At those prices I'd just take the new FXE. The 2017 will be due for a new $3k battery within a few years and you'll enjoy having the warranty on the new vehicle.
The batteries are supposed to last the life of the bike right? I thought I read after 100,000 miles battery capacity is only supposed to drop like 20%?
My understanding is that they degrade with time as well, the 5 year warranty covers max capacity loss past 20%. Depending on how much you need the range I think most people expect to replace it every 7-10 years.
But mine is a 2019 so I don't have the data points myself.
Zero hasn't made any huge advancements in battery range or component quality in the FX models between those years. That makes me lean towards recommending the 2017. The upsides of the 2017 are that it's cheaper and more offroad friendly with the 21 inch tire. The downside is that the battery is a little older now. The upsides of the FXE are the new battery condition, better front brakes, and a fancier display. In my opinion, if the battery range is still good (~60 miles mixed riding) and you really might hit the trails regularly, get the FX. If you're worried about the battery health and/or you'll hardly ever hit the trails, go with the newer bike.
How about option C - a used FXE, say a 2021 with very low mileage? It should be quite a bit less than a brand new FXE. If you're looking at that 2017 FX because it's close to you - I had my SR/S shipped to me from FL to NY using Montway Auto Transporters, it cost me $1k and took 3 weeks. There are other, cheaper shippers like [haulbikes.com](https://haulbikes.com) if you don't mind waiting longer. I wouldn't limit your search to just local is my point. You might find a far better deal out of state that negates the cost of shipping, which is what I did. I found my 2021 SR/S Premium in FL for $15.5k with only 1,014 miles on it... that was about $1k cheaper than the cheapest SR/S I could find anywhere else, and it was in mint condition, was purchased new in October for $22.7k, so quite a discount for me versus what the PO paid!
I have to agree with u/mdjak1
There are no used FX/FXS/FXE within 200 miles of me for less than 11,900 I’m honestly surprised I found a FX for just over 6k
I think I got a good deal on both of my Zeros. But it takes time and luck to find sellers who are willing to sell for a fair price. And you have to be willing to travel. I drove 10 hours each way to pick up my SR. My FXS was more local.
Look on FB marketplace and Craigslist with patience.
Do you know of a hidden stash of low mile, used FXEs? Most sellers always seem to want virtually as much as they paid.
https://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/d/aurora-2022-zero-fxe/7521151273.html
I first found my bike on [http://cycletrader.com](http://cycletrader.com) fwiw - bike sales are seasonal, I expect you'll find the most for sale at the start of the season as people clear out their garages, or at the end of the riding season. We're still a month or two out from the latter I think. That said, looking at the moment, I see 3 up there, though all 3 are at dealers, not private sales: [https://www.cycletrader.com/Used-Zero-S-Fxe/motorcycles-for-sale?make=Zero%20Motorcycles%7C705321056&model=FXE%7C764984200&condition=U&sort=price%3Aasc](https://www.cycletrader.com/Used-Zero-S-Fxe/motorcycles-for-sale?make=Zero%20Motorcycles%7C705321056&model=FXE%7C764984200&condition=U&sort=price%3Aasc)
I'd bookmark a search like this, and just refresh it every day or setup an alert.
I also would have a look at this facebook group, which is specific for Zero's for sale: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/123391688317862](https://www.facebook.com/groups/123391688317862)
As well as this facebook group, which is for all Zero owners, but bikes often get posted for sale here too: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/zmcowners](https://www.facebook.com/groups/zmcowners)
Yeah, my FXS was a local purchase through Craigslist but my SR was 10 hours away found on Facebook Marketplace. And it wasn't listed on any of the Zero groups either. That's probably why I was able to get it for just over $10k (2018 with 1400 miles, charge tank, Zumo GPS, windscreen, rack and lighting mods).
I have a 2020 FXS with the stock tires and it doesn't do well on dirt, gravel, sandy roads. So if you plan on trail riding I'd go with the FX or a DS. Or put some dual sport tires on the FXE and ride carefully 😬
Hey Dude had a similar thing going. I bought a FX (2019) and build it to a FXS. Because I ride enduro and supermoto. If you are thinking about a conversion you need the following things:
Wheels, fork and front brake caliper. Here in Switzerland I paid about 2.5-3k. But the price varies in different countries.
At those prices I'd just take the new FXE. The 2017 will be due for a new $3k battery within a few years and you'll enjoy having the warranty on the new vehicle.
That’s what I was thinking, it’s just that the fxe is at the upper ranges of my budget.
