ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Lower prices all around. To be more specific I'd suggest $3,000 - $4,000 lower price on each model. Additional optional improvements I might suggest: more color options, better brakes, traction control, and full color screen. I can 99% guarantee your sales would go up. Supply and demand. The demand is luke warm at the moment because the technology is still relatively new and the prices are too high for the average motorcycle buyer. I would expect to pay a little more than a gas bike but not as much as a brand new car or nice used car.

I've been lurking these forums, YT videos, and the Zero website for years. Every year I check back in to see what changes they've made. The prices are the main thing holding me back.

As MostlyBonkers stated above "I'm now of a mind that they should concentrate on reducing the price. They are selling a very standard mid range motorcycle at a premium price." I completely agree. For the price you're paying for these motorcycles you should never have to wait a month for the company to respond to your issues, as JaimeC has experienced.

The longevity of these bikes is also a concern to me. The warranty doesn't seem to cover everything. I've also read plenty of issues people have had within the first 2 years of owning one. I'd be curious to know factual stats as to how many people have a problem with their bike within the first 2 years (actual problems, not something like needing new tires because they're worn out). I really want to own a Zero but I feel like they need a few more years to work out some kinks and improve everything.

There's no way I'm going to drop $11-$16k on a brand new bike to have something like this happen on day 1...if this had happened to me, I would've returned it the same day for a full refund and never looked at the company again. I'm sure it's a rare occurrence but that's just crazy. Makes you wonder how it passed quality control on the way out of the factory...

Quote from: Gandalf on July 08, 2016, 12:18:09 AM

I hope most Zero bikes don't have this many problems after 3 years...yikes!

The 2013 had poorer bearings, brakes, and suspension than 2015+ models. My 2013 DS did need bearing replacements and one BMS swap under warrantee but otherwise ran fine over 18000 miles. The 2015+ models have a lot of system reliability issues worked out and shouldn't age like that.

That's good to hear! Thank you for all the information and feedback Brian, I appreciate it.

My only issue now is just waiting until I have the funds to afford a Zero. After taxes and fees, they cost as much as my used 4x4 V8 truck with 17,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. It's hard to justify spending the same money on something with 2 less wheels, can't drive in the snow, can't haul or tow, and can't drive as far as my truck via a long trip (bike would have to stop and charge for hours VS 5 min gas refill). However, I've been eyeing these Zeros up for about 2 years now and I'm dying to get one so it's really just a matter of time. I could sell my truck and buy the Zero quicker but the truth is, I need my truck for the winters around here (I'm in Pennsylvania).

Sorry, but I can't resist....why ask all those questions when it sounds like you're very set on what you want already? The consensus of the group (including us SR and DSR owners) seems to be that you'll regret not springing for the higher performance, but you don't like that advice. Which is fine; we all have our opinions, and you're not going to shake mine any more than it sounds like we're going to shake yours.

But are you just looking for confirmation that your choice is the best one? It doesn't sound to me like you're going to get that.

Well the DS ZF13 and DSR are somewhat similar and I've heard lots of positive things already about the DSR. Plus there's some good DSR videos on Youtube that I've watched. I asked all the questions so I could get some direct overall feedback about the 2016 DS/DS ZF13 from an actual owner, without having to read hundreds of threads or digging around the internet. Plus I figured if there were any other folks interested in a DS/DS ZF13, this would be a good thread for them to reference.

Now that I know the DSR will be around for years to come (hopefully), I'll probably save up for that. The DSR and DS ZF13 both fit what I'm looking for.

If you're happy with your SR or S, that's great! Different strokes for different folks! I wouldn't mind pulling up to a stock SR in a stock DS ZF13 or DSR and seeing them pull away 1-2 seconds faster than me (in 0-60mph) and go 4-5mph more than me in max speed. If I wanted a racing bike, I'd buy a gas bike, although I know if modified, the SR can be a hell of a track bike.  I'm looking for good handling, stability, being able to sit more upright, never buy gas, be able to go on dirt, stone, highway, and back roads and use for daily commuting. I doubt I'd use more than 30-50% of the battery for most trips I'd make.

