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[Straightedg4lif]

oobflyer,
Thanks for taking the time to let me know about your experience. I think that the Zero is the best of both worlds as well, from all the comments and praises for it. I have yet to try it myself but can't see how I wouldn't love it!

Another question for anyone owning a Zero, did you finance your bike or pay for it in cash? I hear that it is a mistake to finance a motorcycle, but in all reality not many people can afford to pay cash for such an expensive item. Love to hear some opinions on that, and what others have done to get their dream bike.

[Burton]

I pay cash for everything outside my home ... and if I could have done it with my home I would have. I have plans on buying some land and I am saving cash for it for example.

I bought my bike used so it wasn't as costly as a new bike but it was still a good chunk of change. I refuse to hold debt on anything outside of land / home.

That said if you finance the bike it just means it will likely be a half year more before the bike pays for itself over a new ICE bike with similar power / function. Either way you are likely still saving long term if you ride a lot.

[Straightedg4lif]

I pay cash for everything outside my home ... and if I could have done it with my home I would have. I have plans on buying some land and I am saving cash for it for example.

I bought my bike used so it wasn't as costly as a new bike but it was still a good chunk of change. I refuse to hold debt on anything outside of land / home.

That said if you finance the bike it just means it will likely be a half year more before the bike pays for itself over a new ICE bike with similar power / function. Either way you are likely still saving long term if you ride a lot.

I would love to pay cash but then it would be longer for me to get my Zero. I know I should probably just wait and save up the money but was thinking of putting half down,( I have that amount now) so I can get it sooner. I'm still debating on it and was wondering what others have done.

[dkw12002]

If you pay cash for it, then you only need liability insurance which is very inexpensive. The downside to that is if it is damaged or stolen, then you have to buy another bike or fix it on your own. Still, statistics favor paying cash. Warren Buffett became a billionaire through insurance Co. investments. I don't insure anything and haven't for many years...cars, homes, motorcycles. With the money I've saved over the years, I could buy another home. I wouldn't speak for anyone else though.

[Burton]

dkw12002 where do you live in where you are not required to have insurance?

My insurance for my two bikes, which is the highest level of coverage you can get and even includes personal medical coverage if I cause my own accident, is only $350 a year. There is a tread on insurance cost and it seems most people have a similar or less cost and I don't think all of them purchased their bikes outright.

If you have an existing bike and don't go on many long trips sell it. You can get your zero and get a quick charger for the long trips (or make one). Or ... take all the extra money you would save on your old motorcycle and put it on the principle for the zero every year. If you want me to figure that cost out I have a spreadsheet I can run some numbers for you but I would need information on cost of certain items.

If you don't have a lot of liquid cash sitting around, say enough you could live off of if you lost your job for 3 months, then finance it and build up to the 3 months amount and don't touch it. You will thank me if you ever get laid off or have some emergency where cash is the only option.

[dkw12002]

I'm in Texas. Far as I know, if you don't owe any money on a bike then you only need liability insurance in any state. It's the bank or lien holder that insists you carry comprehensive and collision insurance. No lien, no insurance needed. In some states you can even waive liability insurance. I have 4 bikes and total liability ins. cost is $176 a year.

 I wouldn't trust myself to take a trip on the Zero. I have always just charged at home. I take an ICE bike if I plan a day trip of more than 60 miles or so. I ride 20,000+ miles a year and do use all my bikes. I'm only at 9500 miles on my 2013 Zero S though. My go-to bike now is my CB300F. It's my work horse...cheap, fast enough for the interstate left lane, great mileage, light and very maneuverable.

[Doug S]

Far as I know, if you don't owe any money on a bike then you only need liability insurance in any state. It's the bank or lien holder that insists you carry comprehensive and collision insurance. No lien, no insurance needed. In some states you can even waive liability insurance.

I know the same is true in California, you're only legally required to have liability insurance. And as dkw says, you can post your own bond (for $100,000, IIRC) and effectively self-insure for liability as well.

That being said, though I bought my bike outright, I have full coverage anyhow, as many people choose to do. I'll happily lose my money through never having a total loss claim on my bike.

