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Electric Motorcycle News / Re: Lightfighter to compete in MotoAmerica Super Hooligans in 2026
« on: September 16, 2025, 07:27:38 PM »
Awesome! I bet they'll be competitive too.
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Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Zero DS vs FX/S for cheap urban commuter/runaround
« on: July 22, 2025, 09:37:03 PM »
Ok some additional context since folks are asking (didn't expect things to get so heated 
):
I am in the US, Mid-Atlantic area. There's a bunch of late 2010s early 2020s Zero DS and FX models in the $5k range which seems really reasonable for what you're getting. The Enegica Experia certainly has my interest, but the closest I've seen is around $15k and it's just a much bigger bike which I am trying to avoid right now. Some day though!
As far as my wrist issues, it's something that's been ongoing for a couple years now. Had my surgery last November, so it's been 8 months and I'm able to get back on the bike....interestingly, I spent a day on the SWM Superdual (400 pound dual-sport for those unfamiliar) and my wrist was more or less fine, while a day on the Tiger has me in pain over a week later. I just think the weight and the top-heavy nature of the bike don't agree with where I am right now. No idea how things will end up, but I'm assuming it's never fully going away.
Anyhoo. I think I am leaning DS, especially since the 14.4 version is still just around 400 pounds and will give me some flexibility in terms of things I can use it for. Thanks for the spirited input!!
):I am in the US, Mid-Atlantic area. There's a bunch of late 2010s early 2020s Zero DS and FX models in the $5k range which seems really reasonable for what you're getting. The Enegica Experia certainly has my interest, but the closest I've seen is around $15k and it's just a much bigger bike which I am trying to avoid right now. Some day though!
As far as my wrist issues, it's something that's been ongoing for a couple years now. Had my surgery last November, so it's been 8 months and I'm able to get back on the bike....interestingly, I spent a day on the SWM Superdual (400 pound dual-sport for those unfamiliar) and my wrist was more or less fine, while a day on the Tiger has me in pain over a week later. I just think the weight and the top-heavy nature of the bike don't agree with where I am right now. No idea how things will end up, but I'm assuming it's never fully going away.
Anyhoo. I think I am leaning DS, especially since the 14.4 version is still just around 400 pounds and will give me some flexibility in terms of things I can use it for. Thanks for the spirited input!!
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Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Zero DS vs FX/S for cheap urban commuter/runaround
« on: July 22, 2025, 07:59:46 AM »
Heh, loving the banter about touring. Realistically speaking, I realize this wouldn't be a touring bike, my experience with the Brammo kind of solidified that, and the range on the DS is not THAT much longer. The Energica is intriguing but I am not ready to shell out that kind of dough. Honestly, I am just trying to find something that works with my injury and lets me have fun on two wheels and the occasional commute. I'm open to the idea of experimenting some longer rides, maybe to some gravel or whatever, but that's not the main idea. There's a DS with a 14.4 battery and a top box/J1772 outlet that's kind of tempting me right now.
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Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Zero DS vs FX/S for cheap urban commuter/runaround
« on: July 22, 2025, 03:12:09 AM »The FX is only 30 pounds lighter (26 pounds for the FXS), but for that extra weight you get double the charging speed and a lot of storage space. I've not ridden an FX/FXS but my DS has been plenty comfortable on longer trips. It's also quite capable off road with a tyre change (the stock Pirellis are crap) although even at a modest 5'10" I needed to raise the bars by probably a good 2" to be able to stand reasonably comfortably, I could also do with lowering the pegs by maybe an inch as well.I am curious about your longer trips. What kind of distances are you covering and how do you manage the recharge situation? I'll admit being surprised at the DS's low weight, it's definitely compelling!
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Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Zero DS vs FX/S for cheap urban commuter/runaround
« on: July 22, 2025, 12:59:35 AM »
Hi, I've been mindlessly browsing facebook classifieds locally (Mid-Atlantic US) and can't help buy notice that some nice Zero DS and FX/FXS examples are popping up for not a lot of dough. I am not new to the emoto space, had a Brammo Empulse R for a couple years that I loved but sold as the company was going under. Now I am thinking of jumping back in the pool at these prices. One of the reasons is that I had wrist surgery recently and my ICE bike (Tiger 800) being big and top heavy is tough on the wrist. I am thinking lighter and smoother is the ticket to ease the load. I see that the DS 7.2 is only 319 pounds kurb weight? That sounds amazing honestly I and I am guessing it's comfier than the FX, though FX appeals for occasional dirt nonsense. In any case open to suggestions/criticisms/gentle mockery. Pick of the Brammo on the Dragon for getting this far.
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Electric Motorcycle News / Re: Zero partners with Polaris
« on: September 30, 2020, 02:25:31 AM »
They did jack squat with Brammo, hopefully Zero fares better.
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Lightning / Re: Lightning Strike Unveiled
« on: March 29, 2019, 01:41:43 AM »
The top-line model is actually still a great deal, relatively speaking. Compare with the Zero SR/F. For $20k, you're getting 20 kWh battery, DC fast charging and 6.6 kW Level 2 charging. That's super impressive spec, before factoring in the carbon bling, etc. On paper, it's a winner. Hope they pull it off in reality.
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Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Trailer for towing a motorcycle (Zero, 415 lbs.)
« on: June 25, 2018, 06:23:42 PM »
There are lots of good small-bike trailers out there.
Kendon is probably as good as it gets, keep an eye out in various classifieds (I've had good luck on advrider), to get them at a reasonable cost: https://www.kendonusa.com/
I've used trailer in a bag for years, super light and cab be taken apart into component pieces, quality made-in-US stuff, but no longer made. Mine may be for sale soon (decided to go in the hitch carrier direction).
