Zero SR/F
Zero Motorcycles' premier electric naked — the SR/F is the most credible electric motorcycle available in the UK, with a 110 PS continuous (140 PS peak) ZF75-10 motor, 14.4 kWh battery, and 80-140 mile real-world range depending on speed. Zero is the established US electric motorcycle brand with UK dealer presence (Streamline Motorcycles in Watford, etc.). Trade-offs are real: range anxiety on motorways (40-50 mph yields the WMTC city figure; 70 mph more like 80 miles), battery degradation as a long-term concern, and resale uncertainty as the segment matures.
- Engine
- 0 cc
- Power
- 110 PS
- Weight
- 220 kg
- Seat height
- 787 mm
- A2 licence
- —
ZF75-10 brushless permanent magnet motor
wet
The short version
Forecourt score
Value 0 · Insurance 25 · Theft 65
The Zero SR/F loses value faster than most bikes (around 68% lost over three years, against the 25-32% bike norm) and is expensive to insure (group 13). Theft risk is moderate. The main thing to check on a used one is the battery cell imbalance.
A bike-specific blend of value retention, insurance and theft risk (weighted 40/35/25). Bikes carry no MOT reliability data, so reliability isn't scored. Higher is better.
Variant: SR/F
Engine
Electric · 0cc
Power
110 ps
Torque
190 Nm
Weight
220 kg
Seat
787 mm
Transmission
Single-speed direct drive
Tell us about the one you're looking at
Tidy and well looked-after for its age — the typical clean bike.
Estimated market value
£6,626
Range £5,963 – £7,289
HIGH CONFIDENCE
Holding value
Bikes hold value far better than cars — typical motorcycle 3-year depreciation is 25–32%, against cars' 40–50%. Some bikes (Hayabusa, Gold Wing, classic Z1000) actually appreciate in the 7–15 year zone as cult demand outstrips supply.
New
£22,000
At 5 years
—
At 10 years
—
Value loss by phase
Each band shows the share of original value lost during that window — not cumulative. Appreciation (green, marked +X% gained) is real for bikes that develop cult status.
UK new price by year
How we estimate this
Phase depreciation derived from observed UK used-bike pricing — classified ads, dealer asking prices, and end-of-auction figures. Bike residuals depend heavily on theft history, service-stamp count, and crash-damage signatures. The figures here are indicative for clean, fully-stamped examples.
What it costs to own
Indicative running costs at 8,000 miles a year — the UK rider average. Belt or shaft drive eliminates the chain/sprocket consumable; tax (typically £25–£100/yr) and depreciation are excluded — see the section above for value retention.
3-year total
£2,169
Per year
£723
Per mile
£0.09
Service costs assume independent specialist labour and OE parts. Tyre intervals reflect typical UK road riding — track-day usage burns through rear tyres in <2,000 miles. Fuel uses the variant MPG at £1.45/L. Lower-mileage riders see proportionally lower totals; higher-mileage commuters pay roughly linearly more.
Estimated insurance
Group 13 of 17 (high — performance) · Comprehensive · 5 yr NCB
Indicative annual comprehensive premiums for this bike. Bike insurance is far more sensitive to licence tier and rider age than cars — pick the combination closest to your circumstances.
Licence
Age
No-claims bonus
5 yearsRisk profile
Estimated annual premium · typical, age 30-39
£1,100/ year
Roughly £92 per month
Typical
Suburban postcode, 3+ years NCB, standard security (Thatcham chain + disc lock), no recent claims.| Age band | Lower risk | Typical | Higher risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 17-21 | £1,815 | £2,420 | £3,388 |
| Age 22-29 | £1,114 | £1,485 | £2,079 |
| Age 30-39Selected | £825 | £1,100 | £1,540 |
| Age 40-49 | £726 | £968 | £1,355 |
| Age 50+ | £660 | £880 | £1,232 |
How we estimate this
Premiums combine licence tier, rider age, no-claims bonus and a risk-profile multiplier on top of a bike-specific baseline. Bike insurance is materially more sensitive to licence tier (CBT / A1 / A2 / A) than car insurance, and young riders pay considerably more than older riders even on the same machine. Always get individual quotes before buying.
Theft risk
Bike-specific · Met Police + insurance reporting
UK bike theft rates are an order of magnitude higher than car theft. Nakeds and supersports lose more to professional gangs; large adventure bikes and tourers are statistically much safer.
Theft risk score · 1 to 4
2/4Medium risk
Medium risk
Some theft pattern, particularly in urban postcodes. Thatcham-approved chain plus disc lock recommended; secure overnight parking helps premiums.Theft hotspot postcodes
Postcode prefixes only; full London hot zone runs across E, N, NW, SE, SW, W boroughs depending on the model.
How we set this band
Bands derived from Met Police bike-theft reporting (most-stolen lists) cross-referenced with insurance industry underwriting data. Model + postcode are the two biggest factors in motorcycle theft risk in the UK, materially more than vehicle value.
What goes wrong
5 known issues · sorted by severity
Documented failure modes from UK owner forums, dealer service bulletins, and aggregated mechanic feedback. Mileages are approximate — different riders see different intervals depending on use and maintenance. Always address "high"-severity items before resale.
High severity
1
Medium
1
Low / cosmetic
3
| Severity | Part / issue | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| high | Battery cell imbalance 30k+ mi | £300 diagnostic |
| medium | Charger PCB fault Any (2019-2021 units) | £400 TSB |
| low | Belt drive replacement ~30k mi | £200 |
| low | Wheel bearings 20k-30k mi | £60 per wheel |
| low | ABS sensor Any | £90 |
How we score severity
High — strands the bike or causes consequential damage if left. Medium — service item that affects ride quality or risks failure. Low — cosmetic or minor inconvenience. Costs are independent-specialist UK rates for parts and labour together; main dealer prices typically run 30–50% higher.
Safety recalls
Manufacturers occasionally issue safety recalls to fix a fault free of charge. You can check whether the Zero SR/F, or your exact vehicle, has any outstanding recalls on the official DVSA service.
Check on GOV.UKOpens the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency recall checker. Choose the make, model and year of manufacture — no registration needed.
Variant comparison
Default standard model. SR/F Premium (faster Rapid Charger, heated grips, full kit) adds £2k new. Real-world range varies 80-140 miles depending on speed and ambient.
Known issues
- Charger PCB failures on early units (£400 TSB)
- Battery cell imbalance check at high mileage (£300+ diagnostic)
- Belt drive replacement at ~30k mi (£200)
Strengths
- +Belt drive (Gates Carbon) — quiet, near-zero maintenance
- +Instant 190 Nm torque from zero rpm
- +No fuel costs — ~£2 of electricity per full charge at home
- +ULEZ-exempt; no road tax (electric)
- +Stunning acceleration character vs combustion bikes
Watch-outs
- −Real-world motorway range ~80 miles — touring requires planning
- −Battery degradation over 5-10 years (£8,000+ replacement)
- −Resale uncertainty — electric motorcycle market still maturing
- −Charger PCB failures documented on early units (£400 TSB)
- −Limited dealer network — repairs concentrated at few UK sites