More and more riders are flocking to their local Zero Motorcycles dealers to satisfy their curiosities and explore their options. Electric motorcycles are gaining more traction in the industry and causing riders to pause and consider their options. Does an electric bike have the potential to offer power and practicality? Is it possible to have the best of both worlds?
Zero Motorcycles is an industry pioneer, building its reputation as the leading electric motorcycle brand in the world since the new millennium. The company has made it its mission to prove electric bikes can offer pure thrills and exceed our expectations in the saddle. To say they’ve succeeded is an understatement.
With an impressive lineup of street and dual sport bikes, Zero Motorcycles is responding to the growing demand for electric motorcycles and happily welcoming riders into the fold. The company’s focus is on ingenuity, from tech-savvy features to the patented Z-Force powertrains that deliver instantaneous power and impeccable responsiveness. The result is a unique experience that’s far beyond expectations.
The widespread praise for Zero Motorcycles is undeniable, but there are still many questions surrounding this all-electric experience in the saddle. Who’s the target audience for this experience and the Zero Motorcycles lineup? When are electric bikes better than their gas-powered siblings?
Electric vs. Gas: Different Heartbeats
Can you imagine the hesitation and leeriness that Henry Ford experienced when he introduced the automobile, marketing it as the replacement for the horse? While many people praised his ingenuity, others probably called him crazy, especially for thinking that people would want to sit atop a vehicle reliant on miniature explosions to propel it forward. The horse seemed like a far safer bet.
This hesitation is all too familiar when something new is introduced. Zero Motorcycles experienced this firsthand when the company opened its doors in the new millennium, at a time when there wasn’t yet a market or demand for an electric bike. The company’s founder, a former NASA engineer, didn’t listen to the doubts and brought his vision to life. He saw into the future, positioning Zero Motorcycles to shape the motorcycle industry similarly to how Henry Ford shaped the automotive industry in the 1900s.
Today, Zero Motorcycles defies convention by encouraging riders to step away from traditional gas-powered bikes and into the future. While the internal combustion engine is what we know, it’s impossible to ignore the current shift in the industry toward electric power. We see it firsthand in the automotive industry as the world’s leading automakers introduce more potent and capable electric vehicles to replace their gas-guzzling predecessors. We’ve learned from that experience that electric powertrains can exceed our expectations, offering impressive ranges and exceptional on-demand power. So, where does that leave electric motorcycles?
Electric Bikes: Their Moment to Shine
While gas-powered bikes are still top sellers, electric motorcycles are gradually earning their place in the spotlight. Riders are discovering the benefits of owning an electric motorcycle are plentiful beyond lessening their carbon footprints. They see firsthand that electric powertrains can satisfy various performance needs without compromise.
Zero Motorcycles showcases as much with its lineup of street and dual sport bikes that encourage riders to venture off the beaten path. But can’t gas-powered dual sport bikes do the same? How do electric motorcycles gain an advantage and outshine the gas-powered bikes we’ve relied on for decades?
The Rider Learning Curve
Riding a motorcycle is an intricate choreography of engaging the clutch, shifting gears, applying the brakes, grabbing the throttle, and steering. This choreography often presents a steep learning curve for new riders, eventually becoming second nature with more experience. With an electric motorcycle, the learning curve is non-existent because there’s no clutch or gears. The advantage for new riders is apparent, but veteran riders also have a newfound opportunity to climb in the saddle and simply go.
Instant and Immersive Power
Internal combustion engines are complex, relying on many moving parts to match the input from the throttle to deliver the power you need. As a result, there’s a slight delay between that input and the delivery of power. However, you won’t recognize this delay until you’ve experienced instant torque firsthand.
Zero Motorcycles’ patented Z-Force powertrains are seamless and operate as an extension of the rider. How so? Depending on the model, you have as much as 140 lb-ft of instant torque at your fingertips and the capability to reach a top speed of 124 MPH. With a full range of available power without pause, an electric bike is more engaging and thrilling to ride at any speed or condition.
This exceptional, unparalleled delivery of instant power is even more impressive when you realize the electric powertrain is almost silent. With minimal powertrain noise and zero vibrations, riding an electric motorcycle becomes a genuinely immersive experience that lets you get lost in the ride. You’re truly part of the environment without distraction from the engine’s vibrations or rumble. It’s an experience you’ll never find on a gas-powered bike, and it’s one every rider deserves.
Minimal Maintenance Needs
Electric motorcycles gain a significant advantage when it comes to maintenance. While motorcycles aren’t complicated to maintain, they require routine services and tune-ups to ensure everything works correctly. With an electric motorcycle, maintenance needs are minimal. You don’t have to worry about scheduling regular oil and filter changes, lubricating the choke cables, or replacing parts like the spark plug or timing belt. Instead, you spend more time in the saddle doing what you love.
Who Should Ride a Zero Motorcycle?
The million-dollar question is, “Who will benefit the most from an electric bike like a Zero motorcycle?” Who does Zero Motorcycles have in mind when designing their lineup of street and dual sport bikes? The lineup answers that question–pavement cruisers and off-road enthusiasts. Generally speaking, that’s everyone from commuters and weekend riders to adventurers passionate about chasing the horizon.
The appeal to commuters is undeniable, with Zero Motorcycles offering a range as high as 223 miles. These electric powerhouses are more than capable of handling a weekday commute, with Zero reporting that this range satisfies 90% of motorcycle trips. In other words, most people are cruising around town and beyond the city limits, making an electric bike an excellent investment because you have the capability of traveling further and enjoying the on-demand power and responsiveness that only an electric bike offers.
Zero Motorcycles are also marketed to dual sport riders looking for something extraordinary. The instant torque delivery from the electric powertrain makes venturing off the pavement an exciting endeavor. Still, Zero Motorcycles doesn’t stop there and recognizes a critical concern for potential buyers–recharging off the beaten path. In addition to optional Power Tank upgrades that extend the battery capacity of the dual sport lineup, Zero partners with Backcountry Discovery Routes to integrate charging infrastructure data into BDR’s motorcycle adventure maps. With thousands of charging stations across the country and the Zero lineup capable of recharging in under an hour, finding a charging station has never been easier on or off the pavement.
The Value of Riding Electric
Riding a motorcycle is an immersive and exciting experience, whether navigating your commute or venturing beyond the city limits for a weekend getaway across state lines. Those thrills are usually guaranteed anytime you’re in the saddle, but they have a new meaning when riding an electric motorcycle. You have the advantage of instant power at your fingertips and an almost effortless choreography that makes it easy to simply climb in the saddle and go.
Riders deserve this experience and can expect it to improve with time as the popularity of adopting an all-electric lifestyle rises and encourages manufacturers like Zero Motorcycles to expand and exceed our expectations. Until then, electric motorcycles deserve their place in the spotlight and showcase the advancements in the industry and the unique appeal that only an electric powerhouse can offer. As for the target audience, it’s easy to market to commuters and dual sport riders, but the truth is that these bikes provide tangible value to everyone with an open mind and a penchant for thrills.
