Zero Motorcycles SR/F electric bike with a maximum speed of 194 km/h

Appearance

The Zero bike looks somewhat defiant and very cool. Much of it is from its predecessors, but at the same time, there is clear progress in the line.

Already from the first glance at the electric bike, you understand that it is special, and the design is dictated by functionality:

a shortened front fender equipped with a vertical mudguard that protects the stays of the inverted fork from dirt and water. It is attached between the glasses of an inverted fork. Turn signals are also attached to them;
single headlight with 4 large LEDs for high and low beam;
bright side diode running lights;
On the sides, on external stands, there are turn signals covering the upper crossbars in front.

Unlike classic gasoline-powered nakeds, Zero Motorcycles have body panels covering the transmission and engine.

The look of the Zero Motorcycles SR F emphasizes that it is fast and light. The model is distinguished by red letters printed on the side front plate and the humpbacked false tank. The latter with a double seat creates a typical naked sports silhouette.

The rear light and turn signal are mounted on small extensions that cover the tail, to which the wing is attached, which also serves as a holder for the license plate. The Zero Motorcycles powertrain is protected from water ingress by a small hugger. For the convenience of passengers, folding footrests are provided.

Notes[edit]

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Brakes

At the front, the braking system consists of a floating disc (320) and a J-Juan 2-piston caliper. At the rear there is a 240 disc and a caliper of the same brand, but single-piston.

The blocking is prevented by the ninth generation ABS from Bosch. Although it does not replace competent braking, it helps to learn it.

Important: In addition to braking, Zero Motorcycles use recuperation, which returns energy to the battery.

Full traction from the bottom

As you probably know, electric bikes have almost no increase in thrust as the rpm increases. The electric motor can develop almost full thrust from the very bottom. And it makes almost no sound, except for a subtle whir at high speed and the noise of rubber, which is surprisingly audible against the background of a silent engine. In general, riding a motorcycle opens up from a new side: you can hear birds singing, distant cars, you can hear the brake pads rustling on the discs, the drive belt spinning... You can even hear a slight crunch in the cervical vertebrae when your head leans back when you open the gas. This was a revelation for me: I haven't ridden an electric bike for many years. And Zero has been doing his thing for 13 years, and SR/F is a very obvious success story of these years.

It was raining when I started, and they immediately showed me how to switch the driving modes, setting it to Rain. Half an hour later, the rain stopped, and I switched to Road mode, continuing my journey under the rustle of wheels on wet asphalt. A 900-amp, three-phase controller supplies power to the engine, and a claimed 190 Nm of torque is available with just a flick of the throttle. In Road mode, the engine responds to the throttle somewhat quicker, but not too harshly. Even in this mode, when the throttle is closed, regeneration is slightly felt - active braking by the engine, which during braking operates in generator mode and returns part of the kinetic energy to the battery. In Sports mode, by the way, recuperation is activated only in the last phase of the coasting.

The sensations of acceleration and braking are all good, but it would be nice to know the real power numbers. So I went to the dyno stand with some guys I know who I completely trust.

Engine

The main magic of Zero Motorcycles lies in the Z-Force 75-10 electric motor (and the main reason for concern). The company that created the motorcycle has long earned an excellent reputation, which is supported by a new product with improved engine performance and, accordingly, greater speed and a serious power reserve.

The motor power for the model in question reaches 70 hp, torque – 157 Nm, covered distance – 356 km, and top speed – 193 km/h.

The motor is brushless, 3-phase, with improved thermal efficiency made possible by radial fins and air cooling. Increases the thermal stability and heat dissipation of the aluminum lithium-ion battery case, which is important since excess heat harms both.

Full torque is available from the first moments of pressing down on the throttle.

The Zero Motorcycles model does not have a gearbox, so there is no need to shift them: direct drive is provided by a carbon PolyChain belt.

The motor is controlled by a three-phase 900 ampere controller.

When the temperature rises, the thermostat will work, which will not allow the speed to exceed 177 km/h. But even with it, the driver feels like a king on the freeway.

Big takeaway

Well, the existence of the Zero SR/S is no longer news, thanks in part to a video leak. And even the fact that it is in many ways similar to SR/F is also not a surprise at all. But for many, the good news will be the full fairing, windshield and updated stance. For me personally, this is not so important, but still the practicality of the SR/S compared to the SR/F would be a big plus if I were planning on buying an electric bike.

A very pleasant discovery was the quality of production of the hood. I was very pleasantly impressed by the clarity of the fit of the elements, the quality of painting (and color!), they are at the level of top models from top brands. Having seen Zero grow over the years from a mountain bike manufacturer to what it is today, I'm happy to say they've rightfully earned their place in the market.

Of course, they also have disadvantages: the inability to use fast DC charging, air-cooled motors (although for some this is a plus), and the low availability of Zero in other markets. Over time, if the development of electric vehicles does not slow down, the issue of range and charging will cease to be so pressing. Now we know for sure: Zero takes its tasks really seriously, and their products look less and less like a toy or a prototype, and more and more like the transport of the future. And for those who need such a motorcycle in the present, the Zero SR/S is available in two trim levels: Standard and Premium. The first is equipped with a 3-kilowatt charger, and the second with a 6-kilowatt charger, as well as heated grips and aluminum steering weights. Both variants are available in two colors - Skyline Silver and Cerulean Blue.

