ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: geijuutsuka on June 07, 2020, 02:20:27 PM
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My wife purchased a demo SR in march and (aside from a loose left mirror that needed replacing) is loving it (1000miles). I recently paid off my 2019 Honda CB300R (which I love). I've followed Zero since 2015 and have always wanted one. The Honda was my first bike, I really love the styling, love how cheap and easy parts are to get...etc. BUT, now that my wife has a Zero, and we've gone head to head, I now currently have a transfer pending for a 2019 Zero SR. HA. I've test ridden the SR and SR/F. I much prefer the SR/F's styling and options, but my thinking is that the newer SR's suffer from less defects because the platform has been around for so long..etc. A 2 hour search through these forums also point to the 2015-2017 models having the most early issues. Can anyone with a 2018/2019 report back with their experiences so far? Half of me wants to cancel the order, and keep the (paid off) Honda, the other half wants the SR, and the OTHER half of me wants to go full bore and get the SR/F, despite all the recent issues posted here. If speaking from a tech perspective, buying a launch model of a new generation of anything isn't a great idea (phones, graphics cards, gaming consoles..etc). I'm also concerned about bike SIZE. I'm 5'10 155lbs and feel the SR is a bit small. Is the SR/F that much bigger? (it's referred to as a "real bike size" in a lot of reviews, and the SR has been called "dinky" in others) Can someone help out with these questions/decisions? I'm kind of locked between the three options. If you've had issues, or just plain love your zero, speak up I want to hear from you! Thanks in advance!
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It depends alot upon where you're riding and with what charging infrastructure.
The SDS platform (the SR for instance) is more mature, sure, but makes much less used of the Level 2 charging. It's mostly for commuting, grocery runs, fun stuff within a half-hour to an hour of your homes.
The FST platform (the SR/F and SR/S) is bigger, and can take full use of Level 2 charging, especially the Premium. So that means you can ride the full range, and then charge over a dinner. It's heavier, but makes it up with more power.
Posture-wise, they seemed to me to feel the same 'size' when I sat on them, tho the SR/F is much heavier. I haven't ridden it so I don't know what that feels on the street.
The main user difference is how they interact with charging, which changes how you can use them.
-Crissa
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My 2018 S with Power Tank, has been 100% reliable. So far the only thing I have had to do to the bike is to replace the front tire at 6K miles. :)
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I have a 2018 S and I added the 6kW Charge Tank last year. No issues to report other than the back of the drive belt starting to crack and flake off. I'm rather annoyed that Zero didn't consider that a warranty issue and I had to pay for a new belt out of my own pocket but that's been about it. We have a plethora of Level2 stations where I live and most of them are free so it's opened up a whole new world for me. I still have my gas bikes for interstate travel but (thanks to the current pandemic) I've hardly touched them at all this year. Same goes for my car. I bought the bike brand new in October 2018 and I already have over 13,000 miles on it.
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I should clarify that both my wife's and my (ordered) SR are both equipped with the charge tank (level 2). My concerns as far as size of the bike not only refer to ergonomics for me, but also what someone my height LOOKS like on the bike. Ie, when my honda tech (my height) brought my CB300R around after it's first check in service, I thought "oh no, do I make my bike look that small?" Kind of like wearing a shirt that's too small and nobody telling you until you see photos of yourself kind of thing. It's a small-ish detail, but something I was hoping to rectify with my Zero Purchase (SR or SR/F). Thanks so far for the updates on your bikes, keep them coming!
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In terms of wheelbase the difference between your CB300R and the SR is greater than the difference between the SR and SR/F (2.2 versus 1.6 inches), and the seat height on the SR is actually just 0.1 inches below the high seat on the SR/F (0.8 inches above the standard height seat). Of course the SR/F does look more substantial, but in terms of how well you'll actually fit on the bike there's probably not much difference.
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I'm 5'10" and 200 lbs. The Zero S (which is physically IDENTICAL to the SR) looks perfectly normal with me on it. Here is a photo of me riding my 2016 S (again, physically identical except for color to the SR):
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I have to say, I'm very impressed with the information given here so far. Glad to be part of such a helpful hive mind. I'd still like to hear from more 2018-2019 SR owners, but I guess if they're not commenting, they must be out riding eh??
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Well as for how you fit on the bike or how you look on it just get on your wife's SR and take a picture. They are the same bike.
From 2013 to now the frame's are "mostly" the same.
I think there was really two common issues with the SRF. First it is a whole new platform with a new charger new motor and new controller so there were some firmware glitches that needed fixing. That an ongoing issue for most tech though.
Second is Zero's first time use of a separate 12volt battery. They need to get the proper charging algorithm to prioritize the 12 volt battery health.
The complaints have lessened in the last few months but people have been in lock down too.
Just remember if you get a SRF it won't be long until your wife wants one too. :)
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I have to say, I'm very impressed with the information given here so far. Glad to be part of such a helpful hive mind. I'd still like to hear from more 2018-2019 SR owners, but I guess if they're not commenting, they must be out riding eh??
