Motorcycles

Zero unveils 2015 range of high-performance electric motorbikes

Zero unveils 2015 range of high-performance electric motorbikes
Zero has announced unveiled its 2015 range of high-performance electric motorcycles
Zero has announced unveiled its 2015 range of high-performance electric motorcycles
View 35 Images
Zero has announced unveiled its 2015 range of high-performance electric motorcycles
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Zero has announced unveiled its 2015 range of high-performance electric motorcycles
Zero has announced unveiled its 2015 range of high-performance electric motorcycles
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Zero has announced unveiled its 2015 range of high-performance electric motorcycles
A view of the Zero DS front forks
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A view of the Zero DS front forks
A view of the Zero DS front brake
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A view of the Zero DS front brake
A view of the Zero DS motor
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A view of the Zero DS motor
A view of the Zero DS power pack
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A view of the Zero DS power pack
A view of the Zero DS power tank
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A view of the Zero DS power tank
A view of the Zero DS rear brake
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A view of the Zero DS rear brake
The Zero DS rider view with LED info panel
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The Zero DS rider view with LED info panel
The Zero DS
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The Zero DS
A side view of the Zero DS
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A side view of the Zero DS
A view of the Zero FX front forks
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A view of the Zero FX front forks
A view of the Zero FX front brake
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A view of the Zero FX front brake
A view of the Zero FX rear brake
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A view of the Zero FX rear brake
The Zero FX rider view
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The Zero FX rider view
A view of a Zero FX shock
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A view of a Zero FX shock
A rear view of the Zero FX
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A rear view of the Zero FX
A front view of the Zero FX
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A front view of the Zero FX
A side view of the Zero FX
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A side view of the Zero FX
A view of the Zero S forks
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A view of the Zero S forks
A view of the Zero S motor
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A view of the Zero S motor
A view of the Zero S power pack
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A view of the Zero S power pack
A view of the Zero S power tank
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A view of the Zero S power tank
A front view of the Zero S
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A front view of the Zero S
A side view of the Zero S
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A side view of the Zero S
A view of the Zero SR forks
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A view of the Zero SR forks
A view of the Zero SR front brake
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A view of the Zero SR front brake
A view of the Zero SR power pack
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A view of the Zero SR power pack
The Zero SR rider view
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The Zero SR rider view
A view of a Zero SR shock
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A view of a Zero SR shock
A side view of the Zero SR
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A side view of the Zero SR
A view of the Zero SR power tank
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A view of the Zero SR power tank
A rear view of the Zero SR
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A rear view of the Zero SR
A front view of the Zero SR
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A front view of the Zero SR
A side view of the Zero SR
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A side view of the Zero SR
View gallery - 35 images

High-performance electric motorbike manufacturer Zero Motorcycles has released its 2015 model lineup. Updates to its existing models include improved suspensions, braking systems and batteries. A new model, the FXP, is also being introduced Zero's fleet line-up.

Zero was set up in 2006 and has continuously made significant improvements to its bikes ever since. Indeed, when we tested the 2014 Zero SR earlier this year, its fair to say we were very impressed. The company has now announced improvements across its full range, that seek to refine its electric bikes even further.

The 2015 range of Zero bikes will feature Showa suspension systems that are said to be tuned for each specific model. This is coupled with Bosch anti-lock braking systems and Pirelli tires for improved traction.

The Zero DS
The Zero DS

Throttle responsiveness and seat ergonomics have been improved and the Zero S, Zero SR and Zero DS models feature new alloy wheels. Battery capacities have also been improved by 10 percent on the Zero S, Zero SR and Zero DS to provide an increased range of up to 185 mi (298 km) in the city and 94 mi (151 km) on the highway at 70 mph (113 km/h).

Three models in Zero's fleet line-up – the Zero SP, Zero DSP and Zero MMX – are being updated and the new Zero FXP is being introduced. The FXP is aimed at providing "a more nimble, faster and lower cost option to patrol fleets."

Pre-orders can now be placed with Zero dealers for the new models, with the new line-up expected to be available in North America from December this year and Europe from February 2015.

