Zero Motorcycles Announces 2016 Bikes.

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https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/10/14/2016-zero-electric-motorcycles-review-new-models-first-look-photos-specs-pricing/

Zero own website
https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/motorcycles/


Looks a lot like the 2015 bikes, with improved motors on the quicker models to stop them overheating when you get the bikes up around the ton.

Two "new" bikes for this year

The FXS
https://media.zeromotorcycles.com/gallery-2016/zero-fxs/location/large/2016_zero-fxs_action-06_777x555_gallery.jpg

Which is basically an FX with SR wheels.

And the DSR
https://media.zeromotorcycles.com/gallery-2016/zero-dsr/studio/large/2016_zero-dsr_studio_ra_777x555_gallery.jpg
Which is the Dual Sport with the SR power train.

Battery life is improved slightly, certainly good enough, with the optional extra battery pack in the tank area, for about 120 miles at decent road speeds. Which is starting to move into useful territory.

Anyway, they are available in the UK again, and prices have been announced (yes they are still not cheap, about 13k for the SR and 9k for the basic model S) However prices have dropped 4k for the equivalent spec of the bikes from 2012, so the prices are going in the right direction.

There's also talk of the electric vehicle grant being extended to cover motorbikes as well, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
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2015 Zero-SR; Yamaha Diversion 900

[Rogerborg]

Where are you seeing the UK prices? £-to-$ would be about right, sadly.

They only appear to have one dealer, so I assume that in practice you'd be getting one delivered to your door.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

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[Polarbear]

Ugly, waste of space unless you only ride about 100 (slow) miles at a time, and very very expensive.

Why
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[stinkwheel]

And still not the slightest nod in the direction of aerodynamics, on the vehicle type which would most benefit from them.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[thx1138]

wonder how quickly I'd break the FXS on green lanes?

[recman]

[thx1138]

I'm confident I will have an electric road bike one day, just not quite yet. Getting closer though.

[Rogerborg]

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<usual electric bike comments, electric push bike, blah, blah>

[stevo as b4]

Or maybe a useful 80mph 100mile range electric scooter instead?

If 80mph as a speed limit could get you a comfortable 100miles range, of say at least 50% of the time, thrashing the arse off it, then it kinda works well on all but a price level.

For such a device id be willing to pay top 125cc bike money Circa 4-4.5k, and not a penny more, which is more than reasonable too.

If I had more to spend I'd forget electric altogether at the very top end of the 125cc market, and buy a non learner legal exotic Italian 38bhp bike instead.

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[Rogerborg]

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[Doovy]

Photographed and rode a Zero-S around Regents Park for an online motorbike website.

Was fun. Scary not having any engine noise though.
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[stevo as b4]

I don't think an electric bike really needs to compete with ICE machinery past a certain level really, so a comparison is not always that valid.

You'd never going to be able to have an Electric Pan European than take take you and a pillion all over the alps, cruise through France at 140mph for 6hours, and climb mountain passes in remote area with no fuel stations for say 100miles etc.

An electric bike just needs to appeal to the quiet and clean and fast commuter market, so no more power than an ER5 would be needed approximately, and also to the off road pay and play warriors that want a fast 20min thrill ride on an MX track without the maintenance of an ICE MX bike for example.

The only other category that an electric bike would have much appeal for is those than want a weekend fun vehicle to go to the pub meets on, or as a nice quiet and eco friendly leisure vehicle for limited needs and usage.

No one wants an electric GSXR1000, or Pan Euro, or ZZR1400, or Charley and thingy adventure bike etc.

Saving fuel costs on a daily trudge to work and back does appeal to me, as does low maintenance for a vehicle I'm not going to obsess over or restore and customise etc.

The price is too high still for the technology, as it is with Car's. Currently a New Leaf does not equal a new Ford Focus as a family car, and yet is what £8k more?

Finally electric bikes and gears, where are we at?

I can see there being a big compromise with fixed gearing on an EV, as though torque is strongest at next to no rpm, does the high current needed at the motor deplete batteries much quicker than say having a lower gear ratio and starting load on the motor?

A 6speed manual box on an electric bike seems very silly and OTT, but a 2-3speed efficient drivetrain could be useful maybe as a range or speed extending tool?

[Rogerborg]

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[Rogerborg]

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