American electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero has
just released an electric bike that it claims is targeted at ‘the growing
number of riders seeking to tour on an electric bike.’
According to Zero, the DSR Black Forest, which comes
with luggage as standard, has a range of 163-miles at city speeds or 78-miles
when on the open highway. And if you fit the £ 3000 optional range-extending
battery to it, this is extended by around 25% to 204-miles in a city and
97-mile highway use.
While this may seem rather a short distance for a
touring bike, the Black Forest does re-charge impressively fast with Zero
claiming the battery replenishes at up to 94-miles of range for every hour the
bike is plugged in – making touring on this electric bike more possible. But
this figure is if the £ 2300 optional extra Charge Tank is fitted, which allows
it to hook up to level two charging points.
While its range may put some off, there is no denying
the Black Zero’s performance with its electric motor producing a huge
107.7 ft.lb of torque and it does look pretty rugged. The Black Forest will be
in Zero dealers in April and costs £ 18,785. The Charge Tank is £ 2300 extra and
a range-extending extra battery is £ 3000, but you can only fit one of these
items as there is only space for one option on the bike.
