ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Doctorbass on July 05, 2013, 07:56:22 PM
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The first time I have tried the Zero FX and S 2013 was definitively like a virus I have implanted in my brain! Everytime i’m thinking about my 2011 DS, I just can’t stop dreaming about that great improved 2013 I have tried and that was a beautifull experience.
Now the temptation to make a change is really high.
As well I am proud of my DS 2011 and the mod I did on it but the power and range is very limited and even if I would make some 8kWh battery modification and 84V boost to te motor, the total weight of my 2011 would be too high and I would not have any passenger and to ride safely.
There is also some factor I discovered that also make me think getting the 2013:
-The range!.. with the 11.4 I could do a lot of small trip or big trip with the charge station on plug share etc..
-I could now follow couples of friend for great ride in motorcycle.. the 2011 is definitively not the best machine for that.
-The great brushless motor.. the change from the brushed 95R to the 75-7 would be impressive.
-Upgradable controller to size 6.
Also I could have a “deal†on a S ZF9 2012 for about 4000$ in exchange of my 2011 so It would be a trade off between my ds 2011 and the S 2013 in performance but the attarction to the 2013 is intense!
I have no kids from now and the “liberty†time is running out so this would be the best time to enjoy it before couples of years when kids are eating money like sponges with liquid…
What do you think guys?
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Unless you feel the need for a lot of power, I would go for the 2012 bike. I have been very happy with the performance and reliability of my 9 kWh 2012 Zero S. It goes fast enough to keep up with, or ahead of, just about all of the traffic I encounter on the roads and will exceed any speed limit. The range of the bike's EIG batteries have been very good, with my typical ride being 80 miles without completely draining the batteries. But if I ride conservatively, I can get 100 miles, keeping the speeds under 50 mph and riding on level ground. Right now the only thing I would really like to have is the 2013 bike's larger chassis and its larger 120V charger. Installing a larger charger is no doubt something that you can easily resolve. ;)
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Hey Doc,
You should test ride the 12 model. The 12s are great bikes and the price is a lot lower but they are still smallish and not as nice or powerful as the 13s. If you want to carry a passenger regularly then the 13 is much nicer. You can carry a passenger on the 12 but both people have to be small and like each other.
Of course, you like to play with electronics so you could solve the power difference with a Size 6 controller upgrade.
It all comes down to money but ride the 12 and see how exciting it is to you.
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Thanks guys, I admit i did not tried the 2012 but the hp seem close to the 2011 right?
Is the sevcon size 4 on the 2012 and 2012 the same voltage? 80V model and can go up to 116V? or if the 2012 is using lower than 80V sevcon model?
If i would go with the 2012 i would install the 2013 seat and gas tank on it just for the confort and look
Doc
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I believe both the 2012 and 2013 bikes use the G80 sevcons. Not 100% sure on that.
I rode a 2011 S approximately 4 months before I bought my 2012 S .. the 2012 bike is a little heavier but felt slightly faster (maybe 10s 0-60 vs 11s). The 2013 bikes are hugely faster than either.
The Size 6 2012 is still rather slower than the Size 4 2013.
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Life is short ! 2013 is fun to ride. If you can afford it, dont hesitate a second. if not, 2012 is also a good choice.
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I vote that Doctorbass get a 2013 Zero S, cause he is has lots of technical knowledge and info outside of the Zero people who do not post on the thread very much. If I have trouble in the future, Dr. Bass will be a resource of information just like he's been with other Zero bikes. Kind of selfish I know, but there you go. Buy it!
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I have no kids from now and the “liberty†time is running out so this would be the best time to enjoy it before couples of years when kids are eating money like sponges with liquid…
What do you think guys?
2013 S! Godspeed, man!
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OK Yes the 2012 is a great deal, but with only 30 hp stock compare to 54 hp the 2013 is really tempting!
