Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto

Behold the World’s Most Adventure-Ready Electric Motorcycle

Mike Richard
By

Fossil fuels are literally dead, and our use of them is dying. The future of just about everything that relies on gasoline, oil, and the like will one day soon evolve to renewable energy. Zero Motorcycles is leading the charge (pun intended) in the two-wheeler industry. Its 2020 catalog brings to life one of the most epic electric bikes we’ve ever seen.

Zero Motorcycles’ latest DS and DSR models are among the best, most exciting electric bikes on the market. The big get for 2020, however, is its flagship DSR Black Forest Edition motorcycle. The company proudly calls this off-road-ready beast “the most capable adventure-ready electric motorcycle on the planet.” According to the numbers, it delivers. The top-of-the-line ride boasts 70 horsepower and an eye-popping 116 lb-ft of torque — more raw torque than any fuel-powered production superbike on the market. What’s more, it’s all available from a standing start with no fumes, shifting, or vibration. Not surprisingly, the bike tops out at more than 100 miles per hour.

Range is, of course, an issue for electric motorcycles. The base model Zero DS comes standard with a ZF7.2 battery good for a combined 53 miles between highway and city. Upgrading to the Zero DS Black Forest more than doubles that range, while the optional Power Tank adds 30-40 miles for a max range of more than 140 miles combined. It charges easily overnight from any standard household electrical outlet. Adding the Charge Tank option gives any DS model compatibility with Level 2 charging stations with charging that is six times faster. Depending on the battery setup, that can mean a full recharge in about an hour with an average recharge cost of just $2.

Related

Zero Motorcycles also adds serious next-gen smartphone integration with a dedicated app. With a few digital toggles, riders can tweak almost every aspect of their bike, including customizing the top speed, torque, and max regenerative braking. The flagship Black Forest model even includes integrated luggage, a touring seat and windscreen, dual-sport drop bars, and off-road features like LED auxiliary lights and a headlight protector.

The entry-level Zero DS stickers for $11,000, while a fully kitted-out Zero DSR Black Forest with every option runs north of $25,000. With some states — we’re tipping our cap to you, Massachusetts and California — offering electric vehicle tax incentives of as much as $900, that seems like a pretty sweet deal.

If the DSR Black Forest still isn’t adventurous enough for you, check out The Speeder, the world’s first flying motorcycle capable of speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
These are the 5 most expensive motorcycles in the world
With price tags that match high-end sports cars, these motorcycles are only for the select few
ARCH KRGT-1

For any speed demon looking to go fast, motorcycles are one of the more affordable ways to fulfill the need for speed. Bikes not only offer a greater sense of speed than cars, but they also cost less to purchase, maintain, modify, and refuel.

Just like cars, motorcycles are built for a range of consumers. Exotic supercars exist, so it makes plenty of sense that there's a world of expensive and exotic motorcycles. Consumers with deep pockets who want to go fast will find several exotic bike options on their quest to find the most expensive motorcycle.

Read more
Behold the most insane, street-legal go-karts for grown-ass adults
Treehouses and Hot Wheels were the stuff of boyhood dreams. But legit go-karts were where the real fun was at
Ariel Atom 4 open-cockpit racecar, parked with sunset in the background.

Tricked-out treehouses, Nerf slingshots, retro gaming consoles, Hot Wheels cars — all the trappings of a picture-perfect childhood. But the epitome of boyhood rad-ness? Go-karts. They were fast, loud, and undeniably dangerous, which, of course, made them irresistible to most of us.

Fast-forward a decade or three. You may be (mostly) grown up now, but you can still relive your street-racing glory days. Some automakers are thinking way outside the box with compact, adult-friendly "racecars." Behold the world's best street-legal go-karts for adults.

Read more
Protect your dome with one of these cool motorcycle helmets
The coolest motorcycle helmets combine price, safety, and technology with handsome good looks
Quin Motorcycle Helmets (lifestyle)

Motorcycles and motorcycle culture is its own animal, completely alien to most anyone who's never owned one. From understanding motorcycle-related jargon to figuring out what type of motorcycle is right for you, there are plenty of things to learn before hitting the road on a two-wheeler.

The one thing that's paramount, however, is knowing how to ride safely. You need the right skills, understanding of riding physics, and, of course, the right gear. That includes finding the best motorcycle helmet — one that balances price, safety, technology, and design. Here are our top picks for 2023.
Bell Custom 500 Motorcycle Helmet

Read more