Electric Touring Interview on the Zero SR/S with

I grabbed a ride on the Zero SR/S and yes, its rapid; but can you tour on one? Watch the interview with @thedangold ( / thedangold ) to find out!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Glad you're blown away by it. It really is a case of "you need to have a proper ride on one to really appreciate it". I've had my SR/S 18 months now and it's STILL the bike I choose to ride out of the 6 I have to ride. With petrol prices the way they are, on Octopus go tariff at 5p per kw/h overnight , I'm getting nearly 1000mpg out of it, based on £7 per gallon. I'll be doing a detailed owner's review soon, feel free to check it out.

[@Laramoto]

Subscribed! Let me know when the review comes out!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

@@Laramoto willdo.. Update, at current petrol prices I'm now touching 1200 mpg. ☺

[@SnowskateDe1]

Brillant conclusion. No, electric isn't for everyone yet. But it can be perfect for some. I ride a Zero FXE with just half the battery, really slow (overnight) charging. Yet it's the PERFECT bike for ME. I just have a short commute and the supermoto style is light and nimble in dense city traffic. I can annihilate everything off the stop lights and can use it in the evenings or on sundays for a couple of hours to blow my mind. It's everything I personally NEED with all the fun I want. Best investment ever! ⚡♥️⚡

[@Laramoto]

Hello Snowskate! Thank you so much for watching and I really appreciate your feedback and comments. It makes total sense in a city and it sounds like you've found the right balance! High five to you!

[@TheAdventuresofPhilJones]

Really interesting chat! I’ve definitely been brought up a petrol head but I do have a very open mind, the only thing I’m fighting with is I love a nice engine note! Thanks for sharing your experience Dan, it certainly made me think about an electric future in a different way! Nice video as always @laramoto 👍

[@TattooTesters]

Thank you so much 😊 I was worried about the very same thing, but it actually make a really cool noise if you really give it some in sports mode…..my friends have ddescribed it as a mixture of a scream and the noise from a Tie fighting from Star Wars

[@TheAdventuresofPhilJones]

@@TattooTesters That sounds cool, I’m looking forward to hopefully test riding one soon! All the best 👍

[@dangold6345]

@@TheAdventuresofPhilJones Zero Motorcyles are running ride out days called Experience Electric all around the country in 2022 keep an eye out for them and take one out for the day

[@SnowskateDe1]

I love the tie fighter scream it makes when cranking it up. 🚀

[@Laramoto]

Thank you Phil!

[@JEmmertz]

Love it! He is really selling the concept. 👍

[@Laramoto]

I think so too!

[@chadgruver4423]

Excellent interview and perspective. It definitely gave me some confidence about electric that I didn't have previously.

[@dangold6345]

thank you so much

[@Laramoto]

Thank you Chad!

[@kreral]

Hi Lara thanks for this interview. Totally agree with Dan. I love my Zero DSR so much and there's no step back.

[@Laramoto]

Thank you for watching ! 😃

[@geecee4746]

Looking forward to my first spin on an electric motorcycle, intresting bikes, and great review🏍️🏍️👍👍

[@dangold6345]

Zero are running ride out days called Experience Electric and you can take one out for the day

[@geecee4746]

@@dangold6345 not sure it will be in Northern Ireland, as i don't think any dealership available arm

[@Laramoto]

You will love it! Thanks for watching :)

[@GONAVYCHIEF]

I have to say I agree. I own an SR/S and you just learn to manage your ride. After a while it becomes second nature. I drive a Tesla also and I have no problem living completely electric.

[@Laramoto]

Kudos to you Rob, thank you for watching!

[@jamestonguet1737]

another Great vid~ The future is here

[@Laramoto]

Thank you James!

[@alexmeo534]

Very interesting, thanks! I personally like the noise of the petrol engine but I keep an open mind. I definitely see what you mean in your final remarks about connecting with the road and the environment without having to focus too much on the technical aspects of the driving.

[@TattooTesters]

Hi Alex it actually do make a really cool noise when it’s on full bean in sports mode 😁

[@alexmeo534]

@@TattooTesters 😀

[@Laramoto]

Thank you Alex! Appreciate you watching and being open to new things!

[@yorkshireR9T]

It's the future, love it or hate it. I'll miss the noise of an engine but the speed will make up for it.

[@Laramoto]

Pretty much! Thank you for watching :)

[@philhicks3390]

Yeah they can't hear you coming, big safety issue especially in traffic. Na i love the sound of my zrx1200r akra at full song, love changing gears, love 98 octane fuel, 2 plus bucks a liter...who cares. Electric motorcycles count me out, problem is there coming weather we like it or not arnt they ?. lara always enjoy your content, stay safe looking forward to your next adventure. 👍

[@TattooTesters]

The noise really isn’t an issue I commute every day in London and I never had any problems, most modern cars are extremely well noise insulated so half the time they can't even hear me on my loudest petrol bike anyway, I think your issue is a really valid point it feels like EVs are forced upon us where they should be a choice and a fun alternative

[@BreezyRider66]

Nice to see an interviewer properly listening to their interviewee not just waitng to get their POV in...