We all have our own tastes and opinions and I respect that. I'm just looking for feedback from actual owners so I can compare their personal experience with the 2016 DS ZF13 to that of the DSR which there's more info on.

Also, the SR, DSR, and the FXS have the new, more heat resistant IPM motor. The S, DS, and FX have the old motor.

Very helpful information to know, thank you!

I wonder if they will update the motor, horn loudness, and other minor things for the 2017 models. Every year they seem to get a lot better lately. I always wonder what new Zero owners think once a year has gone by since their purchase and they see the improved specs on their bike which they don't have. Zero should extend their 2 year warranty to be maybe 4 or 5 years so you could update your electric/battery system to account for improvements over the years.

I'm still waiting for an actual 2016 Zero DS/DS ZF13 owner to post here with answers to all the questions in the original post. Fingers crossed!

Hey everyone. I'm just looking for some feedback and personal experiences with the 2016 Zero DS. I know there's the 10th anniversary DSR model but I'm just curious to hear from 2016 DS owners, stock model or with the ZF13 or ZF13 plus power tank. Although I don't care too much about the power tank because I'm already 99% sure when I buy, I'll only be upgrading to ZF13 without the PT, but with the quick charge accessory to reduce charging time slightly. I'd rather have the storage area I've seen in YT videos instead of the PTank there.

Most reviews out there I see are always for the top tier models (SR or DSR) and occasionally the FX. I seem to find the least info/reviews on the 2016 S, DS, and DS with ZF13 or ZF13 + PT.

I also can't explain this fact, directly from Zero's website...Why does the 2016 DSR ZF13 have a 3.9s 0-60mph acceleration but weighs 6 pounds MORE than the 2016 DS ZF13, which is listed at 5.7s 0-60mph?? Their range and capacity are the same so you'd expect the 6 pounds lighter DS ZF13 to have slightly faster acceleration....?? Odd.

Some general questions too:

Why did you pick the DS instead of the DSR, S, SR, or FX?

How many miles have you put on your 2016 DS so far?

What is your favorite thing about your 2016 DS and your least favorite thing?

Have you experienced any problems so far? If so, what?

Besides the obvious added range/electric capacity, what upgrades would you like to see on future Zero DS models?

What is the top speed you've hit on your 2016 DS?

What is the longest trip you've made on 1 charge with your 2016 DS (specify if yours is stock, ZF 13, or ZF13 plus power tank)?

How would you rank the following from 1-10 (1 being the worst to 10 being the best)?
Handling:
0-60mph acceleration:
Performance in the rain:
Horn sound/loudness:
Brakes:
Tires:
Belt:
Comfort/Seating:
Headlights/Brake Lights:
Rear view mirrors:
Durability:

Thank you to any and all responses! 

Quote from: Erasmo on June 30, 2016, 01:27:17 PM

Exciting! When do you plan to receive it?

I am hoping to pick it up next weekend.

Awesome! I too have been lurking these forums but for about 2 years now instead of a month. 

I plan on getting either the Zero S or the DSR and I'm leaning towards the DSR. The range is actually quite good for what I plan to use it for, daily commuting. However, right now the price range is still a little too high for me. I wish Zero would drop the price about $3,000 - $4,000 USD on all their bikes. I think their sales would really improve but I don't know what their cost to build VS profit margin is.

I don't see the need in getting the SR for extra acceleration and speed when the max speed of the DS, DSR, and S are all more than the max speed limit around here is.  I don't want to buy to race, I want to buy to commute and never buy gas again! 

Good luck with your Zero S and let us know how it works out for you. More importantly, I want to know how it's working when you get to the 1 and 2 year mark. I can't find many Youtube videos in 2016 of people still riding pre 2014 Zeros. I also read a lot about belt and brake noises/issues but overall people seem to be pretty happy with them.