Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Overlook This Electric Motorcycle

Electric motorcycles are evolving rapidly. At one time, EVs were barely comparable to ICE motorcycles because of factors like outrageous weight, slow charging, dodgy technology, and even doubts about brand sustainability. But in 2025, the landscape is very different. We finally have reliable electric motorcycles. One fine example is Kawasaki’s duo of urban-focused sporty EVs—the Ninja e-1 and the Z e-1. But what about EVs with long-hauling and off-roading capabilities?

One motorcycle gives us hope and has even trimmed the ICE advantage down. This electric bike is a capable touring machine with commendable off-roading skills. It is an ambitious offering from a company that has been around since 2006 and is aptly called the Tesla of Motorcycles. It has impressive performance, is underpinned with quality hardware, and is loaded with cool technology features that even some popular ICE ADVs don’t get. It aims to finally show motorcyclists that EVs can be an “almost” reliable replacement for the good-old ICEs. Why “almost”? Read on to find out.

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The 2025 Zero DSR/X Is A Capable Electric Adventure Bike

Off-Road-Ready Chassis And Suspension Come Standard

While Zero Motorcycles is humble to call the DSR/X a “Dual Sport,” this electric bike is a competent adventure touring bike. The underpinnings have been designed from the ground up to take a lot of beating. The battery pack is enclosed safely in a clean-looking trellis frame, which has evolved since the DSR/X was introduced. Zero claims increased strength and reduced weight to balance, nimbleness, and reinforcement. The electric motor sits between the main frame and the coaxial swingarm, which has also been reinforced to take the wrath of harsh riding conditions.

The chassis is suspended on a fully adjustable inverted fork up front and a monoshock at the rear. These are high-quality components from Showa and offer over 7 inches of travel, enough to easily handle spirited trail jumps. Braking duties are courtesy of J. Juan, with dual 320 mm discs up front and a single 265 mm disc at the rear. The Zero DSR/X also comes equipped with Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires. Making life easier are tubeless spoked wheels. That’s not all, as Zero also offers more accessories like Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires and an adventure chain kit to enable even more hardcore duties.

Chassis And Hardware Specs

What Makes The Zero DSR/X Worthy Of Long-Haul Duties

A 100-horsepower Powerhouse With Adequate Range

The DSR/X’s performance quotient makes it a worthy rival to premium middleweight touring bikes. 100 horses put it in the sporty space, which is further accentuated by its top speed of 112 mph. As for the acceleration, you get a segment-leading 169 pound-feet of torque, which helps the 2025 Zero DSR/X do 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds. For an EV with this grade of performance, its maximum riding range of around 180 miles is commendable. But if you ain’t happy, Zero has a solution. The DSR/X can be equipped with an extra battery pack (Power Tank) for a maximum range of 222 miles.

Its Tall ADV Stance Keeps The Rider Cocooned

The biggest enemy of a powerful electric motorcycle is weight. The dense battery pack accounts for much of the DSR/X’s 545-pound curb weight. But it’s not all that bad, as its closest ICE rival, with 105 horsepower, is just 56 pounds heavier. This electric “dual-sport” has a tall and dominating stance, with the handlebars and footpegs positioned for a comfortable sitting and standing posture. Its seat is positioned high at over 32 inches and has a ground clearance of 9.7 inches. These dimensional values highlight the DSR/X’s off-roading readiness. Notable off-roading accessories include:

• Metal Skid plate
• Frame guards
• Auxiliary lights
• Aggressive foot pegs

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It also has a touring side, thanks to a tall windscreen and knuckle guards to deflect wind during extended saddle times. The seat is scooped, and the rider sits cocooned in the motorcycle. The pillion seat is wide and long, which should aid in touring comfort. Zero also offers a slew of comfort and storage solutions to elevate the DSR/X’s touring capabilities. These include:

• Touring windscreen
• Top case
• Hard saddlebags

Strong LED Lighting And Hidden Storage

The DSR/X flaunts a custom-engineered full LED lighting setup. It has an opalescent light pipe for elevated lateral visibility. This basically means that the LEDs are placed in a special housing that provides an extended illuminated area, which means more night-time visibility. Additionally, there’s a sizable 28-liter storage space without the accessory luggage solution. This compartment is neatly hidden from plain sight, located where a traditional ICE bike’s fuel tank would be. Its “frunk” is lockable and a smart place to store valuables when camping during those trail runs.

