2014 Zero SR ...zzzttt.

If I put peddles on it and ride it slowly can it be considered an ebike? :D
 
but it has no sound! Owners won't make it home from the dealership after buying it.
 
SkyRider said:
are there people who would pay 17k for this thing?
Click to expand...

I would if I had 17k just lying around and nothing to spend it on. Unfortunately I don't (yet) so I won't.

I think they'll sell a bunch to the early adopters and then flatline because of price. Once tech becomes more accessible and mainstream, then we'll see the prices drop (and I'm sure more competitors) and then they will be more accessible.

Right now the CBR250 I ride would take a LONG LONG LONG time to save the same amount in gas....Average weekly fill-up of $12 would take ... over 1400weeks / 27years..... no thanks.
 
SkyRider said:
are there people who would pay 17k for this thing?
Click to expand...

Yea people will like the novelty of it and green folks who like bikes will.

The argument could be make that the savings on maintenance and fuel alone are good selling features other than the Wheels the power train only has 2 moving parts.
 
106 ft lbs of torque thru that skinny little IRC rear tire? CAn you say hi tech hi side?
 
Two50noob said:
Yea people will like the novelty of it and green folks who like bikes will.

The argument could be make that the savings on maintenance and fuel alone are good selling features other than the Wheels the power train only has 2 moving parts.
Click to expand...

I've heard the argument that the upfront cost of EVs better represent a 5-year cost of ownership, whereas a gasoline vehicle "hides" that same cost in engine maintenance over time. While this may be true, this is how most of us can afford larger expenditures (cars/real estate). Not many people could own property if they were required to pay 100% upfront. Boosters ignore the fact that batteries, motors and electronics DO fail; warranties are easily denied or ignored. Tires, brakes, suspension, chains, tires and bearings are likely the same wear items as always. Who knows how depreciation will be handled. Health concerns from being so close to a fairly strong magnetic field for hours at a go? I'm not sure how magnetism/ionizing radiation overlap in terms of effect, if at all. What about battery packs in real world accidents? Lots of unknowns.

Still, good for Zero for pushing forward. I'm definitely in their target market from a usage standpoint (commuting/short day trips) and would be happy to buy one. Money is ALWAYS an object though, and 15K-17K is just too steep for the average person, as I'm sure Zero knows. What they need is a real partnership with a big player to give the idea legs.
 
the full range version is $19K.

This is why kawahondasuzasaki have no interest in electrics, they cannot bring one to market under $10K, which is what you have to do.

The good news is that demand for lithium ion batteries is huge, and plants are being made right now to increase output by 10X.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom