Jul

Zero Motorcycles launches a dual sport electric [w/VIDEO]

Domenick Yoney on July 30th, 2009

Zero DS – Click above for high-res image gallery

Those who’ve savored the sweet supermoto styling of the Zero S street bike and wished there was something similar designed to handle that psycho shortcut you’ve long dreamed of taking, your machine has arrived. Zero Motorcycles has introduce the all-electric Zero DS, with tougher tires and more aggressive suspension, the dual sport is ready to tear up both street and trail and – with that big round headlight up front – look good doing it. While it lacks a bit of the top end (55 mph) and range (50 miles) of its street sibling, it makes up for it with more grunt and greater riding possibilities. It charges its 4 kWh battery in the same sub-four hour time as the S.

The price tag on this latest addition to the Zero range is $9,950, but they are quick to point out that the recently-passed 10% federal tax credit takes $1,000 off the price to start. On top of that, and nicely illustrated here, individual states have their own incentive programs in place or on the way. What’s next for the Scotts Valley California company? Well, they have promised a super speed motorcycle with a full fairing sometime this year but we’ll worry about that after we get our grubby little hands on this monster. Hit the jump for the official press release along with a video showing how the new DS gets things done.

Gallery: Zero Motorcycles Zero DS