Zero Motorcycles are taking motorcycle sales in an interesting direction, they’re for sale on Amazon. They’ve been for sale online direct from Zero, but Amazon has ordering and shipping down to a science. The same company where you can order books, tools, music and even groceries, now handles the Zero X and Amazon is offering free Super Saver shipping (at least for now) so the $7450 Zero X costs exactly that.
When companies concentrate on what they do best, in the case of Zero, that’s building electric motorcycles, and partner with other companies like Amazon, that can handle orders and ship in a few clicks of the mouse, the better it works for everyone.
I think Zero is making a smart move and it will be interesting to see how this works out.
Link: Zero X Electric Motorcycle
Related: Brammo Enertia to sell at Best Buy
Sticker Boy says
Interesting idea, but I’d still like the option of a test ride first…!
kneeslider says
When a company is relatively new and has few dealers or no dealers, this gets the bikes out nationwide faster than trying to build up a dealer network. Those first few purchased can “seed” demand because when someone far from the factory sees the bike and likes it, ordering is a 5 minute process.
I would expect pockets of these bikes to pop up wherever someone buys one first, just because he’s an early adopter, and then others can have hands on experience afterward.
skadamo says
In many ways this is a big deal. It is gonna lead to a lot of free advertising for Zero Motorcycles. These guys are brilliant. 😀
There has been 2 in stock for a while now. Reviews look good so far.
Interesting thoughts on early adopters seeding pockets of buyers. I could see that happening for sure.
Gern says
Now, if Amazon could ship a mechanic overnight when the bike need maintenance it would be perfect!
nobody says
How many dealers offer test rides on “competition use only” motorcycles?
If you need a mechanic to maintain one of these, you should consider taking up a different activity.
skadamo says
Check out this dealer news article…
http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/Breaking+News/Zero-Motorcycles-The-Green-Machines-for-Your-Store/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/594268?contextCategoryId=43807
“As mentioned earlier, the company is forgoing the traditional distribution model. Instead, dealers offer demo rides only. If a customer decides to buy, he or she does so directly from Zero through its website (www.zeromotorcycles.com), entering a promotional code provided by the dealer, who then earns a commission of 10 percent to 13 percent. If a customer doesn’t enter a code, and resides in a territory with a Zero rep, the company says the agent will still earn a commission. Zero pays dealers monthly.”
The last sentence leads me to guess/speculate the closest dealer might get a cut and be availiable to service the bike.
kneeslider says
If someone buys a Zero where no dealers or reps are close by, Zero might want to talk to that buyer about becoming a rep. Early adopters are often knowledgeable and it’s a short trip to becoming a product evangelist.
I think Zero has been working on product distribution for quite a while. I bet some other companies are keeping an eye on this.
Azzy says
Interesting model, why dont more small biz places do this?
Azzy says
PS – link broken
fearnow says
DO WANT.
Esp the streetable version with the sorta-SM gear.
Mark X says
Using Amazon as a sales agent, and clearing house makes very good sense. Now all that Zero needs to do is make a saleable product. RideSafe, Mark.
OMMAG says
Ok .. 7grand for a bike I can’t see touch or ride before I buy?
No test rides from the media?
And a strictly off road machine……
I really want to like this proposition …… but just because they’ve added Amazon.com to the mix doesn’t help me….
The last oddball cycle I nearly bought was a Rokon that used a Rotax engine (good motor) and coupled it with a snowmobile transmission… not so good.
I recall Cycle World giving it a pretty good review …. I got to try one at a dealer …. I ended up with a Can-Am mxer.
Lessons learned …. I won’t be buying any electric motorcycle until I know how it feels to ride.
If they really want to “Seed” the market …. put a bunch of them out into the public at events like shows, rallies, races and auctions.
JSH says
When other motorcycle manufacturers allow potential customers test ride motorcycles like car dealerships allow test drives, you can complain about Zero Motorcycles. I have never been to a Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, or Yamaha dealership that allowed customers to test ride motorcycles. You could sit on the bike and if you were REALLY lucky, they would take it outside and start it.
On the other hand Zero Motorcycles DOES allow demo rides. You can go to their website, click on the locator icon and see all the places in the world that they offer demo rides.
The press has ridden and reviewed the Zero-X. I recommend you type “Zero X Review” into google and be amazed:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/2008-zero-x-electric-motorcycle-review-87516.html
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03/31/first-ride-2009-zero-x-electric-motorcycle/
pabs says
sorry this just gives electric a bad name,
there is an horrible test ride over at engadget of a street version
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/23/engadget-shreds-on-the-zero-s-all-electric-motorcycle-with-video/ (hope its ok to link) where they state the battery is good for 5 years and costs $5k ! (or 50% the cost of the entire bike) but they HOPE the price will come down before you need to replace it…ok then !
there is no independant testing by a reputable organisation or magazine, testing charge time, real world mileage, top speed on an incline etc etc (correct me if im wrong)
the only point of interest on this bike i can find is the swingarm which resists torquing via the big tube in front of the wheel, quite brilliant would be great on a high horse motor but not terribly relevent here
JSH says
Nothing is free in this world. Yes, you have to buy a battery pack and it isn’t good forever. However if you were to go the 60 mile range quoted by Zero for their street legal S model every day for 5 years that is 109,500 miles. My electricity costs me $0.9 per KW but lets make it a even $0.10. Electricity for those ~110K miles only costs $730. So battery + electricity is $5,730.
