ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: charlesb on May 21, 2016, 09:41:26 PM
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On a scale of 1-10, where do you rate seat height as far as safety and comfort?
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I'll start it off with a 9
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10 for me. I favored getting a DSR but the bike was a couple inches too tall for me as my toes were barely touching the ground while mounted. Went w an SR and have zero regrets (see what i did there [emoji6])
Perhaps an adjusted lower seat height would've tilted things in my favor?
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If enough people respond to this and it makes a difference in purchase decision, Zero will take notice (I hope)
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9
I'm 5'8" with short legs and arms.
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9
Does anyone know if the http://corbin.com/zero/zero13.shtml (http://corbin.com/zero/zero13.shtml) will work on an FXS? Is it the same as the others?
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Does anyone know if the http://corbin.com/zero/zero13.shtml (http://corbin.com/zero/zero13.shtml) will work on an FXS? Is it the same as the others?
It won't work on the FX(S); the frame and seat pan shape are different.
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9
I'm short at 5'6", but my SR has the best seat height of any of the motorcycles I have had before.
It helps to have smaller wheels and street tires and moderate suspension travel.
If I went down an inch, it would help with walking the bike backwards on a slope.
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Until Zero is selling tens of thousands of units a year, it doesn't make sense to have factory options like this. They are trying to keep the base cost down. But so do other bike makers. Seats are best left to the aftermarket. Notice Kawasaki for instance doesn't have any seat options for any of their models, even their highest selling model, the Ninja 300. So I highly doubt Zero will ever offer one. It just doesn't make any financial sense. They make a seat that fits the tallest point under the bell curve for the height and shape of what they feel their average rider will be. If you're on the far end of the curve you get an aftermarket seat.
Has anyone that wishes the bike was an inch shorter tried the Corbin seat yet? It's only 1/2" shorter, but the shape at the front should be worth an inch or two or more when trying to reach the ground.
Also has everyone removed the preload from the front forks (easy with a 17mm wrench, or was it a 19mm?) I want to say there is like 25 turns of travel.
The same can be done with the rear suspension but best done at a motorcycle shop that has a spanner wrench.
And lastly you can slide the forks up in the triple clamps 1/4-1/2" by loosening the 3 allen bolts on each side and letting the bike fall down until it stops on the handlebars (but adjust your preload on the forks first as after you will be unable)
Get a boot maker to add custom 1/2" taller soles to your motorcycle boots
Although I think the seat from Corbin would be the easiest thing to try first
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Does anyone know if the http://corbin.com/zero/zero13.shtml (http://corbin.com/zero/zero13.shtml) will work on an FXS? Is it the same as the others?
It won't work on the FX(S); the frame and seat pan shape are different.
Gotcha - thanks!
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having their seat manufacterer make a limited number of seats 1.5 inches lower that can be used on multiple models is not going to break the bank. In fact, it would likely be a great selling point. Not enough motorcycle manufacturers give enough thought to the seat issue (which is really a comfort and safety issue) for their potential customers. I am sure that I am not the only one who changed my mind about buying a motorcycle because of this issue. I wanted a Kawasaki KLR 650 and walked out of the dealer showroom because the seat height was 35 inches. I then went to another dealer in North Miami who had the zero which was still a bit tall in the seat height for me but do-able. Hey Zero...you want the motorcycle buying public to take notice of your company, try doing something a bit unusual, show them you care about their comfort and safety.
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having their seat manufacterer make a limited number of seats 1.5 inches lower that can be used on multiple models is not going to break the bank. In fact, it would likely be a great selling point. Not enough motorcycle manufacturers give enough thought to the seat issue (which is really a comfort and safety issue) for their potential customers. I am sure that I am not the only one who changed my mind about buying a motorcycle because of this issue. I wanted a Kawasaki KLR 650 and walked out of the dealer showroom because the seat height was 35 inches. I then went to another dealer in North Miami who had the zero which was still a bit tall in the seat height for me but do-able. Hey Zero...you want the motorcycle buying public to take notice of your company, try doing something a bit unusual, show them you care about their comfort and safety.