But yeah, basically and single rail trailer will work with your set-up. Almost any car is rated for at least 1000 pounds towing, but most will handle up to 2,000 pretty easily.
Kendon is probably as good as it gets, keep an eye out in various classifieds (I've had good luck on advrider), to get them at a reasonable cost: https://www.kendonusa.com/
I've used trailer in a bag for years, super light and cab be taken apart into component pieces, quality made-in-US stuff, but no longer made. Mine may be for sale soon (decided to go in the hitch carrier direction).
But yeah, basically and single rail trailer will work with your set-up. Almost any car is rated for at least 1000 pounds towing, but most will handle up to 2,000 pretty easily.
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Alta Motorcycles / Re: Redshift on Top Gear UK
« on: March 11, 2018, 06:15:46 AM »
Just caught the episode, man either they hired stunt double or Matt LeBlanc really rips on dirtbikes! Great exposure. The rest of it was kind of meh. Really with Ari and Zac Courts had their own Top Gear style show.
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Electric Motorcycle News / Re: Harley Davidson invests in Alta Motors
« on: March 01, 2018, 10:43:55 PM »
Whoah...did not see that coming. Harley's track record outside of their core competency is....not stellar. Best case scenario- Alta squeezes a bunch of cash out of the for R&D investment and comes out smelling like roses (a la MV Agusta). Worst case scenario- Buell part 2.
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Alta Motorcycles / Re: Agressive Pricing on Alta Redshift Models
« on: January 19, 2018, 07:44:43 PM »Thinking about purchasing the EX.I would imagine that other than the frame and electric drivetrain, all remaining parts are commonly sourced. Alta is a small company, it would be pretty sill to design those parts in-house.
I'll be the first and only owner in the area.
Worried about repairs, spare parts and updating the bike's firmware.
My Zero do need these things from time to time. Any known issues or dealer's maintanance I should know about?
In addition, are all parts Alta specific? For example, foot pegs, sprockets and so on? Do they share these components with other brands?
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Alta Motorcycles / Re: Agressive Pricing on Alta Redshift Models
« on: January 18, 2018, 08:44:31 AM »Whenever I see a huge drop in prices for new electric motorcycles, I start thinking about Brammo and Victory and then wonder what comes next.Having gone through the Brammo experience, yup this is exactly what I thought. Really rooting for Alta though, they seem to have a great product, hope there's enough of a market for it.
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Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Is 10% Federal Tax Credit Back?
« on: December 22, 2015, 06:53:13 AM »
Another explanation. Looks pretty clear that we're being punished for the sin of buying our bike in 2014. Fuck everyone who bought electric bikes that year in particular.
Quote
20. Extension of Credit for Electric Motorcycles (sec. 183 of the bill and sec. 30D of thesource: http://www.kpmg.com/US/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/taxnewsflash/Documents/tnf-x-144-15.pdf
Code)
Present Law
For vehicles acquired before 2014, a 10-percent credit was available for qualifying plugin
electric motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles.317 Qualifying two- or three-wheeled vehicles
needed to have a battery capacity of at least 2.5 kilowatt-hours, be manufactured primarily for
use on public streets, roads, and highways, and be capable of achieving speeds of at least 45
miles per hours. The maximum credit for any qualifying vehicle was $2,500.
Explanation of Provision
The provision reauthorizes the credit for electric motorcycles acquired in 2015 and 2016
(but not 2014). The credit for electric three-wheeled vehicles is not extended.
Effective Date
The provision is effective for vehicles acquired after December 31, 2014.
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Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: Is 10% Federal Tax Credit Back?
« on: December 22, 2015, 06:34:55 AM »So only purchases made in 2015 are eligible ? I purchased mine in 2014, just two months after the expiration of the previous tax credit. And looks like it won't be retroactive for the 2014 purchases.I asked this upthread and apparently it is indeed retroactive, just have to file an amended return. If anyone has link to the actual wording in the bill, it'd be pretty straightforward to figure out.
Ok, so here's what I found. It looks like the 2014ers get fucked right in the ass. What am I missing?
Quote
SEC. 183. EXTENSION OF CREDIT FOR 2-WHEELED PLUG-INSource: http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20151214/121515.250_xml.pdf
16 ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 30D(g)(3)(E) is amended
18 by striking ‘‘acquired’’ and all that follows and inserting
19 the following: ‘‘acquired—
20 ‘‘(i) after December 31, 2011, and be-
21 fore January 1, 2014, or
22 ‘‘(ii) in the case of a vehicle that has
23 2 wheels, after December 31, 2014, and
24 before January 1, 2017.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
2 this section shall apply to vehicles acquired after Decem-
3 ber 31, 2014.
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Brammo Forum / Re: Victory misinformation
« on: December 21, 2015, 07:43:27 PM »Not sure I follow. See my earlier post. Highways are range killers, city will get you 70-80 miles pretty comfortably, everything else is somewhere inbetween. When I towed it down to the Smokies and rode it hard in the twisties, I could exect about 50 miles realistically.So when people ask what is the range of your Empulse you say "40 miles" without specifying speed or any other factor?I always say it depends and explain it. Victory should do the same thing, especially considering they're selling the damn thing.
What do you explain?
I don't ride an Empulse so all I'm really looking for are some ballpark numbers from Empulse owners. I can estimate using the efficiencies I get on my Zero, but would rather talk with them about results from people who ride that bike.
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