. The idea of Hollywood Electric making a DS with SR acceleration is really intriguing however I wouldn't want the slightly higher seat height of rhe DS (1.4" difference). At 6' the SR seat height is perfect for me.

[KenMac]

All good points. Thanks. I think it will be the SR. 

[lolachampcar]

I'm 6'4" and 200 lbs.  My first two Zeros were DS because I felt like a giant on top of the 250 Ninja sized S.  I just recently replaced my last DS with an SR.  The seat to pedal distance is exactly the same so the only thing that has changed is the butt to ground distance.  I do look a bit bigger on the bike but the difference in day to day handling and feel is more than worth it.  The nature and amount of added power/torque of the SR is FANTASTIC.  The SR is also better for me from an efficiency standpoint.  I routinely see less than 100 WHr/mile on my 50 mile daily commute days which I could never achieve on my DS.

[KenMac]

I'm 6'4" and 200 lbs.  My first two Zeros were DS because I felt like a giant on top of the 250 Ninja sized S.  I just recently replaced my last DS with an SR.  The seat to pedal distance is exactly the same so the only thing that has changed is the butt to ground distance.  I do look a bit bigger on the bike but the difference in day to day handling and feel is more than worth it.  The nature and amount of added power/torque of the SR is FANTASTIC.  The SR is also better for me from an efficiency standpoint.  I routinely see less than 100 WHr/mile on my 50 mile daily commute days which I could never achieve on my DS.

Thanks for that.  I'm 5'11" and don't feel uncomfortable on the S model that I rode.  Nice hearing that you're still comfy at 6'4".   I was figuring there would be a difference in handling between the two which you also confirmed.  The S was so much fun I can only imagine how much better the SR will be with the additional power.  Guess we'll see what the wait time is like on ordering an SR