‘ELECTRIC motorcycles aren’t practical’, ‘the technology is years away’, ‘the charging infrastructure just isn’t there’.
A German motorcyclist has proven all the electric bike naysayers wrong in setting a new electric record for longest journey in 24 hours
Last week Remo Klawitter hopped on a Zero motorcycle and covered 691.8 miles (that’s the same as riding from London to John O’Groats) on a looped ride between Berlin and the Land Centre for Renewable Energies in Neustrelitz.
Klawitter began his mission at midday and rode in 93 miles stints at an average of between 55 and 60mph. After each stint he stopped and fully recharged the bike– a 2018 Zero DSR ZF14.4 with Zero’s optional Charge Tank (which increases charge speed by up to six times) – in just one hour at Level Two public charging points.
Following the record, the Berlin bicycle shop owner and e-bike enthusiast commented: “I have been thinking about a 24-hour ride since the middle of 2017.
“Primarily I wanted to have fun, while drawing people’s attention to the practicality of electric motorcycles. Everything we have used is readily available from Zero and the route was on public roads.
“In total, we spent nine and a half hours charging and during this time, as well as resting and eating, I was able to speak to many people who were interested in the bike and the journey.
“The technology worked great and in total the cost of the electricity we used was just € 28.50 and the average speed was 46.4kph (28.8mph) including the breaks.”
With European riders heading further afield on the electric motorcycles, Zero has launched its new Zero DSR ZF14.4 Black Forest Edition, which boasts touring kit and off-road going tyres.
Check it out here.
