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[domingo3]

The one issue hard to overcome is the Chinese manufacture of Lightning components, apparently to be assembled here in the USA. As of 4/22 @10:45am, I'm leaning towards a Zero (possibly an SR/F), but don't know how much if any Zero parts are also Chinese. Whenever buying, I always look for domestic equivalents, and will pay a premium to keep the $$$ on this side.

Thanks for a great Forum; glad to finally become  member!

Cheers,
ww

I think that there are lots of reasons to buy Zero over Lightning, but the country of origin is not among them.  Zero is also assembled in the USA, but very little, if any, of the components are domestically sourced.

[alko]

[/quote]

I think that there are lots of reasons to buy Zero over Lightning, but the country of origin is not among them.  Zero is also assembled in the USA, but very little, if any, of the components are domestically sourced.
[/quote]

How do you know where Zero parts come from?

[MVetter]

Most of it is manufactured in China much like every other motorcycle company out there.

[Richard230]

Most of it is manufactured in China much like every other motorcycle company out there.

Except for the ones being manufacturing in Thailand.   

[ButchtheBARFdude]

I rode one yesterday. Sweet bike.

[NEW2elec]

You rode what?

[alko]

I rode one yesterday. Sweet bike.

You rode a Strike? More details please. Don't leave us hanging!🤔

[Yamanatc]

"I think that there are lots of reasons to buy Zero over Lightning, but the country of origin is not among them.  Zero is also assembled in the USA, but very little, if any, of the components are domestically sourced."

On The LIGHTNING website, they make a point of their price point being a result of Chinese component manufacture, and even show a building in China where components are made. Many buyer's top priority is price, but some are put off by the known effects of off-shore manufacturing, and the real possibility of sub-standard component design and construction to reduce manufacturing costs. Touting price as a function of Chinese production throws up a big red flag for me.

[JaimeC]

Touting price as a function of Chinese production throws up a big red flag for me.

Agreed.  The weak link for my 2013 BMW C650GT was the sub-standard, Chinese manufactured engine that self destructed after 32,000 miles in five years.  Since it was outside of their 3-year warranty period, BMW basically told me I could go pound sand and spend $4,000.00 on a replacement engine.  Since the trade-in value of the scooter at that point was only $5,000.00, and that quote they gave me did NOT include labor I told them that was the LAST BMW vehicle I'll ever buy.

[Richard230]

We now know that at least two Lightning Strikes exist.  One blue one and one black one.  Both showed up at the Half Moon Bay Dream Machines show that was held this Sunday - and which I did not attend as I don't like crowds, traffic jams and paying $25 to get into the show, which was held at a cold, windy, and overcast, barely-used county airport. But then here is what I missed:
https://electricmotorcycles.news/news/

[ultrarnr]

I think Lightning desperately needs to hire some marketing people who understand what it takes to sell a product. With no dealers they will be limiting their market to California and maybe a few brave souls who will take a big risk on not having a dealer to go to. The LS-218 has been around for a long time and there is still very little information about it on their web site. They aren't doing any better with the Strike. Lightning is further limiting their sales by taking the basic platform of the Strike and turning it into a sport bike instead of a standard or street fighter configuration.

Something else that Lightning needs to be aware of is that the people who first created Zero are no longer there. Sometimes the people who have the vision for a product are not the best to see it through long term. Maybe what Lightning really needs is new leadership at the helm. Lightning has some great concepts and potential but on their current path I don't see them amounting to anything. 

[ButchtheBARFdude]

Lightning Motorcycles Open House July 27; please join if you can. All internet roumours will be crushed.
Two weeks away...

[NetPro]

Just to add my 2 cents.  It does look nice.
But I wish that a comfortable commuter bike would be considered by all manufacturers. (says the guy with an SR/F on order)

I second that: I think they should have a dealer-installed higher handlebar for those of us that want to sit straight. I am more that willing to pay the penalty of less range for sitting up straight.
That being said, I installed a 10 inch-rise bar on my SR/F and am glad to report that the wiring is long enough to allow for this.
The brake line is the only component that I had to buy (plus a banjo to go with it) making the line 21 inches, from the 16 in. it comes with.

More info on this modification on the SR/F thread if you are interested.
But truly, Zero (and Lightning) should make that a choice at the dealer, even if there is a cost associated with it. Once you do one or two, it ain't hard to do and doesn't take that long.
They could appeal to a wider rider population just by offering this simple mod that only requires a taller handlebar and a longer brake line, since the wiring is --wisely-- long enough already.

[BigPoppa]

I agree NetPro,

Riding position is the biggest reason I went with my EsseEsse9 vs the other brands and models. IMHO there are enough potential customers willing to give up some range if it means a comfortable riding position and some kind of dealer support but if the majority of models coming out continue with their aggressive riding positions I feel they’ll unnecessarily limit potential customers or see their bikes relegated to weekend toys (maybe that’s what Lightning, HD, and Energica expect). If Zero releases a beefier ADV style electric they may just run away with this market. Again just my personal opinion.

[NEW2elec]

As for Lightning, Hatfield stated they went with the sport bike style for the range at highway speed.  Stating that the areo aspect is too important at high speed to "not" go that route.

The real problem is the only group of people with the money to spend on these bikes are too old to lay down in an aero tuck all day. 
Myself included.