2011 Zero S
“Our future isn’t tied to customary motorcyclists accepting or embracing us. Seventy percent of our customers are coming to two wheels because of what we’re not.”
-Scot Harden, Zero Motorcycles
Harden told me that a few weeks before the official launch of Zero Motorcycles 2011 bikes, but the words resonated as I rode the new products. True to what he said, there is plenty that the bikes are not. For instance, they aren’t fast. They aren’t long-distance capable. They aren’t cheap. But that’s if you compare them to internal-combustion motorcycles. But this is arguably a new powersport category, one that can’t really be compared to existing niches.
Zero’s press event was held in Watsonville, California, about 12 miles south of its Scotts Valley headquarters. A motocross course and off-road trail were set up for the off-road models, and a 12-mile street-riding loop was laid outon the local roads.
I started out the street loop on the redesigned Zero S supermoto. Compared to its cruder ancestor I rode in [LINK: ]2009, it’s a very polished product. Fit and finish is much more like a mass-produced vehicle. The suspension (with a Fox shock in back) felt properly set up and developed, the brakes were better (but not great—still relatively wooden and weak) and the seating position (and seat) was more humane. The DS is similar to the S, but with different wheel sizes and longer suspension travel. Weight on both bikes is about 300 pounds (dry, of course—the only liquid on these bikes is brake fluid).
Performance was adequate for the Zero’s mission as an urban runabout. The electronics damp and smooth out the power curve, so that it felt a bit like a small gas-powered motorcycle, at least as far as amount of power went. It didn’t leap off the line, and opening the throttle to the stop didn’t bring the cool red-anodized front hoop into the air. Seventy mph may be possible, given a good downhill run (but you can practically watch the charge meter drop as you gun it), but don’t bet on it. And keeping up with urban traffic is no problem. I never felt like I was an annoyance to the local drivers, but given we were near Santa Cruz, the mellowest place in the world—they probably wouldn’t have been annoyed by a 1970 VW microbus with two flat tires, either.
What is remarkable about the Zero’s power is how smooth it is. Instead of the noise, heat and vibration you get from twisting the go-handle on a gas-powered bike, you get…nothing. No sound (except some whirring), no vibration. I found it disconcerting at first, as rolling off the throttle going into turns just sends the bike coasting, with no engine braking (regenerative braking would add too much weight and expense without benefit), but I adapted my riding style to it quickly. It’s just you zipping along, with the sound of the wind getting louder around your helmet. Even the slap and clank of the chain is gone, replaced by a silent carbon-reinforced belt. It’s sort of a magical experience that you can’t match with internal combustion.
My ride on the $9995 S and the $10,495 DS were very brief. The bikes don’t have the range to allow an extended press intro, and I was the last of three waves of riders that day. A 45-minute recharge was only enough for about a 9-mile ride. However, Zero claims a 43 mile range (measured by the EPA’s new UDDS mileage test), ridden in a relaxed, urban-commuter mode. So I don’t have real experience with the range—that will have to wait until I can get an extended test of the bike.
2011 Zero DS
Also available are four models of off-road machines. The $7995 X is a trail bike, with a smaller battery and frame than the roadsters. The $9495 MX is a motocrosser, equipped with a high-output Agni (the big-block V-Eight of the electric-vehicle world) motor. Both the X and MX are available in street-legal dual-sport versions for an extra $500. I didn’t ride the MX or X as they were intended to be ridden, but they are lightweight (about 200 pounds) have good suspension and look like lots of fun to jump, slide and plant in the mud.
Based on the X/MX chassis is Zero’s latest model, the $7995 XU. With smaller wheels, a low seat and the same battery pack as its dirtbike brethren, I found the XU to be more fun than the larger S and DS. It’s intended for denser, European-style cities, where lots of very short trips are the norm. It shares the smaller (50 pound) battery pack with the X/MX, and that means it can be quickly removed and carried into an apartment or workplace for recharging. That might have to happen a lot—although Zero claims a 25 mile range (by UDDS test), I was well below half-charge after a 10-mile loop (Zero’s engineers told me the battery gauge takes a few charges to “learn” each battery capacity, so my battery may have been partly discharged when it was installed in the bike I rode, which is why I’m not too worried about the disappointing range I saw on my test rides). The XU, with a 51 mph top speed isn’t as fast, but it accelerates nicely and the handling is as good as you’d suspect a 218-pound motorcycle’s to be.
