Zero SR/S 14.4 2020 Electric Motorcycle Test Ride

[@robertsmith7275]

I have a SR/F Premium with additional 6KW charger, and I really love this bike. It is awesome to ride through the forest with no sound from the bike and listening to nature ... My previous bike was a Zero SR, which I had for 5 years and I also loved it. I am commuting now over 40 years (Honda CB750, Yamaha Vmax and other bikes) but Zero is my favorite.

[@flowluna]

Considering how overwhelming it can be to learn about the electric bikes, John, you gave it the most simplistic review one can hope for. Great job...

[@darkmunk1]

Finally! an electric bike test by someone who actually knows about them. Well done! Great video. I would buy one in a heartbeat if I had the funds.

[@Enonymouse_]

The 2018 DSR was very pleasant, i'm hoping when i test this one that my experiences are similar.

[@lulabibi67]

For most the funds are the contributing factors

[@MrBarlien]

Have been through 5 "reviews" and "test rides" thus far, this is the only one that compared the bike to other bikes, zero or otherwise, and didn't just go "It's so SILENT" and "Electric is the future, we just have to accept it". Great video!

[@aesthetic2679]

These reviews do all suck. Can't wait till there are better content creators for these bikes

[@MalleeMate]

Thinking of getting into bikes just for the SR/S. It’s such a nice looking bike and most importantly clean, just hoping they come to Australia in the near future.

[@usmcsaxoki]

Really good in depth review. You hit all the key specs and gave a few biased impressions which is fine. It's also good to hear electric motorcycle reviews from people who actually own electric bikes rather than just a motorcycle guy or gal who really doesn't "get it". Thanks John!

[@markp8295]

This is exactly what I was looking for. A run down of the functions, buttons, interface etc...

[@tonydare7614]

Great review. After 40 years of ICEs, I moved to a Zero FXE as Paris, where i live, introduced paid parking for ICEs. The FXE is what I would call a sweet-spot bike; everything is amazing from acceleration to braking, handling, turning circle, balance, power-weight ratio, engine breaking, horn position, making it the perfect commuter machine. I would like to test a bigger Zero but I really don't do much motorway riding and the FXE does everything else beautifully. I was sceptical about electric bikes before testing this one, but I have no regrets.

[@jtchivers]

Thanks for the kind words and I'm glad you're enjoying the FXE. It does indeed strike me as the perfect commuter bike… Fun and practicality, all in one package.

[@hamsterminator]

I'd have one of these in a heartbeat at a lower cost. I LOVE the quiet hum of the motor over obnoxious bikes tearing up the countryside. It just oozes style and finesse in my opinion.

[@lulabibi67]

Cost is the issue for me

[@josephjohnson2079]

This review is simply amazing. The perfect mix of funny and professional. I Can't wait to get my hands on a Zero.

[@jtchivers]

Thank you for the very kind comment. I hope you get to try one out soon. :-)

[@SUBcyclist]

Excellent review! Thank you for sharing your thoughts of this bike with us; and, thank you even more so for including many relevant facts as well.

[@bunberrier]

I watched a few of these sorts of Zero videos, or parts of them really, before this and.... thanks. Finally. This is what I was after. Great review!

[@laurencegamlen7211]

Great video John I test rode one of these recently and loved the experience Then climbed aboard my Guzzi and laughed! More noise V twin vibes and rattles! Next bike will be this one

[@jtchivers]

Glad you enjoyed the experience, Laurence! I can relate to the experience of going back to an internal combustion engine after driving electric. When I got back into an ICE car the last time I had the same reaction as you. It made me laugh. Seemed antiquated, noisy, and rattly! :-D Saying that, I still ride my Honda CBF 1000. The Zero bikes are great for most journeys, but they still need to bring in a rapid, DC charging model with approximately 30 minutes charge time for me to consider getting rid of my petrol bike altogether. Saying that, most of my journeys are on my Zero DSR. You're another perfect example of someone who was just open-minded enough to give an electric motorcycle a go though and enjoy the wonderful, if different, experience! Happy biking!

[@musk-eteer9898]

I got my 2014 zero sr awhile back for commuting, it is so much fun due its constant torque. I still have my Honda phantom gas bike for long trip

[@kradblatt]

Nice review - I own a Energica EsseEsse9 Special, rode the SR/F and the LiveWire. Love EV-bikes :-)

[@jtchivers]

I liked the Energica EsseEsse9 and having CCS charging on board is exactly how everyone should do it.

