Zero Motorcycles Update

As I noted in the previous article; change comes quickly when it comes to electric motorcycles. Zero Motorcycles announced many changes to its four bike line up for 2011 a few days ago, and details can be seen at the company website. Among them are that the former dirt only versions (the Zero S and DS) now have "street legal versions". Battery packs have been improved for greater range, and a quick charger which significantly shortens charge time can now be purchased for the bikes. There have been changes/improvements to many components of the motorcycles including the suspension, wheels, power train and brakes. Prices have a also changed including some new prices for the Street legal dirt bikes. The Zero X in dirt version is $7,995, the street/trail version is $8,495. The MX is $9,995 for the dirt version, $9,945 for the street/trail version. The two road bikes are the Zero S at $9,995 and the DS (dual sport) at $10,495. All that is current pricing and may of course be subject to change, as is the 10% federal tax credit. All the details as noted can be found at the web site for Zero Motorcycles.
As I have noted have been for a long time amazed at the range of motorcycles out there, and have noted the impact of technology on the motorcycles available today. On the one hand there is the sort of basic motorcycles such as my Kawasaki Vulcan and most Harley-Davidson motorcycles; designed to be simple for the most part. However they have even benefited from technological advances over the years. BMW motorcycles and most sportbikes offer a dazzling array of technology from engine development and features with staggering (and changeable) power at the push of a button. Touring bikes offer features typical of most cars.
I look at electric bikes as another development in the history of motorcycles and an important one due to the rapidly rising cost of fuel. As noted in the previous article, the era of cheap gas is most probably going to be relative year to year anymore. As development continues these type of motorcycles could serve in the future to be cheap, reliable and good ways to enjoy motorcycling. That future may be closer that we think.