Zero DS: very strong 125s for teenagers


With 180 Nm, the Zero has more torque than a Honda Goldwing 1800.
Zero DS disturbingly snappy
If she gives the cozy companion from the start, she starts up with a disturbing bite shortly afterwards. Up to about 140 km/h, the Zero whirrs forward emphatically and violently. Above all, the pulling power is impressive. End of town, full throttle – at this point, common 600 machines become small in the rear-view mirror.
The torque on the rear wheel is so powerful that you have to be very careful when it is wet: Even with moderate acceleration, the grip can break off and the motorcycle, which weighs 187 kilograms, can turn into a tail swing.

The battery is charged via a Schuko plug whose connection is elegantly sunk into the frame.
A modern 125 four-stroke enduro takes – brutally shifted – almost 20 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. The Zero does this about three times faster with a little twist of the right wrist. Our test crew looked for and found the explanation for this on the dynamometer: 56 hp, 180 Nm of torque! The classification in the 15 hp class is only justified on paper.
Zero with an extra electric kick
That doesn’t seem illegal. According to Regulation No. 85 UN/ECE, only the rated continuous power is relevant for the legal classification (registration and driver’s license class). The legislator understands rated continuous power to be the maximum power that an engine can sustain for 30 minutes. Zero advertises the extra electric kick aggressively.

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A tricky statement, after all there are 16-year-olds and B196 license holders in this segment, and they don’t even have to take a test.
Top version with a range of 229 km

“Pressure, speed, fun – that’s all it takes,” says test driver Johann (17).
The workmanship of the US motorcycle is also otherwise pleasing, everything is finely assembled, the materials are right. There are also clever details such as the charging socket in the frame or the cable compartment in the dummy tank.
That’s how it should be, given the test machine’s purchase price of almost 19,000 euros. That’s how much three full-fledged adventure bikes like a Benelli TRK 502 cost. Another reason why the Zero is actually not for the way to school.
Specifications and price: Zero DS
• battery pack 7.2kWh
• continuous power 11 kW (15 hp) at 3800 rpm
• Max. Torque 109 Nm
• Top 139 km/h
• tires v./h. 100/90-19 / 130/80-17
• seat height 843mm
• curb weight 187kg
• Range 98 km
• Price from 17,040 euros