2023 Zero DSR/X First Look

[Admin]

Zero Motorcycles has entered the full-size ADV market with the brand-new DSR/X. (Zero Motorcycles/)

The big adventure-touring market is perhaps the final frontier for electric motorcycles. The need to combine pace with rugged suspension and mile-munching range is the toughest challenge electric motorcycle manufacturers face. That’s precisely the goal of Zero’s new 2023 DSR/X, and given the impressive performance of recent models like the SR/F and SR/S, the DSR/X’s potential shouldn’t be underestimated. While Zero has used the DSR title before, the new DSR/X shares nothing with the old model. It’s more closely related to the SR/F and SR/S when it comes to the chassis, battery, and motor.

The DSR/X produces a claimed 100 hp from its Z-Force 75-10 motor. This color option is called Sage Green. (Zero Motorcycles/)

In standard form the DSR/X comes with Zero’s ZF17.3 battery pack, which drives a new version of the Z-Force 75-10 motor with 100 peak horsepower. That’s a fraction down on the 110 hp Zero claims for the SR models, but substantially more than the 70 hp peak of the older DSR, which remains in the lineup for 2023. As ever with electric bikes, torque is king: There’s 166 lb.-ft. on tap with the DSR/X, outperforming even the SR models, which peak at 140 lb.-ft. All that goes through a single-speed transmission and a Gates carbon-drive belt to the rear wheel. Zero claims a top speed of 112 mph.

Without optional extras, the DSR/X is good for a range of up to 180 miles between charges at city speeds, though the figure drops as speed increases. On the highway riders will be looking to recharge after 85 miles; in a mixture of use Zero expects the bike to achieve 115 miles per charge. If that’s not enough, there are options to improve range. Zero’s Power Tank, which replaces a portion of the bike’s storage space with an additional battery, increases its capacity from 17.3 kWh to nearly 21 kWh, pushing the city range as high as 220 miles. There’s also the option of a Rapid Charge Module to allow the use of high-speed charging stations. With a rapid charge, the battery takes one hour to reach 95 percent capacity.

Look closely and you can see that there are multiple windscreen options. (Zero Motorcycles/)

Although the trellis-style frame and swingarm look similar to the parts used on the SR/S and SR/F models, Zero says the DSR/X has a unique chassis and architecture. That’s partially down to a Showa 47mm SFF-BP fork that gives nearly 8 inches of travel, along with a matching 46mm Showa shock; with adjustable preload, compression, and rebound at both ends. The wheels, 19 inches at the front and 17 inches at the rear, are mounted with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II rubber as standard. Other options include wire-spoked wheels rather than alloy wheels, as well as an array of top and side cases, windscreens, and protective components to outfit the bike for either off-road or touring usage.

Zero will offer an array of luggage options on the DSR/X. (Zero Motorcycles/)

“Our owners and advocates have been asking for a full-sized ADV bike from Zero for years,” said Zero Motorcycles CTO Abe Askenazi. “We invested over 100,000 engineering hours into designing a motorcycle that lives up to both our customers’ expectations and Zero’s mission to redefine the riding experience.”

Equipment includes the latest Cypher III+ operating system, with a low-speed reverse mode and crawl function to assist with parking. The DSR/X also gets a Bosch stability control system with off-road mode, which includes linked brakes and hill-hold control to make steep slopes easier to navigate. Cruise control is standard, along with five preprogrammed riding modes: Eco, Standard, Sport, Rain, and Canyon. Those can also be infinitely adjusted to suit individual tastes. J.Juan provides the brakes with radial-mount, four-piston front calipers and 320mm discs, plus a single-pot rear caliper and a 265mm rotor.

Zero has teamed up with Backcountry Discovery Routes to create a library of routes suitable for the DSR/X, that also are charging station adjacent. (Zero Motorcycles/)

There are bound to be reservations when it comes to taking an electric bike far from main roads and plentiful charging opportunities. With that in mind, Zero has partnered with Backcountry Discovery Routes, an adventure mapping company, to create a library of routes with access to public EV chargers.

As Zero’s new range-topping machine, the 2023 DSR/X retails at $24,495, which is $500 more than the SR/S and $700 more than the SR/F in 2023 form. Two color options, Sage Green or White Pearl, are available. The DSR/X is expected in dealers immediately.

The DSR/X in White Pearl. (Zero Motorcycles/)

2023 Zero DSR/X Specifications

MSRP:	$24,495
Engine:	ZF 75-10 5T air-cooled AC motor
Transmission/Final Drive:	Clutchless direct drive/carbon belt
Frame:	Steel trellis
Front Suspension:	Fully adjustable 47mm Showa SFF-BP; 7.5 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Fully adjustable Showa monoshock; 7.5 in. travel
Front Brake:	Dual radial-mounted 4-piston J.Juan calipers, 320mm discs w/ Bosch ABS
Rear Brake:	1-piston J.Juan caliper, 265mm disc
Wheels, Front/Rear:	19 x 3 in. / 17 x 4.5 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Pirelli Scorpion Trail II; 120/70-19 / 170/60-17
Rake/Trail:	25.0°/4.3 in.
Wheelbase:	60.0 in.
Ground Clearance:	N/A
Seat Height:	32.6 in.
Claimed Curb Weight:	545 lb.
Contact:	zeromotorcycles.com

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[bonio]

I guess people buy adventure bikes mainly for commuting. In which case this bike makes some kind of sense.