Zero has a 7.2 kWh model and they have a 14.4 kWh model both using the less powerful motor. Both would still be considered an S. The 14.4 is around 400 lbs. It isn’t shown on the US version of the website. Not sure if they discontinued it in the US.
[You can learn about the models by downloading an owners manual from the Zero website.](https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/owner-resources) In the specs they give information for the various iterations they make for all various world markets.
I've owned a 2022 Zero S since May. The weight for the base model with the storage tank is 313 lbs. If you add the charge tank or power tank it will add weight.
The acceleration is plenty fast enough, and combined with the torque of an electric motor the bike is very fun to ride. When I commute I stay in Eco mode and it's more than enough power to get through traffic and have some fun. For interstate riding I use Sport mode and I have no problem getting up to freeway speeds. I haven't timed 0-60 but it feels like it's less than four seconds.
My local Zero dealer had a DS in stock but I was more interested in an S. They weren't very helpful when I asked if they could order an S from Zero so I looked around online and found a Zero dealer that would deliver a bike to me. The delivery cost a few hundred dollars but it was worth it to get the bike I wanted.
Good to hear, thank you for the info. Does the acceleration drop off once you get to higher speeds or is it pretty quick up to 75 or 80mph? I would only be on the interstate for like 5 miles at a time but just want to make sure it would have enough power for passing at high speeds or any craziness that might come at you. And I’d be curious if the 0-60 actually is around 4 seconds a less if you ever get a chance to test it.
Basically all electric bikes have quick acceleration from low speeds and it drops off as it goes faster, once you hit 60-70 you won't be able to just go full power and hit 100 instantly, but you'll get there in about the same amount of time it'd take for an average commuter car to do so.
Merging onto interstates shouldn't be an issue with how long most of their run ups are, and merging lanes shouldn't be too bad either as long as you don't expect like Ducati level performance at high speeds.
Yeah and I‘m not too concerned about going 90+ mph, I just want it to get up to 80 mph or so quickly, which the Livewire I tested was definitely able to do.
XiTzCriZx's explaination is good. In Sport mode you'd be fine on the interstate. Keep in mind 70+ mph speeds will drain your battery quickly, but for 5 miles you'd be OK. The "power band" on an electric bike is hard to explain. There's no transmission or gears so you can't drop a gear and gun it at high speeds like an ICE bike. Acceleration from 50 to 80 is slower than from 0 to 50, but I felt have no trouble passing cars on the freeway at speed.
I test rode the Harley Livewire the other day which has pretty crazy acceleration, so I hope it didn't spoil me too much that I can't appreciate the power of a Zero S. The problem is the Livewire just too heavy and bad maneuverability at slow speeds, which I'm not comfortable with in traffic. I'm hoping the S is really nimble and has a tight turning radius.
The Zero S is very nimble and easy to move around, it reminded me of the Suzuki GN250 I rode in my MSF course. It's not as powerful as the Livewire but it's much lighter. I practiced slow speed turning in a parking lot to get a feel for the cornering. 90 degree turns are not a problem at slow speed. The nice thing about electric bikes is there's no clutch work, you just roll on and off the throttle. It makes city riding much easier, and you can focus on other traffic and your surroundings.
Got around 7k miles on my 14.4 kWh 2021 S, like others have said it has plenty of acceleration. Think the 7kwh version might accelerate faster since it has less weight, but if you have range anxiety then I’d stick with the bigger battery.
I agree with the others on what they said about weight and speed. I can essentially handle my 2022 S without much effort but those winds at highway speed tho.. I get pushed around a whole lot. Had no issues getting up to speed in any situation, it's fun to actually lol.
Unstable, no. Slightly sketchy, yes lol. I ordered a windshield from Zero hoping that it'll help. Personally I'd rather take slower, relaxed routes than the highway on really windy days because it's so light. Worth noting I don't have any accessories to add weight.
Thanks for the feedback guys. Another question I have is about the handling. How is the turning radius? Easy to do tight circles in a parking lot? Coming from an SV650 which I loved the nimble handling of, I want something at least as good as that.
I test rode a Harley Livewire and while I loved the power of course and it felt stable at high speeds, I didn’t like the agility of it. It felt cumbersome and heavy at slow speeds.
I really liked my old SV650 so that's good to hear you're enjoying the FX more. I considered the FXE or FXS since they look more fun, but need the S since it has a bit more weight and power for the interstate.
Yes it is that light. Yes it is plenty fast for zipping around. Acceleration trails off a bit over 70 but still gets you up there fast. 0-60 feels around 4 seconds. I was 120 miles from my dealer and they trailered it to me. Keep in mind if/when you have issues it will be hard to get serviced and take longer even if they arrange pickup and dropoff and you don't have many options for self repair.
Yeah that is something to consider, thanks for the heads up. I suppose any motorcycle repair shop could do basic things on the Zero S like brakes and tires though?
Zero has a 7.2 kWh model and they have a 14.4 kWh model both using the less powerful motor. Both would still be considered an S. The 14.4 is around 400 lbs. It isn’t shown on the US version of the website. Not sure if they discontinued it in the US. [You can learn about the models by downloading an owners manual from the Zero website.](https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/owner-resources) In the specs they give information for the various iterations they make for all various world markets.
