Zero S and SR electric motorcycle

Zero S / SR
Zero S / SR

The 2020 ZERO S was formerly the entry level model in the brand’s range. When it’s predecessors were on sale in Australia it was priced around the $20,000 mark which is expensive.

The engine and technology part of the Zero S is one of those motorcycles were the technology and ‘engine’ are treated as one unit. After all the 1000watt motor doesn’t mean anything if the computer controlling can’t handle the output. Besides the SCU is more porosity than a petrol engine. Conversely a 1000cc petrol engine needs more than just a ECU to to extract power e.g.. the injectors, petrol type, etc… but you can split the parts – I guess. Zero have kept it up to date with a connected App on your phone but other equipment like brakes, suspension and tyres are from regular motorcycle models.

Since all the latest electric motor tech is patented and highly technical e.g. the magnets snd could used on the motor using specific amounts of rare earths to maximise power output needless to say Zero’s technology is probably up with the other manufacturers. Is it state of the art compared to the others? Only when the competition starts releasing others will we really know. So you can assume that the Zero S uses state of art and being a genuine product on sale for years it’s a technically good motorcycle in 2020.

In terms of design both Zero S and SR are not traditionally or unconventionally good looking they are cheap or base model looking motorbikes. The S model may be an entry level version of the brand but at the price, it costs more than some very fancy un-faired or naked motorbikes like the MT series from Yamaha or the Z series from Kawasaki and faster motorcycles. That’s the main problem with Zero motorcycles that even with electric power is hard to overcome for Zero.

I haven’t had opportunity to ride a pure electric motorcycle let alone a Zero, regardless I would never consider buying one until the design part of the bike is improves. Furthermore it costs $11,000 in the US hence optimistically will cost $16,000 AUD using current February 202 currency conversion rates. However if going electric is you thing or want to match your Tesla this is one of the few electric motorcycles you can buy.

Zero S/SR Key Specifications
Engine: Electric motor – Z-Force 75.5 or Z-Force 75-7R
Battery Capacity: 7.2Kw – 18Kw dependent on model and option 
Power/Torque: S – 34Kw @ 4300 106Nm @ 1 RPM
SR – 52Kw @ 3500 157Nm @ 1 RPM 
Gearbox: Direct – Belt final drive
Kerb Weight: 142 – 208Kg Approx
Performance: 0-100kph xx seconds Approx
Max Speed xxx Kph Approx
Fuel Economy: 143 – 359km dependent on usage
Charging time dependent on charging accessory
Seat height: 807mm
Dimensions: Lxx x Wxx x Hxx x Wxx
Recommended Retail Price: $10,995 –  $14,495 USD (2020)