Source: Zero Motorcycles

View gallery - 35 images
22 comments
22 comments
Jim Bowman
Great bikes just not cost effective to justify. If battery costs have a significant decline I would have one as a commuter.
Milton
@ Jim Bowman
Whether or not they are "cost effective" depends on two things: 1. What are you comparing 'em to? 2. How far out into the future are we talking?
After factoring in fuel-consumption and maintenance costs you may very well be looking at totally different numbers (and you may even have to eat your own words).
Albertico Perez
@Jim Bowman
At 1 cent per mile of fuel/electricity cost, you can drive 300 miles in a Zero motorcycle with the 3 dollars you would spend on a gallon of gasoline to travel the average 25mpg on a random ICE vehicle.
In other words, you save 12x as much money on fuel by riding a Zero motorcycle as opposed to driving a Toyota Camry.
Driving 20k miles a year on a 25mpg car you spend about $2800 on gasoline per year. You would only spend $240 driving the same distance on a Zero motorcycle per year; saving you over $2500 a year in fuel costs.
Within 5 years you have already saved 12500 dollars.
Michael Wilson
I see high performance on the tag, but where are the performance specs?
Brian Milburn
I find my $11.9k Zero FX to be far more cost effective than my $12k Ninja ZX6R, which I have to pour money into just to fuel up and maintain. I sold my Ninja because of that.
Daishi
@Milton They are definitely getting closer to being a practical purchase. The base Zero S is only $13,300 which essentially puts it within range of most Japanese sport bikes. They offer a 5 year 100k mile factory warranty, I don't know that many people with 100k on a motorcycle but if I logged that many miles at the ~35 MPG my bike gets it would cost me almost $10k in gasoline vs under under $1,000 in electricity.
Electric motorcycles don't get the $7,500 federal tax credit but they do get a federal tax credit for 10% of the cost.
If you buy a loaded SR and never drive it it would be expensive but depending on your driving habits there is essentially already a case to be made for affordability.
Jon Silvertooth
Comparing mileage to a car is not a good comparison, since one is a car. You'd want to make that car comparison against a Tesla to be valid.
That said, price is definitely an issue. I can buy a pretty good bike for well under $8k (New Kawasaki Ninja 650 would be $7500 for example. If you really wanted to save money and fuel, you can buy the Ninja 300 for a little over $5k).
So, so get a Zero with comparable range and performance will cost another $10k premium. Given that many new bikes get up to 50mpg (I have a Buell that was $8k new that gets 50mpg, for example), you are looking at 125,000 miles to make up the cost of gasoline (assuming $4/gallon... and that you pay nothing for electricity).
I've looked hard at these, and I'd really like one, but the costs need to come down a few grand before I can justify the purchase. It's getting close, though!
Buellrider
Brammo dropped their price and now Zero needs to follow suit. How about it Zero. I want one so bad but can't justify the price no matter the cost of electricity compared to gas. Nebraska doesn't even have a dealer as far as I know. I need to be able to test ride one to see how it compares to my Buell Ulysses.
JacobH
as been previously stated you can not compare this bike to a car. I have owned many bikes and I don't like to drive them in the rain and can't fit my family on one. this would only be a fair weather commuter.
that's around 260 days a year on a five day work week. Take out days that it is not warm enough to ride or to wet (those of us who can afford one will not likely drive it in the rain or snow, likely will own a car or two for bad weather). not to be to conservative place the number of commuting days to at best 3/4 of the time leaves 195 days(at best). My commute is 16 mile round trip, that is 195*16=3120 miles, 3120/50mpg=62.4gallons, 62.4*$4gallon=$246.60 a year for gas to commute to work if I was diligent and used it as much as possible/feasible. even if I double the amount of miles I would drive a bike that is still only ~$500 a year I would spend on gas. take out the price of electricity and the difference between a Vulcan 900, $7,500, and the Zero at $11,500 = $4,000/$500(double my commute days possible) a year in savings(no electrical costs worked into the equations), it would take me 8 years to make it comparable, I don't keep vehicles that long
here is hoping that the prices come down
Scion
And in steps the Australia tax. The cheapest Zero S is $20k. For that price I can get pretty much my pick of brand new Jap bike (eg: Ninja zx10R) I'd jump at the chance to buy one of these bikes for $13k. I'm holding out for some price drops due to tech improvements or maybe get a second hand one in time.
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