ZERO Motorcycles has been at the epitome of electrically powered machines on two wheels. Showing the world how to do it right all this while, the folks upped their game for 2020 when they unveiled a brand new streetfighter, the SR/F. The bike features a new “Cypher III” operating system that brings in Bosch Motorcycle Stability Control and a multitude of data onto the TFT dash. USB charging ports, LED lighting, storage space, a fly screen, heated grips, and aluminum bar ends adds to the oomph factor.

Now, the same guys have taken that and slapped aerodynamic fairings, taller handlebar, lower footpegs, and a windscreen to create their exciting new entry into the sports-touring territory. This is the Zero Motorcycles SR/S, unveiled at an event in New York. And honestly, I love how it carries a hint of retro on it.

The Zero SR/F was hailed as the best streetfighter motorcycle powered by an electric powertrain that had the yummy goodness chunks to take on the competition with all might. And with it, Zero again stood firm as the world’s top EV bike builder. Wanting to step up in its own game, the California based manufacturer finally unveiled a sprightly new sports tourer – the Zero SR/S. The first for the company, with refinement levels, fit and finish comparable to the big players.

After a cool surf in the morning, the chaps at Zero got onto their drawing boards with the SR/F at the hindsight. Their first order of business was to feature a full fairing, but they weren’t much fascinated with the idea of going complete bonkers over the sportsbike details. Instead, they went on gracefully with rider comfort and better aerodynamics.

Yes, this added almost 20 lbs over the 485-pound SR/F, but the clever bit here is that the same fairing increases the range of the SF/S to 13 percent more than the naked sibling. The new fairing has integrated LED headlights, mirrors, indicators and a tallish touring screen. They cover the battery pack unit and go as far back as the rider’s leg.

The Cerulean Blue and Skyline Silver paint job on the SR/S carry metallic flakes that pop when the sun shines on them. This is something that only custom or commissioned limited-edition machines carry. Then there are the mirrors that are unconventionally mounted on stalks behind the nose fairing, instead of being on the handlebar or on the fairing itself. How practical this setup is only a matter of perspective.

The comfort equation is improved with lower footpegs and higher handlebars than the naked SR/F. Passenger comfort has also been enhanced with a larger pillion seat and lower rear footpegs. Behind the fairing is, however, the same full-color 5” TFT LCD display equipped with Zero's Cypher III operating system with Bluetooth connectivity through to your phone for monitoring, system upgrades, bike status, ride data sharing, multi-mode navigation and more.

Powered by the same ZF75-10 motor, this is the most powerful electric bike released by ZERO to date, after the SR/F. The ZF14.4 lithium-ion battery pumps enough juice to bring out 140 pound-feet of torque and 110 hp that will help it reach 124 mph. The SR/S has a 90-mile range at 70 mph, ten more than the SR/F, courtesy the aerodynamic fairing. An extra “optional Power Tank" accessory will give the SR/F as much as a 201-mile range around town at slow speeds.

The charging system comes with a 3.0-kW and a 6.0-kW option, which would allow a 0-95 percent charge in 60 minutes. The SR will come with riding modes, cornering ABS, regen, traction control, Bosch stability control and torque control. The chassis is equipped with Showa 43mm Big Piston SFF and 40mm Showa shock with softer settings from the SR/F, J.Juan brakes, and Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires.

The base version of the SR/S is $19,995, and a premium SR/S (with a higher charging capacity, heated grips and aluminum bar ends) comes in at $21,995. A grand more than the SR/F streetfighter versions. The 3.6-kWh extended battery module costs an extra $2,895. Zero has already begun shipping the SR/S via the 91 points in the U.S. and 200 globally — the largest for any e-motorcycle company.