The 2013 also already have the passenger footpeg ( value of 350$)
if i would go with the 2012, i would need to buy the footpeg and size 6 controller (extra 2000$) to get more hp but still less than the stock 2013 and also to add the seat and gastank of the 2013 if i want to keep the 2013 look as my 2011 DS ( about 500$)
THe 2013 ZF11.4 also have 2.1 kWh more than the 2012 ZF9 ( about 43km more range)
so the extra money of about 2500$ that i would need to add to the 2012 S to have it like i want is not necesary on the 2013 S stock.
Plus, i predict that the 2013 will not loose alot of value when the 2014 model will come out since they will probably be very similar performace, ( just like the 2010 and 2011 was)
Doc
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I believe both the 2012 and 2013 bikes use the G80 sevcons. Not 100% sure on that.
My 2012 DS has a G80(35)
Doc if you really plan to modify all the tank seat ... I think it would make no sense to by a 2012 because of the money difference to a 2013.
On the other side I don't believe you leaf your 2013 without lot's of modification ;D
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Plus, i predict that the 2013 will not loose alot of value when the 2014 model will come out since they will probably be very similar performace, ( just like the 2010 and 2011 was)
At this point in the Ontario/Quebec riding season just save and wait for the 2014's. The performance will be similar, but dollars to donuts it will be an improvement and hopefully all of the issues will be ironed out...
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Plus, i predict that the 2013 will not loose alot of value when the 2014 model will come out since they will probably be very similar performace, ( just like the 2010 and 2011 was)
At this point in the Ontario/Quebec riding season just save and wait for the 2014's. The performance will be similar, but dollars to donuts it will be an improvement and hopefully all of the issues will be ironed out...
I understand what you mean. I think that the $ diff between the 12013 and 2014 will not be so high. I believe that Zero just can not improve the 2014 for the same step as they did for the 2013 so price drop should be less significant. there is still 3-4 months to enjoy riding our great time of motorcycles in Ontario/Quebec.
The 30km perimeter i have around my home to ride without recharging is short ( 60km range total) and the 2013 should extend that perimeter alot!
I got a deal on a 2013 S yesterday and i think i'll jump on that !!
Doc
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Dr : you can use this tool to calculate your new perimeter !
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Have the people that say the 2012 is great even next to a '13 actually ridden a 2013? I love my '12 and would miss it sorely but i wouldn't hesitate to upgrade if it made financial sense. They are in a different league, not just in performance but in build quality and usability too. The upgrade straight to 13 makes a lot of sense for a 2011 owner imo. Im personally expecting some minor but useful improvements on the 2015 model so will like wait for that as the finance on the '12 will be paid.
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Doc,
Get the 2013...yes, the 2012 will work better than your 2011, but I'm afraid you will regret after a while not having got the 2013...
If you cannot afford the 11.4 (ideal), get the 8.5
I also though in making the change, but the ZERO Spanish dealer is not excited in trading in 2012 models...for 2013 ones.
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Lipo423 would you get a 2013 in in Spain, if you willing to buy?
As much as I know there are no models in my area available jet. Up to know I couldn't test-ride one because the dealers still have none :'(
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Thanks you very much guys for your opinions It does really help me for my decision.
I would love to get the 2013 beacuse of the stock battery pack that is very compact for 10.0 real kWh and the famous 75-7 motor and also the seat.
The one i have a deal for is yellow. Not my favorite color but i can live with that.
HEre is Quebec, they are talking about many EV project and event and are investing alot of money to promote EV.
Since i have made my speed record in bicycle in 2009 with alot of media coverage and also the Daily planet show recently , there is some people reconizing me in the street and there is more of that people in the EV community too. This could certainly help.
I think that the Zero product should be more promoted here but the dealers can not spend 100% of their time just on the zero brand. they have honda, kawazaki, BRP, Yamnaha, harley etc.
I would really love to promote the zero product here just by making alot of km and answering question that people ask after they saw it'S electric motorcycle. people are very interested here but just dont know that these products are availlable here.
The cost of an electric car is still very high here ( 35000-40000$) for the performance we get and the Zero Motorcycles product can be a great alternative for at least the seasons we can use them here.
