Riding fast bikes, a new way to save the planet!
Franklin Motorcycles in Dublin have recently been awarded the contract to sell the full range of Zero electric motorcycles here in Ireland. The Zero brand has now been around for over a decade. It’s safe to say at this point that they know what they’re at when it comes to two-wheeled electric vehicles!
We rode their SRF and SRS models earlier last year and we were delighted with what we found in terms of usability and power delivery. Diehard petrol fans will be pleased to know that electric vehicles are no longer the poor relation to conventionally powered motorcycles. These are a machine that we’d happily take on a track day or an enthusiastic Sunday morning spin. They really are that good.
Going electric not only allows you to dispense with having to join the queue in the petrol station it also allows for a dramatically different riding experience with all of the torque being delivered from a standstill. The motor has been designed to be light, powerful and durable.
Charging any of the bikes couldn’t be easier. A standard power outlet will ‘fuel’ the bike overnight and you get to start each day with a full tank. The really good thing is that these things will deliver as much as 152 kilometres of range for every hour that they are plugged in.
Speaking of range, the big question with EVs is always going to be about range. If you take the S and add the optional Power Tank the bike will cover 359 hard-working city kilometres. Buying the ‘fuel’ for this type of range will cost you somewhere in the region of €4 in electricity. Most of us cover less than 20 kilometres on a daily commute. Add on the fact that it’s never going to need an oil change, new air filter or the valve clearances checked and we’re talking about a machine that’s way beyond cheap to run.
The full range is now available from Franklin Motorcycles. You can contact any of the team on 015385005 to register your interest and secure a test ride on the bike of the future.