[@twrcrew8852]

how do you like it so far? I've been considering the EsseEsse Eva over the SR/S/F Because it has a higher top speed of 155mph for 3000 dollars less money. But what's stopping me is i don't like that it makes that noisy RC car sound as it moves, which makes me lean back to the SR/S/F for it's true stealth nature. But the top speed bothers me (of 124mph). Not that i'd go that fast, but I think with a higher top speed, that means the Energica can cruise at the normal speed much easier and accelarate from point to point without as much stress as the SR/f/s would have since it can only go 124 meaning 70mph is working harder than a bike that can do 155 is working easier to go 70 and can jump to 90mph for passing much easier than the zero which will be straining itself. But i just can't stand the noise... So hard to choose :( why can't one bike just have it all?? Stealth belt of the zero and the top speed of the Energica???

[@twrcrew8852]

oh yes and also, the zeros are notorious for going into limp mode because they have no cooling Vs the Energica having a radiator to sustain it's speed like a normal bike.

[@Fudders]

A very thorough and clear review. Thanks for the info and taking the time to do the video. I also learned something interesting about the Malvern Hills too! 👍

[@jimporter7418]

Your comment about Energica CCS charging definitely wins the race as does the battery condition as the Zero doesn't have a battery warmer for winter charging (outside your kitchen window 😁)

[@NewZeroland]

Thanks for shooting this, John! You made reeeeally good points, and I felt the same after riding the SR/F. Although it's a completely new chassis (and a new, exciting fairing for the SR/S!) the performance isn't a big enough step forward from our current Zeros. Range is about the same, as is the charging speed. If Zero can sort out CCS in combination with a power tank, they'll be a serious competitor!

[@jtchivers]

Thanks for the kind words again, Sam. Yes, a Power Tank with CCS would do it, assuming the CCS charge rate is fast enough. Then, I guess the issue is ensuring the battery can handle it. I love the Energica charging set-up, but a 3 year battery warranty worries me a bit. I took a closer look at how the Harley Davidson LiveWire handles charging and was pretty underwhelmed at a 50 minute 20-80% charge time on DC. Then I read that the max AC charging on it is 1.9 kW! That's appalling for a $30,000 (and £30,000) bike! Still hoping for more widespread availability of the Lightning Strike. As I'm sure you are! 😊 The more, the merrier!

[@NewZeroland]

@@jtchivers absolutely! They got the Strike charging at 28kW so I'm super excited. The Energica warranty is more than last year (they used to only have 2 year warranties) and I feel pretty confident that the batteries won't have a problem. I did a range test on my 2015 SR to see if the battery had degraded at all in the past 4-5 years, and (spoiler!) it gets the exact same range as when I bought it :D

[@jtchivers]

@@NewZeroland You're right on the battery side of things. Manufacturers tend to play it pessimisticly, so they can't be dragged through the courts, but reality is proving to be beyond what they themselves expect, so long as batteries are not mistreated. Our seven year old LEAF still has a full complement of battery bars. On the range, I'm finding the same on my DSR to date. No discernible loss of range, although I haven't conducted any controlled tests. Good to hear anyway, and I look forward to your video. 👍😊

[@Miata822]

Good review. I love my SR/F and can't wait to ride it once our quarantine lifts.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

There's a subscriber's name I recognise. Let's see an upload of what you think of your bike too please. ☺

[@edwardchamberlain7858]

I love the comment, "if it doesn't have a motor it's not a motorcycle." My retort is always, "But it DOE'S have a motor." Is this a motorcycle review about a motor "bike." Which is it? And one more thing. If you don't have film in your camera, you haven't "filmed" anything. It's all about the terms. Other than these few critical remarks, this is a really great video. I'm an "S" owner, and I absolutely love it.

[@howardman3926]

The Powertank is almost necessary for touring here in America. In places like New Mexico or Arizona, you may not see charging stations for over 100 miles.

[@jtchivers]

Yes, that's a crazy situation. I agree. Here, there are lots of Type 2 6+ kW charge points all over the place and lots of DC charge points too (which sadly, we can't use with the Zero range). I think the scarcity situation with charging stations in the States is one of the factors stopping Zero from jumping to DC charging.

[@anubisthagod]

Just strangely thinking, when you were following the Tesla did the older people think they were going deaf lol a car and motorcycle passing by with barely any noise

[@nikkipedro]

Just found your channel and just subscribed. Very professionally done including the still shots with all that lovely bokeh. Thanks, will catch up on your other videos and can't wait for more.

[@fotoamgamgfoto3695]

Hi! Thanks for the video. You speak very well and easy to understand for a non native person. Now you can buy Energica Experia, the best bike ever for touring. I am on lover budget so ordered a 2021 Zero S 14.4 and will try to save for Charge Tank.

[@jtchivers]

Thanks for the kind words. I also added subtitles, so hopefully they translate reasonably ok for people who need them. I don't plan to buy an Experia. You can see in a recent video that I test rode one and liked it, but I have the Energica EVA Ribelle and really like that bike. Ahh, you'll love the Zero S. I was a very happy Zero DSR owner from 2016 until last year when I got the Energica EVA Ribelle. Also worth knowing that I managed for the first three years without a Charge Tank too. 👍

[@pscf6317]

Great review! Loved the narration, knowledge and scenery!

