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+--- Thread: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! (/showthread.php?tid=7428)
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I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - Papa Weeley_imp - 04-25-2016
Went down to my local Triumph dealer on Saturday to finally take a good long look at the new Bonneville T120s they got in. Man, what a beautiful bike. Was just as gorgeous after a long inspection as it was at the preview last December. I loved my '12 Bonnie, and these new models are head-and-shoulders above the old versions in every class. The attention to detail and fit and finish are just remarkable, especially in comparison. Very, very, tempting...!
In the midst of the usual bunch of bike talk (the guys there are awesome, and have become good friends), one of the sales guys says, "here let me to toss you the keys to something I want you to ride", and points to a sporty looking Zero. I kind of internally rolled my eyes, as even though I appreciate the idea, I really have no interest in the electric bikes. He must have sensed my hesitation, because he said something like, "just check it out...obviously no obligation, you've just got to try it once". OK, I'm game for most anything bike-wise, so off we went out the front door, key in hand.
He gave me a quick rundown of what TO and what NOT to do - like "hit the kill switch whenever you're done riding, because the bike makes no noise when it's technically ON, so if you don't, and you accidentally hit the throttle, the bike's going to take off, whether you're ready or not!" Well, needless to say, you didn't have to tell me that twice! He then showed me the three riding modes, which are easily toggled through by a switch on the right handgrip (right where the starter button is located on most bikes): "eco", which is obviously down on power, but gives about a 200 mile riding range, and "sport" which is, well, just the opposite of "eco" in every way. There was also a "custom" mode, which we didn't touch on, but I assume you can set that one up yourself anywhere between the other two options.
He instructed me to pull out of the lot in "eco" to get used to it all, and at the stop sign at the end of the block, switch over to "sport", and just get on the thing...so I did.
In "eco", everything's pretty benign, yet very linear in power - maybe comparable to something like a 300cc sportbike. It felt extremely lightweight and "tossable", and swerving down the street at city speeds, it felt very nimble and responsive in the handing department. Ergos are what I'd call semi-sportbikish. Lower bars, but not too hunched over, pegs are higher than the CB11, but not to where I felt like my heels were digging into my backside. Actually, it's quite acceptably comfortable for what's supposed to be the sporty bike of their line. The complete quiet of the power unit is bizarre, though. You hear a small bit of tranny whine and tire noise, but otherwise it's almost like riding in a vacuum - pretty surreal. And I know lots of guys have sworn by their automatic transmission-ed bikes over the years, but it's very strange to me, not shifting...maybe that's something that would become more acceptable with use?
So I got to the stop sign, and toggled over to "sport" - which I have to add, was quite simple, even with my aging eyesight, with no glasses on - and decided to "give it a bit of willy" as our Brit brothers would put it. And...OH HOLY HE** AND DA*NATION! It was like someone strapped a Saturn V rocket onto my crotch, then kicked me in the arse with a metal-toed, size 15 boot! I quite literally almost lost my grip on the bars, and the front tire lofted easily off the ground. It was a tough sensation to comprehend, because the bike felt so small and light, there just seemed to be no way that much power was being wielded upon you like a sledgehammer.
Now, I'm not saying that it was the kind of power that say a Yamaha R1 or Ducati Panigale would have, but I truly was not ready for that instant, right NOW surge of power from what seemed like such a smallish, lightweight motorcycle. To be honest, I was also not holding on in the way I should have been; it was just that completely unexpected. You just can't understand that immediate rush of response that an electric motor has over the way any internal combustion engine (usually) gradually builds power. It is amazing. Even when already moving, roll-on acceleration is astounding. Power is always there, no matter when you ask for it.
So, of course I repeated the performance at every successive stop.
I literally re-entered their parking lot laughing out loud. What a hoot. I highly recommend that every rider at least try one out!
