ZERO Electric Bikes

[Mhanis]

If anyone is interested the Plano dealership has a couple of the ZERO electric bikes on hand. There is one "street" bike and one that appears to be a "dual purpose" bike.

The guys up there have ridden them and raved about how cool they are.

I don't think they will steal any thunder from the 1199 when it shows up but they are pretty cool non the less.


Mark

[CajunR]

Nice!   I've been reading up on these.  I'd love to have an electric dirt bike... 

[Cher]

Hmmm.  Might have cruise over there at some point and check one out.  Not sure I would ever buy one but the few articles I've read about electric motos do make them sound interesting.  Any idea on cost?

[CajunR]

$11,500 for the 6kWh versions or $14k for the 9kWh versions.

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s/specs.php

http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-ds/specs.php

[Frisco]

  Let me get this straight - I could ride basically the same distance as I can with one tank of gas on my Monster but have to wait 2 hours to charge it to ride back instead of filling up in 5 minutes and turning around to come home?
Makes no sense to me - a trip to Austin would take you 12 hours to get there - OK maybe 11 hours going faster than 60 mph

[muskrat]

a moto should sound like a moto.  no way I need another blender in the kitchen.

[Cher]

Let me get this straight - I could ride basically the same distance as I can with one tank of gas on my Monster but have to wait 2 hours to charge it to ride back instead of filling up in 5 minutes and turning around to come home?
Makes no sense to me - a trip to Austin would take you 12 hours to get there - OK maybe 11 hours going faster than 60 mph

Reminds me of the early "desk top", four function calculators.  Big, clumsy, and ridiculously expensive.

Technology is not quite there yet for this electric moto but it is a an interesting start.

[Mhanis]

Let me get this straight - I could ride basically the same distance as I can with one tank of gas on my Monster but have to wait 2 hours to charge it to ride back instead of filling up in 5 minutes and turning around to come home?
Makes no sense to me - a trip to Austin would take you 12 hours to get there - OK maybe 11 hours going faster than 60 mph

I think you misunderstand its intended purpose (at least at this point). I don't think anybody expects any electric vehicle to be used for touring, at least not yet and for the exact reasons you stated. However as a daily commuter I think it would be great, though currently too expensive.

They charge via a 110 outlet; no need for a 220 outlet being installed by an electrician. There is virtually NO MAINTENENCE needed on these things. It is air cooled (no radiator, water pump, etc) no valves to adjust, no oil to change. Simply keep up with tires and brakes. The motor is supposed to last 300,000 miles. It seems to me it could be VERY economical if used as a commuter.

The great unknown with these (just like the cars) is battery life and cost if/when it fails.

I will NEVER be without a gas powered motorcycle but I could see myself owning one of these at some point.

[muskrat]

problem is that most of our electricity is from coal and has about a 70% loss of effectiveness from the plant to your outlet.  Me, NEVER will own one.  I'm still waiting on hydrogen.

I seriously doubt that thing will last 300k, shit even Duracell can't keep up with the smoke alarms. 

[Mhanis]

The motor is supposed to last 300,000 not the battery. I already stipulated that the battery is the unknown both in terms of longevity and cost to replace.

I am just excited to see new technology actually hitting the showroom floor (even if it isn't perfected yet).

[muskrat]

here's Mhanis performing mods on his next new electric toy. 

[CajunR]

...

I am just excited to see new technology actually hitting the showroom floor (even if it isn't perfected yet).

+1  They'll be a viable option eventually.  And I agree... as a commuter, this would be great if they weren't so expensive.  I'm seriously watching these for off-road options, though.  I think a silent dirt bike would be great.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that (by the time my kids are old enough for dirt bikes) the tech will have advanced so that back-up battery packs, miles per charge, power, cost, ruggedness, etc, etc will have improved.