[@Laramoto]

Hello David! Thanks for that, was really trying to get Dan's perspective :)

[@pistonpinup]

Hi Lara another great video! I did try the same bike as you and like you said, blown away with the instant power delivery. I would say it allows you to focus more on the roads and journey and you can even hear the birds at certain speed which is a nice touch ou cruising along some little village. I know Dan said something about you learn to become more efficient with your electric bike and I would also add that there is also software updates that come into these vehicles making them even more efficient which is another great aspect. Owning an electric bike is still at a price range but like most technology it will become more efficient and affordable. The first big leap is to try and stop being so sceptical, it is a different type of riding and has a different array of pleasure you get from riding.

[@Laramoto]

Well said to all of that! Thank you 😍

[@pistonpinup]

@@Laramoto you’re welcome 😉 glad to see you had a go and enjoyed it! I quite like the noise of electric bikes but hey I know taste is subjective!

[@AdamForeman]

If you only drive/ride 50 miles a day, an electric bike/car makes sense. However, longer trips such as touring on the motorway where regenerative breaking is non existent, a petrol engine is the clear obvious choice.

[@Laramoto]

Indeed, but the mileage that the Zero and Energica range is achieving now is certainly broadening the options!

[@darrentabrar4636]

Sounds cracking Lara the only thing I don't like is trying to plan a journey if you're doing a long trip !

[@TattooTesters]

You don't.... I've done many many trips where I have just set off with no plan, there are far more Electric charging points that petrol stations they are literally everywhere, so ones I get to 20% on my battery I turn on my Zap map and there's always a 5 or 6 charging points within my range

[@Laramoto]

What Dan said ;)

[@jedw9983]

My issue with the Zero is the range, and the potential charging wait. Great for the city, 👍, but the (very) rural hills and isolated mountains where I live in Portugal, no thanks. PS great video, thanks

[@Laramoto]

Thank you Jed! You never know where the power points are until you look... but you might be knocking on someones house ;)

[@PetreRodan]

Nice review!

[@Laramoto]

Thank you so much!

[@HippoDrones]

Interesting to watch, I d want to try a proper EV bike, but I'll be sticking with petrol until I can't, even if I have an EV as an extra bike

[@dangold6345]

take a Zero out for the day you won't regret it

[@HippoDrones]

@@dangold6345 I'd love to be loaned one ad try a trackday to see how long it lasts!

[@Laramoto]

Just test ride a Zero, its just something different :)

[@hoegge]

The charge cable fits in the "tank" actually.

[@Laramoto]

Good to know!

[@helmetinspection]

Great video. Which petrol bike would you say it handles like?

[@TattooTesters]

I would say the SR/S (the one we ride in the video) is like a a 1000cc sports tourer and the SR/F (the naked one) handles more like a Ducati monster, put both in to sports mode and they become hooligans hahaha

[@helmetinspection]

@@TattooTesters Yea, I see how instant the torque turns up to the party. What about the rest of the bike? Suspension, brakes etc.?

[@Laramoto]

;)

[@dazadorph45]

I would like to make the switch but it's the insurance is the clincher, hve you seen the development of hydrogen motorcycles that kawasaki and few other makes are looking at. Triumph te1

[@TattooTesters]

Hi Darren yeah the insurance have been a problem in the past, these bike tend to be quiet expensive from new, but luckily the Insurance has come down a lot lately as insurers are learning aout these bikes, they don't get stolen as much as petrol bike and if you have a off they are relatively cheap and easy to fix

[@Laramoto]

Thanks for watching Darren! Will look into hydrogen too!

[@motomaggs7164]

Groovy, what’s the engine braking like?

[@SnowskateDe1]

It's different in the different modes and you can freely adjust it custom mode(s). I set my single custom mode for 100% torque, 45% coasting regen and 100% braking regen. Feels great in twisties and not too intrusive. In Eco mode the coasting regen is sth. about 60-70% and you can basically ride it with just the throttle in the city when you keep it civil.

[@TattooTesters]

I can customise it to your own taste, personally have my SR/S in full power mode and 75% regen/ engine braking that way it feels like my fireblade SP did and because there’s no power band (100% of the power all the time) you can just roll on the power mid corner

[@Laramoto]

Great question... I think Dan and Snowskate have got you covered!

[@geecee4746]

Did anyone see the video on KZbin of the zero going on fire???, i know this can happen any bike, but just wondering if its an issue?

[@SnowskateDe1]

Retrofitted charge tank and loose controller connections seemed to be the reason. The controller caught fire first, not the battery.

