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[Fred]

I recently had the opportunity to do back-to-back test rides on a Zero SR/F and an Energica Eva Ribelle (with the new motor and battery). I must admit I was surprised how I felt about the two. I'm sure others would have a different opinion, but I thought I'd jot down my experience.

A bit of background: Riding for 30+ years. Currently have a Ducati Hypermotard 950. Had a Zero FXS for a couple of years. Ex-racer (but a long time ago). Starting to realize that at 53 I'm a bit old for wheelies. The very helpful guys at Spark Motos in Surrey (UK) provided the demo bikes. I rode the SR/F first and the the Eva.
https://www.sparkmotos.co.uk/

I fully expected to prefer the "better on paper" Energica and to agonize over whether it was worth the extra. I know thing seem to differ in other countries but in the UK the Energica costs a fair bit more. In fact I found that I hugely preferred the SR/F for a number of reasons. The Zero just felt like it was cooperating with me and the Energica felt like I was battling it.

• The Zero suspension felt better - firm but usable on the road. I noticed the Energica ABS coming on when braking on some slightly uneven road surface. I definitely wasn't going crazy with the brakes on someone else's expensive bike, so ait surprised me a bit. The Energica has more power in Sport mode, but the Zero was enough and delivered in an easier manner.
• The Energica weight made itself felt more than I though. Too high up and too far forward maybe? I didn't like the handling below about 40mph. Low speed U-turns were particularly unpleasant. The novelty of reverse was oddly cool though.
• I wasn't taken with the noise of the Energica and the wind blast from the screen on the Eva bothered me. The Evo could well suit me better in that regard.
• I hate cleaning chain lube off the back wheel, so +1 for the Zero's belt. In the past I have said that I'll never again own a bike unless it has black wheels (or a belt).
• I'm likely to do 99% of my charging at home overnight so the charging speed isn't too important for me. In 2 years of FXS ownership and I always charged at home.
• Looks wise the Energica Evo and SR/F both appeal. (The Eva not so much.)
  

Anyway, even if both the bikes were the same price I'd have gone for the SR/F. Luckily I found some great deals on the SR/F so I now have one on order. I felt bad not ordering from Spark Motos, but another dealer had a great offer (£16,490 for a 2020 SR/F Premium) which combined with a customer loyalty voucher from Zero for £2500 meant that  a new SR/F cost me just £14k. Not sure a Permium over a Standard was entirely necessary for my use case, but that's what they had. Still far less than an Energica. Plus, at that price I can manage to keep the Ducati too.

[Richard230]

Thanks for your comparison review, Frank. It is nice to see how riders feel about different models. That is why there is a wide selection of motorcycles in the marketplace. Every rider has different needs and different experiences when riding and owning a bike, ICE or electric. Congratulations on getting a very good deal on your new SR/F Premium.    Let us know what you think of it once you get a few miles under your belt on the Zero.

[princec]

That's a fantastic deal on the SR/F.

I've tweaked mine quite a lot in the last few months - lowered footpegs, raised bars, added screen & spoiler, and last but not least I've added the 6KW charge tank. The sad loss of the front holio is totally mitigated by the awesomely short charging just about everywhere I go. So good in fact I figured I'd take it to North Wales (from South Somerset - 230 miles ish) last weekend and it was dead easy! I was quite surprised.

I find the handling to be a bit odd myself... it's very reluctant to lean into a turn and stay there, like it's fighting me all the way down, not at all neutral. Very heavy steering. I don't think it's the weight distribution, or even the overall weight, but something to do with the geometry and/or tyres. I'm going to put Michelin Road 5s on it next (after 5k miles the OEM Pirelli is down to under 1mm). It wasn't much fun riding it in the wet on the Pirellis.

The suspension is also ... somewhat crashy. I've tried knocking back the damping a click each end but that just makes it wallow more, but still feels crashy. It's like it's both oversprung to compensate for its relatively short suspension stroke, and underdamped low speed damping with overdamped high speed damping. I'm having a long and serious think about taking the whole thing to Maxton.

By the time all my mods are on it it will have cost just as much as the Energica... but it will be exactly how I want it.

Cas

[MVetter]

Sounds like you found the right bike for you. Congrats!