Zero DSR As An Electric Off-Road Adventure Motorcycle

Zero DSR As An Electric Off-Road Adventure Motorcycle - Bike Review

Рет қаралды 10,548

Күн бұрын

How does the Zero DSR Black Forest edition do as an electric off-road adventure motorcycle? Go for a ride-along motorcycle review of this Zero DSR that was just put through 1000 miles of off-road travel on the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) and through the Rocky Mountains with Electric Cycle Rider. The whole adventure was completed using only existing, publicly available charging infrastructure with two charges at RV parks using 50 amp RV hookups. This video compares this electric adventure motorcycle to the last bike we did the COBDR on; a gas KTM 1090 Adventure R. Let the battle of gas vs. electric motorcycle begin!
You can watch the whole 24 minute documentary of the 1000 mile off-road electric motorcycle adventure from the Four Corners Monument to the Wyoming border on Electric Cycle Rider's channel here:
• We Rode 1,000 Rocky Mo...
The DSR Black Forest Edition by Zero Motorcycles is their adventure/dual-sport motorcycle. This version comes fitted with some adventure-focused accessories from the factory including a hard pannier system (great for motorcycle camping gear), a larger windscreen, and some more off-road focused adventure tires. For this adventure, the bikes also had the "Charge Tank" option which allows the bikes to be charged off of level 2 fast chargers using a J1772 plug AKA the "J Plug." The Charge Tank option drastically reduces the charging time of this electric motorcycle to a reasonable time for adventure touring travel. Learn more details about the bike, charging, range, ergonomics, ride quality, and off-road capability in this electric motorcycle review.
The Colorado BDR is an off-road-focused adventure motorcycle route that follows Colorado's Continental Divide from Four Corners Monument all the way to the Wyoming border. It is mostly off-road and passes through some of the most beautiful parts of the Rocky Mountains including the San Juans, Animas Forks ghost town, Telluride, Steamboat Springs and many more gorgeous spots. With additional diversions for charging and connecting routes back to the Colorado Front Range, these Zero DSR's ended up doing over 1000 miles of adventure travel over 7 days of ride time.
The electric motorcycle charging infrastructure along the route we rode is actually fairly robust (because these Zero DSR's had the Charge Tank option) with a diverse amount of commercial charging stations (including Chargepoint, EV Link, and more), free charging stations at municipalities & utility companies, and in a pinch, you can charge at a 50 AMP RV hookup in any RV park. In order to not be towed or use a generator, the bikes were charged at two RV parks towards the end of the route.
#ZeroDSR #OffRoadElectricMotorcycleAdventure #BikeReview
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/ @sourceadv
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🕒 TIMESTAMPS / Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Overview
01:08 Zero DSR Burnout & Acceleration
01:43 Zero DSR Power Vs. Range
02:45 Adventure Range
03:42 45 MPH Average Speed Issues/Cost
05:08 Making Friends
07:00 Bike Ergonomics
07:47 Suspension/Wheel Challenges
10:50 Awesome Drivetrain
12:50 Best Part Of The Zero DSR
13:20 What Is The Zero DSR Perfect For?
14:28 Time To Sell The Gas Bike?
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For more about Source ADV, visit: SourceADV.com/
or Visit Source ADV Instagram: / sourceadv

Пікірлер: 69

@Pluberus 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, and awesome trip!

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions.

@davidherringgo Жыл бұрын

Had my 21 DSR out tonight I absolutely love the thing just cruisin around , lots of fun . Haven't been off road yet. Just city and freeways. The thing is a beast. Torque is mach speed . I got the right one for me. Just need some panniers. They are ordered.

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome David, it’s a very fun bike! Cheers!

@maxalley9847 2 жыл бұрын

Lol the middle age men asking you questions

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Isn’t that amazing? These are just the ones I recorded, it had to be more like 10 that day LOL

@lucdurand9176 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this great review. I bought a DSR BF edition last year and I am very please with my experience so far. Just like you, I do take it offroad and wish it was just a bit more offroad oriented with a 21 inch wheel and a more suspension travel for comfort. Unlike you, I rarely bottom out the suspension. I guess I am less agressive in my riding! Zero hinted at a DSR X variant. Maybe it will correct those few irritants. Otherwise I am really happy with my zero and would really recommend to people to try it out!

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome!! I loved the bike and had a great time on it, at the end of the day it’s still phenomenally fun to ride and such a novel experience. I think if I owned it, I would find a way to alter those little nitpicks for myself and have a great time on it. Enjoy the ride and take care!

@patrickoneill1341 2 жыл бұрын

Drag (air resistance) does not “go up exponentially” with speed. Instead, it rises geometrically (its proportional to the square of the velocity).

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks dude

@Ivankonermann Жыл бұрын

A square of something is exponential

@patrickoneill1341 Жыл бұрын

@@Ivankonermann no it is not. y = x^2 is called a geometric function in mathematics. y = e^x is called an exponential function. When the “x” is in the exponent, this is what causes exponential growth.

@Ivankonermann Жыл бұрын

@@patrickoneill1341 ok - thanks man.

