Worth also looking at the 2013 Zero S. Prior to 2013 I didn't think they were viable. It is not a 250cc bike but the smaller capacity bike is about the same size and weight and performance and so should also be considered. We will be the first to line up for a test ride when the new Australian distributer is announced. http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/au/zero-s
I would like a ride too but for approx $20,000 I think I might be able to buy something that would go a lot further and use the rest for fuel money. At 54hp is should be a goer, but the 161kg might slow it down a bit. Give it a few more years until the costs come down and it might be viable.
161kg is equivalent to the 'fully fuelled' weight. 1 litre petrol is about 1kg. Where did you get the $20,000 price from?
this one is worthy of its own thread... These bikes will eventually become the ultimate commuter, clean and green.
Definately ..... Was interesting to hear the feedback from this years IOM TT ...... sounds like the whole concept has come ahead leaps and bounds. http://www.gizmag.com/iom-tt-zero/27754/
At the bottom of the 'spec' page it lists them as $13,999 and $16,999 Yank dollars.. Given our poor exchange rate at the moment and the fact that any importer will tack on a few $$$ because they are new and 'green' (which is bullshit when we burn coal to make the electricity) would make it about, in my guesstamation, $20,000. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of zero emissions bikes, but ask anybody who lives in the Hunter Valley how clean electricity is and you will get a different answer. When can we have a bike with a solar panel? That would charge up while sitting and be ready to go.
Most interesting topic, already a wide spectrum of responses! The concept is good, the mileage is poor, the price is wrong on every level. Within a short period of time, the techno's will have sorted the distance travel issues,ie greater mileage and the price will drop dramatically, then they will gain acceptability. One area that hasn't been discussed is reliability and repair cost. Battery life and one area that I'm interested me is how well they perform in the rain??? electrics and water aren't good bed fellows? Love the concept, like the idea and would like some solar collector to increase mileage. Gotta be honest, will miss the sound of multiple cylinders doing their things.
I guess I am just hopeful about how good it is because I have driven electric cars and know just how good they can be. What I am hoping is that it will be more like the Nissan Leaf less like the Mitsubishi Miev. In Australia there are three electric cars: Mitsubishi Miev: little car that is wickedly overpriced. Nissan Leaf: the only viable electric car. Tesla Roadster: very rich guys sports car with mind blowing acceleration. My wife bought a Nissan Leaf as she didn't mind paying a premium for the newer tech. I originally thought that it would be a good car but normally cars don't do it for me. But I love driving her car. I feel like George Jetson. It is like I have moved into the future. Nissan say the build quality is probably the best they have done because otherwise you would hear every little noise that a petrol engine normally drowns out. And they keep a close eye on every vehicle to make sure that everything is going well. The cars sends battery and performance data to your own web portal and it has all the latest gizmos. Performance wise it is well planted on the road because of the weight being in the floor and Nissan says it out accelerates their z370 sports car up to 60kph. Even in ECO mode it accelerates hard. No visits to petrol stations and only two inexpensive services a year, mainly so they can analyse all the battery cells. I reckon it was well worth the cost. But we still have the Magna for towing and long distances. I hope the Zero S will be like that. If it is then it will be so much worth $20,000 particularly if you compare it to other $20,000 motorcycles. And of course I will still keep my tourer for doing the long distances and also keep my 250cc two stroke sports bike.
Like all new innovations it takes time to make them viable and convince the diehards. As u say Mark theres bikes (and cars) for different situations....... I could handle being George Jetson! And Phil.....the first thing I thought of is theres no killer exhaust system And the engine sound is obviously not there...... but they certainly put out a scream at high speed.......
One of the problems yet to be solved is the range and charge time. There are some amazing batteries about that would be ideal for the Zero, but the cost would not make them saleable. Besides, what about the noise of a well tuned engine. Makes the ride worthwhile.
Don't get me wrong - I love the sound and performance of my two stroke 250cc bikes. No way will I get rid of them. But the Zero would make a great daily bike which has all the range I need. We just plug the Nissan into a 15 amp socket overnight and it is fully charged next day. According to Nissan most people don't even buy the regular charger but just rely on the supplied trickle charger that takes twice as long to charge. There is a fast charger at the Nissan dealer on the other side of town that will charge to 80% in about 20 minutes. Zero says their charging connector is standard so hopefully it is the same as the one on the Nissan. Something else I didn't mention earlier - the performance characteristics of the Nissan. It is a single speed with massive torque from zero revs. When you put it in 'gear' it feels a lot like a two stroke bike because it revs so freely and there is no engine braking. Put it into ECO mode and you still get the rapid acceleration if you plant your foot, but the revs climb slower and it feels more like a four stroke and has engine braking which is used to boost the battery. It still burns off the petrol cars from the traffic lights though. As I said earlier, I am really hoping the Zero is as good as the Nissan.
First Saietta R electric sports bike sells http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle...ietta-r-electric-sports-bike-sells/23380.html
Looks like an aussie Disty is all sorted http://rapidbikes.com.au/post/2014/...270km-Range-Coming-to-Australia-in-March.aspx Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, today announced a new Australian distribution partnership deal with Cento Per Cento. The team credited with re-launching MV Agusta to the Australian market in 2011, Cento Per Cento is an Australian based distribution company focused on delivering premium motorcycle brands. Now serving as the official Australian distributor for Zero Motorcycles, Cento Per Cento will trade as Zero Motorcycles Australia in launching the all new 2014 model lineup. “Zero Motorcycles is leading the most exciting development in the two wheel industry, representing the next curve in technology and extreme performance delivered via a unique riding experience and low cost of ownership, coupled with social awareness,” said James Deutsher, Director of Zero Motorcycles Australia. “Zero Motorcycles is a high performance global company with a range of products already changing the way people experience electric vehicles. Zero Motorcycles Australia is very proud of this partnership with one of the world’s most exciting technology and automotive companies, Zero Motorcycles.” “The opportunity to work with a partner such as Cento Per Cento in a market as promising as Australia is a very exciting one for Zero Motorcycles,” said Phil Wilkinson, Director of Sales Asia Pacific for Zero Motorcycles. “Australians have shown strong interest and continually demand for the presence of Zero Motorcycles in Australia and we feel that with the combination of Cento Per Cento together with our thrilling 2014 model lineup, Australia won’t be disappointed.”
