The much-teased Zero SR/F has debuted, and what do we get? Proper 17-inch wheels and an electric motor that puts out a claimed 110 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.
Sounds like a hot machine, and indeed it most likely will be, as that electric motor is air-cooled. Wot, no liquid cooling? Apparently Zero still wants to keep things simple, and instead of going with liquid cooling, there’s a limiter on the engine that allows you to hit a top speed of 193 km/h for short-duration runs, but generally keeps you maxed at 55 hp, making for a 177 km/h top speed, and no thermal meltdowns.
Other interesting updates for the Zero SR/F: finally, Zero has included lean angle-sensitive traction control on its superbike, specifically Bosch’s Motorcycle Stability Control. There’s proper suspension now, Showa Big Piston 43 mm forks and piggyback reservoir monoshock, all fully adjustable.
The brakes are still from Spanish manufacturer J-Juan, with four-piston radial calipers mated to dual 320 mm discs up front and a single disc in rear. There’s leaning ABS on the new bike, also thanks to Bosch. Again, this is all a significant upgrade from previous Zero components.
Zero also included a 5-inch TFT screen, various ride modes (allowing you to customize power output and battery use rates), and even cruise control. There’s also a premium version of the bike that will have an improved charging system, a smallish windscreen, heated grips and aluminum bar ends.
Both versions of the bike also come with an onboard cell connection that allows you to track your bike through cellular triangulation, and also interface with your motorcycle via cellphone, even allowing technicians to work on your bike remotely. Sci-fi stuff, for sure!
The Zero SR/F weighs 220 kg and in stock trim, has 260 km range for urban riding (stop-and-go riding means the regenerative braking system tops the battery back up). Riding highway speed drops range all the way down to about 130 km. Add in the Power Tank accessory battery, and urban range jumps to 320 km. Or, you can add the Charge Tank quick-charger, and bring charging time down from 4.5 hours on the standard 3 kw-h charging system (2.5 hours on the premium bike’s 6 kw-h charging system) to 1.8 hours (1.5 hours for the premium bike).
Canadian pricing is $24,890 CAD for the base model, $27,590 for the premium version, and it’s available in either teal blue or red. More details are available at Zero’s website.
GALLERY
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I think these electric bikes are really cool, but I can’t see myself (or most other people) buying one anytime soon, because of the range issues. Even if the range was twice what it is, I’d still need a recharge a couple times a day, and when I’m touring it’s typically in a place where level 2 fast chargers are few and far between. And we’re still talking at least the better part of an hour for a charge if and when you do find a place to charge it (if you can find that level 2 charger). So basically it’s a fast, expensive, commuter and short day ride bike. It couldn’t get from my home in Stoney Creek to CTMP to watch the races without needing a charge along the way. It’s only a two hour drive (on the QEW/401/etc).
“about 130 km” range for highway use is synonymous with useless to me.
Good they at last introduced traction control though, those bike were dangerous without it.
Getting closer but I’m still not there yet. Finally the styling looks right and beefy. The earlier ones looked like mopeds or were fully faired sprortbikes at a time when I think the average electric bike rider didn’t want to look like Ricky Racer on the road. Distance, charging times and retail pricing are still a detriment. I’m of the belief the longer you wait, the better battery technology will improve and buying today means a bike with no value come trade in time.
If I really want to raise eyebrows, yes I believe in climate change but on the basis of natural heating and cooling cycles of our planet. So will we be claiming armageddon if my theory proves right? Let’s face it, we read of various technologies that use carbon capture and reuse it for good but politicians don’t seem to be jumping on board. Selling fear makes you a billionaire. So for now and hopefully a long time, make my bike petrol powered.