2011 Zero S Electric Motorcycle: First Ride Report Page 2

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

1,799 views Oct 6, 2011

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2011 Zero S Electric Motorcycle

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With a curb weight of 297 pounds, the Zero S weighs less than many 250cc gasoline motorcycles. However, on the tight, twisty Californian roads around Zero’s Scotts Valley factory we found the Zero S to be quite front-end heavy due to the forward riding position and 22.7 degree steering rake. 

Although the excellent shock absorbers dispatched most smaller potholes without incident, the front-end-heavy riding position transmitted shocks from larger potholes through the forks and into the handlebars.

Potholes aside, we found the Zero S to be a relatively easy ride, easy to lean into corners once the handlebars had been given enough force to initiate counter-steering.

With enough torque in the DC electric motor, the Zero S was able to always provide acceleration out of corners, creating a safe, secure ride. 

Refined ride

2011 Zero S Electric Motorcycle

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Overall, the 2011 Zero S felt a refined ride, giving a grown-up motorcycle feel in something weighing very little.  Used to riding nosier motorcycles, we found the ultra-quiet belt drive system that connected the motor to rear wheels made it quite difficult to judge speed on our short test ride -- although after a few more hours we feel that would have been less of a problem as we learned to rely on our other senses to assess speed. 

Charging

Like most electric motorcycles, the 2011 Zero S comes complete with an on-board charger and charging cable. Plug it into a standard 110 Volt outlet, and it will charge its 4.4 (3.9 nominal) kilowatt-hour battery pack to full in 4 hours at an estimated cost in California of 48 cents.  For a quicker recharge time, buy the optional quick charge pack, which recharges from 240-volt power supplies in just 2.3 hours. 

Zero is also the first electric motorcycle manufacturer to offer public charging station compatibility, installing a J1772 outlet on the Zero S’ frame if you wish to use it with any of the public charging stations now installed nationwide. 

Conclusion

Combined with an impressive range of optional extras, the Zero S is an electric motorcycle that traditional motorcyclist won’t be ashamed to ride. In fact, the 2011 Zero S is the first electric motorcycle we’ve ridden which truly feels like a regular gasoline motorcycle. 

With gasoline-like acceleration and tons of torque, there’s a lot of fun to be had -- without committing any traffic violations.

The only major drawback? The 2011 Zero S isn’t set up for a pillion rider. Then again, if you’re looking for a grown-up electric motorcycle to commute to work on you may not need that two-up capability. 

As an electric motorcycle manufacturer, Zero has come of age with the 2011 Zero S, giving better handling, better performance and better range than Zero S motorcycles of previous years. 

For the 2012 model year, Zero promises even more -- although company executives are remaining tight-lipped about just what that means.  

Watch this space. 

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