Zero SR and DS in the driving report

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Zero SR and DS in the driving report

Competitive 2015 vintage?

Up to 201 kilometers range, 144 Nm maximum torque, suspension updates, ABS, new tires and charged in just over an hour – the 2015 vintage from Zero has it all. This makes the electric motorcycle into serious competition for motorcycles with combustion engines?

"For our 2015 models we have clearly focused on the chassis and the brakes for improvements", explains Abe Askenazi, Technical Director at Zero Motorcycles. One point of criticism in the 2014 generation was the lack of ABS (see MOTORRAD 12/2014). This has changed. In 2015, all four model series from Zero (SR, S, DS and FX) are equipped with Bosch anti-lock blocks. What wasn’t great so far: the chassis. Here Zero is now relying on Showa’s know-how and equipping all types with fully adjustable forks and struts. In addition, the tire supplier was changed. Various Pirelli tires are now mounted on the rims. And what are the effects of the changes? To find out about the updates, we had the top model Zero SR and the soft enduro for tests Zero DS available. 

Zero SR and DS in the driving report

Competitive 2015 vintage?

Zero SR noticed immediately: Mr. Askenazi did not tell the whole truth. In contrast to last year’s SR with a maximum of 119 Nm, the current version develops 144 Nm from its brushless permanent magnet motor. It is really going forward. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll quickly start in a wheelie. Fortunately, Zero has also adjusted the power input, which is now noticeably gentler. Without a raised front wheel and with the full torque output, which can be called up from the first engine revolution, opponents quickly disappeared into the rear-view mirror during urban traffic light hopping. The Pirellis also played a major role in this performance. The Zero SR and its sister model S are equipped with the Diablo Rosso II as standard. It grips much better than its predecessor from IRC and convinces with its quick warm-up behavior. 

Extra battery pack increases weight

Santa Cruz is behind us, winding roads in front of us. After a few turns on the route, which is blessed with mediocre asphalt, it becomes clear that the Showa update was spot on. The fork and shock absorber swallow the bumps sensitively, offering a lot of comfort without diluting the feedback. This way, the full potential of the new ABS system from Bosch can be fully exploited, which, in cooperation with the other brake components from J. Juan from Spain, brings the Zero SR to a precise stop. The same applies to the Zero DS. Equipped with a 19-inch front wheel and longer suspension travel, it also offers a seating position that is more suitable for touring. 

And, are the properties of the current zero generation enough for emotional motorcycle fun? In principle yes. However, Zero manages the extended range of the Zero SR of up to 201 kilometers with an extra battery pack. This increases the weight and increases the loading time. In the best case, this is more than four hours with the Zero FX, the entry-level model with the smallest battery. Then normal household electricity feeds the battery via the charger integrated in the bike. With the powerful Zero SR, up to 15.3 kWh have to be refilled. This then takes 10.5 hours. The charging process works much faster via the integrated CHAdeMO interface.

Electric

Electric motorcycle Zero FX ZF 5.7 in the test

Dynamic driving fun with a 126 kg enduro

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Battery charged in just over an hour

It stands for “Charge de Move” and fills the battery up to 95 percent in just over an hour. There are currently 90 of the practical CHAdeMO stations in Germany – mainly in metropolitan areas. What could also prove to be an electro bike fun brake is the price. The range here ranges from the small Zero FX with a range of just 34 kilometers for 9890 euros to 19,720 euros for the Zero SR model with an extra battery. 

The Zero motorcycles put a smile on your lips with every kilometer of distance – expensive battery technology and high purchase price will probably only make them funmobiles for the well-off. That’s a shame, because the driving pleasure with them is really electrifying and spirited.

Data Zero SR ZF 12.5 Power Pack

Cathcart

The Zero SR weighs 208 kg, …

engine

Passively air-cooled, brushless permanent electric motor, 660 A three-phase controller with regenerative braking system, batteries: lithium-ion, clutch-free direct drive, toothed belt.

Maximum Performance

67 hp (50 kW) at 4000 rpm

maximum torque

144 Nm

Maximum performance    

15.3 kWh

Nominal efficiency

13.5 kWh

landing gear

Bridge frame made of aluminum, upside-down fork, Ø 41 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, spring strut directly hinged, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, front disc brake , Ø 320 mm, double-piston floating caliper, disc brake rear, Ø 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper, ABS.

Cast aluminum wheels                      

3.00 x 17; 3.50 x 17

tires

Pirelli Diablo Rosso II
110/70 17; 140/70 17

Dimensions & Weights

Wheelbase 1410 mm, steering head angle 66 degrees, caster 80 mm, spring travel from / h. 159/161 mm, seat height 807 mm, weight 208 kg, payload 144 kg.

guarantee

2 years

Battery guarantee

5 years / 160,000 km

Integrated charger

1.3 kW

Loading time

10.5 hours full

With an additional charger

6.0 hours full

Charging voltage

230 volts

Range combined

201 km

price

19,720 euros

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