ZERO 2012 XU Your Next Bike for $7,695 List ?

[deVries]

Specs:

The entire powertrain of the Zero XU is new for 2012. The result is a more powerful motorcycle that goes 75% farther on a charge, is 25% faster, utilizes regenerative deceleration and offers a dramatically extended lifetime of nearly maintenance free riding. Capable of hitting a top speed of 65 mph, the new Zero XU also has a significantly broader power band that makes urban riding more fun than ever before. Now featuring new state of the art battery cell technology and a brushless motor, the Zero XU lasts over 3,000 full recharge cycles, or over 100,000 miles, while requiring no motor or power pack maintenance. In addition, the rear wheel is now driven by a belt drive that is both maintenance free and offers the same sophisticated silence as the Zero S and Zero DS.

I can "almost" afford to get this bike. There seems to be so many upgrades from the previous year's models that it seems it's a no brainer to go with the 2012, rather than buy a 2011 demo or used ...if these can even be easily found.

Here's a possible mod I would like to know if it could be easily done for this model...

Could I modify this for longer range w/booster pack AND ALSO *maintain* the rated *top speed* for a longer time that I need? That's just a real and true 65mph constant -specs say "top speed", for just 15-20 minutes wide open highway constant speed. Or, would that be too much continuous constant load for the stock controller/motor for 15-20 minutes at 65mph? Would 75mph be possible for 15 minutes too?

What do you think about doing these mods "above" w/2012 XU ?

(I think that is a better option than getting a used 2011 more expensive Zero model. Agreed?)

Advice please!

2012_zero XU.jpg (42.24 KiB) Viewed 640 times

[edcastrovalley]

The 2012 XU is a nice bike but I don't think it will work for any extended freeway driving above 55 mph for long. I guess it depends on what kind of freeways you have in your area. Here in California I have to push my 2010 DS (which is similar to a 2011 DS) near it's max continuous speed of 67 mph to keep up with traffic and some traffic will still buzz by me at 75 mph. What some of the guys have found is by adding a small handlebar mounted windshield to the bike (Zero has one for $99) will get them an additional 3 or 4 mph for the same power input. That may certainly help. And you could certainly add a booster pack but, you would have to worry about your warranty. Keep in mind the bike is smaller. If you're just jumping on the freeway for a couple of exits, you would be fine but you (or the bike) may not like commuting 10 miles everyday at those speeds.

[grindz145]

the XU is basically an overgrown ebike. It's pretty freaking awesome. Alot of people site all the street bikes you could get for 7700 bucks, but come on. This thing is in a class of it's own. There probably isn't a better city bike.

p.s. If you're already a seasoned motorcyclist, you might be happier with the larger battery pack version. This bike is really in a class of it's own though, the lightweight electric urban commuter. This and the brammo enertia are really their own class.

[edcastrovalley]

+1 (Grindz) The XU would make a great city commuter.