Zero DSR-X: Unleashing the Magic Carpet Ride

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【Summary】The Zero DSR-X is an electric adventure motorcycle with a powerful design but a limited battery range. While it delivers an exhilarating ride with its high torque and smoothness, its battery life becomes a challenge when traveling long distances. With a city range of 180 miles, the DSR-X loses battery quickly at highway speeds and takes a while to charge.

FutureCar Staff Oct 15, 2023 6:16 AM PT

Zero DSR-X: Unleashing the Magic Carpet Ride

Highway 142 in Washington offers breathtaking views of dramatic basalt cliffs, the Klickitat River, and Mount Hood. However, my attention is divided between the display on my electric motorcycle, indicating 63 miles of range, and Google Maps, which shows 80 miles to the next charger. Can I make it? I hope so. How far can I coast?

The Zero DSR-X is a next-gen electric adventure motorcycle that challenges the notion of EVs as "adventure" vehicles. I borrowed the DSR-X to explore what adventure means to me. Other companies, like Rivian, Polaris, and Mercury, are also pushing EVs into the great outdoors with electric pickup trucks, side-by-side vehicles, and boat motors.

The DSR-X has a bold and aggressive design that matches its performance. With 100 horsepower and 166 foot-pounds of torque, riding in sport mode feels like being on an amusement park ride. The electric motor provides unrelenting torque without any gear shifts, and the Bosch Advanced Stability Control System ensures a smooth and controlled ride.

However, the DSR-X's range is a concern. Zero advertises a city range of 180 miles, but my experience showed that it's optimistic, especially at higher speeds. Charging the battery is also time-consuming, with a level two charger taking about two-and-a-half hours to fill the 17.3kWh battery.

Despite these challenges, I embarked on a trip to Klickitat County, Washington, to test the DSR-X. The ride was a mix of excitement and anxiety as I watched the range decrease rapidly. I managed to reach a charger in Hood River, Oregon, with only 31% battery life left. Charging there, I interacted with curious onlookers who were surprised by the DSR-X's range limitations.

Continuing on my journey, I pushed the bike to its limits, coasting downhill to conserve energy. The scenery was breathtaking, and I felt a sense of accomplishment as I reached another charger with 13% battery remaining. Adventure on an electric motorcycle may not be about conquering nature, but rather about navigating the limitations of civilization and exploring new destinations just to charge.

While the DSR-X may not be the best choice for long-distance, high-speed adventures, it offers a unique and thrilling experience for those who are willing to embrace the challenges of riding an electric motorcycle. If your definition of adventure involves doing things the hard way and experiencing something different, the DSR-X may lead you down unexpectedly fun roads, even if they all eventually lead to chargers.