From Urban Commuter To Dirt Bikers, Zero DS Electric Motorcycle Was Built For You

Many have seen the Zero DS 6.5 as the company's endeavor to find a middle ground between the 147-mile range 13 kWh DS and its more aggressive FX and FXS line.

While Zero does not release sales numbers, they revealed that sales grew 50 percent from 2015 to 2016 and are expected to increase more than that this year. Undoubtedly, however, the Scotts Valley, Calif., company is certainly a leader in the electric motorcycles industry as it controls most of the U.S. electric motorcycle market.

While it is true there are several electric scooter companies heavily competing for further market shares, such as Alta Motors and its Redshift MX, which produces quality bikes, most of the electric motorcycles on the street today are made by Zero.

The DS, one of six models currently offered by Zero, is a dual sport bike. It has an air-cooled Z-Force electric motor that produces the equivalent of as much as 60 horsepower and 81 pound-feet of torque.

It features fully adjustable Showa suspension, both front and rear, and Bosch ABS brakes. It also has a 33.2-inch seat height, with Pirelli MT-60 dual purpose tires on a 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear.

All of the above contributes to making this motorcycle quite light. The smaller DS 6.5 weighs 100 pounds less than the more powerful DS model. The larger-battery DS has a claimed city range of 147 miles; the DS 6.5 has a city range of about half that. Moreover, the smaller battery makes 34 horsepower and 78 pound-feet of torque.

Another interesting feature is the Charge Tank accessory, an option that, for a price supplementation of $1,995, enables the Zero to plug into ChargePoint and other public stations, which significantly reduces charging time on the DS 6.5 to about 90 minutes for a full tank.  

Zero Motorcycles was born in 2006 when it began making electric dirt bikes at its Headquarters in California. The presence of many tech companies in that region of the developed world most likely spurred the company to venture and experiment with technological advancement and techniques.

Zero, in fact, has been making electric velocipedes for the past 11 years Zero, reaching a stage where it builds a range of models capable and up for different tasks, from city commuting to dirt riding. Furthermore, Zero is growing its presence and influence in the UK with a host of new dealers.

This motorcycle also seems to be up to the challenge set up by its predecessors. On the road though, in fact, the DS 6.5 is just as enjoyable as its more powerful sibling models.

The biggest difference, for instance, between the 13 and 6.5 is the battery size. More specifically, the 6.5 loses nearly 100 pounds, which represent a substantial weight saving that is immediately evident when you get on the bike. However, the main advantage of such a thing is that maneuvering during rush hour in an obstacle-filled street is much easier and less painful.

From such weight reduction, a drop in horsepower also represents a consequence (the DS 13 has 60 while the DS 6.5 tops out at 37). However, the difference is barely noticeable, power is there whenever you need it, a quick hit at the gas and you will be on your way. The 6.5 is also equipped with anti-lock brakes that keep the bike from locking up the wheels.

With a suggested retail price of $11,000, this motorcycle will be one of the smartest purchase you will make this year.