Zero DS
I just got the newsletter that Zero has released their Dual Sport model. It looks like the same capacity as their street model, just beefed up a bit to allow for some off road riding.
One consideration is the quick change battery pack isn't as important for street use as is a large pack. At a track you may want to quickly change out packs but I can't think of a reason for that in street use -- well, unless a battery exchange business were to spring up.
What I like best about the Zero line is that it's the only electric I've seen that's designed to have the battery swapped out quickly. This allows the possibility of using zinc-air batteries, which have high energy density and are fully recyclable with no waste products.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc-air_battery
There are many caveats, but I think a Zero bike with Zinc batteries might compare favorably to my own experience with the Vectrix. I've lost range to the point where it's only useful for very short trips, (10-15 mi) and servicing the batteries is going to be a major undertaking, deferred until time and money permit.
Arlo
What I like best about the Zero line is that it's the only electric I've seen that's designed to have the battery swapped out quickly.
This thread is about the S model Zero Motorcycles, their S model does not support swappable battery packs. Only their X models do that. Their S models instead have a larger pack (more kwh's) than the X models.
- Kudo (1)
They did some interesting things with the Zero DS. I thought for sure they would base it on the Zero MX and put a light kit on it and a few other enhancements.
Basing it on the S makes for a more interesting product line. I am very interested to see how people like it. I really like the headlight and it looks like the S now has the same headlight if you look at Zero's site.
The knobby front tire and street oriented dirt tire on the rear is an interesting combination. I thought they may have done it because it was hard to find a full knobby rear. However, Kenda makes a Trackmaster in 16".
http://twitter.com/skadamo