We know what the electric motorcycle isn’t. So what is it? It’s really a whole new kind of transportation, and I see multiple advantages. First, for dirt-lovers, imagine having a full-sized motocrosser or trail bike that you could ride in your back yard, or for those of you with Texas-sized living rooms, indoors. In an era where we’re losing more and more public off-highway vehicle recreational land, this could be a way to revive the sport.
Second, it offers a new mode of transport to those who are yearning for an electric car but don’t want to spend $30,000 or more to get one. Zero’s management and investors believe there is a large, untapped market of non-motorcyclists who are intimidated by the speed, power, price and culture of motorcycling and are looking for something different. After all, most trips we make are well under 20 miles, and we can recharge while we work or sleep. And while it is time-consuming to charge, it is easy (just plug it in—the street models all have built-in chargers, and an available $595, 220v quick-charger cuts the charge time in half) and so cheap (a penny a mile, says Zero) it’s practically free.
Regardless of how you feel about e-motorcycles, the potential to bring new customers into the industry, which seems to be shrinking away, is welcome. And while performance isn’t impressive, advances in battery technology (which will probably be easily retro-fitted) have the potential to dramatically change that in the coming years. My rides on the Zeroes didn’t make me want to own one, but it did convince me it’s a serious company with a serious product.
2011 Zero XU
Motorcycle Daily attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
I was really attracted at first, but the numbers don’t make sense. Adding to that the low range, the non-badass feel (sounds like it – I haven’t had the pleasure of riding one) and the limited speed… sorry to say, but its a no-go for me. For now anyway. Though, I have to say, this is looking kinda like the Smart car where they priced a good idea away from possible fruition. Here’s my wish list: lower price, longer range (many people commute 40+ miles one way now-a-days), and perhaps a cooler look. To be honest… if the price was [a lot]lower with the product as it is now, I might give it a shot.
WTF, have any of you NA Sayer’s even rode a Zero. Let’s see, most bikes get let’s say 40 mpg. do the math, $3.60 a gallon is 9 cents a mile. A Zero bike can run at a cost of less than 1 cent per mile. Wake up people, lose the ego’s and stop trying to make the Zero bikes something they are not. They are built to comutte. I ride 60 miles round trip to work and do it 5 days aweek for less than $3.00, ON my Zero bike.
These bikes work for alot of people. You all keep buying gas, oil, filters, spark plugs, clutches, pistons, valves and cranks. I will keep the fuel savings and buy my next Zero bike. Wake up people.
Before throwing your opinion to the masses and making a fool of yourself, study the product, research it, don’t use someone else’s misinformed opinion or comment as the absolute truth. Having owned a motorcycle does not place you in a position to criticize product(s) you have never driven or taken the time to study or fully understand the engineering behind it. Zero is not making bikes for motorcyclists like us! 70% of their sales come from first time buyers. These people would never consider riding or owning a gas powered motorcycle. They only want to commute in and around town and not pollute the environment. I was the first to giggle when I saw a man driving a Prius, but they are making a choice to pollute less and we need to respect them! Some of you need to think before pushing the send button.
You can get a small dual-sport that gets upwards of 75mpg and has similar or better performance for $5k. You can go about 200 miles on one tank and never worry about charging batteries. Sorry but as awesome as these bikes are, the numbers don’t come close to adding up yet. Also, the silent operation is dangerous in urban environments where pedestrians and bicyclists, not to mention other drivers, can’t hear you coming.
How many times can you recharge the battery pack before it needs replacement, and how much is the replacement battery?
About 75,000 miles worth of riding. I don’t have a price on the big pack in the S and DS, but the small pack is $2500. But how much will it cost in 10 years? Not only will it be cheaper, the replacement will also have better range, more power and shorter recharge time. And at 75k, it will still have 80% of capacity (according to Zero) and still have some residual/recycling value.
Glad to see a real effort in this arena- they arent there yet but it seems like they are in the right direction. Remember the first honda- wasnt exactly the cutting edge, neither was the the first VW bug, but both seemed to succeed pretty well. A little more range and a affordable price is what is needed to make this the next basic transportation trend. It wont be for everyone- but then nothing ever is.
