The list of all-electric powered motorcycles is growing day by day with new players, but Zero Motorcycles has been designing and building zero-emission two-wheelers since 2006. 2016 marks the company’s tenth year in the business and comes forth with new products that are more powerful, can go farther, and recharge faster.
New for 2016 is the supermoto inspired Zero FXS and the versatile Zero DSR for the rider who craves adventure. Now Zero Motorcycles has six distinct models in its product line-up that have advance state-of-the-art electric motorcycle technology and a ride experience that will never be confused with an electric scooter.
The Zero FXS is a street bike with roots in motocross, weighs less than 300 pounds, has 70 lb-ft of almost instantaneous torque, and is rated up to 44 horsepower. It is built with a mix of components aimed at creating an e-bike with a flair for excitement and has exemplary ride quality on the street. The intent was to build a bike with predictable and agile handling. Velcro-like traction on paved roads comes from a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires.
The FXS features Zero Motorcycles new Z-Force® interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor that produces power more efficiently, cools more rapidly, and has a higher thermal capacity. In plain speak, the Z-Force motor can go farther on a single charge and maintain higher top speeds without overheating and losing performance. Factor in the bike’s maintenance free powertrain, belt drive and fully modular power pack system, and more time can be spent riding with a lot less maintenance care.
Prices for the Zero FXS range from $8,495 to $10,990. Two trims are available, the FXS ZF3.3 rated at 27 horsepower and the FXS ZF6.5 rated at 44 horsepower. The ZF3.3 has an estimated range of 45 miles in the city, 27 miles on the highway, or 34 miles combined. The ZF6.5 is estimated to go approximately 90 in the city, 54 miles on the highway, or 68 miles combined.
| 2016 Zero FXS ZF3.3 | 2016 Zero FXS ZF6.5 | |
| PRICES | ||
| $8,495 | $10,990 | |
| RANGE | ||
| City | 45 miles | 90 miles |
| Highway, 55 mph | 27 miles | 54 miles |
| Combined | 34 miles | 68 miles |
| Highway, 70 mph | 18 miles | 37 miles |
| Combined | 26 miles | 52 miles |
| MOTOR | ||
| Max torque | 70 lb-ft | 70 lb-ft |
| Max power | 27 hp @ 3700 rpm | 44 hp @ 3700 rpm |
| Top speed | 82 mph | 82 mph |
| Acceleration, 0-60 mph | 4.1 seconds | 3.8 seconds |
| Type | Z-Force 75-5 passively air-cooled, high efficiency, radial flux, interior permanent magnet, brushless motor | |
| Controller | High efficiency, 420 amp, 3-phase brushless controller with regenerative braking | |
| POWER SYSTEM | ||
| Est. pack life to 80% (city) | 101,000 miles | 203,000 miles |
| Power pack | Z-Force Li-ion intelligent modular | Z-Force Li-ion intelligent modular |
| Max. capacity | 3.3 kWh | 6.5 kWh |
| Charge time | 4.7 hours (100% charged) | 8.9 hours (100% charged) |
| *with one acccessory charger | 2.1 hours (100% charged) | 3.8 hours (100% charged) |
| *with max accessory chargers | 1.5 hours (100% charged) | 1.7 hours (100% charged) |
| DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT | ||
| Wheelbase | 56.0 in. | 56.0 in. |
| Seat height | 32.9 in. | 32.9 in. |
| Rake | 24.4 degrees | 24.4 degrees |
| Trail | 2.8 in. | 2.8 in. |
| Frame weight | 20 lb | 20 lb |
| Curb weight | 251 lb | 293 lb |
| Carry capacity | 379 lb | 337 lb |
TopSpeed considers the Zero DS as “one of the most practical electric motorcycles in its class,” and is well known for its advance technology, responsive handling, and daily comfort. For 2016, the Zero DSR is introduced into the line-up and extends the Zero’s dual sport nature for riding on the street and for off-road fun. With a starting price of $15,995, the DSR offers 25 percent more power (67 hp) and 56 percent more torque (106 lb-ft) than its older brother.
The versatility of the DSR features Zero’s new Z-Force® motor paired with a 660 amp controller, which can perform for extended durations at higher speeds. With a zero to sixty time less than 4 seconds and 106 lb-ft of torque, the DSR is ready for some serious fun wherever you want to take it. A custom-tuned Showa suspension provides comfort and control on- and off-road. Pirelli MT-60 enduro tires come standard and maintain a tight grip on dirt or pavement.
