Right from the moment they started coming in, I didn’t really have anything against EVs. Yes, I did think about what life would be like without any inline-4 or V4 symphony in it. But not to the extent that it makes me hate electric vehicles altogether. So whenever one comes my way, I am more than happy to have some fun on it. And I had more than some fun with the Zero SR/S.

As most of you might know, I am someone who is fairly creatively inclined. And for people like me, the day-to-day racket can get a bit much. And this was one of the things that I liked the most about the Zero SR/S. As I threw it into every bend with more zeal than usual just to have something shatter through the eerie calm, I realized that I did not need to. I realized that I was enjoying it as is. No sound, no drama, no nothing; just a man and a machine whooshing through the woods in harmony. 

Anyway, what is Zero SR/S? A fully-faired electric motorcycle that looks and goes like a conventional one. It is a motorcycle that exists to show that electric vehicles are not confined to being unsightly or too lowbrow. It looks good, goes fast, and handles well. In fact, if I have to look at the motorcycle head-on, it reminds me of that PCJ600 from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. And if that was not an aspirational motorcycle for children, I do not know what else could be. 

Zero Motorcycles have also ensured that their sportbike endeavour isn’t just their naked one shrouded in plastic. Generous use of fluid dynamics has ensured that the fairing is aero-efficient. So function comes first but even the form looks nice. Overall, the Zero SR/S is a pretty good-looking motorcycle, proportionate and balanced from all angles. It does not try to imitate existing sportbikes but does not deviate too far either. 

The performance is quite exciting. You have 113 horses and 190 torques on hand-delivered to you in a manner that you expect from a vehicle of electric nature. The acceleration is brutal and the Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres get a real workout whenever you try to be too rowdy with the throttle. Talking about that, the throttle feels quite organic and the regenerative braking does a good enough job of imitating engine braking on conventional ICEs. 

Without the sound, the Zero SR/S feels a little confusing at first. It is blisteringly quick but without the noise it does not feel that way and then when you realize it, it feels much quicker because there is no noise to serve as a distraction. Strange but exciting. To be honest though, once you get used to the feeling, a ride on one of these is going to soothe your soul. 

I also like the handling. The Zero SR/S has a long wheelbase that provides it with stability but its ill-effects are offset by the sharp geometry. At 235 kg (kerb), it is heavy but the intelligent mass-centralization means it does not feel top-heavy. Combine those with the relaxed ergonomics and a wide handlebar, and you’re looking at a motorcycle that feels quite natural when you stitch corners on a winding road. 

The suspension is well-judged, albeit on the stiffer side. A little tweaking might help but again, it has to be a compromise between cornering confidence and comfort. I am too lazy to sit and try to strike the perfect balance. I’d rather let it talk to me and tell me how it wants to go and then make the best of it. I found the brakes to be adequate as well though the rear does feel a little wooden even though I barely used it. 

Overall, it is a motorcycle you can have a lot of fun on in utter zen. For how long, you ask? Over 250 km if you ride it like a gentleman and less than 200 if you’ve been deemed a little unruly by the people around you. Except for the range that fluctuates a little and feels a little on the lower side, I think the Zero SR/S is a darn good motorcycle.