Zero Tour

[Fatfatboy]

Zero bikes is doing demo days.
They are coming to St. Louis so I’m going to try and register for a slot.

Check the link if you’re interested.

https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/fr-ca/world-tour/

[Mad4TheCrest]

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[motogrady]

From what I gather the perform better in most categories than the HD Livewire.

The Ev thing seems to be having a hard time taking off.
The Alta motocross bike was/is still a good platform.
Some guys swear by them.

[Fatfatboy]

I'm surprised Cali. isn't a top stop for Zero. I would think EM's would be more popular there then say here in the midwest.

Here's a non-dealer review. Zero claims 160 miles but that's in stop and go traffic. Real world is more like 100 miles. Not real ideal for the midwest spacious ribbons of tarmac with lack of charging stations.




For commuting I can see this working here but for weekending not so much. If you live in the city and want to get out to some real roads you've used half your power just to get there.

These electrics do intrigue me and I want to like them. Just need a 300 mile range at speed.
Of course, my riding has been cut some so maybe a solid 150 mile range would do for a 2nd bike.

I'm still not quite ready to plunk the $20k down on such a short range. I think I'd get a Monkey bike first.

[Fatfatboy]

  It's been a couple weeks since I did the demo days on the Zero's, well actually Zero. They only let us ride once.
 It's a very limited 6 mile loop which still shows it's limitations of battery life. They have a long way to go as far as that goes but the instant torque is perma-grin stuff.

 I rode the "Sport Tour" of the bunch which had the most torque and longest available distance. Also the most upright. Surprisingly flatfooting the Zero's is a non-issue which is a huge plus. I don't think there is a sport bike of any maker I can do that with except the 1st gen Ninjette. It was actually a comfortable perch too. Foot peg location is good. Mirrors actually show what is behind you and not a good look of the shoulder.

The loop they took us on, though short, did allow for a full crack at the throttle and when it's turned on, it is flat out turned on. Instant speed with a giggle. It felt like I went plaid for a second.

All the battery weight is down low so not top heavy at all. Very flickable from what I could gather in my short trip.

The fit and finish looked good, and should at $23g. I really like the view of the frame.
Now if they could just get a competent 200 mile range at more than 35 mph they might just have something.

 I noticed a very narrow belt. It's about 3/8" narrow than the latest H-D belt. Seems with the 140 available ft.lb. it would need to be a bit stouter.


The SR/S I rode.


 I prefer the look of the SR but it's a more aggressive position that puts more weight on the arms than I prefer.




I'm not sure what the name is on that caliper but they work.

[Fatfatboy]

The shop the demo was at is a Honda, Polaris & Indian dealer so they have plenty of the suck, bang, blow kind of bikes that are more realistic for the Midwest. They also have a couple old Indians in the show room and I couldn't help but think that here we have a 64 year old motorcycle with just a bit of fiddling with that could be brought back to life even if it had sat for a few years but could this be said for the same for these more modern more expensive pieces.




I hope to someday get to have an ebike in the stable. I'm just not ready to plunk $20k down on something with such a short range and who's battery life is down 10% after just five years but I'm sure eventually I'll own one.

 While standing around kicking tires I noticed that there is a new breed of motorcyclist interested in these. They are folks that are not interested in oil changes and maintenance. They just like to turn things on and use them. The electrics work for them. And like a Bic lighter they can just throw it away instead of refueling and replacing a flint.

[oldironnow]

Very good report ffb!
I pass by the Factory's neighborhood everyday, and a day doesn't go by without seeing several Zero's on the road.

Lately, there's been a Livewire trolling around, too. I wonder if Zero is testing it against their product.

The brakes are J. Juan - a value Spanish product.

But, recently, Brembo has purchased the company.

Maybe the quality will rise, or maybe the market will just get more cornered.




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