2025 Zero Motorcycles DSR/X Electric Bike Review

Zero Motorcycles has long been at the forefront of electric motorcycle innovation, and the DSR/X is its boldest entry yet into the adventure-touring category. Designed to push the boundaries of electric two-wheeled capability, the DSR/X is a machine that embodies technological advancement, thoughtful design, and the relentless pursuit of efficiency. But it wasn’t an easy journey—this bike took four years to develop, overcoming significant challenges along the way.

Related: 2023 Zero Motorcycles DSR/X Electric Adventure Bike Review

As one of Zero’s most ambitious projects, the DSR/X began its development in 2018.

“But DSR/X, I was able to, we started in 2018, so I was kind of a year into Zero when we started that project,” says Brian Wismann, senior vice president of product development at Zero Motorcycles.

This extended timeline was, in part, due to unforeseen global disruptions.

“It took us a while because of a couple of things,” he says. “One, we had COVID in the middle of the DNR (durability and refinement) phase of development, so the testing phase. And so we had to come up with whole new ways of working in order to get the project done. Then the fires here were happening in 2020 as well, the CZU [Lightning Complex] fire.”

Related: 2020 Zero Motorcycles SR/F Review MC Commute

These setbacks pushed the initial launch back from 2022 to 2023, largely due to supply chain constraints that led Zero to prioritize its SR/F and SR/S models before bringing the DSR/X to market.

“So it’s had longish gestation, but typically our programs are two to three years, and that one was closer to a four-year development,” Wismann says.

Zero has made it clear that the key to a viable electric adventure bike lies in maximizing battery efficiency. The DSR/X doesn’t just rely on its huge 17.3kWh battery—it also optimizes energy efficiency through its direct drive system and Gates carbon belt drive, eliminating energy loss from shifting and unnecessary gear reductions. The battery is charged via a J1772 charge port positioned just behind the triple clamp. It can be charged in over two hours with a 240-volt Level 2 charging circuit.

The motor, located in front of the aluminum swingarm is said to deliver 169 lb.-ft. torque. That’s more twist force than six-cylinder gasoline-powered bikes including Honda’s Gold Wing and BMW’s K 1600 GT/GTL.

“It doesn’t really matter how big a motor and all the rest of the stuff is. It’s like who’s doing the best job getting the most efficiency and the biggest battery on board,” he reveals.

Despite its 545-pound curb weight, the DSR/X delivers an impressively controlled and balanced ride. The low center of gravity helps in technical off-road conditions, making it a surprisingly capable trail machine for its size. Beefy Showa suspension does an admirable job of controlling chassis movement off-road, and delivers very favorable ride quality on pavement. Both spring preload and damping settings are adjustable, but the OE settings perform adeptly over a variety of terrain.

“Because the weight is so low, it handles really nicely and kind of can tractor out of some situations that the gas bikes just kind of like auger into,” he shares.

Yet, the DSR/X is not trying to compete with hardcore off-road adventure bikes; rather, it expands the boundaries of electric motorcycling.

“I accept the criticism that it’s not like a full go-across-the-desert, crazy adventure bike,” Wismann adds, “but I think it expands the boundaries of what you can do with an electric bike.”

Many adventure-touring bikes never actually see the rugged landscapes they’re marketed for. Instead, they serve as practical, upright, comfortable commuter bikes.

“The secret behind the whole adventure class in general is that, yeah, there you see people doing these crazy adventure tours on them, but the majority of customers are using them to commute to work,” he tells us.

This is where the DSR/X shines—it’s as comfortable navigating unpredictable city streets as it is tackling light off-road terrain. We also love the handy lockable storage container that’s capable of swallowing 7 gallons of cargo and the heated grips that take the chill out of the air during cool-weather rides. A manual height-adjustable windscreen and plastic hand guards further elevate comfort. Though the windshield could do a better job of holding its position, especially over rough terrain.

Like much of the electric vehicle market, Zero has faced headwinds in America due to the reduction of federal incentives and post-COVID economic fluctuations.

“So, US over the last year has seen electric cars and electric motorcycle sales decline. And so all of our models have taken a hit in North America, especially,” Wismann reveals.

However, European sales tell a different story. The DSR/X has dominated Zero’s lineup in Europe, particularly with the Black Forest edition.

“DSR/X is currently our top-performing bike in Europe and by a significant margin,” he says.

The DSR/X’s unique styling has been a topic of discussion, blending progressive aesthetics with functional adventure design.

“Motorcyclists tend to be fairly conservative in their design choices…,” he shares. “For DSR/X, we did want to push the boundary toward being more progressive.”

A key design philosophy behind the bike was its “machine core”—a clearly defined, pragmatic section housing the battery and motor—contrasted against an “essential surface” that enhances the human interface with smoother, more sculpted lines.

“It’s pretty clear if you look at like a side profile of the DSR/X, one of the core philosophies is that we have what we call a machine core that has a very pragmatic or even conservative approach to the styling,” he says.

Adventure bikes tend to cater to larger riders, and the DSR/X is no exception. It employs a tall, wide handlebar and the seating position is stretched out and tall-rider-friendly just like Suzuki’s Hayabusa sportbike. Still, the seat has a nice deep dish in it which keeps seat height low, a plus for any sized riders. Zero also offers different seat height options for added rider customization.

Off-road, the DSR/X offers a commanding stance in the standing position. We also appreciate the meaty aluminum footpegs and rear brake pedal which elevate grip and control in the tricky stuff.

“We didn’t want to end up with something that was perceived as like a three-quarter size adventure bike or something like that,” he shares. “We came up with what I think is a pretty good compromise where we can keep a reasonable seat height and keep it narrow enough that you can get your feet down, but we also offer an accessory seat for taller riders.”

Zero’s commitment to battery improvements and infotainment technology will shape the future iterations of the DSR/X. The Cypher III OS, already one of the most advanced motorcycle operating systems, will continue evolving.

“These aren’t the double-your-range breakthroughs that you read about that happened in a lab somewhere. This is real commercial companies working on chemistry changes that give you somewhere on the order of 6 to 10% improvement every couple of years,” Wismann explains. “Now, the game keeps moving on and the screens get bigger and there’s CarPlay, Android Auto integration, and all kinds of new infotainment systems that are coming to bikes.”

And that’s one area where the Zero can clearly improve. While functional, the dash display is small and the switch gear is dated. It is worth noting that the handgrips and other touch points are of high-quality commensurate with what you’d expect from a modern Japanese motorcycle.

The Zero DSR/X is not just an electric adventure bike—it’s a statement about the future of motorcycling. With its remarkable battery performance, innovative direct drive system, and refined design, it pushes the envelope of what electric motorcycles can achieve.

Whether used for localish off-road rides or daily commuting, the DSR/X delivers an experience that is both thrilling and practical. It may not be the perfect replacement for a traditional gas-powered ADV bike, but it is undoubtedly one of the finest electric motorcycles available for purchase today.