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[Richard230]

Here is a review of the 2012 ZF9 Zero DS by Ultimate Motorcycling.  The review is generally positive, but not very thorough (in my opinion) and you won't learn anything new. Here is the link:  http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2012-zero-ds-zf9-motorcycle-review

[protomech]

Depending on the power pack you select - ZF6 or ZF9 - the travel range is a claimed 75 or 112 miles. And, depending on how you ride the bike, that stingy range can be chopped almost in half. Freeway speeds will suck enough juice out of the bike to limit your ride on the ZF6 to 42 miles (and the ZF9 drops to 62).

Aaaand another professional journalist falls for Zero's misleading marketing.

Try 29 and 43.5 miles at freeway speeds, ZF6 and ZF9.

I rode 68 miles yesterday, ending with approximately 15% of the displayed charge remaining. Approximately 5-6 miles of that was 60-65 mph speeds, with the remainder at 40-50 mph.

The Zero is a freeway-capable bike, but I'm not really comfortable doing much freeway riding unless I know I will be going only a short distance. Fortunately there's usually a lower speed route I can take.

[rotoiti]

I routinely ride 70+ mph for 26 flat (no hills) miles (and then about a mile on local roads) with 5-7 bars used depending on the wind. I think my DS ZF9 would go about 50-55 miles at 70 mph. If my wife rode it I expect her range would be about 60-65 miles.

The game changes when I use Junipero Serra Freeway (I-280). My range drops to about 45 miles at 70+ there because of the hilly nature of that highway.

[dkw12002]

I think almost everyone wants more speed and more range. Here is one good reason: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-texas-speed-20120613,0,3272290.story

There is highway speed and then there is highway speed. 70 mph relegates you to the right hand lane with the trucks and people exiting and entering. You need a real 75 mph (about 80 indicated) to keep up...for now. Still too slow with too short a range...but getting there.

[Richard230]

And your range on the freeway also depends upon the direction of the wind.  A tailwind is good, a headwind is not.  Also, if you take your chances and ride behind a big truck, the power required to maintain your speed drops noticeably.  Of course, there are negatives to doing this......