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[Straightedg4lif]

KenMac,


I do intend to keep the Zero for a while. I haven't kept my bikes long in the past since I can't seem to find exactly what I want. I started with the Ninja 250 and knew shifting wasn't for me and sold it 2 months later. Than I got a Chinese automatic motorcycle that I learned how to ride on and took my MSF course test with, but it was only 150ccs and topped out at 70mph on flat land. Would drop to 50mph on a steep hill, so really didn't keep up with traffic. Sold it 5 months later. Now on to my Mana, will have that a year in May, but looking to sell so I can get my Zero. I like it a lot but it is a little heavy for me 507lbs or so, and I had it lowered but still can't flat foot it which makes me feel a lot better when I can. Overall haven't kept my bikes long at all, but looking for my forever bike and think that the Zero might be it.

I also agree with you on the battery, I am going for the 12.5 as well and hopefully I sell my Mana soon and have my Zero by May!

[KenMac]

Why Electric?

One more reason... You always have a full tank when you leave the house in the morning.  No morning where you're running late, hop on the bike, then realize you still need to fill up on the way to work.

[Zorgalouf]

I don't have an electric bike (yet) but the weight is always the same, that is also a little thing to consider. I imagine it is nice because you get always the same behavior of the bike.
Sometimes, i find my bike to be funny after a fuel refill because it is much heavier.

[CrashCash]

Why Electric?

One reason I went electric was the high gas prices in 2008. In the states the prices reached $5/gal in some areas. While everyone else was complaining about how much the high gas prices impacted their budgets - I was riding around on inexpensive electricity... grinning from ear to ear

Er, yeah, but the bike is about double the cost of an equivalent ICE, so I don't see much savings there.

For me, I started working from home, and the ICE bikes *hated* the frequent <1km trips with a passion. There was times I skipped lunch because I didn't feel like warming up the bike and dealing with it all. With the Zero, I just hop on and go. Plus the "change the tires, change the brake fluid, check the belt, you're done" factor.

That's what got me to consider it. The test ride with the POWER and the precision handling sealed the deal. I was like "I don't care what it costs, I want to ride *that* every day!"

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Why Electric?

One reason I went electric was the high gas prices in 2008. In the states the prices reached $5/gal in some areas. While everyone else was complaining about how much the high gas prices impacted their budgets - I was riding around on inexpensive electricity... grinning from ear to ear

Er, yeah, but the bike is about double the cost of an equivalent ICE, so I don't see much savings there.

It does if you're a high-mileage regular rider. 20+ miles per day (say) year round starts to add up in terms of gas saved, oil changes, and other maintenance. Granted, the break-even point is somewhere in the territory of 30,000 miles, and there's the 60,000 mile point where the bike essentially pays for itself, but those miles add up quickly for some lifestyles.

[Straightedg4lif]

I don't have an electric bike (yet) but the weight is always the same, that is also a little thing to consider. I imagine it is nice because you get always the same behavior of the bike.
Sometimes, i find my bike to be funny after a fuel refill because it is much heavier.

What kind of bike do you currently ride? I can't wait to get my Zero, just waiting to sell my other bike, but of course this time of year is not the best for selling motorcycles. Hopefully it will sell soon and I can get my bike by the spring!

[Burton]

Brian do you have a spreadsheet showing the payoff miles? I thought it was closer to 5 years of 13k miles per year.

I put on 6k so far and ride year round so I will rack on miles fast. 250+ miles a week minimum

[Zorgalouf]

What kind of bike do you currently ride? I can't wait to get my Zero, just waiting to sell my other bike, but of course this time of year is not the best for selling motorcycles. Hopefully it will sell soon and I can get my bike by the spring!

I have a BMW F800 ST. It is a good bike but i have looked at my two last years of riding and i only ride in the city, mostly on short rides. I discovered electric bikes and i think it is better for my use, so i will try to have one!

[Straightedg4lif]

What kind of bike do you currently ride? I can't wait to get my Zero, just waiting to sell my other bike, but of course this time of year is not the best for selling motorcycles. Hopefully it will sell soon and I can get my bike by the spring!

I have a BMW F800 ST. It is a good bike but i have looked at my two last years of riding and i only ride in the city, mostly on short rides. I discovered electric bikes and i think it is better for my use, so i will try to have one!

I first saw the electric bike last year, but heard by 2016 that they would have ABS so I decided to wait for that.  I think the Zero is better for my use as well.

Did everyone who owns one demo test it? I wanted to know what your first impression was of it?

[Zorgalouf]

I hope I won't wait that long!
The 2015 already have the ABS.
I used to be a fan of the ABS, but I am starting to realize that I never use it. I don't know if this is because of my driving (which can be fast, but with a lot of anticipation) or with the experience of the years of riding, but i really rarely get into dangerous situations, and when it happens, i know how to handle my brakes.
So i think i can get a S without the ABS without getting scared or else. And i know it is THE day you need it that you are happy to have it, but the 2015 will be to expensive for me, no matter what, so i will deal with it (or without it in this case lol).

[vinceherman]

ABS is a completely unnecessary feature right up to the first time it fires.

I some times ride faster than normal highway speed (a big ICE).
My plan was to never use the ABS on that bike.
There was an incident where the large space in front of me on the highway rapidly reduced, as all the cars were skidding sideways and in both berms.
From WOT to a dead stop.  ABS kept me out of trouble that day.

[Zorgalouf]

That's what i am saying. But unfortunately, i will have to downgrade on this feature. 

[kensiko]

Did everyone who owns one demo test it? I wanted to know what your first impression was of it?

Here: http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=3035.msg15875#msg15875

[Straightedg4lif]

Did everyone who owns one demo test it? I wanted to know what your first impression was of it?

Here: http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=3035.msg15875#msg15875

Thanks a lot very helpful!

[oobflyer]

the break-even point is somewhere in the territory of 30,000 miles

This depends not only on how much you ride, but on the whim of the OPEC folks who set crude oil prices. I'm sure everyone here knows that gas prices will rise again. The question is - will you be wearing the EV grin when it happens?  ;-)

Did everyone who owns one demo test it? I wanted to know what your first impression was of it?

I test-rode the SR in January and rode one home a month later. I knew that the technology had improved since I bought my 2012 ZF9, but when I saw it in person, sat on it, and rode it - WOW - I HAD to have it. My two most favorite ICE bikes of my 45+ years of riding were sport bikes (CBR600, CBR1000). Now I can still ride on electricity and have the performance of a sport bike (except for top end speed). The new Zero is the best of both worlds.