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[potboiler]

A huge leap forward in design as the srf is I do feel that Zero missed a trick or two that would have increased it’s appeal to more customers. The fixed sporty ergonomics loses riders like me who are older and who like a more relaxed riding position. If they replaced the foot operated rear brake with a left hand brake lever they could have made an adjustable footrest ( it could rotate around the current fixing plate). An adjustable handlebar would also be nice . Triumph and BMW and others have a height adjustable seat - a very simple design - why not the srf? 225 kgs is a considerable weight to move backwards, surely a reverse gear is easy to programme into an electric motor? These are very  cheap features to incorporate into a design but very expensive to fit aftermarket.

[chrisho]

considering how poor the range is at highway speeds and mileage is more measured in "city" miles you would think a cruiser style would have come about long before now

[VampyreLegion]

Maybe for some riders, but for me the SR/F hits all the things I was looking for, style, performance, technology.

[stevenh]

A huge leap forward in design as the srf is I do feel that Zero missed a trick or two that would have increased it’s appeal to more customers. The fixed sporty ergonomics loses riders like me who are older and who like a more relaxed riding position. If they replaced the foot operated rear brake with a left hand brake lever they could have made an adjustable footrest ( it could rotate around the current fixing plate). An adjustable handlebar would also be nice . Triumph and BMW and others have a height adjustable seat - a very simple design - why not the srf? 225 kgs is a considerable weight to move backwards, surely a reverse gear is easy to programme into an electric motor? These are very  cheap features to incorporate into a design but very expensive to fit aftermarket.

As a fellow older guy, I was concerned about the riding position, but after a test ride, I bought one.  After a few commutes (50 miles round trip) I find I am more comfortable than I was on my DSR (less overall fatigue).

Steve

[Richard230]

A huge leap forward in design as the srf is I do feel that Zero missed a trick or two that would have increased it’s appeal to more customers. The fixed sporty ergonomics loses riders like me who are older and who like a more relaxed riding position. If they replaced the foot operated rear brake with a left hand brake lever they could have made an adjustable footrest ( it could rotate around the current fixing plate). An adjustable handlebar would also be nice . Triumph and BMW and others have a height adjustable seat - a very simple design - why not the srf? 225 kgs is a considerable weight to move backwards, surely a reverse gear is easy to programme into an electric motor? These are very  cheap features to incorporate into a design but very expensive to fit aftermarket.

I think that the major manufacturers of highway-legal motorcycles are reluctant to add a left-hand brake, like you see in many around-town automatic scooters. My guess is that they are concerned that an experienced rider, such as might purchase an expensive electric motorcycle, would reflexively grab the rear brake by accident, thinking it was the clutch on their ICE bike. This might result in the rear wheel locking, which could cause a high-side when the brake level was released.  So I think not having a brake level on the left handlebar is either a liability concern, and/or it might be mandated by U.S./EU vehicle standards for motorcycles of a certain performance level. 

[Jarrett]

As a fellow older guy, I was concerned about the riding position, but after a test ride, I bought one.  After a few commutes (50 miles round trip) I find I am more comfortable than I was on my DSR (less overall fatigue).

That's tough to wrap my head around. 

I was ready to get off the SR/F in 30 minutes, but I'm bummed when my DSR+PT runs out of juice in 120+ miles.

As to the OP, the SR/F seems like its perfect for the target market as is, but a "DSR/F" or whatever could hit a few of those things and probably sell as well.  But at what cost?

I was thinking the other day, the SR/F + Power Tank could weigh 543 lbs.  That's getting up there.  I assume a DSR/F + Power Tank and all the other features requested would be even closer to 600 lbs.  That's a whole lot of bike.

[GaryArt1]

I guess it is all on viewpoint.  Coming from a 650 lb cruiser I am looking forward to a lighter SR/F.  To someone coming from a 800+ lb touring bike, the SR/F must feel like a scooter.  I find a lot depends on the weight distribution on the bike.  If it has a low center of gravity, then you really don’t feel it like with a full heavy fairing and luggage. 

As for versatility, there is always something additional that someone wants and something included that someone complains about.  I found there is never a perfect product that pleases everyone. 

