Author Topic: ZERO electric motorcycles (Read 8408 times)

Bruiser · « **on:** February 15, 2015, 02:17:45 am »

A friend of mine owns a Triumph dealership. Last week he took delivery of the first electric bikes here in Eugene. Brand name Zero. Took one for a ride today...very impressive....but also weird. 0-60 in 3 seconds, and totally linear. The only noise is a faint whine, kind of like a turbocharger. Of course, no shifting, and belt drive. Supposed 175 mile range, and the batteries have a life span of 300,000 miles. It is so odd to sit at a light, and hear.....nothing! Yet when the light turns green, say bye bye!
If anyone has an opportunity to ride one, it will put a smile on your face.

turbo-max · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2015, 04:14:33 am »

so, what is the price tag on one of these jewels?

gsun · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2015, 04:17:23 am »

Go to their website. The prices are on there. Can get up there.... Options for more range, bags, etc. Four different models.

turbo-max · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2015, 04:19:36 am »

Quote from: gsun on February 15, 2015, 04:17:23 am

Go to their website. The prices are on there. Can get up there.... Options for more range, bags, etc. Four different models.

aint got NO time fo dat!!! that's why i asked!!!

gsun · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2015, 05:18:39 am »

But you have all the time in the world to hang around here!!

Bruiser · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2015, 06:21:36 am »

Of the 3 models they have out....dirt, dual purpose, and street, prices vary from 12- 18k. I know....ouch!

MichiGlenn · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2015, 11:28:50 am »

I test rode one at a local dealer event last summer. Expected anemia, was I surprised. I think it would beat my 750 off the line. You can even change power settings and monitor it from your phone so if you loan it out you can make it slower. Impressed by all but the price.

Bergmen · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2015, 03:03:11 pm »

Quote from: BruceS on February 15, 2015, 06:21:36 am

Of the 3 models they have out....dirt, dual purpose, and street, prices vary from 12- 18k. I know....ouch!

About the same range as the big irons we all ride now. AND, they are advancing technically far faster (and with measurable improvements in performance and range) than gas burners. Formerly on the fringe, they are front and center and very intriguing. I would love to ride one.

Dan

Uncle Rob · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2015, 06:43:49 pm »

Quote from: Bergmen on February 15, 2015, 03:03:11 pm

Quote from: BruceS on February 15, 2015, 06:21:36 am
Of the 3 models they have out....dirt, dual purpose, and street, prices vary from 12- 18k. I know....ouch!

About the same range as the big irons we all ride now. AND, they are advancing technically far faster (and with measurable improvements in performance and range) than gas burners. Formerly on the fringe, they are front and center and very intriguing. I would love to ride one.

Dan

I don't know if I would say front and center but they are definitely in the picture. I would like to ride one too.

Sgt Mac · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2015, 06:52:49 pm »

I would love to have one and commute on it, but it boils down to money. For less than $3K I can pick up any number of decent bikes that, with a little tlc, will perform wonderfully as commuters, leaving me with a lot of money for fuel.

Sport Rider · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2015, 07:57:01 pm »

Quote from: Sgt Mac on February 17, 2015, 06:52:49 pm

I would love to have one and commute on it, but it boils down to money. For less than $3K I can pick up any number of decent bikes that, with a little tlc, will perform wonderfully as commuters, leaving me with a lot of money for fuel.

yeah, and no increased electric bill.

MNrider · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:39:20 pm »

Test rode one two summers ago. Real fun, really no noise. Kind of like a golf cart on two wheels, that goes better than any golf cart I ever drove! But the price is limiting factor. Glad to see they are improving range and battery life. If the stable ever grows from one to four bikes, there might be electric in the mix. Everyone should try one though!

stevewfl · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2015, 07:21:49 pm »

Electric is the future

Uncle Rob · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2015, 08:05:44 pm »

I think they need to get 100+ real world range at below $10k before they really take off. Oh, and be able to charge in say 4 hours or less. You can get the range and the charge time but it all adds up to $15k plus right now.

stevewfl · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2015, 08:19:24 pm »

Quote from: Uncle Rob on February 19, 2015, 08:05:44 pm

I think they need to get 100+ real world range at below $10k before they really take off. Oh, and be able to charge in say 4 hours or less. You can get the range and the charge time but it all adds up to $15k plus right now.

+1

Yeah, still in its infancy. The technology will be there soon and they'll go mucho further for mucho cheaper, plus mucho FASTER

EZ · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2015, 03:21:50 am »

Quote from: stevewfl on February 19, 2015, 07:21:49 pm

Electric is the future

We won't go!

We won't go!! That would be just buck weird to drive or ride something you can't hear. I do think your right though.. its inevitable!!

Rev Ryder · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2015, 11:58:14 am »

No pipes save rights.

stevewfl · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2015, 12:35:54 pm »

Quote from: EZ on February 20, 2015, 03:21:50 am

Quote from: stevewfl on February 19, 2015, 07:21:49 pm
Electric is the future

We won't go! We won't go!! That would be just buck weird to drive or ride something you can't hear. I do think your right though.. its inevitable!!