[@billdumanch6237]

Brilliant review. Hit on all the points I as a rider of some 'considerable experience'{oldness} I had questions of...Thank You, Bill In Queen Creek AZ USA!

[@BenalRida]

Very comprehensive test ride. I am not in the market for one but I am always interested in e-bikes, especially ZERO, but for me they are out my price range. Thanks again!

[@olamarvin]

Nice vid! Wish Zero would get CCS charging soon. Needn't be supercharging speeds, 15-20 kW is enough. Then you can make do with 3 kW onboard hardware for overnight charging and there would be no need to burn petrol on two wheels ever again.

[@JasonWW2000]

Supercharging speeds would be impossible for such a small battery. Remember that that the charge speed scales to battery size.

[@olamarvin]

@@JasonWW2000 I know, that's why I said that 15-20 kW is enough. 20 kW is 1C on a 20kWh battery. It would be kind to the cells and allow decent enough charging time given the Zero's fairly low consumption.

[@PlanetCypher_]

Excellent review John, I loved the colour or lack of on the bike your road.👍

[@RWBHere]

Interesting, fair and informative as always. Thanks, John.

[@godivaride420]

Superb review. Not a biker, but you held my interest!

[@andrewd7586]

When electric bikes get a real world, genuine range of 400km+, & faster charge times, I’d definitely entertain the idea of buying one. Here in Australia that’s what we need. I know in time technology will allow this but until then more power to the combustion engine!👊🏼🤣 A good & very informative review mate! Cheers from Oz.👍🏼

[@MetalBreach]

400km range, you mad man, my 600 only gets 260km on a good day

[@OnlyKaerius]

@@MetalBreach and your 600 can be refueled in a 5 minute stop or less. My 650(20L tank) has around 500km range at highway speeds. I can get that down to 250-300km by letting the bike stretch its legs... so to speak. If I rode like that on a Zero I'd have a range in double digit kilometers. Also because of charge times the range on electric bikes becomes much more important. I've done single-day rides upwards of 750km, 10 hours, with two fuel stops and a meal stop along the way... a feat that simply cannot be performed on current tech electric bikes, I'd have to add at least 6-8 hours to the trip time(both riding slower, and having longer recharge stops).

[@AnthonyAgovino]

Thanks so much for this thorough and pleasant review. Your explanations combined with the accompanying video are excellent. Thanks for fully explaining the charging vs power options. Great review.

[@jtchivers]

Thank you very much for your kind words, Anthony. Glad you found it useful. 👍

[@theproducertm]

"Pedestrians gonna pedestrian." Well, you brought this on yourself: Have a like on your video!

[@Baffacof]

If I could i would for sure sell my ninja 650 and buy an electric motorcycle...zero SR/F or Energica Ribelle. After I switched to an electric car and seen what they are capable of, I'm sure that driving an electric motorcycle is an unique experience. Nice video, you have a new subscriber 😁

[@jtchivers]

Thanks for your kind words! Yep, if you drive electric, you already get it. 👍😊

[@Wloczykijcc]

thank you for a great video. This tiny range is putting me off. Hopefully they will tripple it soon.

[@ScottEdy]

Nicely done. Covered some great points. Excellent work!

[@usfouru2]

Superb well rounded overview John:-) An MG ZS EV review would be great too!

[@jtchivers]

Thanks, Jake! I know, I've been remiss on not even mentioning the MG ZS EV. I thought the slew of other videos on it would cover it nicely and there are people with much better car knowledge than me. But you're right. An owner's perspective is still useful. I still need to shoot a video about the Charge Tank I had installed on my Zero DSR too. 🤦‍♂️😁

[@julianwarmington1267]

Yeah, I agree: this is very well written and really nicely narrated, and also accompanied by some really nice video work. Happy for you that you get to try out these awesome looking great new tech bikes. Lucky for us you convey the experience well. Thanks for sharing it on so nicely.

[@dragoclarke9497]

Seconded. A great review style.

[@stensballe3683]

my dad has the sr/f - such a beast to ride. have to say the new improvements look great and the look! sexy

[@stensballe3683]

cruise control is just so bad design. screw an extender on it and u wont have to reach as much

[@TexRobNC]

I like noisy bikes, I like silent bikes, there is no way someone can deny this bike makes a world more sense around town than a noisy bike.

[@axeami1354]

got an mt07 with a loud as hell exhaust and i completely agree, as much as i love the sound of my bike i physically wouldn't ride it early or late because of the noise, id honestly be tempted to get myself a little super soco just for work if i hadn't just built an ebike.

