ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Richard230 on April 18, 2014, 08:47:27 PM
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Yesterday I saw a nice white police DS in my dealer's showroom with a sign on it saying "not for sale to the public". It had a neat set of saddlebag mounts and crash bars, along with the Zero commuter windshield and looked just like this:
http://www.swvatoday.com/news/smyth_county/article_a42119d0-c3d9-11e3-ad62-0017a43b2370.html (http://www.swvatoday.com/news/smyth_county/article_a42119d0-c3d9-11e3-ad62-0017a43b2370.html)
I think Zero should make DS and S models with these accessories and sell them as "adventure" and "sport-touring" bikes. 8)
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As an adventure-rider (V-Strom for seven years now), I have the cases and a screen for the DS but no handguards or crash bars. The bike is so sturdily simple and lightweight that I'm not sure what benefit crash bars would give offroad.
Really, an adventure model needs to be able to go a long way and carry enough stuff. The "stuff" part is taken care of with their luggage mounts. What remains is a solution to how I can get the DS into a remote area of my state (Cascade mountains in Washington state for me would be sufficient) and still have it be usable (range plus charge time/opportunities).
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Here is a quick review of the Police Zero DS model: http://motorbikewriter.com/rethink-riding-electric-motorcycles/ (http://motorbikewriter.com/rethink-riding-electric-motorcycles/)
Hopefully, a more detailed review will be forthcoming soon.
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Another article about a city buying a Zero authority model:
http://www.policeone.com/police-products/vehicles/motorcycles/articles/7171153-Battery-powered-motorcycle-deployed-by-Va-PD/ (http://www.policeone.com/police-products/vehicles/motorcycles/articles/7171153-Battery-powered-motorcycle-deployed-by-Va-PD/)
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Thanks for the links. I work at a University for the campus police service. I keep trying to convince my boss to get a Zero for the officers but he hasn't shown much interest yet. I just saw Zero is now offering a 3 day evaluation program, maybe that will convince him.
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/fleet/promo/evaluation/ (http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/fleet/promo/evaluation/)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKq0FcWp0qM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKq0FcWp0qM)
San Jose State campus police like 'em!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKq0FcWp0qM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKq0FcWp0qM)
San Jose State campus police like 'em!
That is a great video, riding up and down stairs and into buildings was a nice touch to show the bike's capabilities. :)
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Yesterday I saw a nice white police DS in my dealer's showroom with a sign on it saying "not for sale to the public". It had a neat set of saddlebag mounts and crash bars, along with the Zero commuter windshield and looked just like this:
http://www.swvatoday.com/news/smyth_county/article_a42119d0-c3d9-11e3-ad62-0017a43b2370.html (http://www.swvatoday.com/news/smyth_county/article_a42119d0-c3d9-11e3-ad62-0017a43b2370.html)
I think Zero should make DS and S models with these accessories and sell them as "adventure" and "sport-touring" bikes. 8)
Yeah, I could have used the crash bars on my DS in January, when I hit the oil in my right-turn attempt... the RH Givi bag got scuffed up, saving the bike from most of the road-rash, but my summer screen got trashed, and my leg got fractured knee & ankle. Still walking like Walter Brennan...
If I can get a DSR, it will look a lot like the Police Special!
8)
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Yesterday I saw a nice white police DS in my dealer's showroom with a sign on it saying "not for sale to the public". It had a neat set of saddlebag mounts and crash bars, along with the Zero commuter windshield and looked just like this:
http://www.swvatoday.com/news/smyth_county/article_a42119d0-c3d9-11e3-ad62-0017a43b2370.html (http://www.swvatoday.com/news/smyth_county/article_a42119d0-c3d9-11e3-ad62-0017a43b2370.html)
I think Zero should make DS and S models with these accessories and sell them as "adventure" and "sport-touring" bikes. 8)
Yeah, I could have used the crash bars on my DS in January, when I hit the oil in my right-turn attempt... the RH Givi bag got scuffed up, saving the bike from most of the road-rash, but my summer screen got trashed, and my leg got fractured knee & ankle. Still walking like Walter Brennan...
If I can get a DSR, it will look a lot like the Police Special!
