JaimeC
New member
I bought a single-cup Hamilton Beach coffee maker for my desk and needed to transport it from my home to the office yesterday. No way would the box fit in either my K1200LT, or in my preferred commuter bike these days; the Zero S. The box fit PERFECTLY under the seat of the C650GT.
While I was riding it to the office I remembered exactly why I bought it in the first place. The ease of dealing with congested traffic without a clutch, and the available storage. I didn't buy it as a "backup" bike for the K1200LT (though it CAN and has served that purpose, and is the one thing I CAN'T easily do with the Zero), I bought it for commuting.
I also replaced the TMAX with it because the TMAX's electrical system couldn't handle a heated jacket and heated grips, let alone a heated seat. Also, in the winter especially, the ABS comes in VERY handy. And then I remembered that although the Zero could handle the heated jacket, any additional load on the electrical system will limit the total range, and according to the owner's documentation, the range in cold weather is already reduced.
So, I've decided NOT to replace the C650GT. I'll keep it for those occasions when it makes more sense to use it than the other two bikes in the garage. The extra maintenance the CVT requires is less of an issue if it isn't being used as often as I have in the past. Belts, sliders, chains and clutches don't wear out unless they're actually being USED, after all. Likely in the winter the Zero will remain parked most of the time and if the roads are clear (ie: not covered in ice and/or snow) I'll be nice and toasty warm on the C650GT.
An addendum: We got our latest electric bill. Despite having the Zero on the charger every time it is in the garage, and despite the fact we've run the air conditioner inside the house almost non-stop the past month, we STILL produced more electricity to the grid with our solar panels that we used. Our bill indicated we are now running a credit with the electric company.
While I was riding it to the office I remembered exactly why I bought it in the first place. The ease of dealing with congested traffic without a clutch, and the available storage. I didn't buy it as a "backup" bike for the K1200LT (though it CAN and has served that purpose, and is the one thing I CAN'T easily do with the Zero), I bought it for commuting.
I also replaced the TMAX with it because the TMAX's electrical system couldn't handle a heated jacket and heated grips, let alone a heated seat. Also, in the winter especially, the ABS comes in VERY handy. And then I remembered that although the Zero could handle the heated jacket, any additional load on the electrical system will limit the total range, and according to the owner's documentation, the range in cold weather is already reduced.
So, I've decided NOT to replace the C650GT. I'll keep it for those occasions when it makes more sense to use it than the other two bikes in the garage. The extra maintenance the CVT requires is less of an issue if it isn't being used as often as I have in the past. Belts, sliders, chains and clutches don't wear out unless they're actually being USED, after all. Likely in the winter the Zero will remain parked most of the time and if the roads are clear (ie: not covered in ice and/or snow) I'll be nice and toasty warm on the C650GT.
An addendum: We got our latest electric bill. Despite having the Zero on the charger every time it is in the garage, and despite the fact we've run the air conditioner inside the house almost non-stop the past month, we STILL produced more electricity to the grid with our solar panels that we used. Our bill indicated we are now running a credit with the electric company.