[@robotjeans]

Yeah but then you can’t let everyone around you know that you in fact do not have a small penis(sarcasm)

[@Jojikiba]

Fantastic review -- really enjoyable to watch!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Excellent review. You wouldn't believe how close I am to pulling the trigger on one of these! It would have to have the charge tank and power tank but as you said, dc charging would certainly tip the balance. Cheers.

[@jtchivers]

Thanks! Sadly, you have to pick either the Charge Tank or the Power Tank. You can't install both on one bike. I like the SR/S, but there's little point in me changing my DSR for one, as I commented at the end. It doesn't offer me any great advantage, but if I were looking now and funds were there, it would definitely be a big contender. DC charging on a Zero, when it comes (and it will come, given the competition, and the loud voices from existing owners) will make a big difference.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

@@jtchivers I didn't know that you couldn't have both. I think the ex demo I'm looking at must have the charge tank then as they claim 0-full in an hour. Do I get this or wait for dc?

[@Bagley996]

Excellent review John

[@murdocampbell4858]

First class review. Made me want one!

[@QMAXIMUS]

Great video! Im really interested in the new Damon motorcycle coming out. Thumbs up on the video as usual.

[@benj5386]

Great video. Love the look of the bike and the grey/gold wheels is a nice colour combination.

[@serotonindefizit]

Wow! I just found this video, and I am already a fan of u Never listened to such a cool and relaxing video U could do asmr xd

[@johntreadwell6846]

Brilliant videos would love to see the leaner leagal Macrais Z8X London Uk Electric CBT Z1000 🤞

[@edmartin154]

I got SRF and I love it it is so damn fast got 4000 miles on it love the rush of the speed

[@Enonymouse_]

Regarding CC VS KW, there's a reason there is no reference to it. You can't really derive any useable power stat from CC (behaviors of two engines rated at the same CC can vary wildly), but you can from HP and KW as those have established mathematical models.

[@makemyday1477]

So on gas powered bikes I use the motor to slow while downshifting which is a part of the way we ride. Did that quirk come up with you, since I assume it’s all Brake on an electric bike? It looked smooth and quite and I especially liked the adjustable ride mode settings. I know that is where the future is taking us, it’s just hard let go of the muscle cars and motorcycles we’ve grown to love. That being said it would be nice not having to clean spilled gas off your freshly detailed bike or smell the exhaust of a diesel truck you get behind, if electric is the way to go, bring it on, the sooner it’s accepted the cheaper they’ll get, I don’t want to pay $100k for transportation.

[@jtchivers]

I like your honest and open-minded approach. Regarding the gear changing which, as you mention, is natural to us and part of the way we ride, you really don't miss it because you simply don't need it. You're always in the right gear with a responsive throttle. Custom regenerative braking also allows you to customise the level of "engine braking". Obviously, a manual gearbox on a petrol bike relies on you being in the right gear to allow you to ride on a positive throttle, but that's a necessity which simply doesn't exist on an electric bike. Do I miss gear changes when riding electric? In all honesty, no I don't. It may be a case of riding an electric motorcycle yourself to truly experience this. It's not that I dislike riding a petrol bike or find gear changes a chore. I still ride petrol occasionally. But although you may lose the experience of physically changing gear yourself, the power delivery more than makes up for this. You can't ride electric in anything other than the right gear with a responsive throttle. The way some people talk, you'd think they consider changing gear to be a super-human skill, but any of us after a short period of time do it using muscle memory. Yes, it may be a nice feeling to blip a throttle when changing down on a petrol bike, but it's more than compensated for by the response of an electric motor. Anyone who doubts this should just take one for a test ride and they'll get it. 👍

[@Amuzic_Earth]

6:10 it took me a while as to know why all these seemed so familiar? Then I remember my RoadRash days back in 2002. Yepp, those who don't know, it's a motorcycle game and this small little town was part of one of the tracks.

[@mvetter]

How quaint. You must have played one of the later Road Rash titles.

[@caspianprince]

Great review and analysis John. Still waiting for 30KWh battery here though :D

[@jtchivers]

I'll take 20 kWh with CCS DC rapid charging. 👍😊

[@JasonWW2000]

30KWh battery would be huge and heavy. basically double the current size. Are you sure you want that?

[@Neojhun]

@@JasonWW2000 Nah the cutting edge currently is just over 20kwh and they are similar weight to this one. We are still in early days Battery Packaging of Sports Bikes are still very primitive. Combination of Cell Density improvements and Tighter Packaging very could get close to 30kwh without being much heavier. This may take several years though.

[@manfredgroebel8257]

I traded in my DSR against the SR/S and must say, I am really enthusiastic. Brakes, Bosch stability program, damping, horse power and torque, anything is better. Above 120 km/ h it seems like a turbo would be engaged. You feel a burst in the acceleration. With the DSR that was the speed, when the combustion bikes got faster. Nope, no chance now.

[@dplummer35]

Like you said, if it had rapid charging then more people would be interested. But I suppose the price would be even higher!

