Zero Motorcycles: Shocking the World and Freezing Their Riders to Bag the Maudes Trophy!

You better get your mittens and winter socks out, because I've got a tale that's colder than your ex's heart on a winter's night. Zero Motorcycles, those electric pioneers who are so into e-mobility that they practically invented it, have just bagged themselves the prestigious Maudes Trophy. But this ain't your typical Sunday drive, folks. No, this is the kind of adventure that makes even the most seasoned riders think twice about their heated grips.

Picture this: a team of seven fearless riders led by the unflinching Craig Carey-Clinch, taking on a grueling 1,100-mile journey through the icy grip of winter. Why? To test not only the mettle of their Zero DSR/X electric steeds but also the mettle of the riders themselves. It's like putting your grandma and her knitting club on a cross-country skiing trip – you're not entirely sure they'll make it, but you're damn well rooting for them.

Now, let me drop a bombshell on you. In the entire history of the Maudes Trophy, which spans a century, only ten manufacturers have completed this daunting ride. That's right, you've got better odds of finding a unicorn doing the cha-cha with Bigfoot. Now, electric motorcycles and long-haul journeys haven't exactly been best buddies. They're the kind of friends who constantly need bathroom breaks and can't agree on the radio station. But here's where Zero Motorcycles says, "Hold my battery." They are the first electric motorcycle manufacturer to take on the Maudes Trophy. That's right, they put their electric cojones on the line to prove that EVs can go the distance - and it paid off. Zero Motorcycles is not just the 11th manufacturer to conquer this icy beast; they are the first-ever electric motorcycle manufacturer to snag this elusive prize.

As the temperatures plummeted to a crisp minus-six degrees Celsius (that's about 21 degrees Fahrenheit for you non-metric folks), the riders faced a challenge that would make even the toughest of bikers question their life choices. But guess what? The Zero DSR/X motorcycles held their own like a champ in a Rocky Balboa movie. These babies don't just roll over when Jack Frost comes knocking; they give him a swift electric shock and keep on cruising.

Our hero of the day, Craig Carey-Clinch, had this to say about their bone-chilling adventure, "In such extreme cold weather conditions, teamworking was vital to the success of the ride, and every member played a key part in what was a grueling ride at times. I started the challenge with an open mind about the capability of electric motorcycles on long-distance journeys, but the DSR/Xs performed very well considering the extreme cold." Bravo, Craig, bravo.

But, and there's always a but, isn't there? While electric motorcycles are proving they can handle the cold, the UK's infrastructure seems to be stuck in the Stone Age. Craig points out, "However, when it comes to infrastructure for riders, much more needs to be done by public authorities if they want to encourage a switch to electric bikes. It’s not that charging facilities are rare, the opposite in fact, but that many have no facilities or shelter for riders waiting off their bikes." Preach, Craig, preach.

Now, let's talk about Zero Motorcycles. These folks have been waving the electric flag since before it was cool. Back in the day when electric motorcycles were about as popular as a snail at a Formula 1 race, Zero was already leading the charge. And guess what? They show no signs of slowing down. At EICMA 2023, they dropped a bunch of updates to their models, and now with the Maudes Trophy in the bag, the future truly is electric. At least for Zero Motorcycles.

So, here's to Zero Motorcycles and their frosty Maudes Trophy. A history was made in the electric motorcycle world, and if they can conquer sub-zero temperatures, they can conquer anything. Zero to hero, indeed.