What is a Zero Motorcycle?

If you haven’t yet heard there has been a bit of a revolution in the motorcycle world with the advent of electric motorcycles. Harley-Davidson and Vespa have even jumped into the fray with their own electrically powered vehicles, the Harley-Davidson Livewire and the Vespa Electtrica, respectively.

But one of the most popular newcomers is the Zero Motorcycle which raised eyebrows when it was unveiled earlier this year in Amsterdam. Their SR/F model promises to deliver ‘industry-leading power, control, and connection" and is currently outselling all of its competitors, and the FXS can be a great option for commuters and learner riders.

• How far can I ride on a Zero motorcycle?
• How long does it take to charge a Zero motorcycle?
• How much is a Zero motorcycle?

History of the Zero Motorcycle

Zero Motorcycles started life in 2006 in Santa Cruz, California. The company was originally called Electricross and was founded by a former NASA engineer. After a name change to Zero Motorcycles, the company began developing their range of electric bikes and currently offers 7 different models. Their first motorcycle to come off the production lines was the Zero S in 2010; since then many modifications, additions, and even a complete redesign have been seen. 2016 saw two more motorcycles added to Zero’s range and the rest, as they say, is history.

Who is an electric motorcycle good for?

So far, commuters have embraced the Zero more than tourers, which makes sense. Commuters can typically travel to work and back home on a single charge, depending of course on the length of your journey and the model you choose. Each night, the commuter can recharge their bike at home, ready for the next day. We spoke with a local Zero dealer outside of London who said the FXS is their most popular model, and that most people buy them for commuting. For a starting cost of £8,990 (with government grant) and a cost of £1.12 for a full charge, the Zero FXS (ZF7.2) can make great economic sense for a commuter.

How far can I ride on a Zero motorcycle?

You can expect a fully charged Zero SR bike (the model with the longest range) to carry you for 90 Highway/179 City miles (if you don't have a power tank). Adding a power tank increases the range by around 30 miles on average. Range varies by model, as you can see in the table below.

How long does a Zero take to charge?

Charging times vary by model, and are longer if you have a Power Tank. In addition, the Zero SR/F motorcycle comes in a standard and a premium model, which have different charging times. For example the Standard model will take an average of 4 hours to fully charge, while the premium version will take 2 hours on average—but buying the 6 kW Rapid Charge option brings these charge times down to 1.3 hours and 1 hour, respectively.

What is the power performance of a Zero motorcycle?

In terms of power, the Zero motorcycle offers a pretty healthy maximum top speed of 124 miles per hour (SR/F model) and will provide you with a maximum peak performance of 110 hp. The Zero Motorcycle is a fully ‘smart motorcycle’. All the information you require will be relayed to you via the motorcycles inbuilt full colour 12.5cm dashboard LCD display which is completely programmable to allow you to access the data you need. The bike's specs vary slightly based on whether you have purchased a standard or a premium model. Some further specification details are contained in the table below.

How much does a Zero Motorcycle cost?

In the UK, a Zero motorcycle will set you back at least £8,990 (£10,490 less the £1,500 Government Grant) for an FXS, with prices going up for different models or with the addition of options. Sales have been a bit slower Zero with the public not being quite as quick to adopt the electric-powered motorcycles as expected. That may have something to do with the price tag. While cost is offset by dramatically reduced running costs (e.g., no petrol needed to operate the vehicle and reduced annual maintenance requirements), the initial cost may prove too much of a stretch for many motorcycle riders, despite the added bonus of non-polluting emissions.

Here are starting prices for the available UK Zero Motorcycles:

Accessories such as the Power Tank, Charge Tank or Quick Charger cost extra.

How much does a Zero cost to charge?

It will cost between 56p and £2.23 to fully charge a Zero electric motorcycle, depending on the size of the battery.

Cost to run a Zero electric motorcycle per mile

It costs around 2p per miles in electricity costs to run a Zero electric motorcycle, which is 80% less than the average 10 p/mile fuel cost to run a traditional motorcycle.

Are Zero motorcycle maintenance costs higher?

As electric motorcycles do not need things like oil changes or the standard form of servicing the way that petrol models do it can lead to annual cost savings on things like repair and maintenance. The only recommended regular maintenance for your Zero motorcycle is to change the drive belt and the brake pads as part of normal wear and tear. The amount of times you will need to do it will be dependent on the total amount of annual miles that you ride. The Zero Motorcycle also provides its owners with a 5 year, unlimited mileage power pack warranty.

Where can I charge a Zero motorcycle?

Charging requirements can be a concern for riders using electric vehicles—no-one wants to be trapped in the middle of nowhere with no access to a charging station. Luckily the Zero range of motorcycles requires no special equipment to charge their bikes, and with the addition of an included cable that can be easily carried with you, you may charge your bike at any time using a standard electrical power outlet. There is also a ‘rapid charge’ option that can be added to the Zero SR/F model.

Zero Motorcycle test ride

To check the claims of Zero motorcycles and test the performance of their new SR/F model, Motorcycle News recently performed a test ride. Results were favourable overall and the test rider cited it as a ‘step in the right direction’ for electric motorcycles. The test ride puts the SR/F through its paces and tests driving function in each of its driving modes: Eco, Sport, Street, and Rain along with various other programmable options.

Summary

While the price tag may discourage some motorcycle riders from making the change and investing in an all-electric vehicle, the technology is progressing at impressive levels. For many riders that have made the switch, the reports are favourable with cost savings being realised annually for maintenance, repair and fuel.