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[loudog3114]

This bike is interesting to me. I have a long history of both adventure motorcycles and electric vehicles, and even owned a zero in the past. I forget what model but it was the motard with the ~7kw battery. On that bike I got about 60 miles total with my typical riding pace, which is 50-55mph on a typical back road. I generally end up averaging somewhere in the low 40s to high 30s on a 200ish mile back road ride on my average speed indicator which includes stops, being stuck behind camrys, etc.. My question is is this bike capable of 200 mile days at my pace with a 6.6kw charge stop for 45 minutes or so, or is it going to only get me 100 miles or so on a full charge?

[DonTom]

This bike is interesting to me. I have a long history of both adventure motorcycles and electric vehicles, and even owned a zero in the past. I forget what model but it was the motard with the ~7kw battery. On that bike I got about 60 miles total with my typical riding pace, which is 50-55mph on a typical back road. I generally end up averaging somewhere in the low 40s to high 30s on a 200ish mile back road ride on my average speed indicator which includes stops, being stuck behind camrys, etc.. My question is is this bike capable of 200 mile days at my pace with a 6.6kw charge stop for 45 minutes or so, or is it going to only get me 100 miles or so on a full charge?

Such questions are best figured out with simple math. For an example perhaps ten miles per KWH of nominal capacity when very easy riding, or five miles range per KWH at twice the speed. From there, figure it out more accurately by weight, wind direction, hills, etc.


You can figure out charge times the same way. If you have a 6.6 KWH battery, it will take 30 minutes to charge at a 13.2 KW (volt times amps for watts) or two hours to charge at 3.3 KW. There are some losses in heat as well as the charge rate can vary with temps, but we can figure out this stuff on our own better than any range or time spec., because there are too many variables.


When I read the specs of an electric motorcycle, I do not care about what their claim of range is. I also do not care about their claim for charge times. Just show me the useable KWH capacity of the battery, the charging watts and the weight of the vehicle and I will figure it out for myself close enough for any speed. Figure roughly half the range for each time the speed is doubled.


If you're going far, where charge stops are required, if you're in a big hurry, ride very slow.  The speed cannot make up for the charge times on an electric motorcycle--not even with so called fast charging.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[loudog3114]

I'm wondering about these 13.2kw chargers I have never seen in existence.  It looks to me like the bike has the typical level 2 charge plug, which I have only ever seen go at 6.6kw.  Is there a new standard out there that does more with the level 2 charge plug that I haven't seen?  Or is it something that only works on motorcycles and not cars?

[DonTom]

I'm wondering about these 13.2kw chargers I have never seen in existence.  It looks to me like the bike has the typical level 2 charge plug, which I have only ever seen go at 6.6kw.  Is there a new standard out there that does more with the level 2 charge plug that I haven't seen?  Or is it something that only works on motorcycles and not cars?

High power J-1772 stations do exist.  240 VAC at 70 amps or 16,800 watts. But they are rare. But here is one shown on Plugshare that I used for only 8 KW.  There is another a half mile from that one.


Also, Telsa Destination Stations are MORE often high power. Such as 16 KW as shown here.  You can convert these to J-1772 using an 80-amp  Tesla-Tap.


Some newer Zeros can charge at 12 KW, with the charge tank.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[NEW2elec]

Loudog, I think this new bike would be pretty close to what you're looking for.  If there are some dirt roads, puddled gravel roads on your route the DSRX might be your best option.  The SRS might be a little better if you stay paved.

If you are staying on paved roads and can keep your speed in check the new Energica Experia sounds like the better choice for you.
At 45-50MPH it might hit 150-160 miles with it's 22kWh battery.  Plus if there is any CCS station you are super golden with a 45 min charge stop.

 I plan to go with Damon but those will be a little bit of a wait.

Don's charging advise is spot on though if the charging options are limited.

[loudog3114]

Yeah I am pretty well versed in charging having owned 4 EVs at this point, wasn't aware of the high powered level 2 chargers though. Ill have to keep that in mind for my rivian with overnight stays at hotels.

I can stand stopping for 45 minutes to top off after 150 miles or so to make it 200 miles in a day but I couldn't take any more then that. I am surprised there aren't more trip reports with these bikes, id love to see what others have managed.  After doing some research I started thinking the Experia might be the better bet as well as the pack is larger and the motor is lower output which should result in getting me close to what I want. Maybe one of these days a dealer will let me demo for a 200 mile loop.

[princec]

I did a 240 mile day on an SR/F last year, with 12kW charging (plenty chargers output that around here in the UK). I must have spent about an hour and a half charging over the day maybe? Can't quite remember. Total trip was about 8hrs doing my normal sort of road speed, largely avoiding any form of motorway (70mph) roads.