I just hope they dont send production to China.
Awesome. Almost the range I need 🙂 I like the looks of it. For all you grumpy skeptics. Just remember the costs of running (both operating and maintenance) this bike will be far cheaper than a gas machine. Less moving parts make it more reliable. This is just the beginning. I remember I predicted $4/gal gas again. Some folks scoffed at that. Well another bold prediction $4.50 gas by the end of next year. $5/gal by 2015. Which will make this bike a bargain. We are the Borg Resistance is futile! 🙂 Electric bikes and scooters have a bright future. I expect Asia will be a big market for them soon.
Great Review Gabe! 🙂
Your ride report here doesn’t mention Zero Motorcycles founder Neil Saiki leaving the company earlier this month, alledgedly to “pursue the Sikorski prize for human-powered helicopter flight”. That’s a somewhat novel reason to leave something you’ve poured your blood and sweat into just as the product seems to be coming into it’s own… or is it? Is he taking a golden parachute? Hope he wears it in his man-o-copter.
“Is he taking a golden parachute? Hope he wears it in his man-o-copter.”
OMG, almost I don’t care if the info here is true or not because this is the most amusing punchline I have heard in months!
Man-o-copter! Ha!
Well, the Zero peeps said he was more into starting companies and trying out new things than working on a more mature product, plus the man-o-copter has been a long-time dream of his. He’s more an idea guy than a business guy, so it makes sense to me. They all swore up and down there was no conflict between Neal and the new people or new ideas coming in.
I don’t know many people who don’t care about getting value for their money. Put this on the showroom floor at 10K and park either a 60mpg scooter or dualsport next to it for 5K and see which bike sells. I’m all for saving the environment and riding a 60 mpg motorcycle is good enough for me. I can take my savings and apply it to solar panels if I REALLY want to contribute. Hat’s off to all you early adopters and daydreamers who believe in this thing but I sure don’t want any of you as my financial manager.
Looks like Zero is building a Vectrix scooter with a different flavor. Sorry Zero, but if that’s your end game, I’m not interested in your product. Maybe you should just merge with Vectrix while you’re ahead.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Zero’s bikes – this is coming from a guy that’s owned and ridden dual sports, cruisers, and currently rides a ZRX. But if Zero just wants to market these things to people that would be happier riding a Vectrix than a motorcycle, then they’ve lost my interest.
Shame, really – if I had any inkling they were serious about building motorcycles rather than electric oversized bicycles, then I would consider them for my next motorcycle. As it is, though, I’ll just stick to conventional motorcycles.
Slow, expensive and UGLY. Only a few twisted Green Weenies and going to buy this thing.
Like Ed Begley Jr. and Al Gore?
I guess they’ll sell at least two!
for whatever reason, there’s nothing more hysterical to me than working the names ed begley and al gore into a conversation… LOL
Make that Ed Begley Jr., Al Gore, AND kpaul.
If it has 2 wheels, a step-over layout, rather than step-through, and costs 10 grand, you had better believe it is going to be compared to motorcycles, no matter what their wishful thinking might be.
It sounds like the people who want this sort of limited format of electric drive (motors are not the problem… electrical storage capacity, charge/discharge rate, battery weight, and useful life is ALWAYS the problem) would be bettter served by either a strict dirt-bike/dual-sport format, or a step-through scooter format.
If I wanted an urban commuter with some sort of electric drive, I would be wishing for a 3-wheel leaning Piaggio MP3 Hybrid, that won’t fall over no matter where I parked it, or who would bump it a little before I got back.
At least mechanical electric generation alleviates some of the performance issues, and minimizes the drawbacks of battery weight, charge time, and limited range.
But in reality, I am still pretty much in the mechanical drive liquid fuel camp. Electricity as a transitory energy format just isn’t currently ready for prime-time.
It took 29 comments before we see that favorite word among commenters: “Ugly.”
There. I said it first.
Seriously, we need electric bikes like this. But if we can’t say it’s ugly or classic, then we’re not sure how to comment on it. Of course, the second favorite critique is, “Too expensive.”
“Seriously, we need electric bikes like this”
Who’s “we”?
I don’t need this.
Have a blast pal.
we need electric bikes because some day gas will cost $10/gal, or about $0.25/mile. Electricity could make that about $0.03/mile. No?
