The DS has been a part of Zero’s lineup of electrical bikes since its first 12 months of vast availability in 2010. It has at all times been, kind of, a taller model of the model’s customary “S” mannequin. The vibe is extra sport touring than journey touring, which might be the perfect type issue for anybody with an city commute. Now in its third era, the new-for-2024 mannequin has been significantly upgraded and it has morphed its approach into presumably the perfect day by day rider on the planet.
Full Disclosure: Zero shipped me a model new DS to check for a month. I used my very own electrical energy to cost it up, and returned it in precisely the identical situation it was once I acquired it. I didn’t take it on any lengthy street journeys, I merely used it as a day by day commuter, which is the bike’s finest use case.
Powered by the identical Z-Power 75-7 everlasting magnet AC motor that Zero launched for the 2022 DSR mannequin, the brand new DS makes a formidable 68 horsepower and 97 pound-feet of torque. That’s actually lots for a day by day commuter, and it has sufficient instantly-available torque to actually set you again while you romp on it. The 14.4 kWh battery pack is a reasonably large one for electrical bikes, and is allegedly good for 144 miles of metropolis driving (common of 25 miles per hour), and may run a stable claimed 98 miles at freeway speeds. Zero says this bike will run 104 miles per hour earlier than working out of steam, although that’ll significantly affect the bike’s vary.
A typical 110V outlet is lots to cost this bike for day by day rider use. It’ll cost from flat to 100% in beneath 10 hours. In case you completely must run it flat day by day and have a shorter window to cost, a 220V hookup will get this factor as much as full in 4.5 hours, and an non-obligatory 6 kW fast charger will juice it up in 1.8 hours. Irrespective of the way you shake it, you aren’t taking this bike on huge lengthy street journeys throughout the nation. It’s positively supposed to journey round as an on a regular basis sort of bike.
I principally used this bike to commute backwards and forwards to the gymnasium, run occasional errands, and a pair quick 30-ish mile freeway rides. I by no means had something remotely approaching vary anxiousness, as a result of there’s lots in right here for day-to-day use. It’s not precisely going to take you on any adventures, and also you’ll run out of juice chasing the nice roads exterior your given metropolis, so it’s most likely finest to both get one other bike for these sorts of rides, or trailer this bike to the bottom of the street and run it earlier than trailering residence. Neither situation is right if you happen to’re seeking to lose your self on two wheels with a twisting ribbon of asphalt. However totally different bikes serve totally different functions.
As a metropolis runabout, that is about as snug and useable because it will get. With a pleasant deep seat the DS doesn’t have a really tall standover peak and would most likely serve nicely even for shorter riders. There’s loads of suspension journey and damping for even the worst roads {that a} pockmarked metropolis like Cleveland, Ohio can throw at you. The DS makes numerous sense on this low-speed city surroundings.
There are many issues to like concerning the DS, together with the brand new Cypher III+ working system, and the trick TFT show. There’s loads of data out there at a look with this show, and not like my LiveWire, the show is seen in direct daylight, due to the matte end and small hood over the display screen. One factor I discovered annoying, nevertheless, was that the show nonetheless consists of the image for heated grips, although this bike doesn’t include heated grips. That possibility is for higher-trim fashions just like the DSR/X, however they didn’t program out the little pictogram on the show to remind you that you just selected to purchase a budget one.
And within the case of the Zero DS, low cost doesn’t even imply low cost. This bike will run you a staggering $15,995 ($1,000 greater than the S that it’s primarily based on.) The extra highly effective DSR—with an non-obligatory 100 horsepower and 169 lb-ft Z-Power 75-10X motor—will run you at the least $19,995, whereas the extra off-road applicable DSR/X is available in at $22,995. That’s some severe coin for a day by day commuter bike, however if you happen to’re dedicated to the EV life and wish to journey two wheels day by day, that is possibly your finest wager. The DS has a superb chunk extra vary than a comparably-priced LiveWire S2 Mulholland, for instance, and additionally it is going to be much more snug for day by day use.
My day by day rider is a 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire, and this was actually a welcome change from my bike. This can be a way more relaxed and comfy journey. The seating place is way more upright, and the bars are excessive, which made my wrists way more snug. The LiveWire rides sportier, and definitely has the sting on a quick street or race monitor, however the DS is certainly the higher floor avenue commuter.
The DS, nevertheless, doesn’t have fairly the competence of my admittedly way more costly bike. The supplies and aesthetic really feel barely much less refined. The J. Juan brakes on the Zero are lots to cease the bike, however I discovered them overly noisy and missing constructive really feel to my gloved hand. The DS is a way more plastic-intensive design, and every part you contact feels a bit cumbersome. It’s additionally a superb bit slower than my bike. The DSR mannequin solves that gripe, but it surely’s price noting.
I did, nevertheless, love the Showa-developed suspension with simply adjustable rear preload. Stylistically the blunted nostril isn’t my cup of tea, however the knob to regulate the windshield peak is well reachable and might be rapidly managed at pace. There are a ton of little design bits on this bike that simply make residing with it simple. I significantly cherished the big storage container the place the “tank” could be. It isn’t large enough to swallow a helmet, however you’ll be able to positively run to the shop and decide up dinner (no pizzas) with it. And reverse! Reverse is simply such a cool get together trick for a bike to have. I like it.
In case you’re complaining about vary on an electrical bike, you simply don’t get it. And that’s OK. These bikes aren’t for everybody, however for the very small phase of the market that loves them, this can be a pitch proper within the strike zone. There’s a lot I really like right here. And just some issues I don’t. For the value, it’ll nonetheless get beat in numerous classes by fuel bikes, however I positively “get” it. If it suits your life and driving wants, you’ll be very completely happy on a DS. When you’ve got the money for extra energy, get the DSR.