Zero Has Put Clever Technology To Overcome Charging Anxiety

Can Access 100,000+ Charging Stations Across North America

Yet another reason that instantly makes any rider say NOPE to an electric motorcycle is its recharging situation. Unlike ICEs, we can’t just roll into a gas station, fill the tank up in a few minutes, and blast off. Well, practically speaking, no EV can currently match ICE’s level of easy “refilling” experience. But Zero Motorcycles is trying to offset the ever-present charging anxiety among EV owners with a clever hack. Enter the Tesla Tap Mini.

It is a tiny add-on accessory by Zero that allows the DSR/X to recharge from any of the numerous Tesla Destination chargers (barring the superchargers), UMCs, and wall connectors across the US. This also unlocks a lot of Level 2 charging ports for this touring bike, which helps reduce the charging time from over 10 hours to under 3 hours. Thanks to this tiny accessory, the Zero DSR/X can now charge at over 100,000 stations in America, drastically reducing “charging anxiety.”

Zero DSR/X Charging Time

Cool Ride-Enhancing Technology Up The Ante

Even Comes With A Ride Mode Tuned For Curvy Mountain Roads

Being an EV, it is no surprise that the DSR/X is packed to the brim with deeply integrated technology features. It has five ride modes, the most interesting of which is the “Canyon.” Each mode has distinctive profiles for parameters like top speed, torque, braking, battery regeneration, and traction control. Bosch’s Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) is an assistive feature that tweaks acceleration, braking, and cornering, irrespective of the terrain.

This also consistently monitors and tweaks ABS, cornering brake control, traction control, and drag torque control to offer elevated rider safety and control. All these electronic features are managed seamlessly via a 5-inch TFT display that runs the Cypher III+ operating system. This is Zero’s in-house software that enhances performance and safety on a root level.

Notable Technology Features

• Cruise Control
• Heated Grips
• Parking Mode
• Vehicle Hold
• Full-Color 5-inch TFT Display
• Cypher III+ Operating System With OTA Updates
• Bosch Off-Road Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC)
• Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) off-road maps
• Five Ride Modes: Standard, Eco, Rain, Sport, and Canyon

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An EV That Bridges The Gap Between EV And ICE

Scores High On Balancing Fuel Economy And Performance Among Touring Bikes

The 2025 Zero DSR/X has the makings of a practical electric motorcycle, one that you can ride without being concerned about the battery percentage, curb weight, or technological malfunctions. Its power rating matches that of many top-spec ICE middleweight performance tourers, and the weight difference is not disheartening. The torque figure and fuel efficiency equivalent ratings are off the chart. But despite all these strides, there is still a long way to go.

The biggest hurdle that EVs still face is range. Because of size restrictions, the battery packs on the DSR/X still don’t return the same range as a comparable gas-powered ADV. The difference is not extreme, but it still gives ICEs the edge, and the ease of filling up gas makes things more challenging for the EV. Another issue is its price. The downside of packing the latest and greatest technology is a premium of about $10,000 over its fellow ICE rivals. These hurdles make the DSR/X an “almost” reliable replacement for ICE bikes and a novelty for now.

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But the wall between EV and ICE motorcycles will fade pretty soon. We have heard rumors of solid-state battery packs for a long time, although it’s too expensive to be deployed onto already expensive electric motorcycles. However, there is a promising new, practical, and relatively accessible technology in the battery space with silicon-carbon cells. Currently being deployed in smartphones, these are denser than the Li-Ion cells. This should translate to increased capacity in similar or even smaller-sized battery packs. So, a more powerful DSR/X with a notably higher riding range is not a distant dream.

Zero DSR/X Vs. ICE Touring Bikes Compared