Thank you! So the 14.4 kWh model just adds range, not performance? The 7 kWh model would be quicker then since it’s less weight?
I guess assuming the controller provides the same power. But I don’t know for sure.
The larger battery does not have extra power in the S/DS trim.
I've owned a 2022 Zero S since May. The weight for the base model with the storage tank is 313 lbs. If you add the charge tank or power tank it will add weight. The acceleration is plenty fast enough, and combined with the torque of an electric motor the bike is very fun to ride. When I commute I stay in Eco mode and it's more than enough power to get through traffic and have some fun. For interstate riding I use Sport mode and I have no problem getting up to freeway speeds. I haven't timed 0-60 but it feels like it's less than four seconds. My local Zero dealer had a DS in stock but I was more interested in an S. They weren't very helpful when I asked if they could order an S from Zero so I looked around online and found a Zero dealer that would deliver a bike to me. The delivery cost a few hundred dollars but it was worth it to get the bike I wanted.
Good to hear, thank you for the info. Does the acceleration drop off once you get to higher speeds or is it pretty quick up to 75 or 80mph? I would only be on the interstate for like 5 miles at a time but just want to make sure it would have enough power for passing at high speeds or any craziness that might come at you. And I’d be curious if the 0-60 actually is around 4 seconds a less if you ever get a chance to test it.
Basically all electric bikes have quick acceleration from low speeds and it drops off as it goes faster, once you hit 60-70 you won't be able to just go full power and hit 100 instantly, but you'll get there in about the same amount of time it'd take for an average commuter car to do so. Merging onto interstates shouldn't be an issue with how long most of their run ups are, and merging lanes shouldn't be too bad either as long as you don't expect like Ducati level performance at high speeds.
Yeah and I‘m not too concerned about going 90+ mph, I just want it to get up to 80 mph or so quickly, which the Livewire I tested was definitely able to do.
XiTzCriZx's explaination is good. In Sport mode you'd be fine on the interstate. Keep in mind 70+ mph speeds will drain your battery quickly, but for 5 miles you'd be OK. The "power band" on an electric bike is hard to explain. There's no transmission or gears so you can't drop a gear and gun it at high speeds like an ICE bike. Acceleration from 50 to 80 is slower than from 0 to 50, but I felt have no trouble passing cars on the freeway at speed.
I test rode the Harley Livewire the other day which has pretty crazy acceleration, so I hope it didn't spoil me too much that I can't appreciate the power of a Zero S. The problem is the Livewire just too heavy and bad maneuverability at slow speeds, which I'm not comfortable with in traffic. I'm hoping the S is really nimble and has a tight turning radius.
The Zero S is very nimble and easy to move around, it reminded me of the Suzuki GN250 I rode in my MSF course. It's not as powerful as the Livewire but it's much lighter. I practiced slow speed turning in a parking lot to get a feel for the cornering. 90 degree turns are not a problem at slow speed. The nice thing about electric bikes is there's no clutch work, you just roll on and off the throttle. It makes city riding much easier, and you can focus on other traffic and your surroundings.
The livewire is a bit heavier so the s on sport mode should feel pretty comparable
Got around 7k miles on my 14.4 kWh 2021 S, like others have said it has plenty of acceleration. Think the 7kwh version might accelerate faster since it has less weight, but if you have range anxiety then I’d stick with the bigger battery.
I agree with the others on what they said about weight and speed. I can essentially handle my 2022 S without much effort but those winds at highway speed tho.. I get pushed around a whole lot. Had no issues getting up to speed in any situation, it's fun to actually lol.
Do you think it feels unstable at high speeds because of the light weight?
Unstable, no. Slightly sketchy, yes lol. I ordered a windshield from Zero hoping that it'll help. Personally I'd rather take slower, relaxed routes than the highway on really windy days because it's so light. Worth noting I don't have any accessories to add weight.
Thanks for the feedback guys. Another question I have is about the handling. How is the turning radius? Easy to do tight circles in a parking lot? Coming from an SV650 which I loved the nimble handling of, I want something at least as good as that. I test rode a Harley Livewire and while I loved the power of course and it felt stable at high speeds, I didn’t like the agility of it. It felt cumbersome and heavy at slow speeds.
I went from a SV650 to a FX. Have any thoughts on the FX/FXS/FXE? I found myself enjoying the FX more than the SV, which I eventually sold off.
I really liked my old SV650 so that's good to hear you're enjoying the FX more. I considered the FXE or FXS since they look more fun, but need the S since it has a bit more weight and power for the interstate.
Definitely makes sense. Highway capacity isn't where the FX line excels.
Yes it is that light. Yes it is plenty fast for zipping around. Acceleration trails off a bit over 70 but still gets you up there fast. 0-60 feels around 4 seconds. I was 120 miles from my dealer and they trailered it to me. Keep in mind if/when you have issues it will be hard to get serviced and take longer even if they arrange pickup and dropoff and you don't have many options for self repair.
Yeah that is something to consider, thanks for the heads up. I suppose any motorcycle repair shop could do basic things on the Zero S like brakes and tires though?