Life Electric: is it possible?

My time with the 2012 Zero DS is up. The nice man from Zero came and picked it up this morning. For three whole weeks, the fastest, longest-range electric motorcycle ever was my only transportation. I didn’t drive any cars, I didn’t ride my bicycle, I didn’t hop on any other bikes. I might have walked a little bit once or twice. Why? I wanted to know if it was possible. Early adopters and techno geeks and and greenie weenies aside, can a normal person with normal transportation needs really make the switch to zero emissions? Well…the answer is not what what I was expecting.

Photos: Sean Smith

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Wes Siler. May 1st, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (108)

Life Electric: unintended deceleration and nuclear fallout

Wow, is it Thursday already? Sometimes you look up from your computer and realize the week’s almost over. And sometimes you realized you promised your readers you’d be giving them regular updates on the 2012 Zero DS you’re riding for a couple weeks. Whoops. It’s been a few days of highs and lows on the electric. I think I’ve totally fallen for it, but at the same time come to the realization that I could never actually fit one into my life. :continue:

Wes Siler. April 26th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (82)

A one-sided conversation with Craig Bramscher

Get past the embarrassing first few minutes of shiny-faced PR replicant intro and there’s actually some real insight to be had into the forthcoming Brammo Empulse R in this mock interview. Brammo CEO Craig Bramscher talks new bikes, new technologies and how the company’s evolving behind the scenes.

Photo: Grant Ray :continue:

Wes Siler. April 19th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (16)

Life Electric: Chip Yates at the Ritz and sausages at Deus

Sorry for the lack of Zero DS updates over the last few days. Been busy using it to do too many things in too short a time all around LA. We’re a week in to living together now. Much more insightful than the quick test rides I’ve had in the past, I think I’m finally beginning to understand the Zero as a motorcycle and, honestly, I think I’m falling for it. :continue:

Wes Siler. April 15th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (39)

Life Electric: babes, n00bs and getting wet

When we left off yesterday, I was out the door to pick up Ashlee and go for an evening ride around LA. With the prospect of a couple hours’ riding looming, I was getting pretty paranoid about the Zero DS’s range, but actually looking forward to riding it around city streets. Well, I didn’t end up pushing, but I did get soaked. :continue:

Wes Siler. April 11th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (72)

Life Electric: range anxiety and an adoring public

Not much riding today. Just running around Hollywood, 28 miles in all. Still, three days in, I’m starting to adapt to the Zero DS’s miniscule weight and silent operation. I’m liking the bike more the more I ride it, but enjoying the constant questioning less and less. :continue:

Wes Siler. April 10th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (38)

Life Electric: living with a Zero DS

We’ve been writing about electric bikes since HFL’s launch, four years ago, in the process covering their rise from flights of fancy to futuristic concepts to expensive novelties to gas-beating race bikes and, lately, the creation of realistic consumer products. But while we’ve spent plenty of time on machines like the Brammo Enertia, MotoCzysz E1pc and even the full Zero range, we’ve never had enough time on any of the above to see if they could honestly fit into our lives on two wheels. So, over the next two weeks, I’ll be totally ditching internal combustion in favor of this 2012 Zero DS. Officially rated at an 80mph top speed and 112-mile range, it’s surely the most legitimate electric yet realized. :continue:

Wes Siler. April 9th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (43)

114 miles on a single charge

Long promised, but not yet delivered, the electric motorcycle with a range exceeding 100 miles has finally arrived. But not from Brammo. The 2012 Zero DS and S — heavily upgraded, but similar looking to previous models — now come with an optional 9kWh battery pack giving them a range of 114 miles. The 2012 Zero S reached a top speed of 88mph.

Skeptical, we asked the company how realistic these number were. “Absolutely honest,” was the response. :continue:

Wes Siler. November 8th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (33)

KTM Freeride E: the electric motorcycle has arrived

For years, electric motorcycles have existed as a quirky footnote to the rest of the motorcycle industry. Tiny startups sold literally dozens of emissions-free, high-price commuters. But the electric motorcycle is no longer a novelty, a relatively major manufacturer is now making one. This is the KTM Freeride E and it’s set to electrify the masses. :continue:

Wes Siler. November 8th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (11)

Busting the Mythbusters’ motorcycle pollution claims

We’re big fans of Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters. Not only do they blow a lot of shit up, but the show gives viewers an exciting education in the practical applications of math and science. So, when we heard they were planning to test the environmental impact of cars and bikes, hopefully proving which form of transportation was greener, we got excited. We shouldn’t have. The episode relied on flawed methodology and inaccurate assumptions to draw a poorly informed conclusion. Here’s why, at this point in time, the environmental impact of cars can’t be shown to be less than that of motorcycles.

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Sean Smith. October 8th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (106)

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