1
Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Zero S 6.5 owner's review
« on: January 26, 2017, 12:41:06 AM »
So I'm new to posting here though I joined the forum awhile ago. I've had my S 6.5 for a few days and because I couldn't find any review of it anywhere, thought I'd offer one. Bottom line, very happy with it.
I owned a Brammo Enertia when they first came out, and then rode a Brammo Empulse for 3 years and 19,000 miles. Before buying the Empulse in 2013 I test rode a Zero S. Though I liked how light and nimble the Zero was, the difference in quality was very apparent and I was just drawn by the charisma of the Empulse. When Polaris bought the Empulse my nearest service center moved to a Victory dealership 50 miles away, and they were clueless. I felt lucky to get a decent price on the Empulse through Craigslist.
For about 6 months I commuted on my MV Agusta, but I was missing the pleasures of commuting by ebike. The S 6.5 seemed tailor-made for my commute, which is 40 miles roundtrip, 16 miles of that being freeway. I figured if it could get me to work with some mileage to spare for errands, that's really all I need. I wouldn't be buying battery capacity or carrying weight I don't need.
Well, so far so good. It's extremely light of course, and it's quick. The only other Zero I've been on was the 2013 S test ride. I want to say the 2013 S was quicker, which would make sense with its better hp/weight ratio, but I'm comparing a current ride to one I did more than 3 years ago, so not a trustworthy impression. In any case, the S 6.5 is certainly quick enough for my commute.
Suspension is very firm, but I like it that way. Front and rear brakes very effective with decent feel. Range seems to be tracking the specs, maybe a little less, but it's been cold here in the Bay Area the past few days so that should improve when temps get above 60 F.
Moving from an Empulse to a Zero, I do somewhat miss the feeling of quality of the Brammo, and I actually do miss having gears. But I don't miss the weight. The S 6.5 is 160 lbs lighter and for a bike that's only going 40-60 miles a day, most of that through city, that just makes so much more sense to me.
The lower storage compartment is quite substantial and is a real benefit. It's wide enough to fit my tablet. Because I can leave the tablet and other important stuff locked up, I don't feel like I need a top case and can just use my Cortech soft bags, which are lighter and easier for groceries, etc.
I owned a Brammo Enertia when they first came out, and then rode a Brammo Empulse for 3 years and 19,000 miles. Before buying the Empulse in 2013 I test rode a Zero S. Though I liked how light and nimble the Zero was, the difference in quality was very apparent and I was just drawn by the charisma of the Empulse. When Polaris bought the Empulse my nearest service center moved to a Victory dealership 50 miles away, and they were clueless. I felt lucky to get a decent price on the Empulse through Craigslist.
For about 6 months I commuted on my MV Agusta, but I was missing the pleasures of commuting by ebike. The S 6.5 seemed tailor-made for my commute, which is 40 miles roundtrip, 16 miles of that being freeway. I figured if it could get me to work with some mileage to spare for errands, that's really all I need. I wouldn't be buying battery capacity or carrying weight I don't need.
Well, so far so good. It's extremely light of course, and it's quick. The only other Zero I've been on was the 2013 S test ride. I want to say the 2013 S was quicker, which would make sense with its better hp/weight ratio, but I'm comparing a current ride to one I did more than 3 years ago, so not a trustworthy impression. In any case, the S 6.5 is certainly quick enough for my commute.
Suspension is very firm, but I like it that way. Front and rear brakes very effective with decent feel. Range seems to be tracking the specs, maybe a little less, but it's been cold here in the Bay Area the past few days so that should improve when temps get above 60 F.
Moving from an Empulse to a Zero, I do somewhat miss the feeling of quality of the Brammo, and I actually do miss having gears. But I don't miss the weight. The S 6.5 is 160 lbs lighter and for a bike that's only going 40-60 miles a day, most of that through city, that just makes so much more sense to me.
The lower storage compartment is quite substantial and is a real benefit. It's wide enough to fit my tablet. Because I can leave the tablet and other important stuff locked up, I don't feel like I need a top case and can just use my Cortech soft bags, which are lighter and easier for groceries, etc.