Sorry, I need to also say it’s ugly.
I’ll run it on anything that burns…sugar cane Rum, sunflower oil, animal fat bio-diesel or my favorite: MoonShine…LMAO.
If it were a bit uglier, it would levitate, as the earth repelled it. Then it could just cruise along on a cushion of air. Now that’s progress.
If you could park for free or at a discounted rate at the motorcycle parking meters ($0.70/hr in San Francisco), that would be a huge incentive. Sadly, that will never happen.
10 grand, eh? Um, for that kind of dough, I can get a Vespa, a life time supply of carbon credits, plant a tree or six, and pocket more than $4000.
Good luck to these guys. They’re gonna need it.
Price also is a problem for me. I like the bikes, but I naturally tend to expect more as the price gets higher. I have a hard time not comparing it to other gas bikes that have better range for a lower price tag. If the price was lower compared to my lifestyle I would probably buy one. How much lower, I am not sure. The trike was a good idea, the kind that lean look fun. Too bad the only option for that right now is a scooter, I would look really hard at a motorcycle version of a leaning trike. I am not a real big scooter fan, so I totally disagree with the idea that electric is best for scooters. Both seem good. Actually for offroad, a motorcycle not a scooter will be used, and electric for offroad is an awsome concept. Many street riders have no knowledge of offroad, but quiet is key to saving areas. In fact quiet could actually create more areas closer to where we live, something I have never seen in my lifetime. Now that is revolutionary. We have to pack up our off road vehicles and travel far to use them. With gas prices on the rise once again, close areas with quiet bikes is truely awsome.
A perfect light weight touring bike is the new Honda NT700. I own one and it has a huge following in Europe that is growing stateside daily. It reminds me of my past PC800 and my CX500 but has better ergonomics, wind protection and power! 50 to 65 mpg isn’t to bad either!
In keeping with the topic of the original subject, the NT700 probably has enough surface area on the bodywork for decent solar panels. By squeezing in an electric motor along side the fossil burner, Honda could develop an electric-themed hybrid that is actually practical.
It would be to the Zero what the Chevy Volt to the Nissan Leaf: one is actually practical for REAL use while the other might as well have a 15-mile extension cord that forces you to turn back for home once you reach the end. 😉
As with the scooters, these may give a more “user-friendly I’m not a nasty biker I’m eco-cutie” impression but when the user still gets wet and cold and run off the road by cars, well we’ll see who sticks with it. Nothing against the product, just the reality.
Performance is good enough in my estimation as a commuter. If you commute a short distance to work everyday and then let your vehicle sit all day until you ride home, this works perfectly. Plus you pawn the charge off on the building owner. I mean, who meters the electrical plugs in their parking garages??
I’m curious why they (Zero) aren’t using a kevlar belt instead of the chain. Aren’t belts just as strong and lighter weight, plus they dont require ANY maintenance which is sort of a secondary theme going on here with the Zero bikes, nor do they require the use of any aerosols etc. to apply nasty toxic chain lubes.
I dont like Zero’s aesthetics. The square on the side of the motorcycle is damned unattractive to me. Otherwise, I’m hopeful they take off.
well, I just noted where apparently one or more of the models do have belts. sorry.
$10,495?
Hmmmm. I was going to buy the new Ninja 1000 but this really has me re-thinking.
Seriously people!
Anyone that is even considering an electric bike needs to read the article by Kevin Cameron in the latest Cycle World.
He goes in depth on the pros and cons and really sets the record straight on what these bikes can and can’t do.
I highly recommend.
Bottom line, this technology is just not close to being ready.
Will the world still be here when they are or will global warming kill us off before then? Ha ha.
I’m not worried about it.
Ready for what exactly? It’s not a 1000cc bike, was never supposed to be. It has to start somewhere. As it catches on the price will drop a lot. Eventually charge stations are possible (where did people get gas for their Model T’s?). Like the above article says, these are not for the existing motorcycle population.
Can’t do = go 150mph and 200 miles
Can do = get around town and recharge virtually for free.
I agree with others, this could be better applied to a scooter type of ride.
You go Dave!
I’ll be rooting for ya man!
