[Calidave]

I've started looking into electric motorcycles, and went to a local shop that carries KTM, but not their electric offering. (I'm going to see how the 2020 Zero DS looks when it comes out.)


The store, entirely closed-in, measures about 40 x 100 feet.

While I was browsing the gloves and jackets, a sales rep walked up to a bike in the middle of the store, started it up and let it run while she examined the dash. A blue-ish plume of smoke started slowly filling the center of the showroom.

Cigarette smoking is prohibited indoors here; but you know, running an ICE motorcycle isn't like burning a small stick of tobacco. . .

I thought of shouting, "That's exactly why i'm looking at electric bikes."
but just shook my head and walked out.

 

[McRat]

I don't know what happened with KTM's electric bike.
Zero Motorcycles are normally happy to let you test drive with a DL w/endorsement.

There are some MegaStores that carry motorcycles in my area. Chapperal is HUGE as is Berts(?). Hundreds of different bikes, but I don't think they carry EV bikes yet.

I'm thinking of trading my my KTM 500EXC in on a Zero.

 

[McRat]

KTM = Best I can figure out, they cancelled the plans to import the Freeride E-XC, and might have cancelled the model. The 2018 was the last year I can find globally, and the webpage locks up even in Europe. Somebody has a 2015 for sale, new-old-stock.

 

[Calidave]

Thanks. Yeah, KTM may have dropped their electric bike. There are currently three Zero dealerships here in the Bay Area.


I came across a group riding Triumphs last weekend (on the dirt road), and a guy from LA says he sees lots of Zero's in the canyons, and some Alta's (rip).

 

[sciencegeek]

I was driving home the other day and there was a group of 5 (!) Zeros. They looked over and clearly recognized the i-Pace; we gave each other the thumbs up!

 

[2761]

I was driving home the other day and there was a group of 5 (!) Zeros. They looked over and clearly recognized the i-Pace; we gave each other the thumbs up!

Being a former Navy flyer, I took your Zeros comment completely out of context thinking that you were buzzed by a group of Mitsubishi Zeros.... :surprise:

 

[sciencegeek]

BTW, has anyone watched the e-Harley video review on CNET? I don't ride motorcycles but I do appreciate them. CNET gave it a glowing review. I think it's great that Harley is finally making one but it's kinda dorky. What gives?

 

[Sbingham60]

BTW, has anyone watched the e-Harley video review on CNET? I don't ride motorcycles but I do appreciate them. CNET gave it a glowing review. I think it's great that Harley is finally making one but it's kinda dorky. What gives?

Didn't see the video review, but did read the autoblog review: https://www.autoblog.com/2019/07/16/2020-harley-davidson-livewire-ev-motorcycle-first-drive-review/
It's an odd review because they were trying real hard to sell the concept even with the two major concerns, such as the charging speed - no real high speed charging option.

Thanks for mentioning CNET, I'll take a look.

 

[McRat]

BTW, has anyone watched the e-Harley video review on CNET? I don't ride motorcycles but I do appreciate them. CNET gave it a glowing review. I think it's great that Harley is finally making one but it's kinda dorky. What gives?

Harley has been trying to enter the 20th century ever since the late 1970's. Their customers will not tolerate it. I believe this will fail like every other attempt to modernize their lineup. It's not loud enough and doesn't look like it was built in the 1930's. I would not bet 'long' on HD. If I were in their shoes and I wanted an EV bike, I'd have kitted their sidecar model for it and kept as much of the old school styling as possible.

 

[McRat]

Didn't see the video review, but did read the autoblog review: https://www.autoblog.com/2019/07/16/2020-harley-davidson-livewire-ev-motorcycle-first-drive-review/
It's an odd review because they were trying real hard to sell the concept even with the two major concerns, such as the charging speed - no real high speed charging option.

Thanks for mentioning CNET, I'll take a look.

IIRC, it will do CCS3 at 192 miles per hour. Since it only has a 110 mile range, it will take the same time as other 100 mile EVs with DCFC support. And oddly enough, cost the same. I love motorcycles, but I'm not seeing any real market for it.

 

[Calidave]

I looked at the HD Livewire reviews as well, and that is exactly why I am looking at a bike from Zero (. . . also, I'm looking to trail ride, so multisport set up is a better fit).
For me, the Zero DS 14.4 provides better range and trail capability at half the price of the HD Livewire. So, I agree with the assessment that Livewire is built to fail, simply by being such a poor value proposition to other electric bikes. And the competition is only going to further outpace the Livewire specs. See, Emflux, Energica, etc.



Pssst. Also, received an email from Zero yesterday confirming that 2020 DS reveal date should be mid-September.