Zero Motorcycles has pulled the rug out from underneath the coming Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric sports bike with its new Zero SR/F that looks uncannily like the Milwaukee product.
However, the Zero SR/F has better performance and range but costs about $US11,000 less than the LiveWire. The Harley is due in September at $US29,799 and will arrive in Australia next year at more than $US40,000.
Zero Motorcycles pulled the plug on exporting to Australia and New Zealand in 2017 with no hint of a return just yet. So, although the Californian company’s new ZR/F looks the goods, we most likely won’t be getting it here.
Zero’s SR/F comes in a standard model at $US18,990 and a premium model with a faster-charging battery and heated grips.
It has 82kW of power, 190Nm of torque and a top speed of 200km/h.
Range is said to be about 130km on the highway and up to 260km in the city. See the comprehensive “range” specifications at the end of this article.
A more robust “Power Tank” battery capable of 320km of range will be available in the third quarter of 2019.
Meanwhile, the Harley LiveWire has 177km of range and a 190km/h top speed.
Zero’s SR/F will also be able to update its Cypher III software via a link to a mobile phone connection just like a Tesla electric car.
A dedicated app will allow riders to track their trips, share rides, monitor battery level, find charging stations and even receive alerts if someone is trying to steal their bike.
SR/F has a fully customisable dashboardMeanwhile, the makers of the world’s fastest electric bike, Lightning Motorcycles, will next month release a more affordable bike called Strike.
It will start at $US12,998 (about $A18,000) to challenge both the Zero SR/F and Harley LiveWire.
Zero SR/F tech specs
| Range | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| City | 259km | 259km |
| Highway, 89km/h | 159km | 159km |
| Combined | 198km | 198km |
| Highway, 113km/h | 132km | 132km |
| Combined | 175km | 175km |
| Range (based on EU standard) | 157km | 158km |
| Motor | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Peak torque | 190Nm | 190Nm |
| Peak power | 82kW (110hp) @ 5000rpm | 82kW (110hp) @ 5000rpm |
| Top speed (max) | 200km/h | 200km/h |
| Top speed (sustained) | 177km/h | 177km/h |
| Continuous power | 40kW (54hp) @ 5.000 rpm | 40kW (54hp) @ 5000rpm |
| Licensing Requirement | A Licence | A Licence |
| Type | Z-Force 75-10 enhanced thermal efficiency, passively air-cooled, interior permanent magnet AC motor | Z-Force 75-10 enhanced thermal efficiency, passively air-cooled, interior permanent magnet AC motor |
| Controller? | High efficiency and power dense, 900 Amp, 3-phase AC controller with regenerative deceleration | High efficiency and power dense, 900 Amp, 3-phase AC controller with regenerative deceleration |
| Power system | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Power pack | Z-Force® Li-Ion intelligent integrated | Z-Force® Li-Ion intelligent integrated |
| Max capacity | 14.4kWh | 14.4kWh |
| Nominal capacity | 12.6kWh | 12.6kWh |
| Charger type | 6kW, integrated | 3kW, integrated |
| Charge time (standard) | 2.5 hours (100% charged) / 2 hours (95% charged) | 4.5 hours (100% charged) / 4 hours (95% charged) |
| With 6kW Rapid Charge option | 1.5 hours (100% charged) / 1 hour (95% charged) | 1.8 hours (100% charged) / 1.3 hours (95% charged) |
| Drivetrain | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Clutchless direct drive | Clutchless direct drive |
| Final drive | 90T / 20T, Poly Chain® HTD® Carbon™ belt | 90T / 20T, Poly Chain® HTD® Carbon™ belt |
| Chassis / Suspension / Brakes | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Front suspension | Showa 43mm Big Piston Separate Function forks, with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping | Showa 43mm Big Piston Separate Function forks, with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping |
| Rear suspension | Showa 40mm piston, piggy-back reservoir shock with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping | Showa 40mm piston, piggy-back reservoir shock with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping |
| Front suspension travel | 120mm | 120mm |
| Rear suspension travel | 140mm | 140mm |
| Front brakes | Bosch Advanced MSC, dual J-Juan radial 4-piston calipers with radial master cylinder, 320 x 5 mm discs | Bosch Advanced MSC, dual J-Juan radial 4-piston calipers with radial master cylinder, 320 x 5 mm discs |
| Rear brakes | Bosch Advanced MSC, J-Juan single piston floating caliper, 240 x 4,5 mm disc | Bosch Advanced MSC, J-Juan single piston floating caliper, 240 x 4,5 mm disc |
| Front tire | Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 120/70-17 | Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 180/55-17 | Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 180/55-17 |
| Front wheel | 3.50 x 17 | 3.50 x 17 |
| Rear wheel | 5.50 x 17 | 5.50 x 17 |
| Dimensions | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase? | 1450mm | 1450mm |
| Seat height? | 787mm | 787mm |
| Accessory, low | 770mm | 770mm |
| Accessory, tall | 810mm | 810mm |
| Rake? | 24.5° | 24.5° |
| Trail? | 94mm | 94mm |
| Weight | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Curb weight | 226kg | 220kg |
| Carrying capacity | 228kg | 234kg |
| Economy | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Equivalent fuel economy (city) | 0.55 l/100km | 0.55 l/100km |
| Equivalent fuel economy (highway) | 1.08 l/100km | 1.08 l/100km |
| Typical cost to recharge | €2.96 | €2.96 |
| Warranty | PREMIUM | STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Standard motorcycle warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Power pack warranty | 5 years/unlimited km | 5 years/unlimited km |