I have always found Cameron to by a pseudo scientist/engineer or a techie wannabe. So I will consider the source when I read his article. “You can fool some of the people all the time, you can fool all the people some of the time, but you can’t foll all the people all of the time. ” Abraham Lincoln.
Just read the Cameron article. As usual he misses the mark terribly. He focuses on the energy in a gallon of gas. But point is gas engines are only 30% efficient vs electrics 90% plus efficiency. He does mention the fact early in his article but somehow he doesn’t use it in his conclusion. Engineering is always about trade offs. Taking something a basic principle a scientist discovered and applying it to create machines i.e. problem solvers. Cameron fixates on the current state of battery technology. He also thinks the sweet spot for an electric bikes range is the same as a gas bike. Not so. You don’t have a gas station in your garage you can fill up your bike every night but you do have an electric outlet. Electric outlets are becoming more common as more plug-in hybrids and electric cars, trucks and buses hit the road. I think if you get to 100 miles range on an electric bike that has the performance of 500cc bike that will be the sweet spot.
“pseudo scientist”???
The guy has a degree from MIT!
Tell you what Kpaul; you buy that zero and come for a ride with me.
I seriously doubt you will make it back home, nor be able to keep up.
I usually do about 200-300 miles on a casual ride and occasionally hit triple digits.
Go for it bro!
Put your money where your mouth is.
If Algore can buy waterfront property when he believes the oceans will rise 22 feet then surely you can buy one of these bikes bro?
Cameron in an article said he had taken undergraduate classes in physics but he didn’t pursue it further because he was weak in math. That is a major handicap in anyone that is serious about physics and engineering. Also anyone that wants to be taken seriously in those fields have strong math backgrounds. So I standby my remarks.
100/100 is not realistic. Where have you ever averaged 100mph for 100 miles without ending up in jail or worse? 100/70 would be amazing given the current state of battery tech. 100/40 would meet it’s market requirement, urban transport. A friend tried to introduce electric scooters on a 22sq mile island with a 30mph practical speed limit. They still weren’t an option for more than half the population living closest to the main town.
This bike would be perfect for me in DC for driving to work and what not but I would still need a internal combustion bike for going out of the city. Maybe one of these and a touring bike.
Way off topic: Does anybody wish they made a miniature version of a tourer? I’m talking about a 1980s Honda Silverwing in 21st century form. I had an ’81 Silverwing and it was awesome. I own a Vstrom 650 with a trunk and I love that, too. I don’t need 1500cc+ of power that weighs 800lbs. Maybe a Honda Nighthawk with a fairing and hardbags/trunk.
It’s great that there are companies willing to put themselves (and their assets) “out there” to develop these products through these early stages and I wish them great success. That said, physics is a bitch. There really needs to be some sort of significant technological breakthrough in battery technology because these bikes are never going to be anything more that an occasional high density urban core transportation device. Which is not a criticism. It’s fine for what it is but there isn’t going to be any significant re-engineering of our national fleet if all they get are 5-10 percent increases on this technology. These batteries nedd brain power as much as electric power.
Very well put Steve… I totally agree with the need for development and the fact that these things don’t go from from nothing to great engineering overnight.
The energy to re-charge the batteries of e-vehicles has to come from somewhere, and when the useful lives of their batteries is exhausted those batteries have to be disposed of somewhere. There are simply no free rides when it comes to energy. Perhaps e-vehicles have their place, but America is one of the most energy-resource rich countries on earth, and we are FOOL-ish not to be taking FULL advantage of our conventional energy resources.
BTW, it is significant to note that wind and solar currently supply only slightly more than one-half of one percent of our nation’s energy needs.
These particular batteries are actually non-toxic and landfill safe.
I’m confused as to how these vehicles aren’t taking “FULL” advantage of our conventional energy sources, seeing as they’re powered by electricity, which was probably created from burning coal—coal being the most abundant of Americas dirty fuel resources. I don’t see how we’re not taking full advantage of our resources, unless you’re suggesting we should permanently ruin our national parks, water supplies, etc. to get a few days worth of oil or finite supply of natural gas? You’re right, there really are no free rides when it comes to energy, but when you consider the amount of energy hitting the earth everyday from the sun (roughly 20,000 times what’s consumed by humanity) don’t you think it would be smart for us to take advantage of this? Why would we continue using finite resources at a record pace, that pollute our environment, without considering alternatives? Or when you consider that about 10,000 people die each year from illnesses related to the burning of coal, wouldn’t it make sense to seek alternatives that don’t ruin our air, water, and land? I’m not trying to be difficult, but I really don’t get why people try to downplay, misinform, or otherwise dismiss renewable energy—unless maybe they work for the oil/gas/coal industry?
