Long-Term Ride: 2017 Zero SR
We put about 750 miles on our 2017 Zero SR test bike. Photos by Mark Tuttle.
What?s it like to live with an electric motorcycle long-term" Fully electric vehicles gather more attention than ever nowadays, so we are setting out to answer that question. Zero Motorcycles? top-of-the-line SR (MSRP $15,995) emerged as our bike of choice, powered by its standard 13.0 kWh main battery pack along with the optional factory-installed Power Tank 2.9 kWh battery upgrade ($2,695). The critical choice out of the chute focused on the Power Tank accessory for extra range vs. Zero?s Charge Tank option that triples recharging speed. There?s sufficient space under the faux ?fuel tank? for either one or the other, but not both. We often revisited this dilemma between range vs. charging speed. The single-disc front brake is strong, but not sportbike-spec; the lack of engine braking becomes quite noticeable while braking, especially in Sport mode.
The great news is there?s really impressive power on tap; thanks to its high-output 775-amp controller, the SR cranks out a claimed 116 lb-ft of torque and 70 horsepower. Considering that track-capable liter-class hypersport bikes top out around 80 lb-ft of peak torque, that 116 lb-ft stat illustrates how remarkably strong this electric bike can accelerate. And you can dial in this tsunami of torque from a standing start; until you experience it firsthand, it?s difficult to comprehend just how exhilarating such effortless acceleration feels when y...
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