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I told Bob about the Zero motor-
cycle, one of the new class of electric
bikes that make for cleaner, quieter, more
economical riding. Bob wasn’t impressed.
“
Youmeana scooter?” he said. I didn’t. Since
its 2006 founding by a former NASA engi-
neer, Zero has been a pioneer in building
battery-powered, full-size, environmen-
tally friendly motorcycles that ride like, or
almost like, their traditional gas-guzzling,
highway-shredding peers.
For 2013, Zero’s technology has been
significantlyupgraded. The top-of-the-line
S model can hit speeds of 95 mph and go
more than 135miles on a single charge, the
farthest of any electric bike to date. With
a battery pack in place of an engine, it’s
lighter but still substantial (275 pounds
compared with 600-plus for the average
Harley) and appealingly clutch-free—you
just turn the key, twist the thro le and go.
And it looks great: The sleek ma e-black
aircraft-grade aluminum frame comes
with a choice of black or yellow trim, and
boasts copper fork accents and roomy stor-
age compartmentswherea fuel tankmight
otherwise go.
For a li le father-/daughter-in-lawbond-
ing, Bob and I are embarking on an early
spring ride fromBoston toLaconia inantic-
ipation of this year’s bike week, June 8–16,
marking the event’s 90thanniversary. A er
three faileda empts at thewri enportion
of the motorcycle permit test (apparently
you
do
have to study) and a few lessons in
the local high school parking lot, I’mnewly
licensed. I have no traditional motorcycle
ridingexperience, asidefrombeinganocca-
sional and largely nervous passenger. Still,
I domy best to look the part, gearing up in
leather pants and jacket from Alpinestars
and a Bell helmet, and donning one of the
SenaBluetoothheadsets Bob and Iwill use
to chat while riding.
The bulk of the 95-mile journey, which
begins just north of Boston, is on Inter-
state 93—certainly not the world’s most
picturesque stretch of pavement, but it
suits our purpose. Bikers love the open
road, and highway riding is one of the best
ways to test the Zero’s me le. Though Bob
has decades of experience and is seated
astride a formidable Kawasaki Vulcan 750,
a twin-engine cruiser-style motorcycle, I
can comfortably and confidently keep up.
The Zero’s flat torque curve takesme from
30
to 75mphwithout any shi ing: I simply
flipmywristandthere’sinstantthrust.This
is very much
not
a scooter—I can feel the
power of themotorcycle beneathme—yet
it’s quite easy tohandle, withanaccelerator
and front and back brakes like those on a
traditional bike.
At Franklin, N.H., 85 miles into the trip,
we turn onto winding Route 11. Cornering
requires far less lean for me than for Bob,
and the thro le is so responsive that I can
slow down just by easing up—no braking
necessary. The leaves are starting to return
to the trees, and the hills overlooking Lake
Winnipesaukee that come into view are a
mix of green and snow-dusted caps. We
stopforearly-seasonfriedclamsatShibley’s
Drive-in on Lake Winnipesaukee’s Alton
ROAR AND PEACE
Weirs Beach
on Lake Winnipesaukee, hub of the
annual Laconia Motorcycle Week
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DISPATCHES
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ROADTRIP
JEFF QUINN (MAP); IAN DAGNALL/ALAMY (LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE)
FRANKLIN