Bottom line is that I don't know if it's something I'd ever have in my garage; at $13-14K for this model they're not cheap (lesser-powered versions are much cheaper, at $8-9K), and it's a very odd experience. Lost is a lot of the...mmm..."visceral" experience of motorcycling. No intoxicating engine sound. No listening to the revs to choose your shifting point (how many long-time riders ever check their tach for that info???). No rumble or vibration through the seat or bars. No reaching for the clutch lever, accompanied by the synchronized dance with the left foot on the shifter lever...but as I said, perhaps these are things that you find odd now, but would eventually accept, or even learn to love with regular use. I can certainly see it being a very fun commuter bike, if your commute was a reasonable length (range decreases in "sport" mode, when driven on the freeway, etc.)
As for me, I have to say that this bike is at a barrel-full-of-monkeys level of fun, and if it was in the $7-8K price range, I would very seriously consider it, and it might have even come home with me that day.
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - the Ferret - 04-25-2016
Love the title of the thread..and loved the body of it too. We sometimes go into things with such preconceptions that we limit ourselves badly. I'd love to ride an electric bike. I loved riding a DCT bike. I would love to ride a Can Am 3 wheeler, I loved riding a Piaggio with the two front wheels in the front that leaned. I loved riding a scooter with CVT. To me riding most anything is fun. I'm envious of your experience with this. So cool..
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - 4 Paws_imp - 04-25-2016
Love the Zero concept and their Dual sport seriously intrigues me but like you the price eliminates it as a realistic option.
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - kmoney_imp - 04-25-2016
The inverted range (horrible highway, amazing city) basically eliminates these bikes from consideration for me. There was a guy here with an original Brammo (now basically Victory) Empulse and he said that thing could go something like 140+ city, but only 40-60 miles on the highway if you were riding spiritedly. An electric motorcycle would probably be the ultimate hooligan bike for ripping around the city though...
Electric bikes and cars are cool, but we're a long ways away from building battery systems that can come close to the energy density of gasoline.
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - Papa Weeley_imp - 04-25-2016
(04-25-2016, 04:50 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote:
I'm envious of your experience with this. So cool..
Thank you! (04-25-2016, 04:50 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote:
I'm envious of your experience with this. So cool..
Absolutely. I try to keep an open mind, even if it's something that might not be what I'd consider even on my radar.
I've got to try out a CanAm Spyder, myself. My wife, who won't even ride pillion with me, says she'd like to ride one herself!
And the Polaris Slingshot is the other "odd" ride I need to drive, too...
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - rboe - 04-25-2016
Some day our great great grand kids will ride a Harley (or CB) on a lark and wonder why we were ever so in love with the darn things. Since their rides will be quiet, powerful and so much easier to ride and live with. Valves? WTH?! EFI? Emissions? Vibrations? Flammable fuel?! Gas stains on the tank to worry about? Bad mapping? Torque curves? We may wonder why too!
Some day.
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - curlyjoe_imp - 04-25-2016
Thanks for the great ZERO ride report Papa Weeley!
I think it would be cool to own a ZERO.
Maybe someday!
The Ceres, CA police department has 3 ZEROs.
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - the Ferret - 04-25-2016
Cool video. who would have imagined that the public would respond positively to nice quiet motorcycles.
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - EGAlvarez_imp - 04-26-2016
Every year, fewer and fewer new drivers know how to operate a car with a stick shift. In the USA, something like 96% of new vehicles sold are automatic. I can see where a shiftless bike like this, or a Honda DCT could easily appeal to new riders.
I look forward to testing an electric vehicle. I feel that a silent dual sport bike would be much less offensive than a bike with an aftermarket exhaust riding by a campsite, cabin or park.
RE: I Rode a Zero SR - and lived to tell about it! - metallyguitarded_imp - 04-28-2016
That was a fun read! Haha. I'm excited at the prospect of electric bikes. I, too, love and can't imagine giving up completely the engine sound and the act of shifting through gears but I can definitely see an electric bike in my future. Zero seems to be leading the industry but there are hints of other manufacturers getting on the e-band wagon. Glad you're still with us Papa!