Battery

In the top-end SR version, the motorcycle covers its rated range on a 12-hour charge, which is carried out using the built-in charger. It is clear that external charging devices speed up the process significantly.

Important: A turbocharger installed in place of some of the batteries will help speed up charging (subject to a slight reduction in the covered distance). That is, the bike can be adapted to your own preferences.

The battery capacity of 14.4 kWh is enough to cover a distance of 260 km. But this is not the limit - the additional Power Tank module helps increase the range to 320 km.

Dashboard

All important information is displayed on a 5-inch color LCD display. All its “contents” are configured in such a way that it is possible to control the most important information.

In addition, Zero Motorcycles connects to the Internet via cellular, which helps you always have access to the application. Cypher III OS ties the components of the bike together, providing security and reporting attempts to change its configuration.

Seats

In the standard configuration of Zero Motorcycles, their height is 79 cm, but other indicators are also possible - lowered to 77 cm or raised to 81 cm. The passenger seat is slightly raised in relation to the driver.

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Wheels

Zero Motorcycles aluminum cast wheels measure 17 inches. Tires: front 110/70, rear 140/70. Showa suspension consists of 41 mm inverted forks, 40 mm monoshock with variable pitch springs and a gas reservoir. The rear wheel has two huggers, one of which serves as protection for the rear suspension from dirt, the second (with a long offset) protects those sitting behind from splashes.

The back of the subframe is sealed, so any dirt that has seeped between the huggers is easy to remove.

Characteristics

Covered distance without recharging - at a speed of 89 km/h it is 259 km (in the city), 159 (on the highway);
At a speed of 113 km/h – 132 km (on the highway) and 175 km (city + highway);
Peak power and torque – 110 hp. (5 thousand rpm) and 190 Nm;
Maximum/stable speed – 200/177 km/h;
Motor - Z-Force 75-10;
Controller – 900 A, 3-phase with recuperation;
Battery – lithium-ion with a capacity of 14.4 kWh;
Charging – integrated 3-kilowatt or 6 kW;
Duration of charge replenishment – 4.5/2.5 hours (100%), 4/2 (up to 95%).
Drive – direct;
Transmission – carbon belt;
Fork – adjustable 43 mm;
Suspension – rear, 40 mm, adjustable (Showa shock absorber) with a stroke of 120/140 mm;
Brakes front/rear - 4-piston J-Juan calipers from Bosch Advanced MSC, 320x5 mm discs and J-Juan floating caliper, 1-piston, 240x4.5 mm disc;
Tires - Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 120/70-17 and 180/55-17;
Weight – 220 kg;
Saddle height – 787 (810 or 770) mm;
Wheelbase – 1450 mm;
Load capacity: 234 kg
Fuel consumption per “hundred” - 0.55 (city), 1.08 (highway);
Cost: $18,995 ($20,995).

Zero SR/F 2021 for intercity travel

After the “run” on the dyno, I decided to go for a real run and see if the Zero was suitable for long-distance touring. There was a certain risk in this: I charged the motorcycle at the beginning of the route, and in the destination city I also have somewhere to connect it to the network, but along the way there was every chance of voting on the road with a strange request to take me (and the bike) to the nearest outlet. In general, I needed to drive 130 km, which seems quite easy, considering that the range is officially 196 km in the combined cycle. The problem was that 90% of my route is on the highway, and in the highway cycle (at 88 km/h) the range is 159 km. At 112 km/h it’s already 130 km, and it looks like I need to handle the gas with pinpoint precision so as not to “go dry” (oh, we still have to come up with a bunch of new words for electric bikes). In general, for such situations, cruise control is an indispensable function.

My first mistake was that I drove in Sport mode. After 10 minutes (and 15 km) I no longer had seven percent charge. When I switched to Road, the estimated range increased because recuperation was activated. But I still need to watch myself and not push too hard, staying within 100 km/h for maximum range. Half an hour later I was already asking myself, what is the joy of driving 90 km/h, having such a reserve of speed and traction?

Even switching Sport mode to Road mode is mentally difficult, and even in Road mode it’s generally unpleasant to restrain yourself.

Having entered the city with 10% charge, I exhaled: after all, great opportunities really imply great responsibility and iron self-discipline.

The trip itself was not memorable in any way: comfortable almost vertical landing, good taxiing, full control over traction without shifting the gearbox. It steers completely neutrally, the wide steering wheel gives the necessary leverage for laying. At first it seems a little hard to turn, but the battery definitely contributes to the weight distribution, even though the center of mass is quite low. On the move, the Zero is extremely stable and even corner braking doesn't cause it to yaw, thanks to the tilting ABS. The Showa fork absorbs almost all the bumps, especially after some tuning, because the stock settings were a bit harsh for my 75 kg.