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Zero SR/F is a Harley LiveWire lookalike

Zero SR/F expensive
Zero SR/F

Zero Motorcycles has pulled the rug out from underneath the coming Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric sports bike with its new Zero SR/F that looks uncannily like the Milwaukee product.

However, the Zero SR/F has better performance and range but costs about $US11,000 less than the LiveWire. The Harley is due in September at $US29,799 and will arrive in Australia next year at more than $US40,000.

Zero Motorcycles pulled the plug on exporting to Australia and New Zealand in 2017 with no hint of a return just yet. So, although the Californian company’s new ZR/F looks the goods, we most likely won’t be getting it here.

Zero’s SR/F comes in a standard model at $US18,990 and a premium model with a faster-charging battery and heated grips.

It has 82kW of power, 190Nm of torque and a top speed of 200km/h.

Range is said to be about 130km on the highway and up to 260km in the city. See the comprehensive “range” specifications at the end of this article.

A more robust “Power Tank” battery capable of 320km of range will be available in the third quarter of 2019.

Meanwhile, the Harley LiveWire has 177km of range and a 190km/h top speed.

Zero’s SR/F will also be able to update its Cypher III software via a link to a mobile phone connection just like a Tesla electric car.

A dedicated app will allow riders to track their trips, share rides, monitor battery level, find charging stations and even receive alerts if someone is trying to steal their bike.

Zero SR/F
SR/F has a fully customisable dashboard

Meanwhile, the makers of the world’s fastest electric bike, Lightning Motorcycles, will next month release a more affordable bike called Strike.

It will start at $US12,998 (about $A18,000) to challenge both the Zero SR/F and Harley LiveWire.

Zero SR/F tech specs

Range PREMIUM STANDARD
City 259km 259km
Highway, 89km/h 159km 159km
Combined 198km 198km
Highway, 113km/h 132km 132km
Combined 175km 175km
Range (based on EU standard) 157km 158km
Motor PREMIUM STANDARD
Peak torque 190Nm 190Nm
Peak power 82kW (110hp) @ 5000rpm 82kW (110hp) @ 5000rpm
Top speed (max) 200km/h 200km/h
Top speed (sustained) 177km/h 177km/h
Continuous power 40kW (54hp) @ 5.000 rpm 40kW (54hp) @ 5000rpm
Licensing Requirement A Licence A Licence
Type Z-Force 75-10 enhanced thermal efficiency, passively air-cooled, interior permanent magnet AC motor Z-Force 75-10 enhanced thermal efficiency, passively air-cooled, interior permanent magnet AC motor
Controller? High efficiency and power dense, 900 Amp, 3-phase AC controller with regenerative deceleration High efficiency and power dense, 900 Amp, 3-phase AC controller with regenerative deceleration
Power system PREMIUM STANDARD
Power pack Z-Force® Li-Ion intelligent integrated Z-Force® Li-Ion intelligent integrated
Max capacity 14.4kWh 14.4kWh
Nominal capacity 12.6kWh 12.6kWh
Charger type 6kW, integrated 3kW, integrated
Charge time (standard) 2.5 hours (100% charged) / 2 hours (95% charged) 4.5 hours (100% charged) / 4 hours (95% charged)
With 6kW Rapid Charge option 1.5 hours (100% charged) / 1 hour (95% charged) 1.8 hours (100% charged) / 1.3 hours (95% charged)
Drivetrain PREMIUM STANDARD
Transmission Clutchless direct drive Clutchless direct drive
Final drive 90T / 20T, Poly Chain® HTD® Carbon™ belt 90T / 20T, Poly Chain® HTD® Carbon™ belt
Chassis / Suspension / Brakes PREMIUM STANDARD
Front suspension Showa 43mm Big Piston Separate Function forks, with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping Showa 43mm Big Piston Separate Function forks, with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension Showa 40mm piston, piggy-back reservoir shock with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping Showa 40mm piston, piggy-back reservoir shock with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping
Front suspension travel 120mm 120mm
Rear suspension travel 140mm 140mm
Front brakes Bosch Advanced MSC, dual J-Juan radial 4-piston calipers with radial master cylinder, 320 x 5 mm discs Bosch Advanced MSC, dual J-Juan radial 4-piston calipers with radial master cylinder, 320 x 5 mm discs
Rear brakes Bosch Advanced MSC, J-Juan single piston floating caliper, 240 x 4,5 mm disc Bosch Advanced MSC, J-Juan single piston floating caliper, 240 x 4,5 mm disc
Front tire Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 120/70-17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 120/70-17
Rear tire Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 180/55-17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso III 180/55-17
Front wheel 3.50 x 17 3.50 x 17
Rear wheel 5.50 x 17 5.50 x 17
Dimensions PREMIUM STANDARD
Wheelbase? 1450mm 1450mm
Seat height? 787mm 787mm
Accessory, low 770mm 770mm
Accessory, tall 810mm 810mm
Rake? 24.5° 24.5°
Trail? 94mm 94mm
Weight PREMIUM STANDARD
Curb weight 226kg 220kg
Carrying capacity 228kg 234kg
Economy PREMIUM STANDARD
Equivalent fuel economy (city) 0.55 l/100km 0.55 l/100km
Equivalent fuel economy (highway) 1.08 l/100km 1.08 l/100km
Typical cost to recharge €2.96 €2.96
Warranty PREMIUM STANDARD
Standard motorcycle warranty 2 years 2 years
Power pack warranty 5 years/unlimited km 5 years/unlimited km