8)
I was thinking about just such a scenario, and I found this:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/r-g-racing-aero-style-frame-sliders-for-the-zero-ds-13 (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/r-g-racing-aero-style-frame-sliders-for-the-zero-ds-13)
I slid at a right angle on a pile of sand a few years back... Slides are no fun at all. I try to wear a jumpsuit when possible now.
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I asked a Zero representative about the police model accessories last week and I was told that you can buy all of the stuff, but the lights and siren, as factory accessories from Zero. Having the crash bars and some of the other accessories like the hard bags and mounts might be handy for someone who spends a lot of time off road.
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Just gave my Visa card number to Mission Motorcycles for a deposit on an SR. With a subset of the Police special goodies, Givi side kit and Commuter screen. And the power tank.
Will keep my '12DS, and equip it with tires more suited for dirt than the street tires currently installed (if I can find some in those unusual sizes...). It's up there now, getting the latest firmware update [recall] and the leaky forks rebuilt, replacing the bent handlebars and scuffed-up front fender, etc...
Bummer being without a bike on a three-day weekend! :P
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Great video. Are these campus police departments fully fledged law enforcement or is it glorified private security?
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Just gave my Visa card number to Mission Motorcycles for a deposit on an SR. With a subset of the Police special goodies, Givi side kit and Commuter screen. And the power tank.
Will keep my '12DS, and equip it with tires more suited for dirt than the street tires currently installed (if I can find some in those unusual sizes...). It's up there now, getting the latest firmware update [recall] and the leaky forks rebuilt, replacing the bent handlebars and scuffed-up front fender, etc...
Bummer being without a bike on a three-day weekend! :P
Mission Motorcycles must love you. :) You will be handing over a pretty big check to them when you pick up your new bike. ;) Your new DS should be ready for anything - including use as a funeral escort.
NoiseBoy: the SJU campus police are real sworn cops and have the same authority and duties as any city police officer. They can even give tickets off campus if they need to.
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Big check, for sure. Several hundred dollars less than I paid for my HOUSE in 1976! :o
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Hey Rick,
Sorry to hear about the accident - I see it didn't stop you from riding - I hope all heals well and quickly.
Congrats on the upgrade - Zero has come a long ways since we picked up our 2012's - if I remember correctly you got the ZF6 - you will more than double your power and range. I'm jealous...
How long do you have to wait to pick up the new bike?
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Still waiting to find out when the accessories I ordered will be in; the SR is in stock already... I may have to take delivery and return for the power tank etc later. I'm anxious!
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Hey Rick,...How long do you have to wait to pick up the new bike?
Got a call today; about 12 hours from now! =D
They're delivering it at 0915 tomorrow morning!
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Wow - that was fast! Congratulations! Where will you ride today?
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First ride on the SR logged 114 miles on the trip odo, got home with 4% showing on the charge indicator. Went up over Mount Hamilton, up to Livermore, and came back via Calaveras road. Got some range anxiety when in Livermore with 29% remaining... just tried to keep it slow, going 40MPH on the shoulder of WB 84 for a time.
[Might have had more power reserve if I hadn't verified the 100MPH capability on that nice straightaway on Mines road...] :P
Very Happy Customer!
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Sounds like fun - I've ridden through that area many times on my gas bike(s) - someday I'll have an electric bike with more capacity and I'll join you!
So you did this ride without the 'Power Tank'? Did you trade-in your 2012 Zero?
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In 1962 I rode that route on a Vespa motor scooter, Rick. You wouldn't believe how much things have changed along Mines Road. In those days you saw nothing but cows, a few streams and grass. It might as well have been 1880. I was worried about my 2 gallon tank running out of gas then too and was very happy to make it to Livermore. While put-put and blue smoke were cute, it is nice to be traveling on the road less traveled in serene quiet - if only the straight-pipe H-Ds and sport bikes weren't out there now too. ::)
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Sounds like fun - I've ridden through that area many times on my gas bike(s) - someday I'll have an electric bike with more capacity and I'll join you!
So you did this ride without the 'Power Tank'? Did you trade-in your 2012 Zero?
Have the power tank; not enough restraint to make that loop without it, I think!
Used to make that loop on my various ICE bikes over the years, but it's been a long time. Used to come home from I-5 / Patterson that way in my beloved Chevy X-11. Nice twisties, and a lot of fairly new pavement!
:)