ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: KenMac on January 11, 2015, 02:00:33 AM
-
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!
-
if you are not going to ride off-road get The SR
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
If you are keeping the R1200GS the SR would make the most sense to me.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
All good points. Thanks. I think it will be the SR.
-
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.
-
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 :)
-
You are clearly no stranger to big bike performance Ken. It's always nice to ride a bike with some grunt, even when you're not using it all the time. Bags of torque and strong acceleration never gets old. If I was fortunate enough to be in your shoes I would choose the SR in a heartbeat. You might find a DS lacking a bit in comparison to your ICE bikes once you'd got used to it. No doubt the DS is lots of fun but you can afford to have even more fun on an SR! [emoji4]
-
I own a DS mainly for the higher eyes position in trafic jam and also as I'm working in a crowded european city I need to be able to climb high sidewalk when all the cars are really stuck. I also have bad road condition around where I'm living and so I was looking for more suspension travel.
Indeed I think that the DS is requesting more eletricty due to worse frontal surface than a S or SR. So range is inferior
Laurent
-
That's what I'm thinking as well, Laurent. The slightly increased visibility on the DS is attractive but I feel like I am now set on the SR. After spending a couple of hours on an S now, I'm completely comfortable with the feel of it.
Still a little hesitant but don't think it'll be enough to discourage me.... regarding the small company thing. I had an aprilia at one point and finding someone to do service work was an issue at times. Feel like there could potentially be an issue along those lines with zero. At the moment there is a dealer less than 10 minutes from the house but you just never know if they'll continue to carry them. Not that it seems like there would be much needed unless there was a really strange unusual issue that popped up.
-
At least you live in the US if I don't mistaken.
I had several issues that I deal by myself as my french dealer stopped making Zero !!!
-
That's what I'm thinking as well, Laurent. The slightly increased visibility on the DS is attractive but I feel like I am now set on the SR. After spending a couple of hours on an S now, I'm completely comfortable with the feel of it.
Still a little hesitant but don't think it'll be enough to discourage me.... regarding the small company thing. I had an aprilia at one point and finding someone to do service work was an issue at times. Feel like there could potentially be an issue along those lines with zero. At the moment there is a dealer less than 10 minutes from the house but you just never know if they'll continue to carry them. Not that it seems like there would be much needed unless there was a really strange unusual issue that popped up.
You are very fortunate to have a Zero dealer that close to you. :) While some dealers have dumped Zero, I don't think very many have and as long as they don't have a lot of bikes that need warranty service (and it appears like the Zeros are pretty well sorted by now), I don't know why they wouldn't continue selling the bikes. They don't take up much space and most dealers seem to pre-sell them, rather than having to floor the bikes like they do with most IC brands. That really cuts the cost of carrying Zeros for the shop. If they can pay Zero with your money, there is little risk of having a bike sit in the showroom for very long, if at all. So I don't know why a dealer would not continue to carry the brand.
-
Have you eliminated the 2015 S as an option? Just curious - I test rode both an S and an SR. I'm riding a 2012 S now - which has adequate power for my needs, but the new S has double the horsepower - already an incredible improvement. But, the SR! When I rode that I had to really hang on the handle bars while accelerating to 90 MPH in just a few seconds (don't tell the dealership). While the extra power is enticing - I can't imagine when I would ever need it. Also the extra $2,000 for the SR could be used for accessories instead...
I'm struggling with a decision too; the S or the SR?
-
Have you eliminated the 2015 S as an option? Just curious - I test rode both an S and an SR. I'm riding a 2012 S now - which has adequate power for my needs, but the new S has double the horsepower - already an incredible improvement. But, the SR! When I rode that I had to really hang on the handle bars while accelerating to 90 MPH in just a few seconds (don't tell the dealership). While the extra power is enticing - I can't imagine when I would ever need it. Also the extra $2,000 for the SR could be used for accessories instead...
I'm struggling with a decision too; the S or the SR?
Haven't completely eliminated the S, no. The 2014 S that I test rode was quite fun. Unfortunately no option of test riding a SR for comparison. I honestly just figure that if I'm going to make the switch to electric, then enjoy it and get the power to spare.
-
Basically, the SR is amazing and the DS and S are very good. If you can swing it, you want amazing. There are never regrets that way. (Just echoing what many others have said in different ways.)
-
I am very happy with my S (other than the crappy Fast Ace suspension). It goes plenty fast enough for me. I don't ride for thrills, but to get somewhere, while enjoying the smooth and effortless ride. I really don't need to go faster than 80 mph and just a crack of the throttle away from a stoplight gets me ahead of most other vehicles. :) I also might add that after 4500 miles, the brakes have finally scuffed in and are working about as well as any other single-disc-braked motorcycle on the market.
-
Totally recognize that the S would meet my needs and would still be a fun bike. I completely enjoyed the demo bike I took out. Just figure the SR is only a little more and provides more acceleration yet still has the same battery life in terms of distance (provided I do have some control over how much I twist I would assume).
-
I would choose the sr over the s
It costs more than the difference (2500$) to convert your s into a sr
Sr is worth much more on the used market so if you can afford it I would
Yes the s is fun but like most you can get used to the snappy-ness of the electric I sure did
I though my fx was fast when I got it
The. I Put a size 6 and sds motor on it and holy crap I though it was a bat out of hell
Now I still want it faster so if your anything like me you will always need a little more
we have something in the works thanks to rattlesnake electric carts!!!!! For the tunings
-
My wife and I've enjoyed 2 of the 2014 Zero DS bikes and I recommend, as another pointed out, that you consider Hollywood electric shipping a DS with the SR motor and controller.
Benefits include varied terrain tires (I have Metzler Tourance DS tires), stronger/more-rugged spoked wheels, and longer-travel front shocks, I believe. The SR has different size drive and driven belt-pulleys from the DS. I also added the windscreen, more a torso air-deflection shield, and the higher torque drive pulley option. I love torque and prefer to drive in the 20-60 mph range through the Santa Cruz mountains and, often, steep roads. I've added 2" Rox risers to gain even more upright posture.
You'll certainly enjoy any Zero you buy, and I would certainly recommend purchasing the bike from Hollywood electric.
Kerry
-
Looking at the pics here (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=4345.0), there's no difference in riding position between DS and S, DS is just a taller bike.
(http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4345.0;attach=3782)