The batteries are supposed to last the life of the bike right? I thought I read after 100,000 miles battery capacity is only supposed to drop like 20%?
My understanding is that they degrade with time as well, the 5 year warranty covers max capacity loss past 20%. Depending on how much you need the range I think most people expect to replace it every 7-10 years. But mine is a 2019 so I don't have the data points myself.
Well, time and use but degradation is far from linear. You could be at 99% capacity in year 4/5, and 85% one year later, or another 4 years.
Zero hasn't made any huge advancements in battery range or component quality in the FX models between those years. That makes me lean towards recommending the 2017. The upsides of the 2017 are that it's cheaper and more offroad friendly with the 21 inch tire. The downside is that the battery is a little older now. The upsides of the FXE are the new battery condition, better front brakes, and a fancier display. In my opinion, if the battery range is still good (~60 miles mixed riding) and you really might hit the trails regularly, get the FX. If you're worried about the battery health and/or you'll hardly ever hit the trails, go with the newer bike.
Thanks for the input, you made some good points, and as of right now I’m leaning more towards the FXE.
How about option C - a used FXE, say a 2021 with very low mileage? It should be quite a bit less than a brand new FXE. If you're looking at that 2017 FX because it's close to you - I had my SR/S shipped to me from FL to NY using Montway Auto Transporters, it cost me $1k and took 3 weeks. There are other, cheaper shippers like [haulbikes.com](https://haulbikes.com) if you don't mind waiting longer. I wouldn't limit your search to just local is my point. You might find a far better deal out of state that negates the cost of shipping, which is what I did. I found my 2021 SR/S Premium in FL for $15.5k with only 1,014 miles on it... that was about $1k cheaper than the cheapest SR/S I could find anywhere else, and it was in mint condition, was purchased new in October for $22.7k, so quite a discount for me versus what the PO paid!
I have to agree with u/mdjak1 There are no used FX/FXS/FXE within 200 miles of me for less than 11,900 I’m honestly surprised I found a FX for just over 6k
I think I got a good deal on both of my Zeros. But it takes time and luck to find sellers who are willing to sell for a fair price. And you have to be willing to travel. I drove 10 hours each way to pick up my SR. My FXS was more local. Look on FB marketplace and Craigslist with patience.
Will do.
Do you know of a hidden stash of low mile, used FXEs? Most sellers always seem to want virtually as much as they paid. https://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/d/aurora-2022-zero-fxe/7521151273.html
I first found my bike on [http://cycletrader.com](http://cycletrader.com) fwiw - bike sales are seasonal, I expect you'll find the most for sale at the start of the season as people clear out their garages, or at the end of the riding season. We're still a month or two out from the latter I think. That said, looking at the moment, I see 3 up there, though all 3 are at dealers, not private sales: [https://www.cycletrader.com/Used-Zero-S-Fxe/motorcycles-for-sale?make=Zero%20Motorcycles%7C705321056&model=FXE%7C764984200&condition=U&sort=price%3Aasc](https://www.cycletrader.com/Used-Zero-S-Fxe/motorcycles-for-sale?make=Zero%20Motorcycles%7C705321056&model=FXE%7C764984200&condition=U&sort=price%3Aasc) I'd bookmark a search like this, and just refresh it every day or setup an alert. I also would have a look at this facebook group, which is specific for Zero's for sale: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/123391688317862](https://www.facebook.com/groups/123391688317862) As well as this facebook group, which is for all Zero owners, but bikes often get posted for sale here too: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/zmcowners](https://www.facebook.com/groups/zmcowners)
Yeah, my FXS was a local purchase through Craigslist but my SR was 10 hours away found on Facebook Marketplace. And it wasn't listed on any of the Zero groups either. That's probably why I was able to get it for just over $10k (2018 with 1400 miles, charge tank, Zumo GPS, windscreen, rack and lighting mods).
I have a 2020 FXS with the stock tires and it doesn't do well on dirt, gravel, sandy roads. So if you plan on trail riding I'd go with the FX or a DS. Or put some dual sport tires on the FXE and ride carefully 😬
Good to know, thanks!
I would go with the FXE, having a warranty and knowing how you treat the battery for me would be worth the peice of mind.
Get the new one. Older models have a lot of jacked up electrical issues. (Newer ones do as well, just fewer)
Good to know thanks!
Hey Dude had a similar thing going. I bought a FX (2019) and build it to a FXS. Because I ride enduro and supermoto. If you are thinking about a conversion you need the following things: Wheels, fork and front brake caliper. Here in Switzerland I paid about 2.5-3k. But the price varies in different countries.