[NetPro]

The leanning-forward position on the SR/F (and the peg location) is indeed a valid point.
I thought I could get used to it but after 2 weeks, I gave up and I am in the process of swapping the handlebar for one that allows for a more upright position.
For now, I will leave the foot peg as they are because I think I am getting used to it. Might change my mind later on that.

I know there will be a penalty in range but if I don't enjoy riding the bike, it doesn't matter what the range is, if it just sits in the garage.

I have ordered all the parts and they should be arriving in the next couple of days.
It will take fine surgery to extend the cables that won't reach to the new handlebar. I already took everything apart and it appears that some cables will reach but I won't know for sure until the the new parts arrive.
The brake line looks like will need replacement but that is the easy part and it only cost around $60.

what makes the project a mess if that Zero used a bar with a diameter of 1 1/8" in the center but the controls are 7/8". The choices are limited with this combination and shimming (or funky adapters) is required.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will love the bike 100% when I get this mod done. I like it a lot now but resent the position of my hands on the handlebar, as they are not in a ergonomic/comfortable posture and would like to sit a bit more straight.
I will post pics once I complete the work

[GaryArt1]

The leanning-forward position on the SR/F (and the peg location) is indeed a valid point.
I thought I could get used to it but after 2 weeks, I gave up and I am in the process of swapping the handlebar for one that allows for a more upright position.
For now, I will leave the foot peg as they are because I think I am getting used to it. Might change my mind later on that.

I know there will be a penalty in range but if I don't enjoy riding the bike, it doesn't matter what the range is, if it just sits in the garage.

I have ordered all the parts and they should be arriving in the next couple of days.
It will take fine surgery to extend the cables that won't reach to the new handlebar. I already took everything apart and it appears that some cables will reach but I won't know for sure until the the new parts arrive.
The brake line looks like will need replacement but that is the easy part and it only cost around $60.

what makes the project a mess if that Zero used a bar with a diameter of 1 1/8" in the center but the controls are 7/8". The choices are limited with this combination and shimming (or funky adapters) is required.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will love the bike 100% when I get this mod done. I like it a lot now but resent the position of my hands on the handlebar, as they are not in a ergonomic/comfortable posture and would like to sit a bit more straight.
I will post pics once I complete the work

Had you considered bar risers.  I know on the older Zeros, many were able to use 1 1/2”-2” risers without extending the cables. I wonder if the SR/F has enough play in the cables for that also.  There are even some risers that will not only bring the bar  higher but back also.  I figure I will use the bike as is for a while to see if I get used to it before I start modifying it.

[stevenh]

As a fellow older guy, I was concerned about the riding position, but after a test ride, I bought one.  After a few commutes (50 miles round trip) I find I am more comfortable than I was on my DSR (less overall fatigue).

That's tough to wrap my head around. 

I was ready to get off the SR/F in 30 minutes, but I'm bummed when my DSR+PT runs out of juice in 120+ miles.

As to the OP, the SR/F seems like its perfect for the target market as is, but a "DSR/F" or whatever could hit a few of those things and probably sell as well.  But at what cost?

I was thinking the other day, the SR/F + Power Tank could weigh 543 lbs.  That's getting up there.  I assume a DSR/F + Power Tank and all the other features requested would be even closer to 600 lbs.  That's a whole lot of bike.

For me, at least part of the fatigue was less about riding position, and more about stress/stability.  Even with the windscreen I felt like I was fighting the DSR on the highway at 70 (lots of buffeting etc).  The SR/F seems much more stable and I am able to relax more.  Just my 2 cents.  If they had a DSR/F, I probably would have gone that route.  My dealer did say they had bar risers that would work/fit if I wanted to try, but so far, I'm good with it as is.

Steve

[NetPro]

Had you considered bar risers.  I know on the older Zeros, many were able to use 1 1/2”-2” risers without extending the cables. I wonder if the SR/F has enough play in the cables for that also.  There are even some risers that will not only bring the bar  higher but back also.  I figure I will use the bike as is for a while to see if I get used to it before I start modifying it.