Zero's volumes are still very low, I wonder how sustainable the company is. Zero needs to stay lean and mean and seat height options may not be a priority.
Remember what Henry Ford said about the Model T "You can have any color as long as it's black."
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Remember that seat height is only half the equation. Seat width is the other half. If your goal is to be flat footed while stopped you can d this with a high seat height if the seat is narrow enough. But I agree with Terry, this doesn't make sense right now.
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All of the current Zero models are tiny bikes and could use a higher seat.
Higher seats have more legroom, let the rider have better control, and are superior in most ways when moving.
Only downside is wind resistance, and short people that think they need two feet on the ground will complain.
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Right now I would prefer a thicker, softer seat, even if the reach to the ground is a little greater.
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If the seat was 1/2 inch higher, I would not have even considered the purchase and this lean company would have lost my $15,000
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I urge those that have an FX to try the MX seat. It is made by SDG and is a huge upgrade to the stock bucket seat. I am a long time dirt rider and the additional padding and height is well worth it. Start off by calling Hollywood Electrics first. They had one left over from 2013 that still fits my 2016. If they are out, call SDG and they will make you one. :D
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For me it a 1.
No interest in variable seat height.
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If the seat was 1/2 inch higher, I would not have even considered the purchase and this lean company would have lost my $15,000
How tall are you?
Whats your riding experience? Are you a new rider?
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5' 8". This is my 3rd motorcycle, but since I haven't ridden in 35 years I don't consider myself that experienced. re seat height, once again, consider the fact that these bikes are very expensive for most people and those who have the money to buy them expect to get a comfortable fit without expensive aftermarket products or Jerry-Rigged modifications.
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5' 8". This is my 3rd motorcycle, but since I haven't ridden in 35 years I don't consider myself that experienced. re seat height, once again, consider the fact that these bikes are very expensive for most people and those who have the money to buy them expect to get a comfortable fit without expensive aftermarket products or Jerry-Rigged modifications.
Consider the business case for Zero:
1. One injection molding tool could easily costUS$ 15,000 if made in Asia.
2. A manufacture could easily demand a minimum order quantity of 1000 units and if each seat cost $30 to make, that is $30,000.
So Zero just spent $45,000 and they have more than a year worth of "special size" seat. How many "special size" bikes does Zero have to sell to make bake its investment and how long with that take?
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10
I'm on a '14 DS. It's completely fine, never gave it the slightest thought, which is good I suppose. I throw on a sheepskin if I'm intending to ride more than 500 km, but I do that with all bikes. I'm 175cm.
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5' 8". This is my 3rd motorcycle, but since I haven't ridden in 35 years I don't consider myself that experienced. re seat height, once again, consider the fact that these bikes are very expensive for most people and those who have the money to buy them expect to get a comfortable fit without expensive aftermarket products or Jerry-Rigged modifications.
Not only is the zero not an expensive motorcycle (its mid-range priced)... almost every expensive motorcycle is heavily farkled with aftermarket products.
Go find a ducati, or bmw adventure bike that isnt covered in farkle... and you'll probably find a rider drooling over parts he doesnt own only because he cant afford them.
Few bikes are left stock by desire.
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Charles I couldn't agree more with the things others said here. No need to be upset that Zero won't make a factory lower seat. They probably never will. They did offer a lower seat from 2010-2012, and it was called the Corbin Low. Made by the Corbin factory for Zero. Corbin just offered a slightly lower seat with better leg reach for the 2013-2016 bikes in the last 2 months. Very reasonably priced under $400. I'm not sure where the confusion on what to do is here.
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to each his own, I have said my peace. As a successful business owner for 25 years I know what I would do if trying to build and sell a better mousetrap. There is a market for shorter riders who would appreciate the consideration, I would offer the lower seat option and advertise that feature.