The headlines of the last few months are full of electricians with autonomies and charging speeds increasingly interesting. But those capabilities rarely make it all the way to the motorcycle world. Perhaps due to lack of budget or perhaps due to the difficulties posed by miniaturization. However, here we bring you a sample that it is possible to make a motorcycle with specifications more typical of a electric car: the Zero SR / F. A electric motorbike capable of traveling 322 km and being almost fully charged in just 1 hour.
The electric motorcycle manufactured by the Zero house has been unveiled in Manhattan, New York. And although its features are far from models like the LS-218, announces a not inconsiderable top speed of 200 km/h. Even so, where this bike is especially fast is in its loading rate. Since its managers announce that it can be loaded up to 95% charge in 1 hour.
The heart of the Zero SR/F
After being fine-tuned over the last few weeks, the bike has been unveiled by brand CEO Sam Paschel. In his presentation, he has put the accent on his new engine ZForce 75-10, which replaces the ZForce 75-7 as the most powerful of the firm.
The ZForce 75-10 is capable of delivering 107 horsepower and 190 Nm of torque. Not bad for a 220kg bike. This coaxially mounted, meaning it shares the same axle as the rear swingarm. Thanks to this I reduces mechanical complexity and always maintains the proper tension for the belt.
The Zero SR/F battery
But putting aside the capabilities of its engine, the most important thing about the Zero SR/F is its 14,4 kWh batteries and power tank additional. With both 100% charged you can travel 322 km. Without the extra 3,6 kWh of that “power tank” the bike can only travel 257 km in the city or around 129 km on the highway. The battery warranty It is 5 years with no mileage limit.
Zero claims the SR/F is the first bike fully connected to the IOT. The rider can view and modify the bike's performance parameters remotely and, like the tesla cars, Zero can send updates via satellite.
What is the IOT or Internet of Things
The so-called Internet of Things is the network of devices with your own IP address that they are capable of send data without need of the human intervention. They can be computers, cameras, smartphones, a car, a motorcycle... All of them with the ability to interconnect and send information about their operation, needs or situation.
If you don't want to wait, you'll have to scratch your pocket
Unfortunately, to get the loading speed of the SR/F you have to pay a premium. Actually this electric motorcycle presents different charging options They vary a lot the waiting time. The most basic of all includes a 3kw charger that recharges up to 95% in 4 hours, with a 220V domestic plug. A not very remarkable speed, which in countries with 110V plugs is even more extended to 8 hours.
To improve that speed, you have to add to the bill the 6 kW fast charging system (3.025 euros), which reduces the waiting time to 2 hours . And finally, you can opt for the Premium version of the SR/F, which allows you to reduce that time to 1 hour. The Zero SR/F has a price in Spain of 20.890 euros for the Standard version. The Premium version, which also includes aluminum counterweights, dome and heated grips, costs 23.090 euros.
Both models have the same Stability control for motorcycles manufactured by Bosch, which includes advanced control features such as anti-lock brakes and cornering assistance. The user can configure the intrusion level of the dynamic traction control and how to deliver power and torque. The Zero SR/F is now in full production and can be ordered from their website.
The Zero SR/F Competition
The electric motorcycle industry is growing by the minute. Although the Zero SR/F is a good example of this, there are other very interesting offers that will end up reaching the Spanish market. For example, the Californian electric motorcycle company Lightning has its own sporty range that it will launch next month. The new one Lightning Strike It has been announced by those responsible as the first real competition for Zero. Its starting price is only $12.998 (11.441 euros at the current exchange rate), and although it has a higher maximum speed, 241 km/h, its autonomy is below: only 240 km.
Another American motorcycle manufacturer will also launch another highly anticipated model later this year: the Harley-Davidson LiveWire. This motorcycle is equipped with a lots of technology and is priced at $29.799 (26.230 euros). A price that reserves it for the wealthiest customers. The funny thing is that the SR/F offers twice the autonomy for 6.000 euros less.