[@TattooTesters]

petrol bikes are a lot more likely to catch fire as they have a highly flammable liquid in a thin metal tank on top of a very hot engine, The Zero’s strong point is actually the stability and safety of its batteries, I park my Zero motorcycle inside my house I wouldn't do that with my petrol bike, if the video you’re referring to is the one from the Isle of Man this was a fire that broke out in some experimental race bikes and the Zeros where parked next to them..... guilty by association lol

[@geecee4746]

@@TattooTesters i think it was on a motorway somewhere I actually seen the electric bikes race at the isle of man, i was there the first year they raced, it was a strange thing at the time And now, they are lapping at a very fast pace, although they can only do one lap, one lap being almost 38 miles, They aren't racing them this year, i don't think the intrest is there atm

[@Laramoto]

I think Dan has answered this well, but petrol is far more flammable ;) Thank you for watching!

[@JW-ym5yb]

Ok, I can't agree with many of the comments or the ideas presented in the video. So as a proof of concept ride Dan spent his time searching out charging stations and stopping short to make sure he got there. Oh and you need to stick to back roads to keep speeds down and lay off the throttle and coast as much as you can. Sounds like fun...not. For some it would be but not me. Next we have the acceleration. Yes electric motors are wonderful things but you won't be using that acceleration very often if you actually want to get somewhere. So a couple of overtakes and you're headed to a charging station - great fun. Ok, "petrol is oh so dangerous" and electricity is so much safer. outside of the movie industry very few vehicles, let alone motorcycles, burst into flames even in an accident. Please compare the homes that burn down due to electrical faults versus petrol fires. Oh and as far as we would have thought it "crazy" that we get oil the way we do continues the myth that electricity magically appears at the switch/outlet. I guess we would giant pylons and wind generation blocking views is so much better then an oil tanker. Oh, and the maintenance free myth. So electric bikes don't need the tires changed, brake fluid, brake pads, or even checking the pressure of your tires? We still don't have a good feeling as to just how well these bikes will hold up over the years. Oh and finally the petrol station example, seriously, if your so disorganized that getting fuel is a major pain perhaps you need a different mode of transportation. So you're going to keep your helmet on when charging your bike but not fueling? Oh and your willing to look silly getting a coffee while charging your bike because you have no idea where your wallet is but while getting petrol? As far as the "future" it's here only because there are so few electric vehicles out there. The gigantic build out needed to support mass electrification of vehicles is yet to occur and given the cost may never materialize. Finally, on a strictly personal note, I absolutely hate the whine of battery powered bikes. Hate it, they are not silent.

[@TattooTesters]

Wow J w I really have rubbed you up the wrong way hahaha I do Apologise it wasn't the intention of the video, Like I said in the video Electric motorcycles in my opinionas are not for everyone....but I feel like you are twisting my words a bit so let me clear up a few things up that maybe I didn't make clear, I didn't ride any slower touring on my Zero compare to my petrol motorcycle in fact quite the opposite, you don't have ride slow and coast but instead of slamming on the brakes I use regen, trust me it was a lot of fun and I think the main thing about my Electric motorcycle compared to my petrol bike is how much fun it is to ride, also I never really search for charging points I put on my Zap map and it takes me to the nearest one and 9 times out of 10 it is on my route, so that's more than on my petrol bike, and my brother is a firefighter so I know more than most that Electrical appliance is the biggest risk of fires but I also know that it's cheap untested appliances imported from China, and to compare a cheap phone charger to a 20k motorcycle designed and build in California where they have some of the most stingy health and safety rules don't seem fair or reasonable, as I said in the video the only thing the zero needs is tires and brake pads so cheaper than my fireblades Service (a lot cheaper) I own both the moneybcome out of my own pocket trust me it's not a myth hahaha..... As for the argument about where the power comes from you are actually totally right, Electric vehicles are not powered by fairy dust and rainbows there's a real argument to be had about where the raw materials for the batteries come from and how we get them, and how we produce electricity to power our EVs, I have never claimed that EVs are the solution but they can be part of the solution, I have a shop on Oxford Street in London and the pollution levels have plummeted since cabs and buses have switched to electricity, BUT if I'm 100% honest I don't ride my Zero motorcycle to save the planet, I ride it because after having own some 20 plus bikes, I ride it because everytime I come of I smile from ear to ear, basically I ride it because I bloody LOVE it, and I just wanted to share that with you guys sorry if it rubbed you up the wrong way Dan

[@Laramoto]

Great challenges Joe! Would make for decent chat over a pub lunch I reckon ;)

[@JW-ym5yb]

@@Laramoto Yes it would! we could also discuss the ramifications to the battery bike world with Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki working together to create a fungible battery between them! I think that's huge! Or how Artisan has quickly removable batteries that can be on charge while you're out riding. Even better the Taiwanese company that has battery "banks" where you put in your discharged battery and get a freshly charged one. Yes so much to discuss! I'll lift a pint to you tonight!