Remember they said cell phones "is a fad" in the late 80's too. Never replace copper line phones due to dropped calls, reliability, expense, and poor battery life.

Technology in our lifetime will make electric motorcycles so cheap and so fast one will be insane to ride gas. Cars too. Can't bet against tech

Flat-spot · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2015, 01:07:49 pm »

Automobiles are a passing fad, they will never replace the reliability of a horse.

Television is a gimmick, radio is king.

stevewfl · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2015, 02:16:36 pm »

Quote from: Flat-spot on February 20, 2015, 01:07:49 pm

Automobiles are a passing fad, they will never replace the reliability of a horse.

Television is a gimmick, radio is king.

smoked my example

Sgt Mac · « **Reply #20 on:** February 20, 2015, 05:04:59 pm »

Commuting or a weekend ride is one thing. What about a multi-day or longer high mileage trip?

Bergmen · « **Reply #21 on:** February 20, 2015, 06:15:06 pm »

Quote from: Sgt Mac on February 20, 2015, 05:04:59 pm

Commuting or a weekend ride is one thing. What about a multi-day or longer high mileage trip?

These are certainly intended for local riding, commuting being the most attractive use IMO. I would hate to run out of electrons while goofing off in the mountains.

Many companies have solar panels that provide free re-charge capabilites while at work. That would be an ideal way to commute if the RT mileage works out.

Dan

Flat-spot · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2015, 06:49:24 pm »

I am a huge fan of internal combustion. It's in our soul, if you will. It's all we know. But keep in mind in 1900 there were no gas stations. There was no pavement. There are early motion pictures of model T's bouncing and grinding along muddy, rutted one lane "roads". Very slowly. The first coast to coast trips took many months.
This will be a long paradigm shift or sea change. The gasoline supply is finite, electricity is not. We won't live long enough to see it complete, but range and infrastructure will grow and improve to be able to drive an electric vehicle anywhere and as far as you want. The same way gas stations and pavement eventually expanded to....everywhere. It will be done with a level of technology that does not exist yet, but many extremely smart dudes and dudettes are working hard on it.
Not to worry, in the meantime enjoy that sound out your tailpipe.

Bergmen · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2015, 08:04:19 pm »

Quote from: Flat-spot on February 20, 2015, 06:49:24 pm

I am a huge fan of internal combustion. It's in our soul, if you will. It's all we know. But keep in mind in 1900 there were no gas stations. There was no pavement. There are early motion pictures of model T's bouncing and grinding along muddy, rutted one lane "roads". Very slowly. The first coast to coast trips took many months.
This will be a long paradigm shift or sea change. The gasoline supply is finite, electricity is not. We won't live long enough to see it complete, but range and infrastructure will grow and improve to be able to drive an electric vehicle anywhere and as far as you want. The same way gas stations and pavement eventually expanded to....everywhere. It will be done with a level of technology that does not exist yet, but many extremely smart dudes and dudettes are working hard on it.
Not to worry, in the meantime enjoy that sound out your tailpipe.

The toughy is that electrical generation is mostly by fossil fueled power plants. Coupled with the increase in electrical vehicles there will have to be a change in the manner in which we generate electricity. Nuclear power plants need to be taken seriously again (like Europe does) as well as hydro-electric and appropriately applied solar.

All this of course will result in more gasoline for our current motorcycles (and other vehicles of course), including my FJR. Yowza!

Dan

stevewfl · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2015, 08:25:17 pm »

Quote from: Bergmen on February 20, 2015, 08:04:19 pm

Quote from: Flat-spot on February 20, 2015, 06:49:24 pm
I am a huge fan of internal combustion. It's in our soul, if you will. It's all we know. But keep in mind in 1900 there were no gas stations. There was no pavement. There are early motion pictures of model T's bouncing and grinding along muddy, rutted one lane "roads". Very slowly. The first coast to coast trips took many months.
This will be a long paradigm shift or sea change. The gasoline supply is finite, electricity is not. We won't live long enough to see it complete, but range and infrastructure will grow and improve to be able to drive an electric vehicle anywhere and as far as you want. The same way gas stations and pavement eventually expanded to....everywhere. It will be done with a level of technology that does not exist yet, but many extremely smart dudes and dudettes are working hard on it.
Not to worry, in the meantime enjoy that sound out your tailpipe.

The toughy is that electrical generation is mostly by fossil fueled power plants. Coupled with the increase in electrical vehicles there will have to be a change in the manner in which we generate electricity. Nuclear power plants need to be taken seriously again (like Europe does) as well as hydro-electric and appropriately applied solar.

All this of course will result in more gasoline for our current motorcycles (and other vehicles of course), including my FJR. Yowza!

Dan

Thats decreasing fast too as technology increases. New ways of generating are being developed. Tesla, Google, and Apple are driving a lot of the new technologies.

Of course Al Gore will sell us some "solar panels" though