fantastic interview, learned alot. Sam seems VERY comfortable, and definitely talks way around the BS, really like him, WEALTH of info and experience. Thanks to both of you.....
Sam Paschel certainly talks a good game here but I have mixed experience with Zero products. I bought my 2019 Zero DSR brand new and it has been perfect. I have about 6,000 miles on it right now with the only repair/maintenance bills being a new set of tires and regular belt checks with 2 adjustments. My test ride experience on a Zero was much as Sam described - I really love the experience and I hope I get many years of good service from my DSR. Unfortunately my experience with an older Zero has been quite poor. I purchased a used 2014 Zero S in July with about 3600 miles on it and immediately started having problems with it - it now does not power on at all. After months of waiting for parts and dealing with a dealership that doesn't really seem to know how to work on the bike, I am facing either walking away from a used motorcycle that cost me $7,000 or putting $7150 (plus tax) into a motorcycle that isn't worth that much. Zero has declined any kind of assistance on this one - understandable since they are almost certainly not legally obligated to help but frustrating from my perspective as a loyal customer. Most people debate range anxiety with these bikes but my biggest anxiety is support and longevity. Hopefully they will continue to improve their product line and customer support. Their tight lipped approach to owner self repair certainly leaves a lot to be desired when you consider that many of us who ride like to understand and to a limited degree repair our own machines.
Unfortunately, I missed the live cast. Would have loved to ask Sam why they don't have support like every other motorcycle/car brand? I've commuted on my DSR for almost a year (18k miles) and love it.. after adapting a Vetter Quicksilver fairing and stereo on it. People that ride a Zero are 'enthusiasts', not just riders. That's why we don't NEED a reason or justification to own/ride one. When are we going to see a "Zero Rally"? Where we could share tips/mods/repairs and upgrades? See what others are doing with their Zero's. We're a community with no connections.
I test rode several Zero Motorcycles, I was so sure my next motorcycle would have been a Zero... but the ergonomics just did not work for me. I really need a 30" to 34" seat height cruiser/tourer. I ended up with a Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS. It cost about the same as a Black Forest DSR and that was what I aspirationally wanted. But just too tall and top heavy for me. It was not the overall weight (my new one is over 800lbs). I really want the Zero Motorcycle app and such for my motorcycle and the ability to set the parameters for how the motorcycle operates.
CEO nailed it. Bikes are a flow machine. I build and ride classics, get flow from the build and ride but the SRF theres more flow in total and i dont lift a spanner, best bike Ive owned.
I bought a 2009 Zero XE. And put the MX wheels on it. My question is why did zero abandon dirt bikes? They'll tell you their FX is a dirt bikebut it's not it's a belt drive and there's numerous reasons why it could never be a real dirt bike. Anyway I still ride my zero quite often. Zero did replace the battery for me in 2011. And I have two Yamaha YZs for my longer off road rides and for competition.
The problem is battery voltage. DC fast chargers are a few hundred volts (which most cars run at) and feed straight into the batteries. Zero battery packs are also DC, but only 116V so any DC fast charger would blow it up. There would need to be an entire grid designed just for Zero motorcycles to fast charge.
To many bad reviews for Zero bikes. Nearly bought one but did some research on customer service and reliability, both short term and particularly long term. Quickly changed my mind and will save a little more for a better made Energica with superior specs.
Yup. Too many bad reviews of how Zero handles major issues. I know they're far and few between, but it's also reflective of how Zero responds to them. They want to sell bikes to new owners, not keep existing ones.
Fascinating, thanks for your time Sam and thanks ADVRider for putting this together.
fantastic interview, learned alot. Sam seems VERY comfortable, and definitely talks way around the BS, really like him, WEALTH of info and experience. Thanks to both of you.....