@TheHonarable1 2 жыл бұрын

Glad I found this review.....saved me from making a mistake. Thank you

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

It’s fun! But probably not if it’s your only bike. Cheers!

@TheHonarable1 2 жыл бұрын

@@SourceADV Totally agree, I was looking for something that could compete with the midsize class of adventure bikes but this ain’t ready yet. It would be great for a commute between Jersey & NYC but for that price I’ll stick with the subway for now. Awesome vid!

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! Ride safe!

@DoctorZisIN Жыл бұрын

Can't wait to see how the new Energica adventure type bike does in similar situations.

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

The little bit of extra range will be nice! Im still thinking the suspension and wheel size setup keeps it in the touring + light dirt roads versus true adventure. Cheers!

@georgepelton5645 2 жыл бұрын

Great review. I really like my DSR. What suspension adjustments did you do to minimize bottoming out? Even if they did not work that great for you, I am a shorter and lighter guy, so they may work for me. Thanks. Edit, I see in your other replies that you had everything cranked up to max. Did that include spring preload?

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry, no not spring preload, that I set to the recommended sag of the bike. I meant I turned up the compression settings high

@afan.pasalic 9 ай бұрын

Great review, exactly what was I looking for. I'm not so concerned about the range (although, 50 miles range for this type of ride is not acceptable), nor the time you need to charge. More the number of charging stations along the route. Did you have any problems regarding that? Did you ever changed the route because of the possibility that you'll not reach the net one? Were you even REALLY concerned you're running out of "gas" and nobody can bring you a "canister"? 😁

@SourceADV 9 ай бұрын

There was one time we got turned around due to a wild fire about 10 miles from the charging station. We just barely made it to Basalt Colorado, but still got there. That was the closest to “running out”, I think my bike had about 4 miles of range left.

@yvonnadeau2331 Жыл бұрын

You think the company is going to be around in the far future...?? Yes, NO ONE knows the future but maybe you talked to Zero and got a vib... It looks like fun to me, around town and near by.

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

I think so! They are releasing new bikes which is always a good sign and at the end of the day, they are great bikes, just not necessarily built for this type of off road focused adventure just yet.

@armaniirani4720 Жыл бұрын

Dope video do you think it would be able to ride in the sand well for that ultimate magic carpet ride? 😂 like same place you would have to use a 4x4 vehicle to ride? I also do love the simplicity of the bike as a new rider and my previous 80cc bicycle that almost killed me n has me in bed with an open wound wanting an n electric ⚡️ bike more n more! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and perspective I learned a lot 🙏🏾

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

I think the weight, high torque, and small front wheel would make it a handful in true deep sand, but I can’t be certain

@armaniirani4720 Жыл бұрын

Heard appreciate the quick response I’ll keep looking I maybe living off grid n only way on n off will be via sandy roads.. or maybe I’ll have to get one n n try n make video 😅

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

KTM 690 would be a much better bet

@darrenjamesking Жыл бұрын

Can you share what luggage mounts you’re using. I’ve seen the pod mount the sell, but what are the side bag mounts? Also…how much weight can they support?

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

This is the Black Forest edition, it comes with those mounts from Zero factory. I have no idea what brand they are and they did tear out of the subframe so I would definitely not recommend them. A rackless system like the Mosko reckless 80 would be way safer for the bike and your legs

@markkitaoka8783 2 жыл бұрын

Did you or Tucker ever set up the suspension specifically for your weight and where you were riding? Or did you just leave it as it was received?

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Mark, Yeah we actually just cranked everything up and were still experiencing bottoming issues. I think my shock was in need of a rebuild by the time I got it. Tucker didnt seem to have the same issues, but he is 50 LB lighter than me.

@markkitaoka8783 2 жыл бұрын

@@SourceADV Thanks Mark. Suspension is a black art that I was lucky enough to learn from my tuner. Lots can be done with the Showa suspension. For anyone 220+ with luggage new springs would help quite a bit on the forks. Riding gear adds more weigh then most think. Try running in full riding gear and you'll see the point 15 pounds makes lol. Plus I think that those bikes must have been put through the ringer before getting to you. I am not a fan of stepped shock spring adjustments especially on the DSR. The controller fins really get in the way of adjusting the stepped ring preload. I will be changing mine to an Ohlins remote preload adjuster shock.

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, I have all of my bikes worked for my weight and riding style by EnduroSpec and it’s always night and day difference. If I had one Of these that was my own, it would do the same. But in stock form and this worn out it definitely came up lacking. Cheers!

@markkitaoka8783 2 жыл бұрын

@@SourceADV Cool. My tuner has forgotten more than I'll ever know, just glad he gave me some knowledge. I think that most don't adjust to how/what they ride. Kinda like getting in the driver's seat of a car after a 4-11 person sat there and complain there's not enough leg room. If adjustments are there, use them. I've been really happy with the legs on my DSR after adjusting them for how/where I ride. I'm about the same weight as Tucker and don't carry a lot of gear. Plus I'm not riding 1k miles either LOL. Really enjoy this new chapter in biking. The silence is something I totally enjoy now and I LOVED the sounds of my ICE bikes too be they 4 or 2 strokes. For me it's like the difference between sailing and motor boating. Both are boats on water, just different experiences.

