Urban eBikes' test of the stalwart Zero DS. Long range electric motorcycle, delivering excellent price / performance. Benchmark high quality electric motorcycle.
Love these motorcycles. I think brakes is a funny thing about those bikes when they have a regen mode that helps with the slow downs and actually helps extend the life of brakes on a vehicle. Such a cool concept and you get a little bit back into the batter when coasting and breaking.
I can also confirm that the range figures on the zero website are correct. I also get about 250-260km in pure city. And about 190km combined with highways (50% at 90km/u). And charging time of about 1 hour for 20%-80%. So the range is fine, but charging times are too slow if you need to travel long distances (which I do not do). If you regularly do +300km, you should look at energica or livewire, not zero. But for -300km the zero is a very good bike.
Thank you for the balanced review. I’m interested in Electric Vehicles (scooters,ebikes, M/C’s, cars). I have purchased several Sondors ebikes and when they sent me an email asking if I was interested their Metacycle I got in line. I was going to get a Zero but was happy with the Sondors ebikes and thought I’d try the Metacycle. I keep getting reassuring emails and expect delivery sometime this year. I don’t think I’ll lose any money on the Metacycle if it turns out I don’t like it but I have a feeling a Zero is in my future.
i rode a zero, when they first came out to Australia and i must say that it was a fantastic thing to ride, i absolutely loved it, but they were way to expensive, the company zero did leave Australia a few years ago, it would be great if they would return with more reasonable priced bikes.
Yes Zero are expensive when compared to a petrol motorcycle, but its not really a true comparison. They are competitively priced in terms of price / performance when compared to other electric motorbikes
Hi Daniel, yes and no. All LED conversions i have seen need heat sinking at the back which compromises the light's water proofing. Also, it needs a fair bit of trial and error to find a LED that keeps the beam pattern focus. The Zero's halogen is excellent.. for a halogen, just does not compete with a good LED or HID
Hi Julie, lots of options to do this, but maybe not official Zero ones. I will need to see how the belt tension is after its lowered. Do try the Zero S as its already lower
What you write about a sewing machine is probably what you feel after coming from an ICE bike. And I believe and understand your point of view. But when I see an ice bike after riding my electric bike, it give me the feeling of seeing an old rusted lawnmower. Huffing and puffing for air. Like an old man that smoked too much. Or old sovjet era diesel truck or tractor. It does not give me the feeling of a machine with character at all. Sorry to not share that feeling, ;-)
Ride one to really 'get it'. You feel the road, the traction and the lightning acceleration. I have a ZZR1400, that's a cool bike, but the Zeros are also cool in a different way. At 70mph, there is so much wind noise that I can't hear my pipes anyway :-/
Love these motorcycles. I think brakes is a funny thing about those bikes when they have a regen mode that helps with the slow downs and actually helps extend the life of brakes on a vehicle. Such a cool concept and you get a little bit back into the batter when coasting and breaking.
Zero DSR owner here. I 100% agree with all that you say. 👍🏻
I can also confirm that the range figures on the zero website are correct. I also get about 250-260km in pure city. And about 190km combined with highways (50% at 90km/u). And charging time of about 1 hour for 20%-80%.
So the range is fine, but charging times are too slow if you need to travel long distances (which I do not do). If you regularly do +300km, you should look at energica or livewire, not zero. But for -300km the zero is a very good bike.
Thx m8 i look forward to try it out ☺️
Thank you for the balanced review. I’m interested in Electric Vehicles (scooters,ebikes, M/C’s, cars). I have purchased several Sondors ebikes and when they sent me an email asking if I was interested their Metacycle I got in line. I was going to get a Zero but was happy with the Sondors ebikes and thought I’d try the Metacycle. I keep getting reassuring emails and expect delivery sometime this year. I don’t think I’ll lose any money on the Metacycle if it turns out I don’t like it but I have a feeling a Zero is in my future.
Zero are the benchmark eMotorBike. Harley Live Wire appears cool also but I have not tested this
i rode a zero, when they first came out to Australia and i must say that it was a fantastic thing to ride, i absolutely loved it, but they were way to expensive, the company zero did leave Australia a few years ago, it would be great if they would return with more reasonable priced bikes.
Yes Zero are expensive when compared to a petrol motorcycle, but its not really a true comparison. They are competitively priced in terms of price / performance when compared to other electric motorbikes
How does this compare to the S?
Cannot you just change the halogen to LED? I’ve seen many options available
Hi Daniel, yes and no. All LED conversions i have seen need heat sinking at the back which compromises the light's water proofing. Also, it needs a fair bit of trial and error to find a LED that keeps the beam pattern focus. The Zero's halogen is excellent.. for a halogen, just does not compete with a good LED or HID
I'd need it lowered as I'm short
Hi Julie, lots of options to do this, but maybe not official Zero ones. I will need to see how the belt tension is after its lowered. Do try the Zero S as its already lower
Will it tow a generator on a trailer and can I get credit on the unrequited lithium batteries ?
Or tow another zero whilst its on regen ;-)
Superior technology, only getting better. EVs future ↗️ Gas future ↘️
Your electric sewing machine has no character no motor no shifting no exhaust tone (music not the grinding on ebikes) what's the point?
No motor!! 😂
You are so right - all you have is a great ride with a lot less maintenance. Why bother?
What you write about a sewing machine is probably what you feel after coming from an ICE bike. And I believe and understand your point of view.
But when I see an ice bike after riding my electric bike, it give me the feeling of seeing an old rusted lawnmower. Huffing and puffing for air. Like an old man that smoked too much. Or old sovjet era diesel truck or tractor. It does not give me the feeling of a machine with character at all.
Sorry to not share that feeling, ;-)
Ride one to really 'get it'. You feel the road, the traction and the lightning acceleration. I have a ZZR1400, that's a cool bike, but the Zeros are also cool in a different way. At 70mph, there is so much wind noise that I can't hear my pipes anyway :-/