I think that i'm one of the best person that could promote these motorcycles. I love answering questions and giving them the real numbers. I think that the sales could be twice more important here in Quebec province. ( we are about 8 million people)
Problem is that with my actual DS 2011 ( that i like alot !) is that the radius of range i can do is only 30km ( 60km total) and motorcyclist seem hesitant to accept going for a ride with me , because for them 30km is short compare to the 200-300km range they have....
Also how can i promote the Zero company with the best of what they offer (the 2013) with only my DS 2011 ? when people try my ds they can just not taste how great are the 2013.
Maybe i should ask our Canadian representative of Zero Motrocycles to get me a real deal on the 2013. i'm sure zero wodl amke couples more sales just with by the promotion i can make
But hey guys no worrie i dont want buying a 2013 just to promote it... as well it's for my pleasure first! There is few discussions here about EV rally that could start soon and i would love to be part of them. ALso most of my familly are near Ontario border that i would really like to visit by making that 1000km trip i dream about. The new 117 road was recently electrified with recharge stations covering nearly all the distance i need.
Well, the 2012 is half the price i would need to pay for the 2013.. and it's important amount of money as well. but i woudl not like to regret my choice if i woudl choose a 2012.
Best would really be is zero would understand that i'M THE MAN 8) for promoting their great technology here and would accept giving me a real deal on the 2013. I am convinced they would make more money with that choice.
Doc
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BSDThw, yes, you can get any of the 2013 models in Spain since a couple of months ago.
I actually did a test ride last year, and recently again the new S 11,4 and the FX
Doc,
Let's hope they will understand you are the man ;)
Good luck!
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Doc,
I actually went out of my way to sell my MY12, take the financial hit and buy the MY13. If you are going to raise a finger to do anything, I suggest your efforts will be much better served getting the MY13. There simply is no comparison. It is like they were built by two different companies.
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Doc,
I actually went out of my way to sell my MY12, take the financial hit and buy the MY13. If you are going to raise a finger to do anything, I suggest your efforts will be much better served getting the MY13. There simply is no comparison. It is like they were built by two different companies.
That's what i like to hear!
Thanks
Doc
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The price difference between a used '12 and a new '13 is pretty high. But likely worth it.
I expect we'll see some nice deals on new 2013s still in showrooms when the 2014 bikes are announced.
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The price difference between a used '12 and a new '13 is pretty high. But likely worth it.
I expect we'll see some nice deals on new 2013s still in showrooms when the 2014 bikes are announced.
Wich price do you think the 2013 would be?
Let say soon i could have acces to a 2013 DEMO with low milleage ... does it compare?
Doc
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If your dealer is a motivated seller and he's been sitting on a 2013 for some time, you can probably negotiate him down to around what the closeout sales will be.
If he's selling them out the door as soon as they come in, he probably won't budge on price.
I would guess the difference would be around $1000-2000.
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OK so i have some updates on my decision.
I will finally go with the 2012 for this summer. I will save alot of money but i will be able to get 2-3 times the milleage that my 2011 ds did and will gain to about 9hp.
This will be about the same performances as my firsdt idea of 8kWh diy battery on my ds 2011 and having the agni at 84V for about 30kW peak.
I expect to have the 2012 s zf9 exchanged for my 2011 ds and a balance of money.
shold get it by this week end 8)
Doc
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Congrats! Hope you enjoy it :D
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Congratulations Doc. No doubt you will have a lot of fun modifying and improving the performance of your new Zero. ;)
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Congratulations Doc. No doubt you will have a lot of fun modifying and improving the performance of your new Zero. ;)
Yes as well ;)
Here is what i have wrote in another thread for some idea on the upgrade:
had a chance to take a look to the sevcon motor controller on both 2012 and 2013 Zero S and they are the same (model G8035) !
That mean in theory the 2012 controller can go to a voltage up to 116V ;D
The 2012 battery is made with 18s bank and the 2013 is made with 28s bank so there is 10s of cells bank difference wich is 37V nominal and 42v max.
This is confirming the great possibility to increase performances not just by a size 6 but also by increasing voltage =))
Doc