Cas

[loudog3114]

I took one for a spin today.  Went a little slower then I had hoped but I got a good idea what I'm looking at.  I went 23 miles and went from 96% to 80%, with a wh/mi of 122.  At 122 wh/mi I am looking at 147 miles on a 17kw pack, assuming they let you use all that.  From what I understand you get that and then a little extra if you set it to extended range charge mode. 

[loudog3114]

So, I bought one Friday and did a 500 mile loop on her over the weekend. I bought it with the side cases and touring screen, and I can absolutely say 150 miles ain’t happening. I went anywhere from 35-55mph and I’m getting a smidge more then 1 mile per %. Turns out the onboard wh/mi meter is utterly useless, as is the GoM. I disabled both on the gauge screen and just use the %. When I put the touring screen all the way up I get less than 1 mile per %, but at 6’2 I noticed the second lowest setting is enough to send all the air over my helmet and going any higher doesn’t change wind noise much. I also think the side cases are big points of resistance. I did my best to kind of feel around for air as I was cruising along and there is a lot smashing right into those side cases. Very little hitting the top case. I’ll have to test this but I bet with those off I can push her to 120-130 miles from 110%.

[GoneToPlaid]

Congratulations!

+1 on the side cases adding a lot of drag. I run soft saddlebags, and they seem to reduce range around 10 or 15%. When not travelling, I leave them off and just use a tank bag and tail bag. These are all inline with the bike and me, so don't increase frontal area and have much less drag.

My wife wrote a bit about ADV touring with the DSR/X. We don't have one, just a DSR, so I'm interested to learn about the real-world capabilities.
https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/two-bikes-one-jug-zero-dsr-2021-2eride-the-tat-with-an-electric-moto-coast-to-coast.1514716/page-10#post-45891185

For my DSR with extra battery (so 14.4+3.6, about 14.5 kWh usable), my extra chargers, saddlebags and duffel bag across the rear seat, plus me, with chain drive and 50/50 tires, the gross weight is right at 800 pounds. Here is the chart of range vs speed for it. This is based on modeling aero and rolling drag plus electrical loads, and hand-fitted over time to my experience. I expect the DSR/X with luggage is not far off.

MPH   Range miles
20   203
25   185
30   165
35   146
40   128
45   113
50   99
55   88
60   78
65   69
70   62
75   56

At low speeds, the rolling drag matters a lot. Road tires help compared to my dual sport tires. Gravel roads reduce range compared to pavement.

[Richard230]

When I rode my 2018 S with the old smaller 3.2kWh Power Tank (claimed 16.6 kWh nominal), I was able to get 146 miles (with the range estimator showing another 5 miles left) out of a fully charged battery pack, riding at speeds between 30 and 55 mph' while climbing and descending two 1000 ft high hills. At the time I was riding with a Zero touring windshield, tank bag and seat pack. I am 5'-10"' tall and weigh 155 pounds. I think a top box might help a bit with the bike's aerodynamics, but I agree that the big, boxy, cargo boxes of the DSR/X will really cut down on range. It makes sense to remove them for normal travel unless you really need the carrying capacity that exceeds the space provided by a top box, tank bag, seat pack and maybe a courier bag or backpack, too.

[loudog3114]

Yeah I am going to find a rear seat bag and between that and the top box I should have plenty of room for a long weekends worth of stuff. That should bump my safe range to 90-100 miles and that’s plenty. I find I like a break after that much riding anyway, and once I get the fast charger and a Tesla tap I’ll be golden for road tripping and my ICE bike buddies can stop being annoyed by my long layovers.

[Richard230]

The "Conclusion" section at the end of this review is well worth reading if you are considering the purchase of the DSR/X: https://thepack.news/andrew-thijssen-from-bms-e-motorrijder-promised-us-an-even-more-extensive-test-of-the-zero-dsr-x-than-his-previous-one/

[mdjak1]

I took one for a spin today.  Went a little slower then I had hoped but I got a good idea what I'm looking at.  I went 23 miles and went from 96% to 80%, with a wh/mi of 122.  At 122 wh/mi I am looking at 147 miles on a 17kw pack, assuming they let you use all that.  From what I understand you get that and then a little extra if you set it to extended range charge mode.

The owner's manual available on the Zero website says the 17.3 kWh pack has a nominal rating of 15.2 kWh.   I would imagine that doing 200 miles in a day wouldn't be a problem but your recharging stop might be an hour or longer with the standard charger.

https://prismic-io.s3.amazonaws.com/zero-cms-disco/87768488-aa51-4402-a1d3-fc624e7e446b_OM-DSRX-MY23-EN.pdf

[Richard230]

Motorcycle.com proclaims the Zero DSR/X to be the best electric motorcycle of the year (slim pickings): https://www.motorcycle.com/mobos/best-electric-motorcycle-of-2022.html