Full Test of the new Zero SR/F Cypher III+ Technology

With 15 years of experience in electric vehicles, this is Zero Motorcycles’ latest ‘smart bike’. With integrated technology and effortless power, Zero themselves will urge you to try it because it’s not like any other riding experience.

Unlike standard petrol bikes, this super quick, silent machine flew along country lanes and in and around the city center, whilst keeping your carbon footprint low.

Power and Torque
Sluggish is not a word to describe the SR/F. With a top speed of 124mph, 140 ft-lbs of torque and 110 horsepower instantly available, an unjudged twist of the throttle will have you hurtling off like you’re on a wild horse. Providing instant fun, even the hardest petrolhead will be struggling not to smile.

Engine and Handling
At 227kg although it isn’t the heaviest bike out there, it felt weighty to manually handle, but the power is instantly there and the handling was smooth and fluid. And with the lack of clutch control from the clutchless direct drive transmission, there is less to think about and more to enjoy. There was no concern about which gear, are the revs high enough, and all the other things that can pass through your mind. I found it easy to just enjoy the ride.

Brakes
The SR/F is the first electric motorcycle to integrate Bosch’s Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC). The stopping power is certainly felt if one grips the front brake a little too fast, with a little too much intensity. Not the first bike I’ve had to catch with my thighs.

The interchangeable weather from the city to the country meant I had the opportunity to try them out on multiple different surfaces and I found them supportive.

Charge and Range
And to everyone’s favourite discussion point with electric vehicles… “How far can it get me?” Short answer: far.

The SR/F has a 227-mile range with Power Tank + ERC and 169 miles ‘City Range’ (the stop-start we do riding around urban areas). It has a lithium-ion battery, and can be fully charged in an hour and a half with the 6kW Rapid Charger + Fast Charging Cypher Upgrade. If you are caught short then it is 95% charged in only one hour.

Equipment
The latest Cypher OS update (Cypher III+) provides the ability to completely personalise your bike to your taste. It has an app and dash interface and you can improve charging speed, get turn by turn navigation on your dash, it even offers Parking Mode. Your bike now has a reverse (that isn't just moving backwards and trying to go in a straight line)! That was something I never realised how much I need. There are five modes pre-loaded to choose from - Standard, Sport, Rain, Eco and Canyon.

2022 Zero Motorcycles SR/F verdict
I only had a few short hours to play with the SR/F, and I would love longer to play with the tech to really see how I could customise this bike to my tastes. But in the short time, I found a whole new love for electric vehicles. It was hard not to ride past the (empty) petrol stations on a day when there was a fuel shortage and not feel pleased that not only is that not a concern, but I’m also keeping my carbon footprint low.

No fuel costs and little to no maintenance... This is an easy to use, fun to ride motorcycle that is unlike any petrol two-wheeler. It needs to be tried to be believed.

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