Could the Zero DSR/X be the ultimate superyacht adventure bike?

Fast, silent and surprisingly capable off-road, the Zero DSR/X is bringing electric power to the adventure-bike sector. Simon de Burton tests whether this zero-emissions machine could be the perfect two-wheeled companion for exploring beyond the anchorage.

Much of the credit for the 21st-century boom in motorcycle “adventure” travel can be claimed by Ewan McGregor and his biking buddy Charley Boorman following their now celebrated Long Way Round journey of more than 20 years ago.

Relatively few people seemed interested when the pair set off from London to tackle their original transglobal motorcycle odyssey back in April 2004 – yet by the time they arrived in New York three and a half months and more than 30,000 kilometres later, the trip had gained global coverage and went on to become part of motorcycling lore through the Sky TV documentary series that charted the adventure from start to finish.

Further trips and documentaries followed (Long Way Down, 2007; Long Way Up, 2020; and Long Way Home, 2025), and, in the interim, the YouTube explosion firmly placed motorcycle “overlanding” on the map thanks to the countless riders recording their travels to all corners of the world on a diverse range of machines.

The most popular are so-called adventure sport models that typically have large, long-range fuel tanks to feed their large-capacity engines, which are fitted into tall, robust frames designed for comfort, strength and extreme load carrying. It’s a sector almost entirely dominated by petrol-engined bikes, but one maker has succeeded in making a mark using electrical power – California-based Zero Motorcycles.

Founded in 2006 by former NASA engineer Neal Saiki, Zero has survived through various ups and downs during the past 20 years to become recognised as the maker of the broadest range of machines in its sector, from scooters to pure off-roaders and from naked street models to the DSR/X (for dual sport) model we’re focusing on here.

From a few yards off, the DSR/X looks little different to more conventional, combustion-engined adventure bikes from marques such as Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki. But get in close and you’ll notice the space in its frame where a cylinder block and exhaust pipes would usually be found is occupied by a hefty battery pack.

The 17.3 kilowatts of energy it produces powers Zero’s in-house Z-Force motor, which churns out up to 100 horsepower to drive the rear wheel through a carbon belt, while an impressive 229 Newton metres of torque (or pulling power) makes for off-the-line acceleration that puts many petrol-engined adventure models to shame.

Factor in a top speed of 180km/h and a battery charge time of just 43 minutes, and the Zero seems to offer everything an adventure-loving motorcyclist could ever ask for.

Except, of course, for a petrol bike’s range of 300 to 500 kilometres, which makes it possible to head off into the wilderness with the confidence that you’ll be able to get back. Zero claims the DSR/X will cover close to 290 kilometres on a single charge when its main battery is backed up by an additional “power tank” unit, which is offered as a £3,400 optional extra and sits in the bike’s dummy petrol tank.

Achieving such a range would be possible given perfect conditions and with deft use of the throttle, but, in the real world, don’t expect to cover much more than 160 kilometres without having to plug in, which, for some serious overlanding types, is simply not enough. But for anyone looking for an ideal two-wheeler to keep aboard a superyacht for exploring on terra firma, the Zero might just be the ideal machine – and for a number of reasons.

First, its green credentials. An onboard wall charger could, in theory, be run off a boat’s solar power set-up, resulting in a true zero-emissions vehicle which (thanks also to its silent running) shouldn’t attract any criticism when ridden sensibly in the most unspoilt of places.

Add to that the fact that the DSR/X is truly a full-sized adventure machine (unlike the urban type of electric motorcycles, which err towards a bicycle style) and it becomes perfectly feasible for two people to head inland from a boat, laden with sufficient luggage for a few nights ashore – especially in the case of the Black Forest version, which is supplied with a full set of detachable luggage.

The low-maintenance requirements typical of an electric vehicle also make the Zero a tempting proposition to keep on board, not least since it won’t deteriorate through prolonged lack of use in the way that might be expected of an internal combustion machine – so no worries about stale fuel or moisture accumulating in petrol tanks.

And as for the fun factor? The Zero DSR/X has it in spades thanks to a combination of that rocket-like acceleration, four riding modes and top-quality suspension components that make it handle as well as any conventional adventure bike, both on the road and off it. Put simply, every superyacht should have one.