2010 Zero DS Review

We currently had the opportunity to ride one on street and trail for a few weeks, after Zero gave us one of only two it had just uncrated – rather late-in-the-season – as part of a press fleet it is starting to assemble. Although our bike is a “2010,” these bikes are only now being introduced as all-new in Australia and Brazil, and will be considered current until Spring, 2011.

The most salient point we can think to say up front is this is a neat little bike, although limited on range. This notwithstanding, as a first time effort, Zero gets credit for doing a lot of things right.

While the motorcycle borrows from petrol-powered designs in its form and styling, aside from its obviously radical drive train, it also differs from traditional machines in its wonderfully strange and eclectic mix of proprietary, ultra-high-quality, hand-machined components, alongside some rather generic off-the-shelf parts.

For example, the 18-lb alloy perimeter frame penned by company founder Neal Saiki is virtually an avant garde expression of moto-artistry. Add to this the unique square-tube alloy kickstand, elegantly simple front wheel speed sensor pickup, rear brake lever with clever hidden spring, attractive front floating brake rotor with “cooling fingers,” shaped into the gold-anodized alloy carrier, to name a few highlights.

Lovely stuff.

Then consider some less than over-awing aspects. Despite having high-quality braided steel lines, the front brakes are only adequate. And unfortunately, our model came spec’d with a right-sided rear caliper mounted on the left side. While it works well, the bleeder valve’s positioning prohibits proper servicing while mounted on the bike, and the caliper must be removed and tilted before it can be bled – an oversight Zero says it has since remedied.

Similarly, the instrument panel Zero sourced was originally intended for a petrol machine, and uses the fuel gauge complete with an icon of a gasoline pump to display electric power. Also, it shows speed in both analog and digital readouts.

Since the bike has no tachometer, the sweep needle had to be used for something, and so speed is redundantly shown. The tiny cluster’s shift light illuminates green when the bike is powered up, as sort of an “on” indicator, for lack of a better purpose.

But these are mostly minor nitpicks. How does the bike function?

Quite well overall. The 4.0 kWh lithium-ion battery is 20% stronger than anything Brammo has yet been able to deliver – and the only recyclable and landfill-approved EV battery we know of.

The brushed permanent magnet Agni motor zips the 277-lb bike ahead quicker than average car traffic, and will top out at an indicated 68 mph. Performance can fluctuate depending on temperature, rider weight, wind patterns, and we’ve heard this bike can hit 71 mph in optimal conditions.