I did but the amount of change provided by those devices is not quite enough for what I have in mind.
There is definitely some leeway on the cables, once you get to them and cut the zip ties that bundle them together and  even the brake line, so those satisfied is just a couple of inches would probably do fine. I am shooting for approximately 4".
I did the time-tested routine of putting the bike in a wheel choke, sitting on it and closing the eyes then raising the hands to where you feel they should be while holding the handlebar, including the slanted angle of the bar's ends.

My previous bike of many years was a Yamaha Virago and it had a Buckhorn bar: Super comfortable in my book. The one before that had a mini ape hanger and was almost as comfortable.
While I don't need to have one that high on the SR/F, I am prepared to do what ever it takes to make it feel right for me.
After all, I DO like the machine and want to enjoy it at its fullest.

[DonTom]

This might result in the rear wheel locking, which could cause a high-side when the brake level was released.  So I think not having a brake level on the left handlebar is either a liability concern, and/or it might be mandated by U.S./EU vehicle standards for motorcycles of a certain performance level. 

I was thinking the exact same thing. A couple of times, I forgot to put in the clutch on my BMW at a stop, because I am so used to my Zeros, which I ride more than my seven ICE bikes combined.

-Don- (from the Denny's in NewCastle)

[Jarrett]

ABS though?

I've considered adding left rear brake levers to mine.  Easier in technical dirt to get a hold of.

[Bill822]

I think some of you guys miss the point of this bike. It is not intended, I believe, to appeal to existing Zero customers. It is not intended for long range or economical commuting, though my early testing seems to show it matches Zero's range claims if ridden carefully. This bike is clearly targeted at people riding ICE sportsbikes or streetfighters in urban environments today. People like me.

I am enthralled with my new SR/F. I never seriously considered buying a Zero before even though I drive electric cars and admire what Zero has done in the past. Generally I found riding the earlier Zeros to be boring. I just got back from a 30 mile blast at about 3/4 hooligan mode and it was absolutely wonderful. Doing range/energy consumption testing yesterday along with a test Level 2 charge while I was out I found I can easily travel efficiently to nearby country roads where I can let it loose a bit and still get a charge to make it home.

I'm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where charging options are maybe more scarce than in other parts of the country, certainly less than in Europe. This bike will bring in hundreds of new riders with different priorities than someone who might rather have an S or DSR. Making the riding position more relaxed or adding a heavier battery would reduce the appeal of the SR/F to me and other new Zero customers.

Today Zero is swamped with orders, reportedly stopping production on all other bikes to meet the demand. They have a hit on their hands. I would expect the DSR to get a similar upgrade soon (and the SR to be cancelled). Some people won't be happy with the SR/F. Those people aren't the target market.

[Redblade]

I think some of you guys miss the point of this bike. It is not intended, I believe, to appeal to existing Zero customers. It is not intended for long range or economical commuting, though my early testing seems to show it matches Zero's range claims if ridden carefully. This bike is clearly targeted at people riding ICE sportsbikes or streetfighters in urban environments today. People like me.

I am enthralled with my new SR/F. I never seriously considered buying a Zero before even though I drive electric cars and admire what Zero has done in the past. Generally I found riding the earlier Zeros to be boring. I just got back from a 30 mile blast at about 3/4 hooligan mode and it was absolutely wonderful. Doing range/energy consumption testing yesterday along with a test Level 2 charge while I was out I found I can easily travel efficiently to nearby country roads where I can let it loose a bit and still get a charge to make it home.

I'm in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where charging options are maybe more scarce than in other parts of the country, certainly less than in Europe. This bike will bring in hundreds of new riders with different priorities than someone who might rather have an S or DSR. Making the riding position more relaxed or adding a heavier battery would reduce the appeal of the SR/F to me and other new Zero customers.

Today Zero is swamped with orders, reportedly stopping production on all other bikes to meet the demand. They have a hit on their hands. I would expect the DSR to get a similar upgrade soon (and the SR to be cancelled). Some people won't be happy with the SR/F. Those people aren't the target market.

I'm in the same exact boat as you. I've always liked that Zero had staying power, but I honestly hate all of their bikes. I saw the SR/F on the website and thought "now that is more like it, probably won't buy it tho". Stopped in the dealer and saw it in person, traded my harley in and ordered on the spot.