[@VeeFour]

It shouldn't add any extra cost to the bike, as all DC charging is handled by the equipment supplying the power, unlike AC which requires an onboard charger to convert the incoming AC to DC.

[@paulsmyers203]

I find it very interesting you'd take faster charging over greater capacity, but I suppose with the Zero's relatively low base charging speed, increasing that first could certainly be beneficial. Maybe I'm just spoiled to Tesla charging speeds. Zero's bikes *almost* make me wish I had a commuting job again.

[@jtchivers]

With the extra Charge Tank on board, you'd have 13 kW on-board charging available, rather than the extra 3.6 kWh capacity the Power Tank gives you. In other words, you could make up the capacity the Power Tank offers in a stop of around 15-20 minutes. Moreover, if you wanted to do another 100 miles or so, you could charge in less than half the time it would take if you had the Power Tank installed. As mentioned in the video, though, a Power Tank may fit a very niche rider's requirements - i.e. someone who needs to do slightly over 100 miles and has no charging ability en route - or someone with a greater than 100 mile commute with no charging ability at work. That must be a very small number of people. Yes, electric cars and DC charging spoil us - especially those with faster than 100 kW charging speeds. It's not really a fair comparison until there are many more bikes which implement DC rapid charging. Imagine a 14.4 kWh motorbike which charged at 100 KW. You'd be fully charged in under 10 minutes! :-) I'm sure we'll get there at some point with new battery technologies.

[@Riley_1955]

Nice looking bike even with it's charging short comings......But to me the best looking E-bike out there is the Lightning Strike.....And I think they start around $13,000 then loaded around $20,000.

[@springroll58]

Been hearing a lotta bad things about it tho, specifically that first buyers got bikes that didn't meet the specs at all

[@teeceemax3283]

Another great video John 👍

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

I'm a big bike rider, i own a R1200gs but i like the idea of an electric motorcycle but they still have a long way to come before i would seriously consider one ! I really like the size & styling of the Yamaha X-Max scooters, if they built an electric scooter in a similar style i'd probably be on that. As a consumer market, the electric bike market seems to me to be massively under whelming & way behind where i feel it should be ! Electric cars are becoming fairly well established as a market now but bikes are still regarded as quirky & not mainstream at all, even this Zero company, it is either half arseing it or they are struggling to build serious interest. They also seem to be trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to styling, it's no good making these things look out of place with wacky styling, they need to be relateable as a product.

[@GhostRiderUK]

Brilliant review mate. What a lovely bike

[@runalongnowhoney]

Very cool. Puzzling though regarding the letter designations: SR/F = No Fairing. SR/S = Fairing ?? Maybe F is for Fighter, S for Sport-touring?

[@jjmarin21]

Thanks for the video greetings from Costa Rica

[@m4d_al3x]

If you dont want to shell out 20k but want to try electric, i suggest you look into ebike kits. They can be had with a battery for ~400€ , and offer you some insight into electric commute.

[@LetsTalk649]

Apples and oranges, I’ve been riding e bikes and motorcycles for years.

[@LetsTalk649]

M4D AL3X 14.5K for a SR was bad enough but 20 grand for a dresser that limits your trips to 200 miles a day seems like a poor trade off when your talking about not having to do a oil change every 3k miles or buy gas.

[@CloroxGodThe1st]

@@LetsTalk649 200 miles does seem short but one thing too remember is u can charge these overnight while u sleep

[@LetsTalk649]

Clorox God I would be happy with a Newer Gold-wing with a matching trailer.

[@stanley3647]

@10:53 - same people saying: "it's not a motorbike - its a scooter". But in town, scooters are more practical and lot cheaper to run (I pass my licence, but using 125cc scooter as daily bike) When electric motorcycles become cheaper - i will buy one. For me can be powered by magic dust ;) 2 wheels - that's matter.

[@tekkenthumbdan]

Great review, I’ve been thinking of switching but I would just like a bit more range first; I guess we’re all waiting for that sudden change in battery technology!

[@adejupe8308]

Rather than panniers, maybe a modest-sized compressor? Couple of train horns behind the fairing, and Bob's your uncle!!!

