The First Ever e-ADV Bike - Does it work?
Zero has recently introduced its new DSR/X, an electric adventure bike, last week in Park City, Utah.
The machine is closely based on Zero’s recently released, range-topping SR/S sportbike, but almost everything has been subtly changed for on/off-road capability. But does it really work?
Zero’s DSR/X has a 75-mile range at 70 mph.
The Short Answer
The overall sense, on road or off, is of impressive refinement, smooth acceleration, of stability and quietness. This is certainly the most refined Zero motorcycle yet, and makes a convincing case for electric motorcycles. While the range may mean it’s not yet an adventure-tourer, it’s a hell of a commuter SUV, with a 7-gallon storage compartment where a gas tank would be and one that doesn’t require $5-per-gallon gasoline. It’s not for everyone, but we suspect those whose needs it meets are going to love it.
Zero’s DSR/X has the largest battery yet, increasing range—a must have for adventure riding.
First Ride Review
When sitting on the bike, the riding position is natural and comfortable, the machine’s 544 pounds (just 26 more than the SR/S) disguised by the low center of gravity from the battery and motor positioning. Acceleration is strong and deceptive, with the bike rapidly reaching 80-plus mph from a standing start, with no drama, fuss, or noise. There’s a deep whine from the belt final drive below 40 mph, but even that is soon erased by wind noise.
Rated with a nominal capacity of 17.3kWh, the battery of the DSR/X is the largest Zero has offered.
Handling is smooth, quick, and consistent, with the Bosch traction control keeping things on the safe side in the standard setting. It can be felt noticeably tamping down the acceleration if the throttle is rolled on quickly while leaned well over. Dialing the traction control down to Sport increases the fun quotient and allows fiercer acceleration out of corners. The overall impression, on a mountain road, is of a quick and smooth steering bike with impressive acceleration and equally impressive brakes.
Controlled damping from the Showa suspension inspires confidence off-road.
On a bumpy, loosely-graveled fire road, the DSR/X performs as well as you might expect from its weight and tires; perhaps a little better than that, not unlike a Ducati Multistrada. The Showa suspension gives a controlled and smooth ride; it never came close to bottoming, but it wouldn’t be expected to on such a road. Handling remains confidence-inspiring, and the traction control on off-road settings allows enough wheelspin to steer the bike, at least a little, before it damps down the fun. The off-road ABS returns full control of the rear brake to the rider while still keeping the front from locking; it was a welcome safety edge on a road that had some noticeably low-traction sections.
Details
The battery pack is new for 2023; the new pack is built around Farasis automotive lithium-ion pouch cells originally engineered for a certain famous German automotive company. With a nominal capacity of 17.3kWh, the pack is the largest that Zero has ever offered; still, this explains why the company describes it as “adventure” bike rather than an “adventure-tourer.”
Performance is impressive from the J.Juan brakes and Bosch ABS.
According to Zero CTO Abe Askenazi, the DSR/X with the standard battery pack can go 75 miles at 70 mph, or 13 hours and 200 trail/fire road miles at a “normal” off-road pace, or 155 miles and five-plus hours of riding when being hammered on those same routes by a true expert. This is par for the course for electric motorcycles, as aerodynamic loads at freeway speeds burn range, while the efficiency of the electric drivetrain means more miles can be covered at low speeds than with many internal combustion bikes.
According to Zero, the DSR/X is already in production, and will be at the first dealerships by September 13. The company provided a production bike for us to ride at the Park City, Utah, introduction, on both twisty mountain roads near the ski town and on a graveled fire road going up one of the local mountains to about 8,300 feet elevation.