Full test of the 2022 Zero SR/F Cypher III+ | Visordown

Name: Zero 2022SR/F Cypher III+
Item: Zero 2022SR/F Cypher III+
Rating: 8
Author: Sam Creedon-Gray

This brilliantly brisk bike is a welcome update to the Zero Motorcycles range.

With 15 years of experience in electric vehicles, this is Zero Motorcycles’ latest ‘smart bike’. With integrated technology and effortless power, Zero themselves will urge you to try it because it’s not like any other riding experience.

Unlike standard petrol bikes, this super quick, silent machine flew along country lanes and in and around the city centre, whilst keeping your carbon footprint low.

Member for

54 years 8 months

Sam Creedon-Gray

22 Apr 2022

Brand

Zero

Power and Torque

Sluggish is not a word to describe the SR/F. With a top speed of 124mph, 140 ft-lbs of torque and 110 horsepower instantly available, an unjudged twist of the throttle will have you hurtling off like you’re on a wild horse. Providing instant fun, even the hardest petrolhead will be struggling not to smile.

Engine and Handling

At 227kg although it isn’t the heaviest bike out there, it felt weighty to manually handle, but the power is instantly there and the handling was smooth and fluid. And with the lack of clutch control from the clutchless direct drive transmission, there is less to think about and more to enjoy. There was no concern about which gear, are the revs high enough, and all the other things that can pass through your mind. I found it easy to just enjoy the ride.

Brakes

The SR/F is the first electric motorcycle to integrate Bosch’s Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC). The stopping power is certainly felt if one grips the front brake a little too fast, with a little too much intensity. Not the first bike I’ve had to catch with my thighs.

The interchangeable weather from the city to the country meant I had the opportunity to try them out on multiple different surfaces and I found them supportive.

Charge and Range

And to everyone’s favourite discussion point with electric vehicles… “How far can it get me?” Short answer: far.

The SR/F has a 227-mile range with Power Tank + ERC and 169 miles ‘City Range’ (the stop-start we do riding around urban areas). It has a lithium-ion battery, and can be fully charged in an hour and a half with the 6kW Rapid Charger + Fast Charging Cypher Upgrade. If you are caught short then it is 95% charged in only one hour.

Equipment

The latest Cypher OS update (Cypher III+) provides the ability to completely personalise your bike to your taste. It has an app and dash interface and you can improve charging speed, get turn by turn navigation on your dash, it even offers Parking Mode. Your bike now has a reverse (that isn't just moving backwards and trying to go in a straight line)! That was something I never realised how much I need. There are five modes pre-loaded to choose from - Standard, Sport, Rain, Eco and Canyon.

Price

It is £21,620 cash, and PCP options are available. Here is an example of the Zero SR F ZF15.6+kWh Premium (22MY):

Regular Monthly Payment	£331.18	Regular Monthly Payment	£285.72
Product	MotoNovo - PCP Bike	Product	MotoNovo - PCP Bike
Duration of Agreement	37 Months	Duration of Agreement	49 Months
Payment Schedule	36 Payments of £331.18 Final Payment of £8,862.25	Payment Schedule	48 Payments of £285.72 Final Payment of £8,097.25
Total Price	£21,620.00	Total Price	£21,620.00
Total Deposit	£4,324.00	Total Deposit	£4,324.00
Option to Purchase Fee	£1.00	Option to Purchase Fee	£1.00
Total Amount Payable	£25,108.73	Total Amount Payable	£26,135.81
Total Amount of Credit	£17,296.00	Total Amount of Credit	£17,296.00
Representative APR	8.9%	Representative APR	8.9%
Interest Charges	£3,487.73	Interest Charges	£4,514.81
Annual Fixed Interest Rate	4.36% p.a *	Annual Fixed Interest Rate	4.39% p.a *
Annual Mileage	4000	Annual Mileage	4000
Excess per Mile	22p	Excess per Mile	18p

2022 Zero Motorcycles SR/F verdict

I only had a few short hours to play with the SR/F, and I would love longer to play with the tech to really see how I could customise this bike to my tastes. But in the short time, I found a whole new love for electric vehicles. It was hard not to ride past the (empty) petrol stations on a day when there was a fuel shortage and not feel pleased that not only is that not a concern, but I’m also keeping my carbon footprint low.

I did get the chance to ride the SR/S as well, the faired sister to the SR/F, but unfortunately I found that too uncomfortable to be on for very long. The positioning of the back brake meant I found it difficult to use.

The silent running was disconcerting at first, but it is easy to adjust to once you realise that car drivers and pedestrians could still see me. The influx of electric cars has made people warier, plus illegal to do almost anything other than drive in a car now.

No ULEZ, no fuel costs and little to no maintenance... This is an easy to use, fun to ride motorcycle that is unlike any petrol two-wheeler. It needs to be tried to be believed.