[@Integrator22]

Great video review. Beautifully narrated... felt like in a children’s book from Hans Christian Andersen... a very felaxed and positive feeling I might add :-)

[@VeeFour]

Excellent, however I don't understand why Zero aren't embracing DC charging. A bike like this with DC rapid charging would be a game changer

[@jtchivers]

Many of us have echoed those thoughts. Zero are fully aware too. 👍😊

[@jaroslavsplichal97]

Hi, Thanks a lot. I think, it would make no point to fit in the DC charger to such bike. I see only added value in not carrying the charging cable, coz the battery is really small. It would be great to see the real range with max regenerative breaking as in my Tesla it does more than 25% of energy added to the battery, and therefore, it safes the breaks and prolong the range massively. Have a great day

[@V4D2]

man.. What a solid review. I actually feel informed after this. And nice to watch too.. I found your voice-over, specially appealing. I’ve been on the look out for an electric alternative to my BMW GS keenness . I was about to go all in , on a F750 ..but i can’t seem to be able to doing it.....as i don’t feel investing in an internal combustion engine vehicle is even a reasonable option anymore.. Having said this...i really am in need of acquiring A vehicle..as i sold my car a while ago, now.. i don’t care for track style motorcycles.... I am really a GS guy. What would you recommend as an electric option, for me ? it will basically be my (motored) vehicle, for longer rides (over 30km) as i ride my bicycle for those shorter commutes. thanks again, for the video cheers from Portugal ;)

[@biker_dale]

Great review, thanks and while I would never say never, I would have to say no for now. The price puts it well out of my range and the supposed savings over ownership would be lost in the loan I would have to take out to own it. Also at present, the range and practicality of recharging times just isn't there yet. I know we will have to have one one day, hopefully by then electric bikes will be affordable and all outgoing petrol stations will become electric charging stations.

[@jtchivers]

Completely understand, Dale. There's a niche market for this particular model. You have to either do the mileage to be able to justify the fuel savings, be a keen early adopter of EVs, or just have the available funds to afford it. As mentioned in the video, I couldn't personally justify changing to it from my DSR, but it is a great bike. It's just, I suspect that for most people spending that much on a bike, they are going to want to properly tour on it, and for that to happen, Zero will have to ultimately move to true DC rapid charging. That's not to say that standard AC charging doesn't suit the needs of most people for most journeys.

[@MrTimmmers]

:There is a German guy on here who has ridden his zero from Berlin to India and beyond. He gets more range by slipstreaming trucks on motorways where there's no ERS, he even stops sometimes to wait for a truck he is following when the driver takes a break.

[@jtchivers]

Yes, I've been following Marcus since he started his Zero adventures. He initially went around the UK and Ireland too. Given my background with IAM RoadSmart, I get a bit nervous watching this slipstreaming and his overtaking (he rides very close to target vehicles, so restricts his vision around them, which is counterproductive), but he's done very well and I totally respect his unerring determination to do the journey and to document it, warts and all, to share with viewers. There's a hell of a lot of work he puts into his videos and he deserves every success, and frankly a bit more support from Zero!

[@Camille-LG]

Your test is very informative, and clear thank you !! A little question remains : how do you carry your T2 cable, if your tank become a charge tank ? backpack?

[@jtchivers]

Thank you. I wouldn't necessarily carry a T2 cable with this bike, but if I did, it would indeed be in a backpack. The other option is to find rapid chargers which have an AC connection (with integrated charge cable). As AC can be used simultaneously with DC, you could charge the bike on AC while someone else uses the DC connection. As very few cars use AC rapid charging, this would be very common. However, by virtue of the fact that very few cars use AC rapid charging, new rapid charge points are often installed without an AC connection. I didn't routinely carry any cables when I owned my Zero DSR with Charge Tank, only doing so when I did longer journeys. But I did have a top box on my Zero DSR. There is always the option of bike luggage too, of course.

[@OmarAHMED-gk1un]

Wawawaw this is gorgeous ilake thanks

[@chrisgibbs1615]

At the moment and as tech gets better as all us bikers have seen for the vast majority biking will become unaffordable I'm afraid motorcycling as a hobby is dying for many people I'm just glad I've lived through some of the best years

[@nikduffield5457]

Yeah I agree. This is a very good review/road test, I guess these machines are inevitable.....sadly they like most of where we're heading are bland and soul less

[@commonsense7057]

I currently own a R6 and a Speed Triple and would love to ride one of these. It would take some time getting accustomed to not being spoiled by a proper exhaust note though.

[@jtchivers]

The thrill of riding it and you'll overcome that loss of exhaust note pretty quickly. There's something great in a different way about the sound of an electric motorbike too. More jet-like… More futuristic.

[@le4therf4ce2012]

Great informative review. Thanks

[@dennisobrien3133]

Thanks John it looks and sounds delightful!! I hear Zero is working with EXRO technologies which could reduce weight and improve on energy efficiency. I might hold off and see if that produces a lighter bike with improved performance,what do yo think?

[@jtchivers]

The problem with technical progress is it often moves on quite quickly and by the time you buy something, something better comes along a bit later. My 2016 DSR fits most of my requirements in terms of riding. I think to upgrade, the bike would need rapid charging. But if you're not in a hurry and are quite interested in seeing the outcome of this collaboration, it doesn't harm to wait.

[@Enonymouse_]

Must be nice to get a loaner, i've never had a dealer offer me a loaner when i'm having a service. Considering BMW can charge north of 1000 USD for a service, that's a disappointing thing to experience.

