Zero Motorcycles

[LBC Tenni]

Does anyone here own one? I have a very short urban commute and the Zero S is looking like a good tool for the task. The used ones are showing up on CL priced pretty cheaply now, especially the pre-ABS ones. I don't like the idea of a totally silent motorcycle, but everything else about them is appealing for my short ride to work.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Wire in an amplified recording of a Harley with open pipes.

[Lannis]

Does anyone here own one? I have a very short urban commute and the Zero S is looking like a good tool for the task. The used ones are showing up on CL priced pretty cheaply now, especially the pre-ABS ones. I don't like the idea of a totally silent motorcycle, but everything else about them is appealing for my short ride to work.

Might be a good thing for a short ride.   My commute was about 80 miles round trip, which was marginal for the electric bikes of 2 years ago but might OK now.

Remember, Ducatis go for sale cheap when they're sold RIGHT before the major required service.   Make sure that the same things not happening for a too-good-to-be-true deal on a used Zero, like needing a new $3000 battery or something.   It's a different world ....

Lannis

[Unkept]

They aren't exactly silent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2BIRXD2wc

[LBC Tenni]

Good point Lannis. I'll have to research battery life/cost.
I have encountered Zeros twice in urban traffic while riding my K75. I couldn't hear them at all. It seems the motor whine is only audible at higher speeds.

[ITSec]

I don't have one but a good friend does - he raves about it. He bought his new, and it has stayed in the stable while some others have come and gone. He does mostly city riding.

[fotoguzzi]

one f/s here in Mpls

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/mcy/d/2011-zero-motorcycles-zero-ds/6443022207.html

[Rich A]

I rode one a couple of years ago and I thought it'd be very good for a short commute.

Rich

[Laker]

Silent, low-maintenance bike that is swift, fun and the perfect commuter. Batteries last a long time. I’ve ridden them and would like to have one myself.

[Darren Williams]

I've ridden them on a couple occasions, demos at Brookside MC in Tulsa.

The ride is very different from an ICE, and the lack of clutch was "different". I don't have much experience with scooters either, so it took some getting used to not grabbing a clutch lever when stopping. The performance was good, but the take off wasn't as hard hitting as I thought it would be based on all the "instant torque" comments heard out there. Wheelies were a no go on the dual sport I rode so hopping over a small log or rock on the trail or jumping up a curb will take a different approach from what I am used to. The quiet operation would be great for exploring in the woods, as my current trail bike can be heard a couple mile sections away which sometimes is not a good thing (PO put a race pipe on it that will rival any HD out there). The sport bike version was entertaining to zip around on and could be fun in the right circumstance. I didn't get to ride it on any twisties, just around town, so can't really comment on that. 

Bottom line if I had a shorter, lower speed commute I would be really interested in one for the economy and effortless zipping around. I'd imagine it would be similar in that regard to a scooter.

[jas67]

2015 Zero SR 12.5, $10.5k:
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcd/d/2015-zero-sr-zf-125-abs/6439383528.html

2017 Zero SR ZF13-CT, $13,980:
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcd/d/certified-pre-owned-2017-zero/6440487272.html

2016 Zero FX 6.5, $7,200
https://frederick.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2016-zero-fx-65/6415396737.html

[rider33]

electric bikes can be a lot of fun as unlike gasoline engines, they don't spool up, the torq hits right NOW unless they are potted down.  Zero has done a nice job with them too.  I doubt the issue will be maintence or battery life,  electric vehicles are pretty well established as a technology and the batteries they use are a good deal more robust than likey what is in your bike right now.   The bigger issue I would think is the speed of innovation,  they are apt to be getting better with each passing year.  The application I am most interested in is in scooters.  They are ideal for inter city transport, don't tend to travel that far, and the quite/low emissions is a definate plus.  Most scooter applications have been a bit on the Starwars side but the new Vespa that is finally coming looks promising:

https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/8/16622942/vespa-elettrica-range-specs-photos-sale

As I love the look and feel of Vespa's,  I'm thinking that just might be the one.  Unfortunately it's apt to be priced like a Vespa.  Used Zero's, in contrast, can be a very good deal.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've ridden them on a couple occasions, demos at Brookside MC in Tulsa.

The ride is very different from an ICE, and the lack of clutch was "different". I don't have much experience with scooters either, so it took some getting used to not grabbing a clutch lever when stopping. The performance was good, but the take off wasn't as hard hitting as I thought it would be based on all the "instant torque" comments heard out there. Wheelies were a no go on the dual sport I rode so hopping over a small log or rock on the trail or jumping up a curb will take a different approach from what I am used to. The quiet operation would be great for exploring in the woods, as my current trail bike can be heard a couple mile sections away which sometimes is not a good thing (PO put a race pipe on it that will rival any HD out there). The sport bike version was entertaining to zip around on and could be fun in the right circumstance. I didn't get to ride it on any twisties, just around town, so can't really comment on that. 

Bottom line if I had a shorter, lower speed commute I would be really interested in one for the economy and effortless zipping around. I'd imagine it would be similar in that regard to a scooter.

For wheelies, you have to turn off the traction control. They are  pretty darn good in the twisties. About like a Lario with better brakes and chassis, and over 100 ft. lbs. of torque instantly available. The downside? Iwas in Ohio, and couldh't have ridden it home. 

[Unkept]

For wheelies, you have to turn off the traction control. They are  pretty darn good in the twisties. About like a Lario with better brakes and chassis, and over 100 ft. lbs. of torque instantly available. The downside? Iwas in Ohio, and couldh't have ridden it home. 

Maybe you could put a small gas generator on there somewhere, trunk and gas can saddlebags, make it a hybrid. 

[Triple Jim]

They aren't exactly silent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2BIRXD2wc

The video does say the mic is near the motor.

[Darren Williams]

For wheelies, you have to turn off the traction control. They are  pretty darn good in the twisties. About like a Lario with better brakes and chassis, and over 100 ft. lbs. of torque instantly available. The downside? Iwas in Ohio, and couldh't have ridden it home. 

Yes I had the traction control off but was only able to raise the front about 6" max and them had to be above 20 mph to get it to lift. And I have seen the "Jake the Garden Snake" test ride video where he was able to get better ones up, but couldn't keep the wheelie going (and that dude can ride wheelies). The slow speed lifting is what I was most concerned about, like clutching the front up to get over a tall curb or log across a trail.  I can imagine they would be good on the trail brake to throttle transition in the twisties as you are always in the good power band. I experienced that on regular city corners.

I could see me with one in the back of my truck (along with a small gas generator) heading over to Push Mountain in Arkansas or running Missouri 90 east out of Noel. I do that now on my Yamaha WR250x, and it is a blast.

[LBC Tenni]

Wire in an amplified recording of a Harley with open pipes.

Excellent idea Sasquatch! But I’d go with my Griso/Zard combo instead of all that popping and farting.