10-21-2019, 02:34 AM
Reading this, and was out doing chores on Saturday. There is a bespoke Zero showroom here in Orange CA, and from what I've read, it was the first one that Zero has set up. It's across the street from Home Depot, so I stopped in to check them out. The S was "on sale" for $11k. It looks perfect for my M-F commute of 25 miles round trip. I asked if it could make it to West L.A. for my weekend gig, where I ride about 55 miles one way, and may only stay for about four hours. For that distance and charge time, he said I'd need the upgraded S, which had a bigger battery and motor, and ability to charge from a quick charging station like a car. It had a standard electric car charging port. That model was $18k.
If I wasn't concerned about the price, I wouldn't have a problem buying one. It looks well made, is built in California, and it would seemingly eliminate most maintenance. Just tires and brake fluid, really. But for $18k, man, just not ready for that.
While I was noodling, another guy came in and asked for a test ride. I stood around and watched the salesman give him the rundown, and send him off in the parking lot. A slight whir as it rode away, but nothing else. I joked with the salesman that it would be perfect for a burglar... slinking around a neighborhood at night without a sound. He said "That's why the police love them. Come take a look" - he showed me a demo bike set up as a police bike, with lights and storage boxes. He said that the Santa Monica PD had purchased a fleet of them, and they have more departments interested.
I'll probably go back and test ride one, but until the price comes down...
If I wasn't concerned about the price, I wouldn't have a problem buying one. It looks well made, is built in California, and it would seemingly eliminate most maintenance. Just tires and brake fluid, really. But for $18k, man, just not ready for that.
While I was noodling, another guy came in and asked for a test ride. I stood around and watched the salesman give him the rundown, and send him off in the parking lot. A slight whir as it rode away, but nothing else. I joked with the salesman that it would be perfect for a burglar... slinking around a neighborhood at night without a sound. He said "That's why the police love them. Come take a look" - he showed me a demo bike set up as a police bike, with lights and storage boxes. He said that the Santa Monica PD had purchased a fleet of them, and they have more departments interested.
I'll probably go back and test ride one, but until the price comes down...