04-14-2015, 10:13 AM
My Suzi dealer just got a Zero franchise - one of the new brands of lithium-ion electric bikes.
Now, I expected these would be a joke. Like the Chinese electric cars...futuristic plastic body over a golf-car frame. Like the Polaris electric mountain bike, which goes 18 miles an hour.
The dealership was offering free demo rides. I was in there getting some minor adjustment on the Turkey Whistle...so, I asked Wyatt, the saleskid, if he'd let me have a ride. After all, I was a paying customer...
Wyatt said, sure. So I got on a Zero DS12.5.
The control on the "throttle" (rheostat, really) was set to ECO. "Don't put it on PWR until you get a feel for it," he warned. "It can rear up and throw you."
Sure.
But I'll make 'em happy...take it easy for a few minutes. I took it out in traffic...and my chin hit the bricks.
In ECO mode, that thing had more pickup than my Burgman 650. ALMOST more than the CB. That thing just TOOK OFF.
I had it up to 60 in no time at all...on a country lane, with a lot of industrial traffic. Let up to turn around...I see it has a REGENERATION feature. Self-braking is almost as much as with the Burgman 650...in other words, a LOT.
Another quick run-up to 60...I hadn't even flipped it to PWR yet. And, of course, it was ghostly quiet - which is a REAL plus to me - and NO vibration. Belt drive, even.
Back to the shop and turn it back in. The thing was perfectly balanced; attractive to look at; solid-feeling. There's no other way to say it: I was astounded.
With a range of 140 miles, that would meet more than half my transportation needs/wants. I'd be buying one now, except that the price on it is $15.5k.
If you're at all curious - OR if you THINK you know about these things - I suggest you take a test ride, if possible.
Now, I expected these would be a joke. Like the Chinese electric cars...futuristic plastic body over a golf-car frame. Like the Polaris electric mountain bike, which goes 18 miles an hour.
The dealership was offering free demo rides. I was in there getting some minor adjustment on the Turkey Whistle...so, I asked Wyatt, the saleskid, if he'd let me have a ride. After all, I was a paying customer...
Wyatt said, sure. So I got on a Zero DS12.5.
The control on the "throttle" (rheostat, really) was set to ECO. "Don't put it on PWR until you get a feel for it," he warned. "It can rear up and throw you."
Sure.
But I'll make 'em happy...take it easy for a few minutes. I took it out in traffic...and my chin hit the bricks.
In ECO mode, that thing had more pickup than my Burgman 650. ALMOST more than the CB. That thing just TOOK OFF.
I had it up to 60 in no time at all...on a country lane, with a lot of industrial traffic. Let up to turn around...I see it has a REGENERATION feature. Self-braking is almost as much as with the Burgman 650...in other words, a LOT.
Another quick run-up to 60...I hadn't even flipped it to PWR yet. And, of course, it was ghostly quiet - which is a REAL plus to me - and NO vibration. Belt drive, even.
Back to the shop and turn it back in. The thing was perfectly balanced; attractive to look at; solid-feeling. There's no other way to say it: I was astounded.
With a range of 140 miles, that would meet more than half my transportation needs/wants. I'd be buying one now, except that the price on it is $15.5k.
If you're at all curious - OR if you THINK you know about these things - I suggest you take a test ride, if possible.