2019 Electric Motorcycles

Here Is Zero's New Lineup of 2019 Electric Motorcycles

Farther. Faster.

By Alexander George
ZERO

Zero has become the biggest name among the ascendant electric motorcycle companies, making bikes for dirt riders, commuters, and even police. I’ve ridden a few, and they’re a blast. The brand's electric bikes have all the benefits of electricity—minimal maintenance, energy efficiency, instant torque—alongside the main benefits of a motorcycle, such as easy parking, paying less than you would for a new car, and feeling cooler than you are.


Today, Zero announced its new lineup of electric motorcycles. The most obvious improvement is range. Zero says the S and SR models with the $3,000 Power Tank option will do 223 miles of city riding, or around 150 miles of combined range. (Electric vehicles actually get more range when stopping and starting in city driving than they do on the highway, which is the opposite of most gasoline vehicles).


Zero FXS
ZERO

The S and DS models with the ZF7.2 battery have a shorter range, but go faster thanks to a 35 percent horsepower bump. The S and DS models with the ZF14.4 (longer ranger) now have the same battery chemistry as the performance models, the SR and DSR. These new models also will have a Long Term Storage Mode, which optimizes the battery to last longer if you stash your bike for the winter.

Here’s the pricing breakdown with range for a full charge, city and highway combined:

• Zero SR: $16,495 (120 miles), $19,390 (150 miles)
• Zero S: $10,995 (60 miles), $13,995 (120 miles) $16,890 (150 miles)
• Zero FX: $8,495 (27 miles), $10,495 (54 miles)
• Zero FXS: $8,495 (29 miles), $10,495 (57 miles)
• Zero DSR: $16,495 (105 miles), $19,390 (132 miles)
• Zero DS: $10,995 (53 miles), $13,995 (105 miles), $16,890 (132 miles)

The bikes get cosmetic changes as well. My personal favorite: the bronze and yellow DSR. That model is a road-focused version of the DS (dual sport), and comes with a windscreen, tank grips (sticky rubber that helps keep your thighs in place), and bark busters—plastic covers over the grips.


Zero DSR
ZERO

Last year, Zero started selling bikes with a $2,300 optional 6 kW Charge Tank, which meant you could charge it from a Level 2 vehicle charger. Using that tech, Zero says, its bikes will go from empty to 95 percent in an hour, or about 85 miles of city riding per hour plugged in. Now, Zero is selling an aftermarket Charge Tank system that dealerships can install on bikes that weren’t fitted from the factory. It will work with bikes going back to 2015. One cool function: you can also plug the standard 110-volt wall plug in, and it’ll charge even faster.

Zero’s CEO says it sells more electric motorcycles annually than “all our competitors combined.” I believe it. They’re incredible. If you’re game to spend five figures on a bike and aren’t nostalgic about shifting and getting your hands greasy for maintenance, these are a cool way to get around.