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The FST platform bikes(SR/F,SR/S) have a few more niceties. Faster chargers, traction control, better suspension, better aerodynamics(especially on the SR/S) scheduled charging, more power, better dealer maintainability, better thermal management. Plus I suspect any major charger/battery upgrades to be coming to that platform or bikes based on it.

In any case, I'd find a Zero dealer with the bikes you're interested in and try it for yourself. 

Ah, yes, reading about the advanced traction controls does seem to make that a plus in my book, especially as a novice rider who doesn't intend to push any envelopes.

The closest dealer is about an hour away.  I'd stopped there last year to search for some riding gear to go along with the "baby" CSC City Slicker I was buying (mail order), but when they found I wasn't going to buy more than just some riding gear, they were not very helpful.  In spite of the fact I'd mentioned I'm a first-time rider, no one even came over to help at all with selection of gear even after I stood looking for 15 minutes.  It's not like they were busy - saw folks just standing around.  So I went elsewhere to find some proper gear.

Hopefully they will be more helpful if you're looking to buy an actual bike, but we'll see.  I had to go renew my motorcycle training permit yesterday, as I rather doubt they'd let me test ride anything using an expired training permit.  I was scheduled for the PA motorcycle training and licensing exam for this year, but that program was cancelled by PA for now.

Hi all,

I'm 49 and I'd never ridden until I decided to purchase a CSC City Slicker last year.  That has a top speed of 46 mph which I seldom hit because the battery drains very, very quickly at max speed.  I've enjoyed it a lot but only being able to squeeze about an hour for a joy ride while mostly staying to 35 mph roads has paled already.  I would have had a lot of riding it into work this summer, except I've worked from home.  So I'm considering getting a Zero for my coming birthday

I've been thinking the SR because it has the most range, but I'd love to hear other thoughts.

Zero's web site is not very helpful; it seems to focus on things like power and "coolness" that I don't care about, and it assumes everyone is a motorcycle veteran so no talk at all of why I might was a DSR vs an SR, etc.  From other reading, I gather I'd want the DS line if modest off-roading would be my riding.

That's hard to say since I'm a new rider.  I know I want to go on joy rides for 2-4 hours as I would in my car, but on a motorcycle instead   That requires good range.  This seems to narrow it down to the SR, SF/F, SF/S or DSR.  Then my thoughts are:

SR - Most range, period.  What's not to like about that?

DSR - Having the option for modest off-roading seems to be a good thing, but what's the down side if I end up never using that option?

SR/F vs SR/S - The windshield seems the main difference, right?  I'm unsure about a windshield.  It seems to me that would be worse for 85F+ riding in the summer, although better for 50F riding.  And it might make 40F bearable?

I'm in Western PA outside of Pittsburgh, so there is a lot of hills to be had.  I prefer scenic back roads over highways for that.  While those roads tend to have speed limits of 45 MPH or less, at least some portions of 55 MPH highway riding is necessary to get to some nice spots.

I know Zero is marketed as a powerful bike, but it seems to me the torque and speed can be scaled back with the app to be appropriate for this fairly new rider, yes?  Then I can push it forward as I gain more confidence.

Finally, I'm 5'11" at 180 lbs and a 33" inseam.