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

@@markkitaoka8783 totally! I’m 200 and we just cranked everything up but it didn’t do anything. I’m guess the rear shock was just totally out of service from a damping perspective.

@oliviermagere 2 жыл бұрын

Shame the price is so high. It’d be perfect for me, charged at home for commuting during the week and a weekend spins in near silence on B roads and the lanes in the south of London UK would easily be covered by that range. Great review, pretty much the only one I found talking about how capable it is off road. I am enjoying my NC750X but for that saddle height, I’d like to be able to do a bit of green laning.

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

It’s a good bike, I think the tech will jump leaps and bounds over the next couple of years. Hang tight! Cheers!

@supersnot4 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought a '22 DSR, and here's how I justified it. After my Escape hybrid was crashed into by an uninsured driver, I had to ride my WR250R to work for about a month. 40 miles one way, 80 miles round trip. After a month, I spent about $200 on just gasoline. The Escape was much higher, at least $450 a month (I never kept track). The WR was great, but that freeway commute was really not what it was designed for or why I bought it. The DSR ended up costing me roughly $250 a month in payments ($3K down from uninsured motorist settlement). Add on another $50 a month for full coverage insurance and registration, and I'm still saving money. Even at $19K out the door.

@oliviermagere 2 жыл бұрын

@@supersnot4 Makes complete sense, but my commute is a lot shorter and urban, 40 miles is my weekly distance now with home working, and I alternate the motorbike and the bicycle including in winter so definitely can't "pay for itself" in my case.

@blacknaga 2 жыл бұрын

Did you have any belt breaks? been on my Zero DS for about 2 years and i had a belt break. Not off-roading though

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

We had one at the very end of the trip, it was due to a burnout on a dirt road for a photo. The rear tire dug into the ground and the belt hit a rock and snapped. It took about 35 minutes to repair with the two of us, but we had all the right tools to fix it. Cheers!

@oliviermagere 2 жыл бұрын

How did yours happen blacknaga ?

@Ivankonermann Жыл бұрын

How did you decide between this and the fx?

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

We rode whatever Zero gave us for the 1000 Rocky Mountain Miles adventure -- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gZZ3preBmLGnj4k.html

@user-hn4xx2lc1i 2 жыл бұрын

Hello. I travel by motorcycle always with my wife. How is it together, uncomfortable? Is the passenger seat small and hard?

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

I’m not sure, I never rode it with a passenger or rode as a passenger. Sorry!

@mervintelford3677 2 жыл бұрын

To many bad reviews for Zero bikes. Nearly bought one but did some research on customer service and reliability, both short term and particularly long term. Quickly changed my mind and will save a little more for a better made Energica with superior specs.

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

They’ll get there, still a really fun bike, just not your only bike

@kilometre0985 2 жыл бұрын

Looking for a set of TKC80 to replace the original tire. do you have any insights on the Zero with the TKC? Thanks.

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

If there is any mud they pack up like crazy. But they are good for dry conditions

@jeffs8387 Жыл бұрын

Hey as a follow to this, I’m also looking at getting TKC 80s. I’m running stock tires now. Do you think the stock tires would be better in mud the TKC’s? I’m thinking not - probably even worse. I’m doing a lot of off roading with my DSR and really looking for the best “sticky” dirt tires for it. Thanks

@kilometre0985 Жыл бұрын

@@jeffs8387 I have done a little over 8000 kms on my tkc 80 on my Dsr. Yes they definitively provided better grip in gravel and dirty than the stock tires. They are also nosier. I found also that after about 4000-5000 kms they weren't as grippy as new, still managed to get 8000 kms out of the rear one. The front tire is still good for 2000 more but it hasn't not wear out evenly, which is somewhat normal for a knobby tire

@jeffs8387 Жыл бұрын

Hey - thanks so much for responding. Think I’m going to move forward with a set. Most of my riding is steep mountain fire roads - so I appreciate your feedback and insight. Safe riding.

@kaosbc 2 жыл бұрын

in other words.. wait years before buying electric motorcycle.. got it.

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Haha! If it’s your only bike, yeah a few more years

@ozziejim8472 2 жыл бұрын

Is this model supposed to be an adventure bike?

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Thats right!

@shyguy54321 Жыл бұрын

is it just me or are electric bikes a little louder than what they where like 3 or so years ago im assuming that if thats true it was intentional

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

They get louder as the power of the motors go up. And yes they are loud but less than a fraction of the gas bikes in person.

@shyguy54321 Жыл бұрын

@@SourceADV oh yea, and I kinda like that honestly. especially out in nature settings. thank you for the informative video!

@SourceADV Жыл бұрын

Cheers!! 👍🏻👍🏻

@eviljedi5573 2 жыл бұрын

Suspension is adjustable ;)

@SourceADV 2 жыл бұрын

Yup, and even with this suspension to 0 clicks out on compression it was still way too soft. As I said in the video, it would have to go to a tuner to reworked.