[@keldstensbjergbjrbk3000]

I didn´t find a Comment of windnoise and buffering. What is Your thoughts in that matter?

[@jtchivers]

Nothing to comment on those aspects particular to the Zero SR/S. It behaves the same way as any similarly faired bike, so obviously it's going to be better than a naked bike. I didn't experience any issues at all with wind buffeting.

[@GiancarloFloyd]

Did they not put a USB port in the glove box? Kinda dumb that you have to fish a wire trough the glove box they had a perfect place to charge your phone and missed out.

[@v.gedace1519]

Best review ever! Excellent video!

[@jtchivers]

Wow! Hi praise indeed. Thank you!

[@SK-kq6zr]

Very nice review. But re. range (12:56): 82 highway miles (at 70 mph) are - unfortunately - not 175 km (not even in very old money ;-) but 132 km at 112 km/h.

[@jtchivers]

Well spotted! Dang. Always check your answers! :-)

[@garybowers2629]

Nice one John 😁

[@RussellHogan]

Great video! I am happy to hear you are a DSR owner giving your impressions on this bike. I am trying to figure out if I should spend extra on this one or go with the DSR. I am price conscious but will I really be given up much with the DSR? What are the pros of the DSR over that bike. I like both but decisions...decisions.

[@jtchivers]

Thanks for the kind words. I may be able to help you decide. What's your typical motorbike usage like? To add the fast charging option to a DSR, you'll have to add the Charge Tank separately (@ around £2300 - I think the U.S. dollar price is pretty much the same), unless you buy the Black Forest edition DSR, which includes the Charge Tank. But it's quite possible you don't need fast charging at all. If you're price conscious, it's really worth thinking about whether you really need more than around 80 miles' range.

[@fabianotten7744]

Great review John

[@mattivirta]

if can drive max speed 180km/h and battery can drive 500 km whitout charger have ready to use, if not can have first step prototype and need repair and build lot lot work then come better.

[@TheAgalmic]

I love electric bikes, I just wish they sounded like my MT-10 with its Scorpion exhaust. And yes, I prefer my farty noise to the whiney alternative with its pedestrian killing potential. Now, having said that, if Zero could make the bike run a nice farty soundtrack, I'd buy one as I love that instant torque.

[@jtchivers]

That pedestrian-killing can be avoided if you don't run into them! We'll agree to disagree on the farty noise. I prefer the jet-like whine of electric… and the power! You need something like the RevHeadz app.

[@ELGOOGUOYKCUF]

great review sir!!

[@Smightification]

well put together video!

[@salezx8823]

Did someone calculate cost per 100.000 km(mile) ? Real costs? (including battery wear because this is the main cost) ? How much is battery and how long it lasts?

[@jtchivers]

The lifespan of a battery depends how it is treated. The battery is expected to outlast the life of the bike. The Battery Management System (BMS) takes care of the battery. You need to lose any preconceptions of batteries based on the kind of batteries in a laptop or mobile phone. Zero estimate 200,000 miles until battery is depleted to 80% capacity. In my own experience riding my Zero DSR 21,000 over 5 years, when I sold it, the battery was still reading full capacity. I haven't heard of anyone replacing one through normal use. I know of someone who had a faulty battery pack which was replaced under warranty, but that's not normal wear and tear. Replacing the battery isn't a thing you would expect to do during the course of normal ownership. It's as simple as that. To answer your question on cost of ownership, I worked out that the original cost of my DSR minus the fuel savings I made running it pretty much meant that when I sold it on, it had paid for itself. The bike effectively cost me nothing over 5 years and 21,000 miles.

[@asdf89sdf]

The date of publication of this video is right when the pandemic was hitting the US and UK. So weird to think about that.

[@jtchivers]

It was indeed. Already coming up a year ago.

[@bollvigblack]

well again i land on one of rich youtubers who love to show off what they have xD love this bike

[@jtchivers]

I'm far from rich and I don't own this bike. I just borrowed it for a test ride while my Zero DSR was in for a service. 👍

[@bollvigblack]

@@jtchivers so u own zero dsr. which means ur rich 👌 i cannot even buy bicycle for example

[@keithreeder]

@@bollvigblack That just means that you're NOT rich, not that John is...

[@jtchivers]

@@bollvigblack That's all wholly relative. You and I are both rich compared to most of the world's population on the same basis. I don't smoke and I rarely drink, I live in a modest town house, and we don't go on expensive family holidays abroad. Because I'd saved up, I was able to put down a larger deposit and keep monthly repayments low. Many people will spend way more than I spent financing my DSR on cigarettes, alcohol, and nights out, or financing a car. They choose to do that; I chose to fund an electric motorcycle. Then you need to factor in longer-term savings running electric motorcycles. Servicing costs are minimal. 100 miles costs a fraction it costs to ride a petrol motorbike. There's far more to look at than just the list price. There are very many wealthier people than me. I just don't make a habit of commenting on it. 🤷‍♂️

[@bollvigblack]

@@jtchivers im not hating man im just saying ur happy man cus i can somehow manage to drive electric motorcycle xD

[@ram64man]

Just what is there to service other than brakes and belt adjustment?

