The Zero DS...follow-up...

[JustPassinThru_imp]

The CB was a great ride. Smooth power....although yes, it buzzed. That's why I tired of it. But my experience with the Suzuki recall reminds me how much better is Honda quality and owner relations (the Suzi dealer farkled up the machine in replacing the supposedly-defective camshafts).

The Wee-Strom is what it is. If I ever get it right again, it'll be a great midrange tourer. But...

I'm coming to love this Zero DS. Now, the one I bought was a 2012...the new ones are more sophisticated AND MORE EXPENSIVE. This one doesn't have nearly the torque the 2015 demo had.

But it scoots right along. I've had it up to 75...no lie. It's a little lighter than the TW; and it boogies. Well-balanced and responsive. It has regenerative braking, so I hardly need to use the brakes except in panic stops or full stops.

The lack of gears...is, in city riding, a decided plus. Long lights are not something I need fear or kill the engine for, to prevent overheating.

Range? Mine is supposed to have the bigger battery pack; but it seems, with 2000 miles on it, range is about 75 miles. Not good; but acceptable.

Charging it up...is a rush. FREE RIDING! I use the apartment-house's outdoor outlet, intended for gardeners. FREE POWER!

No gas; no oil. I don't yet know how much other maintenance costs will be. I do know that Zero Motorcycles offers only limited support on machines this "old."

But it's been fun so far. 150 miles on it.

[CB4ME_imp]

What's it sound like at various speeds and during acceleration and deceleration?

[JustPassinThru_imp]

At slow (walking) speeds there's gear-clank. I don't know where it could be coming from, since the electric motor is mounted on the swingarm and it drives a belt, not a chain. I guess there's a reduction gear inside the motor housing - it's covered with a guard and I haven't had it open.

At speed there's a light buzzing noise, some of it from tires, some from other mechanical wear points. It IS ghostly silent. I nearly hit a pedestrian in a parking lot...came around a corner into an aisle as she stepped off the walkway onto the pavement.

[4 Paws_imp]

Had it off road at all?
Love the concept but price is a killer. Enjoy riding it, love to see some photos.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Had it off road at all?
Love the concept but price is a killer. Enjoy riding it, love to see some photos.

Haven't had it offroad. I'm frankly worried about the ventilated motor case. A running change in late 2012 was a sealed motor shell - I guess the earliest Zeros, they warned against even riding in the rain. They were on a learning curve.

Let's see how this goes. And how the dust falls - and that's true of my work situation too, which is not good. Once I can again afford to risk things, and once I've acclimated to this machine and might be ready to get another if it fails...I can take risks with it that I might not otherwise.