A gas bike that gets 50 mpg will use 2190 gallons of fuel to go those miles. At even todays low prices of $2.50 per gallon that is $5475. Of course you also have to maintain a motorcycle. Oil, filters, valve adjustments, etc.
Of course this assumes that gas doesn’t get more expensive over the next 5 years and batteries don’t get cheaper. I wouldn’t take that bet.
The Zero S would be a great bike for running around the city. I would love to have one.
pabs says
Electric motors are 100% the future of land based transport as soon as the ‘gas tank’ aka a battery in some form can fill /discharges/store about x20 what it does now to be both practical and competitive
This ain’t it however because the physics and the economics don’t work any more than they work for the tesla car. and like the Tesla its futile because there isn’t a patent or breakthrought technology that is enough of a leap from current art to have any commercial merit or be licensed, its all just busywork until the real homework is done and battery technology is practical for the application, when that happens watch out ! the internal combustion engine will be redundant and fast
who said anything about free ? and of course you’d love to have one but you won’t get one because you can’t justify $8k for a toy and if you think anyone will ride that 20,000 miles a year and the battery will really last $100,000 well…
JSH says
You are right, I wouldn’t purchase a Zero-S for myself because it would be an expensive toy. I already have 2 motorcycles so I don’t need another. However, my wife also rides and her motorcycle was totaled by the moving company during our last move. If she decides to replace her bike the short list is: Zero-S, Ducati Monster 969, or the Piaggio 250 MP3. (The Vectrix was also on the list but they just folded) Since her commute is only 15 miles of suburban gridlock, the Zero-S would be an excellent fit. It is very rare for us to drive more than 50 miles a day so the range is not an issue.
BTW, I actually use my motorcycle for year-round commuting so it is far from a toy. However, I’m also not one to discard a perfectly good running motorcycle to just because something new and shiny comes out. (The Zero-X would actually work better on my 20 mile commute than my current BMW.)
My point is a Zero motorcycle is a perfectly viable alternative to a gasoline motorcycle for some people. The cost of the battery is more than offset by other factors such as the ease and low cost of maintenance and very user-friendly nature. It is the perfect vehicle for city use.
pabs says
thats a big style spread for mrs jsh ! i hear great things about the piaggo and the front end geometry is amazing as it actually pushes the outside front wheel forward and away from the bike in a corner which is exactly where it need to be for max grip, could be a great comfortable lower stress choice if she’s not lane splitting especially in foul weather to keep her safe, piaggo is a fine company and the leader in this field, not so much presence here but in italy and europe they are huge
bottom line riding is riding and its all great my daily driver is an utterly pointless turbo gsxr !, i think we can agree were both excited about the electric bike future, can’t wait to see them in roadracing and see what happens to laptimes with all that torque off the corners and a lower weight
JSH says
Lane splitting is not legal in my state though if it was the Piaggio would do fine. The widest part is still the handlebars just like any other motorcycle. The MP3 is on the list due to the unique front suspension. I had the chance to test ride a MP3 250 when they first came out and I’m not sure what you would have to do to low-side one. Braking while cornering and mid-corner gravel caused the front to slide but then it regained traction and continued without drama. I view it as a huge advance and hope we will start to see this on larger motorcycles. (My wife just thinks it looks cool)
The Ducati is on the list because my wife really likes Ducati. I’m a bit wary of the increased maintenance but if she wants one I’ll deal with it.
The Zero-S is on the list because it is electric and very light. Here current bike is only 300 pounds with a low seat height which has made it easy for her to handle. Like I said before, she commutes 7 miles one-way in gridlock. (That 7 miles takes 40 minutes) When she is stopped the Zero will be using no power and more importantly not radiating heat and baking the rider. We also live in a EPA non-attainment area with frequent smog and ozone advisories. My wife has asthma and the pollution doesn’t help. It would be good to be part of the solution not the problem.
skadamo says
Update by a member of Electric Motorcycle Forum…
” It turns out Amazon was not able to handle VIN’d vehicles, though they are working on it, but they had to remove the link until they are confirmed to sell our bikes. ”
Not sure where he got the information but I am trying to find out.
http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=316.msg998#msg998
mike mastrangelo says
I am an independant sales rep for Zero in Chicago. These bikes are awesome. I have given demo rides to people from 3 states away. This is the future.
Midwest Zero 847-809-0008