[@jtchivers]

Tyres, cleaned and packed headraces are the only things I've had done in terms of servicing other than brakes and tyre adjustment on my Zero DSR. Otherwise, I replaced my belt after just under 16,000 miles. That's pretty much it!

[@SantaridesaKTM]

Excellent Video.

[@inplainsight2482]

I’m thinking, maybe in a decade’s time it could quite possibly be feasible!.. when pedestrians & other road users are properly accustomed to the lack of noise from things moving on two (& four) wheels!! Until that time though - they are just a danger to ride in my opinion... Pedestrians are enough of a problem while I’m out & about cycling on the roads & through towns.. Then theirs the lack of range & range anxiety that comes with them, so touring is completely out of the question! Then theirs the price of these new generation Electric Bikes too.. Think I’ll be sticking with petrol & pistons for the foreseeable future! I also like having gears & a clutch to operate while riding, it makes the experience of riding a motorcycle much more involving ... Liked your review though.

[@shamefurudispray4193]

Greta bike, nice vid. Does anyoneone make a topbox with some battery or charging capability?

[@jtchivers]

Zero themselves offer these solutions in the form of a Power Tank and Charge Tank respectively, as mentioned in the video.

[@vea1sven162]

WHY DIDT THEY PUT THE BACK BREAK ON THE LEFT HANDLE LOL

[@jtchivers]

Probably because most motorcyclists are used to the rear brake being controlled by the pedal. I, for one, wouldn't want the rear brake on the left side of the handlebar, but the option is always there to have one fitted, if it's a big issue to you. There are people with medical reasons who prefer to have them fitted that way.

[@Crashed131963]

I Bought my Yamaha XSR900 for $9000. 30 sec to fill the tank with $15 of gas and your good for 150 miles is hard to beat. Let face it Fuel cost never was a issue with bikes like cars. Get the price way down and the range up and the charge time way faster and E-Bikes will makes sense.

[@jtchivers]

I appreciate they can work out expensive if you don't do the mileage. However, they most definitely work for journeys up to around 100 miles without any issues at all, which is way outside most people's commute and enough for lots of people's regular short-medium distance leisure riding too. I know personally of someone who financed his Zero outright just from fuel savings every month, based on an 80 mile daily commute. I reckon I've saved around £2500-£3000 on mine in fuel and servicing costs so far in the first 3 years' ownership. It takes less time to plug a bike in than it does to fill one with petrol, costs a fraction of the cost, and you don't have to go somewhere especially to do it. Get home, plug in, sleep, wake up with "full tank".

[@Crashed131963]

@@jtchivers 80 mile daily commute? Cheaper yet , live in the town where you work. If a E-bike cost $10,000 more , that $10k saving pays for 750 fill ups at $15 each. 750 fill ups is 100,000 miles of riding. That e-bike needs to have 100,000 miles on it to start saving on fuel in my case.

[@jtchivers]

@@Crashed131963 What can I say? Everyone's requirements and needs are different. I've given two examples of real cost savings. I'm guessing the 80 mile commuter had good reasons to do that commute. People happily spend a lot of money on more expensive petrol bikes too and then have to pay fuel and additional service costs on top of that, which they'll just ignore. I note every time I do a 100 miles that I've saved £15. Bear in mind that fuel is costlier in the UK too.

[@keithreeder]

They make sense NOW. Your opinion isn't a consensus.

[@logicalindian_777]

Look at the package you are getting, suspensions is a really strong one, plus you will be having zero emission.

[@birtalanlorant5572]

Im not a biker (yet), and I understand both ''teams'' in regards to the sounds of the motorcycle. If I had the money I would buy both the Energica Ego+ and a Hyosung GT650R to learn on and ride when I want some engine noise. From what I read, the instant acceleration of the electric bikes is really awesome, and it could make a great city run-around bike, as when you get to the office or arrive home, you just plug it in, and its charging. Im not a fan of shifting stuff in general, if its faster without a transmission, or without manual input, I would choose that. I like the sound of a lot of V2 bikes, and the crossplane inline 4 of the Yamahas, so I would still like to own a gas bike (thus the Hyosung comes into the picture), its probably a fantastic feeling to hear the engine roar and scream under you while you accelerate. I dont agree with loud pipes save lives, as, if they dont pay attention to the road with their eyes, they can hear you from a mile away and hit you. A lot of people are texting and can hear their own engine rev up, because they forgot to switch to a higher gear and still wont care.