[Straightedg4lif]

If I wait to save up all the money then I will have to wait for the 2016's. Well if I do that then maybe I can get a really good deal on a leftover 2015? Also I was kind of hoping that by 2016 they will have more color options for the SR...I hate red! All black is where it's at for me.

[Burton]

Now is e time for good deals on 2013 or less ... You likely would have to wait two years to get a deal on the 2015 ... Also plastidip is easy to use and easy to remove, "paint" it whatever you want

[Straightedg4lif]

Now is e time for good deals on 2013 or less ... You likely would have to wait two years to get a deal on the 2015 ... Also plastidip is easy to use and easy to remove, "paint" it whatever you want

I definitely want at least the 2015 because I want ABS. I will keep debating on what I want to do, at least until the spring.  It is way toooo cold to even think about riding a bike right now anyway so have a another month or so to decide.

[Burton]

How many other people will be thinking the same thing ?

Zero has ramped up production this year just like it does every year but you might face a waiting line if you wait till spring since it is a new bike. IDK what demand will be like though given its price range.

Friday morning it is going to be below 0 degrees F ... I plan on riding into work on my zero with my heated gear and rain gear on. It likely wont be comfortable but I won't freeze to death either Too cold is relative. If there isn't ice on the ground you can't dodge then you can ride less the battery temperature (not ambient but battery temp) is -22F/-30C.

thinking of that I really need to get my vetter cowl on my bike >__< Need to weld up some brackets similar to the DS crash guard mounts I think and use them to attach the cowl.

[Straightedg4lif]

How many other people will be thinking the same thing ?

Zero has ramped up production this year just like it does every year but you might face a waiting line if you wait till spring since it is a new bike. IDK what demand will be like though given its price range.

Friday morning it is going to be below 0 degrees F ... I plan on riding into work on my zero with my heated gear and rain gear on. It likely wont be comfortable but I won't freeze to death either Too cold is relative. If there isn't ice on the ground you can't dodge then you can ride less the battery temperature (not ambient but battery temp) is -22F/-30C.

thinking of that I really need to get my vetter cowl on my bike >__< Need to weld up some brackets similar to the DS crash guard mounts I think and use them to attach the cowl.

I'm hoping that there will still be some available when I decide to purchase one. My dealership has some 2014's still in stock but as I said I really want the ABS. But as the saying goes "you snooze you lose", and I am well aware that can happen to me, just have to take the gamble.

Wow, I am impressed I do not like to ride in the cold, and to me that is less than 40 degrees F. I hope to be able to bring my current bike out within a month or so to get back on the road. That is another thing I like about the Zero just unplug and go whenever you want. Currently I winterize my bike so can't just pop it out for a ride here and there. I have to decide when I want to bring it out and ride until I put it away usually in November.

[KenMac]

I definitely want at least the 2015 because I want ABS. I will keep debating on what I want to do, at least until the spring.  It is way toooo cold to even think about riding a bike right now anyway so have a another month or so to decide.

And maybe your shop will even have one in stock.  I placed an order for my SR about 2 weeks ago.  Still waiting on an ETA for delivery.  Just something to think about if you wait too long.

[Electric Terry]

And maybe your shop will even have one in stock.  I placed an order for my SR about 2 weeks ago.  Still waiting on an ETA for delivery.  Just something to think about if you wait too long.

Good point KenMac.  The 2015 SR is so good, it's highly likely that demand will exceed supply this spring, especially if there is already a waiting list now.  The first warm week and everyone wants a motorcycle at the same time.  If you know you want a Zero this year, there isn't any reason not to order it now and hopefully that means you will have it by March or at least by April.

The sooner you can put an EV grin on your face everyday, the better.

[Straightedg4lif]

I definitely want at least the 2015 because I want ABS. I will keep debating on what I want to do, at least until the spring.  It is way toooo cold to even think about riding a bike right now anyway so have a another month or so to decide.

And maybe your shop will even have one in stock.  I placed an order for my SR about 2 weeks ago.  Still waiting on an ETA for delivery.  Just something to think about if you wait too long.

I am not sure about the SR, but I know that they have the S in stock. I plan to go check them out at the beginning of April. If they happen to not have any left by that time, then it was meant to be that I purchase it next year cash instead of this year financed. I keep debating back and forth on that anyway, so that will be my decider.