Zero touts electric motorcycle

The Zero DS

(Credit: Zero Motorcycles)

The all-electric Zero DS motorcycle from start-up Zero Motorcycles became available in the U.S. on Thursday.

For $9,950, U.S. drivers can ride both on and off-road free from carbon guilt.

In addition to running on a power pack of lithium-ion batteries, the all-electric motorcycle is made of 100 percent recyclable materials. The Santa Cruz, Calif.-based motorcycle manufacturer claims all the bike's materials are nontoxic and that even the battery pack is "landfill-approved."

The motorcycle has a range of 50 miles per charge, and can be charged from any standard 110- or 220-volt outlet, according to Zero's own specs.

The environmentally-friendly motorcycle has a top speed of 55 mph.

While it seems like a great alternative for getting around town, I'm not convinced the next biker band will be singing about a wild "C-Free Rider."

But one never knows. Zero has begun hosting a 24-hour electric motorcycle endurance race that could gain a following.

[sartor1]

OK, now I'd like a Road specific version of this bike.

[escooter12]

TNT E Scooters has a road version of and electric motorcycle for about half the price. I believe their webiste is http://www.tnte-scooters.com/. I don't see the motorcycle listed on there just yet but I have a friend who has one and just loves it. Gets about 50 or 60 miles at 50 MPH gets him to and from work anyway.

[dragonbite]

and add a few miles... like 30 more! Then I could at least get to work and home (nowhere else, but at least my daily route).

[bob1960]

At only 50 mile per charge, you'd think they would create a cruiser style first. I guess it makes sense for off-road, but it doesn't look too comfortable for street use. At top speed of 55 mph, the style targets the wrong audience for street use. Now, I doubt it would be replacing Harley's any time soon, but might take a good stab at those who buy smaller Honda, Kawasaki, or Suzuki street bikes. The price is not prohibative.

[zyxxy]

Dual use (on-off road) bikes are almost perfect for urban use. Shod with proper tires, they handle the pavement irregularities and pot holes much better than a typical full on street bike. And the elevated seating position provides excellent visibility. Also, for urban use, 55 MPH and 50 mile range works out pretty well. I wonder what the weight is?

[zyxxy]

Ahh, nothing like visiting their web site. 270 lbs. Not way too heavy, but a bit of a 'porker' for a DS. They offer a full on street model as well as a motocross version. They also have what they call a 'technical trials' version, but it has a huge seat height, and anybody riding technical trials knows that is a no-go. Trials bikes have very low, minimalist seats, so that they don't restrict the riders movement on the bike. Interesting site though, so go there for your answers.

[MrPlow123]

50 mile range, I would not even be able to make it to work, let alone back home. Also, at 55 mph top speed, I would not feel safe riding it on any freeways in California. Lastly, at $10,000, there are a ton of gas sipping bikes out there to choose from, and you do not have to re-charge them. This will not be replacing my daily commuter that gets 60 MPG any time soon..

[Senor_Pragmatist]

I agree, I get ~50 MPG on my completely stock sv650 which can pretty easily get my 350lb person up over 100mph. I would like to see a cost comparison of the electricity costs for a days charge of this thing to the ~$2.50 I spend on 50 miles... especially considering the fact that I paid $5500 for my sv650 brand new....

[subslug]

50 miles is a deal breaker. Surely they can do better than that.

My only reservation about these bikes is that, motorcycle already get good MPG. For the price why not get a bike with longer range, more power and one that's able to be heard in traffic? Imagine how quite these must be.

[cmilleraz]

$10,000, 55 mph, 50 miles? Not gonna cut it. Considering the overwhelming majority of motorcycle purchases in th US are recreational in nature, translated as FUN. This clearly demonstrates the CURRENT superiority of internal combustion over EV, and the motorcycle will be the last proving ground should (when) EV overtakes gasoline.

Its easy(er) to shave ounces and augment performance in an automobile, with many factors to consider aside from straight locomotion. However, a motorcycle is a vehicle distilled to its simplest characteristics. Its an engine with a seat and wheels attached. This is the true measure, in my opinion, of powerplant comparison, apples to apples, and EV has a way to go (aside from emissions, though our electric grid is not without.)

Don't get me wrong, I look foraward to the day I will be able to cruise through the backroads of my own Arizona with out making a sound save for the pebbles on the trail and no one or thing will be bothered or aware of my presence. I applaud the effort, but we're not there yet...

[NervClaX]

Pathetic. All this green nonsense is a waste and that bike is the biggest waste of all. "Landfill-approved" indeed. It's not even remotely practical.

[Joe Real]

Why limit to 55 mph? Recent 2009 California legislation amendment has removed the speed limit of electric motorcycles and removed also the weight limit of motorcycles.

[Airtool1]

what about some solar panels to have the bike recharge its self while its parked in the sun

[tech_crazy]

And where is the electricity to charge these coming from - coal fired plansts, without a doubt!

I am a big proponent of electric vehicles, (I was a guinea pig for the Chevy Solectria in the late 90s) but they only serve to move the point of origin of the emissions. Now, if the electricity came from solar/fuel-cell or some renewable source that would be a totally different matter.

Besides, at almost 10K, the ROI does not seem practical.

[SlimGem]

Hey, I'm all for green, but for $10,000 I'd get a Harley.

[glennrcompton]

A bit more to this story could have helped given the nay-sayers reason to be quiet; electric motors are not only pollution free, but they're also quiet and they're going to pack more torque. In a nutshell this bike will give you a more exhilirating ride without waking up either your neighbors or the forest.

[rammer88]

Yeah it has some issues that represent a priority, but it sounds like a great effort. I, like most others, will wait for the next gen to come out. Stronger, faster, longer, cheaper!

[sandor_f]

the bigger question, especially dealing off road, is:

How much does it weigh??