Sam Paschel certainly talks a good game here but I have mixed experience with Zero products. I bought my 2019 Zero DSR brand new and it has been perfect. I have about 6,000 miles on it right now with the only repair/maintenance bills being a new set of tires and regular belt checks with 2 adjustments. My test ride experience on a Zero was much as Sam described - I really love the experience and I hope I get many years of good service from my DSR. Unfortunately my experience with an older Zero has been quite poor.
I purchased a used 2014 Zero S in July with about 3600 miles on it and immediately started having problems with it - it now does not power on at all. After months of waiting for parts and dealing with a dealership that doesn't really seem to know how to work on the bike, I am facing either walking away from a used motorcycle that cost me $7,000 or putting $7150 (plus tax) into a motorcycle that isn't worth that much. Zero has declined any kind of assistance on this one - understandable since they are almost certainly not legally obligated to help but frustrating from my perspective as a loyal customer.
Most people debate range anxiety with these bikes but my biggest anxiety is support and longevity. Hopefully they will continue to improve their product line and customer support. Their tight lipped approach to owner self repair certainly leaves a lot to be desired when you consider that many of us who ride like to understand and to a limited degree repair our own machines.
Just bought two Zeros: A small one for my son and a large one for me. We will be learning together .
Unfortunately, I missed the live cast. Would have loved to ask Sam why they don't have support like every other motorcycle/car brand? I've commuted on my DSR for almost a year (18k miles) and love it.. after adapting a Vetter Quicksilver fairing and stereo on it. People that ride a Zero are 'enthusiasts', not just riders. That's why we don't NEED a reason or justification to own/ride one. When are we going to see a "Zero Rally"? Where we could share tips/mods/repairs and upgrades? See what others are doing with their Zero's. We're a community with no connections.
Great interview, thanks for posting this
Great interview!
I test rode several Zero Motorcycles, I was so sure my next motorcycle would have been a Zero... but the ergonomics just did not work for me.
I really need a 30" to 34" seat height cruiser/tourer. I ended up with a Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS. It cost about the same as a Black Forest DSR and that was what I aspirationally wanted. But just too tall and top heavy for me. It was not the overall weight (my new one is over 800lbs).
I really want the Zero Motorcycle app and such for my motorcycle and the ability to set the parameters for how the motorcycle operates.
CEO nailed it. Bikes are a flow machine. I build and ride classics, get flow from the build and ride but the SRF theres more flow in total and i dont lift a spanner, best bike Ive owned.
Great interview! keep up the good work! Ride safe
Looking forward to this parallel universe future where we can ride long distance on electric bikes.
Thanks guys, loved this interview. Now I want to work for Zero, even if it's as the janitor!
Another awesome video. Very informative. I love the FXS and DS.
I bought a 2009 Zero XE. And put the MX wheels on it. My question is why did zero abandon dirt bikes? They'll tell you their FX is a dirt bikebut it's not it's a belt drive and there's numerous reasons why it could never be a real dirt bike. Anyway I still ride my zero quite often. Zero did replace the battery for me in 2011. And I have two Yamaha YZs for my longer off road rides and for competition.
How can you make this a podcast ???
super soco
He seems like a great guy. I’d love an e-bike but it would be a dirt bike and for less than $2k.
so DC charging IS on the way, just a question of when
The problem is battery voltage. DC fast chargers are a few hundred volts (which most cars run at) and feed straight into the batteries. Zero battery packs are also DC, but only 116V so any DC fast charger would blow it up. There would need to be an entire grid designed just for Zero motorcycles to fast charge.
To many bad reviews for Zero bikes. Nearly bought one but did some research on customer service and reliability, both short term and particularly long term. Quickly changed my mind and will save a little more for a better made Energica with superior specs.
Yup. Too many bad reviews of how Zero handles major issues. I know they're far and few between, but it's also reflective of how Zero responds to them. They want to sell bikes to new owners, not keep existing ones.
Hello sir
I am very passionate about riding
I'm a future rider
Want to buy Enfield Royal Himalayan in short time
I would like to see your video ...
Wheres my level 3 charging accessory