Zero Motorcycles unveils its petrol-slaying SR/F electric bike

After nearly two months of teasing, Zero Motorcycles officially unveiled the electric SR/F, designed with powerful new performance specs to compete with its petrol-powered counterparts.

On Monday, Zero Motorcycles finally presented the "effortlessly powerful" naked street bike that the company has been teasing since the start of the year and, for the first time, the company can truly compete in terms of performance with its internal combustion engine rivals.

Both the premium and standard builds of the SR/F have a top speed of 200km/h – the fastest top speed in the Zero Motorcycles portfolio – and a peak torque value of 190Nm. The main and only difference between the trims (apart from the heated grips) is the charger type; the Premium build fully charges two hours faster than the standard at just two and a half hours. This stronger battery adds just a little more weight to the bike, but only about 6kg. Each have a combined range of 200km when going 90km/h in the city and 130km when averaging 110km/h.

The model has further been dressed up with a Cypher III customizable dash that "allow[s] rider and motorcycle to communicate critical information anytime, anywhere." The five-inch LCD screen can display information like multi-mode navigation, cruise-control, and even heated-grip control. Additionally, the motorcycle, thanks to its connection with cellular networks, can send information including bike status and location straight to a smartphone via the complementary mobile app.

The extra power that the premium build adds to the SR/F tacks $2,000 (roughy R27,735) onto the MSRP bringing the total up to $20,995 (roughly R291,170) from $18,995 (roughly R263,433). Both models have an optional rapid charge system available for an extra $2,300 (roughly R31,890) which brings the charge time down to 1.5 hours for the premium trim and 1.8 hours for the standard trim.

Both motorcycles begin shipping to select US dealerships this spring.