GREEN ADVENTURE
Presented at the World Premier in September , our contributors , Emilio Salvatori and Christina Zoli took the new DSR / X by Zero Motorcycles for a weekend of adventure riding . What they found was a bike that stacks up and does so with a clear conscience …
The Zero Motorcycles DSR / X is a model with which the Californian company makes its entry into the world of the crossover motorcycle , that sector in which motorbikes destined for travel and adventure are concentrated . And it does so with the unique features that an electric motorcycle can only offer .
Monstrous torque that is up considerably on that offered by the BMW R1250GS , 225 Nm compared to 143 Nm at 6,250 rpm , silence whilst crossing forests or deserts , a lack of engine heat radiating into the riders body , particularly welcome when riding in temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius , or the more obvious , absolutely no CO2 emissions , poisoning the atmosphere .
Yet , aside from pricing , there ’ s the ever-present elephant in the room when it comes to the promotion of electric vehicles , something more so important to the motorcycle traveller ; range and charging times . Important questions that are continually asked , two real problems that are manageable if the rider can adapt and change their mindset between that of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor . A different approach to the bike and the journey .
Our experience , as we evaluated the DSR / X , alongside the smaller sister tourer SR / S , across a distance of over 3,000 kilometres demonstrated that between charges you can travel over 200 kilometres without worry , and while over a slightly elongated lunch we were able to recharge the bike enough to keep us on the road .
The bike was never recharged from 0 to 100 % and considering that the DSR / X has a recharging capacity of 6.6 kWh , it meant that within an hour ’ s lunch break we were able to charge at least to half capacity . In a realworld situation , it meant that we scheduled our stops to when the charge indicator told us we had 30 % capacity , we ’ d plug it in , have a break , explore our surroundings , and let it charge to around 80 %, sometimes more depending on our location and level of curiosity . It should be noted that Zero offer an option rapid charger that if fitted to the DSR / X can recharge the battery from 0 to 110 % in just over 90 minutes .
Stated range and that of the real world can often be vastly different . It ’ s something that is like asking how long is a piece of string ? Many variables contribute to an actual figure . Zero themselves offer varying ‘ official ’ figures depending on the type of riding ; 290 kilometres for urban riding , 185km for a combination of urban and highway , 137km for highway cruising . The difference is in that Zero have incorporated a number of technologies that allow the DSR / X to regenerate energy which is stored within the power cells . Curves , braking , descents , all contribute to energy recycling and recharging of the DSR / X , experience with riding this bike will allow the
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