Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Richard230]

In order to keep the European market happy Zero has announced a new range of 11 kW powered Zeros.  They appear to be exactly like the current "S" models, but with a "detuned" motor (or controller?):  https://electricmotorcycles.news/zero-motorcycles-announces-learner-friendly-11kw-zero-ds-zf14-4/

I am seeing Zero filling in their lineup to expand their market somewhat.  What I am not seeing is any attempt to technically push the market forward.  What they (or their potential customers) need is more competition, but with Brammo/Victory gone and H-D having financial issues, the Japanese apparently not interested in electric motorcycles right now, BMW devoted to large scooters, Energica in a different price range, KTM going short and dirty, Vespa just plain limp, the Chinese sticking to the old country, everyone else doing a little of this and a little of that, but not much in the way of production, it looks like Zero is the only game in town if you want a moderately priced, freeway-legal, production electric motorcycle sold by a decent number of retail dealers.

[Justin Andrews]

These are apparently still capable of 100mph though!

[Richard230]

These are apparently still capable of 100mph though!

Well, that might be a surprise for EU regulators.   

[MostlyBonkers]

Thanks Richard. I would hope they can be converted to a 40kW S once the rider passes their test. It might simply be a software setting, in which case it could be hacked! Mwhahahaa... ;-)

[wavelet]

While it's always good to have an additional option, the new model isn’t really suited for beginners. While it’s physically small, it’s too heavy. Curb weight is 187kg, carried mostly on top so harder to balance at slow speeds, while most 125cc beginner ICE bikes (e.g., Honda CB125F) are ~130kg. The Power Tank would add 20kg to that, although granted, most beginners wouldn't need one.
The other problem is price… Most beginners do not want to, and shouldn't, spend a lot of money on their starter bike, which will likely be dropped and suffer damage multiple times the first year. Even after the ULEV grant, the Zero DS 11kW at 12K quid is ~4.5 the cost of a CB125F or similar bikes… Not to mention, most beginner riders buy used for their first bike, not new.

[Richard230]

While it's always good to have an additional option, the new model isn’t really suited for beginners. While it’s physically small, it’s too heavy. Curb weight is 187kg, carried mostly on top so harder to balance at slow speeds, while most 125cc beginner ICE bikes (e.g., Honda CB125F) are ~130kg. The Power Tank would add 20kg to that, although granted, most beginners wouldn't need one.
The other problem is price… Most beginners do not want to, and shouldn't, spend a lot of money on their starter bike, which will likely be dropped and suffer damage multiple times the first year. Even after the ULEV grant, the Zero DS 11kW at 12K quid is ~4.5 the cost of a CB125F or similar bikes… Not to mention, most beginner riders buy used for their first bike, not new.

Well, at least it gives their customers another choice at a relatively low cost to Zero.  If it doesn't sell because it is the wrong product at the wrong price, then Zero has learned another lesson about the electric motorcycle marketplace.