Zero Motorcycles expands its lineup with the aim of bringing in new riders -Gudstory

Zero Motorcycles is truly living up to its reputation as the “Tesla of motorcycles.”

The company, which is one of the leading electric motorcycle manufacturers in the country, today announced two new models: the Model S street bike, with an all-new motor; and two new game offerings, the DS and DSR models.

The California-based company aims to bring in new riders by lowering entry barriers like price and performance, which is expected to increase the number of people who would consider spending thousands of dollars on a battery-powered two-wheeler. And with purchases of new motorcycles essentially doubling over the past two decades, Zero thinks it can capture those new riders by adding to its already impressive lineup of motorcycles.

The Zero S, or Model S, may be a familiar name, but the company says it’s a “completely new machine,” with an all-new battery, motor, and styling that differentiates it from previous S.

The Model S street bike has a 14.4kWh battery, twice the size of the previous S model but the same as the 2022 SR/F and SR/S. With 97 pound-feet of torque, 68 horsepower and a 3.3kW charging speed, the Model S can reach a top speed of 104 mph.

This makes it slightly less powerful than the 140 lb-ft / 113hp / 6.6kW charging / 144mph top-speed SR/F – and theoretically more attractive to a newbie in the motorcycle world.

“We’re trying to build a franchise around the S line,” said Chris Metcalf, vice president of marketing at Zero. “The performance and what you offer the customer may be vastly different, but you can still get that beautiful design and be part of that premium electric experience.”

Traveling at 70 mph, the Model S will get 154 miles of city range or 101 miles of highway range. The company says the price of Model S starts at $14,995. Zero recently announced price drops across its 2022 and 2023 model lineup.

Zero is also expanding its DS lineup of sport bikes with the new 2024 DS and DSR. The DS’s motor produces 97 lb-ft of torque and 68 horsepower for a top speed of 104 mph. With the same 14.4kWh battery as the Model S, the DS will get 144 miles of city driving range or 98 miles of highway riding. Its price starts at $15,995.

The DSR pushes the power envelope with 144 lb-ft of torque, 80 horsepower and a top speed of 104 mph. The larger 15.6kWh battery pack will yield 155 miles of city driving or 100 miles of highway driving. Reinforced chassis and Gates carbon belt drive for better off-roading are the hallmarks of the DSR. But those capabilities will cost you extra: the DSR starts at $19,995.

Zero announced that the 2024 SR and DSR models will be its first A2 license-compliant models in the EU. And Xero dealers will also now have the ability to upgrade to an A3 license.

“A revolutionary concept, it allows motorcycles to grow with the rider, something that is impractical for ICE bikes and unheard of in other electric offerings,” the company said.