Zero’s new limited-edition 15th Anniversary DSR comes in five flavors—or rather, five colors. (Zero Motorcycles/)Happy Earth Day. In a brand-obsessed world like ours, you’d think the date would serve as a marketing opportunity made in heaven, a suitably noble occasion for two-wheel vehicle manufacturers to tout their machines’ green attributes (or at least try to convince you of them). As we witness the convergence of eco-anxiety (among parts of our population, anyway), the rapid development of electric powertrain technologies, and a new administration gung ho on speeding up the plug-in infrastructure, you’d think maybe Harley or Cake might’ve proposed some sort of LiveWire or Kalk tie-in, right? Nope. It fell to Zero Motorcycles to capitalize on its green bona fides, launching the limited-edition 15th Anniversary DSR model. And as an added tree-hugging bonus, proceeds from the bike’s sales go to help the National Forest Foundation.
Zero’s Earth Day campaign partners with the National Forest Foundation to bolster the nature-friendly theme. (Zero Motorcycles/)On the occasion of Earth Day (and in some places, Earth Week), Zero’s release of a special DSR model hyping its earth-friendly attributes makes good sense on a number of levels. For one, as an electric dual sport, the DSR is already in the enviable position of being ready for the backcountry without also carrying the ecologically unfriendly baggage of added noise and toxic emissions. Second, the DSR is currently one of Zero’s most popular models, with company sources citing demand for the base model as well as the Black Forest version as “through the roof.” Thirdly, by working with the NFF—a Congress-chartered nonprofit that partners with the US Forest Service in conservation efforts to promote responsible recreation—it gives Zero a way to play it both ways; as being powersports <i>and</i> eco-friendly. Of course the company has another good reason to put out a special-edition bike; 2021 also marks Zero’s 15 years on the planet.
The NFF DSR in the Snow colorway. There are no added accessories to distinguish it from the base model. (Zero Motorcycles/)Like its other DSR bikes, the special version—we’ll call it the NFF DSR—is powered by the firm’s reliable Z-Force 75-7 motor, good for 70 hp and 116 pound-feet of torque as well as a top speed of 102 mph (according to Zero). Zero also claims it’ll yield up to 163 miles of range, but those figures are largely dependent on how you ride.
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Other than that, the NFF DSR looks to be a graphics—or rather, just a new colorway—package; there aren’t any added accessories or styling tweaks to differentiate it from the base DSR. The limited-edition bike will come in five “nature-inspired” colors, but it’s not clear just how many will be available. We do know that $500 from the sale of each model will be given directly to the National Forest Foundation, in conjunction with a campaign designed around Zero’s efforts to help preserve our planet’s natural treasures and to get folks outside (hopefully on bikes).
“It has been our mission to transform the riding experience with pure electric vehicles, and a passion for conservation is deeply rooted in our DNA,” said Sam Paschel, Zero Motorcycles’ CEO. “Our bikes are an incredible way to experience off-road riding, including in America’s national forests, and we stand with the National Forest Foundation in their mission to guarantee access to those lands for future generations.”
Zero’s Z-Force 75-7 motor powers the latest DSR version. (Zero Motorcycles/)And lest you think those donated funds will serve to bolster some environmental groups’ efforts to shut down motorized vehicle access to public lands (a legitimate fear that’s come to pass in parts of the country), Zero says donations from the DSR units will be divided between National Forest Foundation projects that make “ecologically sustainable trail systems for powersports enthusiasts” across the country, with the implication that riders everywhere—electric or not—will have increased access to public lands.
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The special-edition DSR lineup will be available for order in limited quantities starting today (“while supplies last” according to the firm) through all US Zero dealers, with an MSRP of $15,495.