BTW, when you combine ALL sources of renewable energy, they now account for roughly 10 percent of our nation’s energy needs, not “one-half of one percent.” This is also current production, and is not an indicator of potential future production, which could be much more.
A lot of specific claims here. You need to name verifiable sources for them, or you just sound like Al Gore at a paid speaking engagement for the Sierra Club. The only time one can get away with this is when preaching to the chior.
You’re right. Here are some verifiable sources to support my argument.
Renewable Energy usage:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/energy_in_brief/renewable_energy.cfm
Deaths by coal:
http://www.lungusa.org/about-us/our-impact/top-stories/toxic-air-coal-fired-power-plants.html
Solar energy hitting earth:
http://helios.gsfc.nasa.gov/qa_sun.html#sunenergymass (from 2006)
http://www.ecoworld.com/energy-fuels/how-much-solar-energy-hits-earth.html
This helps. Thank you.
Similar comments are made about any new technology in its nascent stages. Sure, it is a snore now, but someday, they’ll be able to make these things run like a raped ape. I exepct a number of us will wait until then and then buy en masse.
Good for zero, no point in retreading old ground.
I’m still waiting for someone to meet the 100/100 standard. 100 miles at a 100 mph. That’s when these things will be come practical for more than a run to the hardware store to get some small hardware.
GO SCOOTERS, YOUNG MAN.
I agree with other posters about the type of two-wheeled vehicles that Zero Motorcycles seemimgly should be concentrating on. The actual products they are currently offering are motorcycle-like oddities that seem to refute Scott Hardin’s mantra of “Our future isn’t tied to customary motorcyclists accepting or embracing us”. Then why are they producing bikes that, except for their power source, attempt to emulate what customary motorcyclist are accustomed to? Do they believe that there are enough “early adopters” who will be attracted to (other than the motor) *traditional* motorcycle design? Is this a gambit to bring on current motorcycle dealers who have managed to stay in business the last few years and wish to (kind of) diversify…before the scooter-like Zeros arrive?
I am anxious to read other theories about their business plan.
If I were rich, I’d love to add one to my collection. In the real world, I’m going to have to wait until performance increases and price comes down.
an electric needs a longer range, shorter charging time, better performance, and a lower price to lure me. but, hey, i’m open….LOL.
Needs another wheel if they really want to tap those not currently riding. A trike with a 70 mile range and decent storage would (perhaps) have a better shot as an urban run-about???????
All I can say is this electric stuff has a way to go for perfection. Not for me.A scooter format would be better.
I understand that now Hyosung has an electric scooter. Haven’t seen or ridden it, so don’t know how it might work. I also live in a rural setting, so I doubt I will see many around here.
Question: If you can just plug it in at work, who is paying for the power?
Someone will develop a debit card-operated system to charge for the service. Probably Red Box/CoinStar.
Oh crap, did I just give away a good idea?
If these are to become a replacement for a car when making quick trips to the store they’d need to be able to carry some things. Commuting to work would be the only other practical reason. But many of us don’t ride motorcycles now for the most pratical reasons. They’re toys to have fun on. But I do agree that the market for an electric bike might be served better with the large scooter format. Scooters naturally don’t seem to carry the “motorcycle culture” that some want to stay away from.
It is too expensive not to be a superbike and too lame to be one.
I will stick with a gas powered superbike.
I still say electric motors have a much more natural home in a scooter than in a motorcycle. Scooters are all about the practicalities of two-wheel transport, especially in an urban environment, and that can be enhanced by an electric motor. But for a real motorcycle? Internal combustion, baby. Why aren’t these companies developing scooters?
Lame. Still waiting on the Brammo Empulse. HoPE it’s not vaporware.
You still need a motorcycle license. You still need to wear protective gear, including lugging a helmet around. Way to avoid the motorcycle culture! Why Zero doesn’t build a superscooter in the Suzuki Burgman tradition is beyond me.