At 5'-10", with a 30" inseam, I fit on my 2018 S very well. My only complaint about the bike's comfort is that the seat is very hard and I can't stand to sit on it more than about an hour. I installed an Air Hawk pad on the seat and that doubled the comfort time, but I still wish Zero had developed a softer seat. However, they certainly are consistent. I had the same complaint with my 2012 S and also my 2014 S. Someone on the Zero design team must have a much higher pain threshold than I do. ::)
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http://cycle-ergo.com/
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My only complaint about the bike's comfort is that the seat is very hard and I can't stand to sit on it more than about an hour. I installed an Air Hawk pad on the seat and that doubled the comfort time, but I still wish Zero had developed a softer seat. However, they certainly are consistent. I had the same complaint with my 2012 S and also my 2014 S. Someone on the Zero design team must have a much higher pain threshold than I do. ::)
Richard:
https://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=95707&sku=ZM24-08451&description=Zero+MC%27s+Touring+Saddle++ZM24%2D08451
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Oh! I'm 5'10" and have a 31" inseam and I fit fine on my S. The size and styling hasn't substantially changed since mine was made.
-Crissa
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My only complaint about the bike's comfort is that the seat is very hard and I can't stand to sit on it more than about an hour. I installed an Air Hawk pad on the seat and that doubled the comfort time, but I still wish Zero had developed a softer seat. However, they certainly are consistent. I had the same complaint with my 2012 S and also my 2014 S. Someone on the Zero design team must have a much higher pain threshold than I do. ::)
Richard:
https://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=95707&sku=ZM24-08451&description=Zero+MC%27s+Touring+Saddle++ZM24%2D08451
Another example of a motorcycle manufacturer offering a "comfort" seat for sale after the bike is purchased. BMW has been doing this for years and most of their customers ask: "why can't they just install the 'comfort' seat on the stock motorcycle?" The answer probably has something to do with $$$. ::)
The original seat on my 2009 F650GS was so hard that it must have been manufactured in Italy. :o I replaced it with a Sargent seat as soon as one became available. :)
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I don't understand the problem with Zero's seat...
I've never met a seat my butt doesn't fall asleep sitting on for an hour. Who wants to sit for an hour?
-Crissa
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I don't understand the problem with Zero's seat...
I've never met a seat my butt doesn't fall asleep sitting on for an hour. Who wants to sit for an hour?
-Crissa
I have installed after-market seats on both of my BMW's and can sit on them for up to 10 hours while I am touring on those bikes. The stock seats on my Yamaha and Royal Enfield are good for about 6 hours before the pain really sets in. My Triumph Bonneville also had a good stock seat that I never complained about.
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Another example of a motorcycle manufacturer offering a "comfort" seat for sale after the bike is purchased. BMW has been doing this for years and most of their customers ask: "why can't they just install the 'comfort' seat on the stock motorcycle?" The answer probably has something to do with $$$. ::)
My 1999 BMW K1200LTC came stock with the comfort saddle. The two lower tier models did not. More than a few people complained that the extra cushioning of the comfort saddle meant they couldn't flatfoot the bike at stops, so in subsequent years they charged extra for it no matter which trim level you ordered.
On a touring bike, people wanted a seat that was more comfortable for the 1% of the time they were at a stop, and not the 99% of the time they were actually riding. I've NEVER understood this. Anyway, perhaps the other manufacturers saw what happened with BMW and followed suit? Your guess is as good as mine. "Comfort Seats" typically would have more foam and sitting in the showroom it makes potential buyers feel "less secure." And that's probably the REAL reason. Those of us who actually know how to ride don't give a crap what it feels like on the showroom floor, we take demo rides to see what they feel like on the ROAD.
BTW, the Zero stock saddle doesn't bother me in the least. By the time it's starting to get uncomfortable, it's usually time to find a charging station and plug in. That's the way it seems to work for me anyway.
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I don't understand the problem with Zero's seat...
I've never met a seat my butt doesn't fall asleep sitting on for an hour. Who wants to sit for an hour?
-Crissa
On my K1200LT I routinely sit for two or more hours at a stretch. But you can do that on an ICE bike with a 300 mile range on a tank of fuel.
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Another motorcycle company that is in to hard seats and offers extra-cost "comfort" seats is KTM.
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Another motorcycle company that is in to hard seats and offers extra-cost "comfort" seats is KTM.
Okay, I'm going WAY off topic here but... some years ago my friend bought a 990 Adventure. He said he paid an additional fee to get the optional "gel seat." He said something must've gotten lost in translation, or the Austrian word for concrete is "gel." ;D ;D
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On a touring bike, people wanted a seat that was more comfortable for the 1% of the time they were at a stop, and not the 99% of the time they were actually riding.
100% of the time I'm riding I want to be able to stop safely, easily, and comfortably.
On my K1200LT I routinely sit for two or more hours at a stretch. But you can do that on an ICE bike with a 300 mile range on a tank of fuel.
So you like sitting for more than an hour. Great. Yuck. I do 12-hour drives but I still don't like sitting still that long. Lemme stretch my legs! Get a drink. Go pee. Scratch my nose. Wash my hands. Moisturize.
-Crissa
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100% of the time I'm riding I want to be able to stop safely, easily, and comfortably.
And I do that... right foot firmly on the rear brake pedal, left foot firmly on the ground, bike in first gear with the clutch held in. Also works great for those times you've stopped on a hill and need to get rolling again. MUCH MUCH easier to manage when all you have to do with your right hand is roll the throttle, not futz with the front brake at the same time. Also gives you the opportunity for a quick getaway if the driver behind you doesn't realize you've stopped because they're too busy scanning their phone.
Of course with MOST electric bikes you don't have to worry about the clutch/first gear part. But you'll still find it easier to roll away from being stopped on a hill if all your right hand has to do is roll on the throttle. I guess a left hand rear brake lever would make that a moot point but for the majority of bikes, right foot on the brake pedal is the ticket.
Practice makes perfect.
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But if people feel like they can't safely grab the ground with their seat posture, well... That seems more important.
-Crissa