Overall range of the Zero DSR is approximately 95 – 110 miles, which can be extended up to 134 miles with the optional Power Tank.
| 2016 Zero DSR ZF13.0 | 2016 Zero DSR ZF13.0 +POWER TANK | |
| PRICES | ||
| $13,995 | $15,995 | |
| RANGE | ||
| City | 147 miles | 179 miles |
| Highway, 55 mph | 88 miles | 107 miles |
| Combined | 110 miles | 134 miles |
| Highway, 70 mph | 70 miles | 86 miles |
| Combined | 95 miles | 116 miles |
| MOTOR | ||
| Max torque | 106 lb-ft | 106 lb-ft |
| Max power | 67 hp | 67 hp |
| Top speed | 98 mph | 98 mph |
| Acceleration, 0-60 mph | 3.9 seconds | 4.5 seconds |
| Type | Z-Force 75-7R passively air-cooled, high efficiency, radial flux, interior permanent magnet, brushless motor | |
| Controller | High efficiency, 660 amp, 3-phase brushless controller with regenerative braking | |
| POWER SYSTEM | ||
| Est. pack life to 80% (city) | 331,000 miles | 403,000 miles |
| Power pack | Z-Force Li-ion intelligent | Z-Force Li-ion intelligent |
| Max. capacity | 13.0 kWh | 15.9 kWh |
| Charge time | 8.9 hours (100% charged) | 10.8 hours (100% charged) |
| with Charge Tank accessory | 3.4 hours (100% charged) | N/A |
| DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT | ||
| Wheelbase | 56.2 in. | 56.2 in. |
| Seat height | 33.2 in. | 33.2 in. |
| Rake | 26.5 degrees | 26.5 degrees |
| Trail | 4.6 in. | 4.6 in. |
| Frame weight | 23 lb | 23 lb |
| Curb weight | 419 lb | 463 lb |
| Carry capacity | 356 lb | 312 lb |
The 2016 Zero Motorcycles line-up is able to travel farther, and with the new Charge Tank accessory, most models are able to conveniently access the growing network of Level 2 charging stations. The Charge Tank works with the SAE J1772 connector, can recharge the battery pack up to three times faster, and is compatible with 2015 models.
Detailed specifications and prices are available at www.zeromotorcycles.com. New models arrive at authorized
Zero Motorcycles dealers in November 2015. Motorcycle prices range from $8,495 to $15,995, depending upon model. The Charge Tank accessory is scheduled for delivery in spring 2016 and will have a suggested retail price of $1,988. The range-extending Power Tank accessory is available now and lists for $2,674.
About Zero Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles is the next step in motorcycle evolution. By combining the best aspects of a
traditional motorcycle with today’s most advanced technology, Zero produces high performance
electric motorcycles that are lightweight, efficient, fast off the line and fun to ride. Each motorcycle
is optimized from the ground up to leverage the revolutionary Z-Force® electric powertrain and
uses a specially designed rigid, aircraft-grade aluminum frame to minimize weight.
Once a burning idea conceived inside a Santa Cruz, California, garage, Zero has rapidly grown into
an internationally known motorcycle company. The result is groundbreaking motorcycle innovation
that is available for customers to own today. Since 2006, when the first prototypes were produced,
Zero has invited motorcyclists to go for a ride. Some things are better experienced than explained.
*Electric motorcycles, though still in their infancy, are starting to gain a foothold in the marketplace. As costs start to come down and battery technology improves you’re likely to see more and more of these quiet two-wheelers on road and off. As it stands now, the biggest hurdle for electric motorcycles is range. While a traditional gas-powered motorcycle can travel a couple hundred miles on a tank, electric motorcycles are typically half that range. However, electric motorcycles are inexpensive to charge up and maintenance costs are much lower. Smaller manufacturers are currently leading the electric motorcycle charge, but the major manufacturers are not ignoring this new technology.
*Source: motorcycles.com
Check out TFL’s new video series Kickstart: Buy/Ride/Sell where we buy, ride and sell a classic motorcycle in 36 hours. In Episode 1 Roman buys a classic British bike – a 1967 BSA Thunderbolt.
