Parker Bros. and Zero Motorcycles

[YellowDuck]

Hi all -

Received this email from Parker Bros. Powersports and asked them if I could post it here. They agreed so here it is. Interested in your thoughts.

We had an interesting opportunity to test the new Zero Electric
Motorcycles last week. They have approached us to become a dealer and I
have always maintained that I can't sell anything I wouldn't like to ride
myself. I did test the Zero's two years ago and came away less than
impressed. However Zero has hired a number of quality guys from the MC
industry and have transformed their product into a real motorcycle.

Chris & I were first out, me on the DS and Chris on the XU. At the 1st
light we stopped, looked at each other with big $h@t eatin grins. Pretty
good acceleration and absolutely no noise. The rest of the boys went for
an urban Etobicoke tour and returned with similar grins. They handle well,
brakes are good and they are very easy to ride. The XU made me think of
Humber, RTI or Sheridan bike courses...easy to ride, no gears, no clutch,
no noise.

The bikes offer between 60 and 110 km range with speeds up to 105 kph.
Acceleration is good and they are not to be confused with the chinese
moving pylon scooters that crawl down our streets. The bikes aren't cheap
and range from $7495 for the XU up to $10495 for the DS. The S is $9995.

As we contemplate becoming a dealer I would like all feedback regarding
these bikes. Would you be interested in a Zero and the opportunity to
shoot the bird as you pass all gas stations. Does the idea of no oil
changes and relatively no maintenance make up for the fact that the
initial cost is $10k? As always your feedback is appreciated.

[YellowDuck]

Personally, I am one of the very few (I think) sportbike riders who would actually consider an electric bike if I felt it was up to snuff. I'd even pay a little more than the *equivalent* ICE powered bike.

For me that means it has to have enough range for a typical weekend ride - say 200 km, even if I am flogging it. It needs to hit 120 km/h with good acceleration. And of course it needs top shelf brakes and suspension, and it needs to look good.

In my opinion the Zero bikes fall short on all of the above. They promise only 60 km range when ridden the way I ride, struggle to reach normal speeds on rural roads, look like suitcases with wheels, and they feel awkward when you sit on them.

If they had a model that looked like, say, the last generation CBR125, with the suspension and brakes of a modern 600 supersport, could go fast enough to get you in trouble in an 80 zone, and could do that for a few hours at a stretch...then I would be interested. But my take on the current bikes is that they are essentially commuters.

Just not quite there yet, at least for my kind of riding.

Differing opinions?

[Kootenanny]

Yes, commuters. Probably really good for urban use, kind of a super-scooter.

However, for my purposes, I want the same things you do--better range, higher speed, handling, and yeah, some style. Those bikes are out there--I read a piece (from here?) on an electric racer that Michael Uhlarik was involved with, and that looked the business! And if it can lap the Isle of Mann course at speed, hey, whaddya want?

[K-Man]

The race versions of these bikes successfully lapped the Isle of Mann @ just under 99 m.p.h.,but only managed one lap.(37.35 miles)Here in Duncan the local dealer tried unsucessfully to sell them,but couldn't and his personal unit sits buried in his garage at home,paid for.I would suggest waiting a few more years ,and when all the fossil fuels dry up, and big business is forced to start thinking electric again.

[zzrcanuck]

For my commute the dual sport version would be almost ideal but
at the price they're asking a cbr250r would be a hell of a lot cheaper,gas included since it hardly uses any, and much more versatile.
I would seriously consider one though if they were half the price.

[CanaMatt]

I was out for a ride this week-end and traded bikes with a mate who's BMW has a set of performance mufflers. I realized how much I liked, how viseral a bike is. Sounds, vibration the works. I can't imagine an electric bike doing the same thing. I have one of those Hybrids back home and have a bit of fun trying to keep the thing running on electric only power....sorry I just can't imagine enjoying a bike the running same way. Maybe I'm just an old geezer but I do love the sound of a well tuned petrol fired engine.

[yzf1000jon]

Ah, but the ability to burn donuts on your neighbours back lawn without waking him up a 2 in the morning might just be worth it!:D

Besides I like the Empulse style much more. 100mph for 100 miles on the 10.0 with real bike suspension and frame. That could be a very fun, very practical commuter, especially if you charged it at work!