Full test of the 2022 Zero SR/F Cypher III+ | Visordown
This brilliantly brisk bike is a welcome update to the Zero Motorcycles range.
With 15 years of experience in electric vehicles, this is Zero Motorcycles’ latest ‘smart bike’. With integrated technology and effortless power, Zero themselves will urge you to try it because it’s not like any other riding experience.
Unlike standard petrol bikes, this super quick, silent machine flew along country lanes and in and around the city centre, whilst keeping your carbon footprint low.
This brilliantly brisk bike is a welcome update to the Zero Motorcycles range.
With 15 years of experience in electric vehicles, this is Zero Motorcycles’ latest ‘smart bike’. With integrated technology and effortless power, Zero themselves will urge you to try it because it’s not like any other riding experience.
Unlike standard petrol bikes, this super quick, silent machine flew along country lanes and in and around the city centre, whilst keeping your carbon footprint low.
Power and Torque
Sluggish is not a word to describe the SR/F. With a top speed of 124mph, 140 ft-lbs of torque and 110 horsepower instantly available, an unjudged twist of the throttle will have you hurtling off like you’re on a wild horse. Providing instant fun, even the hardest petrolhead will be struggling not to smile.
Engine and Handling
At 227kg although it isn’t the heaviest bike out there, it felt weighty to manually handle, but the power is instantly there and the handling was smooth and fluid. And with the lack of clutch control from the clutchless direct drive transmission, there is less to think about and more to enjoy. There was no concern about which gear, are the revs high enough, and all the other things that can pass through your mind. I found it easy to just enjoy the ride.
Brakes
The SR/F is the first electric motorcycle to integrate Bosch’s Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC). The stopping power is certainly felt if one grips the front brake a little too fast, with a little too much intensity. Not the first bike I’ve had to catch with my thighs.
The interchangeable weather from the city to the country meant I had the opportunity to try them out on multiple different surfaces and I found them supportive.
Charge and Range
And to everyone’s favourite discussion point with electric vehicles… “How far can it get me?” Short answer: far.
The SR/F has a 227-mile range with Power Tank + ERC and 169 miles ‘City Range’ (the stop-start we do riding around urban areas). It has a lithium-ion battery, and can be fully charged in an hour and a half with the 6kW Rapid Charger + Fast Charging Cypher Upgrade. If you are caught short then it is 95% charged in only one hour.
Equipment
The latest Cypher OS update (Cypher III+) provides the ability to completely personalise your bike to your taste. It has an app and dash interface and you can improve charging speed, get turn by turn navigation on your dash, it even offers Parking Mode. Your bike now has a reverse (that isn't just moving backwards and trying to go in a straight line)! That was something I never realised how much I need. There are five modes pre-loaded to choose from - Standard, Sport, Rain, Eco and Canyon.
Price
It is £21,620 cash, and PCP options are available. Here is an example of the Zero SR F ZF15.6+kWh Premium (22MY):
Regular Monthly Payment | £331.18 | Regular Monthly Payment | £285.72 |
Product | MotoNovo - PCP Bike | Product | MotoNovo - PCP Bike |
Duration of Agreement | 37 Months | Duration of Agreement | 49 Months |
Payment Schedule | 36 Payments of £331.18 Final Payment of £8,862.25 | Payment Schedule | 48 Payments of £285.72 Final Payment of £8,097.25 |
Total Price | £21,620.00 | Total Price | £21,620.00 |
Total Deposit | £4,324.00 | Total Deposit | £4,324.00 |
Option to Purchase Fee | £1.00 | Option to Purchase Fee | £1.00 |
Total Amount Payable | £25,108.73 | Total Amount Payable | £26,135.81 |
Total Amount of Credit | £17,296.00 | Total Amount of Credit | £17,296.00 |
Representative APR | 8.9% | Representative APR | 8.9% |
Interest Charges | £3,487.73 | Interest Charges | £4,514.81 |
Annual Fixed Interest Rate | 4.36% p.a * | Annual Fixed Interest Rate | 4.39% p.a * |
Annual Mileage | 4000 | Annual Mileage | 4000 |
Excess per Mile | 22p | Excess per Mile | 18p |
2022 Zero Motorcycles SR/F verdict
I only had a few short hours to play with the SR/F, and I would love longer to play with the tech to really see how I could customise this bike to my tastes. But in the short time, I found a whole new love for electric vehicles. It was hard not to ride past the (empty) petrol stations on a day when there was a fuel shortage and not feel pleased that not only is that not a concern, but I’m also keeping my carbon footprint low.
I did get the chance to ride the SR/S as well, the faired sister to the SR/F, but unfortunately I found that too uncomfortable to be on for very long. The positioning of the back brake meant I found it difficult to use.
The silent running was disconcerting at first, but it is easy to adjust to once you realise that car drivers and pedestrians could still see me. The influx of electric cars has made people warier, plus illegal to do almost anything other than drive in a car now.
No ULEZ, no fuel costs and little to no maintenance... This is an easy to use, fun to ride motorcycle that is unlike any petrol two-wheeler. It needs to be tried to be believed.
2022 Zero Motorcycles SR/F specification
Full specs are found on the Zero Motorcycles website https://www.zeromotorcycles.com/en-gb/model/zero-srf
KIT CREDITS
Helmet: Ruroc ATLAS 4.0 - Joker Edition
Jacket: Knox
Trousers: Hood Jeans
Gloves: Furygan Jet Lady D3O
From her first experience going pillion at 31, Sam has been obsessed with motorcycles. She spent four years within motorcycle magazines in a purely sales capacity before getting the opportunity to use her long-neglected skills, whilst helping keep the lights on at Visordown.
