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FYI, Zero tried to float pay-to-unlock bullshit on their bikes just like Tesla. For that reason I would never consider one; they are not a company that can be trusted.
I fully support getting an electric motorcycle in general, though. (I also support getting a motorcycle in general.)
Pay to unlock is such bullshit. Sadly it'll become the norm, so you're going to have to keep jumping brands when whatever brand you use starts implementing it. Because sooner or later they will.
The more mainstream it becomes the more people will start hacking these systems.
And the more they get hacked the more they will be locked down. It's a losing battle for the consumer.
This is why right-to-repair legislation is so important.
I rode a few Zeros at a promotional event and really enjoyed them. I had an Africa Twin, and was mostly going on longer rides out in the sticks, to which I agree with other posters suggesting the range isn't great. However, I'd love one for a commuter to get to and from work, as well as for a quick spin whenever I got the itch.
But the $12k+ starting price just isn't where it is at for the moment, considering less than half that can get you a 70+ mpg commuter bike.
Hoping when I get back into motorbikes when the kids grow up, there will be a plethora of cheap, fun commuter/city EVs.
Have an EV, used to have a motorcycle, never had an EV motorcycle. I was looking into getting one after my bike died, and after taking a test ride, it did not feel like a motorcycle, it felt like a really fast scooter. Now this was 6 years ago, they may have changed some things but if you are used to a motorcycle, it doesn’t feel like that. If you’ve never had a motorcycle, or it’s been a while, it might work for you. If it’s a utility thing it will probably work way better, it was a fun chill thing for me, so feel was way more important.
Cars are a lot easier to make feel like an ICE because you aren’t literally straddling the motor, a bike you are way more connected, so changing the feel has way more of an impact. Schedule a test ride and see if you like it.
The aptera looks like a good one
Zero is a fine motorcycle. I assume you've done your homework about EV bikes and you understand what you're doing.
One thing I've heard about Zeros is that maintaining them is a bit of a bitch unless you're ok with everything going through the dealer. Some parts that should be commodity aren't, and not for good reason.
The bike is good but the ownership experience.... Meh!
I'd suggest finding some owners.
Adding a fun anecdote. I remember someone on Reddit who installed a second charger on their bike. So you could plug into two EVSE at the same time. Not sure what kind of charging speed they got, but I imagine pretty quick.
I don't own an EV motorbike but I've been following a couple different manufacturers:
The Ola one looks pretty dang nice; if it were available in the US I'd probably buy one just for random rides on nice weather days.
https://newatlas.com/motorcycles/ola-electric-roadster-motorcycles/
Their stats are absolute bullshit though. That speed, battery capacity, and price is impossible.
These are expected for 2026
Just picked up a BMW CE-04 a couple weeks ago. I haven't had time to really ride it much - I have been out of town since a couple days after getting it. The few rides I have been able to get in have been pretty good.