Why?

Well, I went to bike dealership to get an air filter for my old bike. I asked a salesman about the SR/F, and he said, “Go ahead, take it on a test ride.” That was enough. I had some cash set aside for fun time money spend, and this opportunity presented itself.

Alternatives?

Yeah, I had been daydreaming about a new motorcycle since the pandemic started. The Indian FTR was a consideration, but I figured it may be too much like my Bonneville. I was leaning electric, and the only other options are the Harley LiveWire (which sound like a terrific bike, with DC fast charging, but way too much money at $30,000) and the Energica line. The new Energicas have more range, but also are liquid cooled and chain driven, cancelling out some of my low maintenance targets. Zero has been around for 15 years, and AF1 (where I bought the Zero) has been carrying them for at least 7 or 8 of those, and is big Zero dealer.

Electric? So it’s different?

Yeah, it is different. No clutch, just a rheostat of speed at your right hand. No vibrations, no chugging noisy drama when you start it up, no thunder when ripping away from a stop sign. Just smooth speed, and the ability to focus on the road and the hazards. It’s not that I don’t like the smell, vibes, and noisy drama of a piston engine – I’m not giving up my Bonneville. The Zero is a different beast. It’s a big electric cat.

Any memorable rides yet?

I’ve taken a couples of rides around my selection of “after work twisty roads.” The electric motor helped me focus on the corner with out worrying about where I was in the gear/rpm/torque spectrum. I took a ride out to the “most photographed Lutheran church in Central Texas” and tried to take some pictures with my wife’s fancy camera, but forgot how to focus. The roads to the east have dips and wallows and lots of 90 degree corners, but also peaceful fields filled with sleepy cows.

Anxious about range? Charging?

Not really. I looked at my motorcycle usage over the past few years, and I figured that the 100 miles or so of range is probably plenty. It’s got a Level 2 charger, so a lunch time plug-in may be necessary for a longer trip.

When I first got it home, I plugged the charging cable into the outlet in the car port. Red light. Tried the outlet in the kitchen. Red light. Finally, the garage which we had build about 10 years ago. Green light. I was panicked for a little while, but also added “find reliable electrician before going shopping for another electrical vehicle.”

Maintenance

Although it may seem hi-tech, the SR/F is way simpler than a piston bike for maintenance. No fluids (except brake fluid), no gears, and a belt drive cut down the need for fiddling. My concern is the software that manages the battery and motor. So far, though, so good.

Money back?

There’s a $2,500 tax credit for electric motorcycles purchased in 2021, and I already got the $300 credit from the City of Austin.

What’s next?

My only current beef with the SR/F is the seat. I feel like I’m pivoting into the “tank” and want to slide back. I’m not sure if a taller seat or lower pegs (or an alternative seat) may solve this problems, or if I’ll just adapt to it.

I want to plan a day long trip with a charging lunch. I just a matter of sitting down with the Butler maps and Plugshare to map it out.