LEAD THE CHARGE ON CALIFORNIA’S E-BIKE
With sales of electric bikes, scooters and motorbikes surging during the pandemic, manufacturers have been keen to push their latest models.
And from California-based EV firm Zero, comes the 2020 SR/S.
Some electric bikes tend to look a little utilitarian, but the SR/S really ups the game. With its full fairing, uncluttered rear end and sleek, aggressive lines, it has the appearance of a no-nonsense sports bike.
Ride position is fairly upright thanks to wide, upswept handlebars and low foot pegs. The seat is broad, comfortable and close enough to the ground to allow you to easily plant both boots on the Tarmac.
Hit the start button and, well, nothing much happens – there’s no engine noise, of course.
Twist the throttle, however, and things really do happen – and pretty quickly. Torque is instant, with the maximum of 140ft lb achieved as rapidly as 500rpm and then maintained all the way through to around 4,000rpm, with a top speed of about 125mph.
There are four ride modes – Sport, Street, Rain and Eco.
Each alters the power, traction control and regen braking (which acts like engine braking, but recharges the battery at the same time).
With no gearbox or clutch the bike is a doddle to ride around town at low speeds.
Take it out on the open road and the beauty of riding an EV becomes apparent.
Acceleration, at almost any speed, is… well, electric – just twist the throttle and, whoosh, take off.
Fully adjustable Showa forks and rear mono-shock provide a plush but firm ride.
Handling is reliable and confidence-inspiring, as is the braking, which is powerful yet sensitive, and with the added reassurance of Bosch cornering ABS.
So, what’s the range? City riding achieves 160 miles and a constant 55mph will deliver 100 miles. That’s a combined 120 miles.
Motorway riding at 70mph will take you 80 miles. The 3kW onboard charger gives a full recharge in four hours and the 6kW Premium version can halve that at a public charger.
But you’ll hardly ever recharge from zero. So, 95% charge with a fast charger takes 80 minutes, and just an hour on the Premium version. All perfectly acceptable, it just requires a different mindset about what riding a bike means.
If EVs are the future, the Zero SR/S shows the future’s looking pretty darn good.