An electric journey through Switzerland

Let’s go – I’m making my first electric journey with the Zero SR/F. Switzerland Tourism invited me to take part in the “E-Grand Motorcycle Tour of Switzerland” – so I’m setting off for the Swiss canton of Obwalden.

A 340 km journey – is this possible, on an electric motorcycle? Will I manage the distance in one day? And how bored will I be?

Before you read, please note: this post was translated with the help of Deepl.
If you find any errors – please have fun first and then give me a hint.

Probably everyone knows the Route 66 – from own dreams and from dreams of others. The road that every motorcyclist must have experienced at least once in life. And yes, even die-hard racers ride a Harley there. Style matters. Unfortunately, it crosses the somewhat distant United States and is probably no longer as rideable on many sections as the myth conveys. But hey – MYTH!

My personal Route 66, my daily commute, which is also 66 km long with a few detours, crosses the easternmost border crossing of Switzerland. The country has given me work for years and is beautiful – behind the barrier, a new world begins for me every time. The language of the locals is like music, the houses look different, the grass is greener than in South Tyrol.

From my office I look in the direction of the Umbrail and Ofen – gladly ridden passes for my motorcycle passion. Less than an hour away, the Flüela Pass winds through the Grisons mountains, and on its ramp down to Davos there is a striking red emblem: a photo spot of the Grand Tour of Switzerland, the Swiss Made boulevard. While it’s a good bit shorter than the one on the other side of the big pond, it’s only a stone’s throw from my home and office door. Until today, I have always driven past this emblem without stopping, but from today onwards it will be different …

E-Grand Motorcycle
 Tour of Switzerland

Because I am on my way – by invitation from Switzerland Tourism – to Sarnen in the canton of Obwalden, 340 km away. The newly developed E-Grand Motorcycle Tour of Switzerland is starting there for the first time, and it is supposed to prove that Switzerland can also be travelled on electric motorcycles. Clearly, I’ll be on the lookout for more Grand Tour emblems from now on, and – although I could – I’m not riding my Harley to do it in style.

My Zero SR/F takes me across the Italian border. It’s an all-electric naked bike – powerful as hell, but quiet, ultra-modern and so different: the engine is a battery, the gearbox is an engine, the tank is a storage compartment, the throttle is a brake. And: it comes from California, where the Main Street of America ends. So somehow the “myth” is also with me.

Range anxiety
 at the beginning

It is fresh. I did not even pass Valchava, but the Zero already drew a surprisingly high amount of power from the battery. I briefly think about using the Biosfera Val Müstair charging station in Tschierv to warm the battery a little – but then change my mind. Because, after the Ofen Pass it’s almost all downhill.

The Zero SR/F makes it easy for me to sail through the bends of the Fuorn, and its quiet rolling along fits perfectly here, in the middle of the Swiss National Park. “Little Canada” – every time I ride through this nature, left to its own, along fallen and rotting trees, along the gorges of the Ofenbach, the wilderness of North America comes to mind. OK, I’ve never been there, but it can’t be any different there.

At the Plug’n’Roll charging station at Zernez railway station, the SR/F gets green electricity – charged without any problems via my Plugsurfing card. Only about 60% of the battery’s capacity has been used on the 70 km so far – it would have been pointless to recharge it in Tschierv. Spontaneously, my concern about range subsides.

A little more than half an hour later, I ride towards Sankt Moritz. I take the time to visit S-chanf and Zuoz – two stony, lost villages I usually just speed by. But today I find beautiful cobblestones and artistic sgraffito facades, garnished with curiosities and American vintage cars. Friendly faces from the few people along the road are the thanks I get for taking my time.

Discoveries
 along the way

In La Punt, a Grand Tour emblem hides on the left bank of the Inn, overlooking Chesa Merleda, a magnificent ensemble of old, ancient houses. I greet them briefly and turn off towards the Albula Pass, spiralling up the serpentines in glorious weather. I remember conquering this imposing stretch by bicycle on the occasion of a SlowUp event, rejoice in the landscape behind the pass and the wonder of the Rhaetian Railway, which winds between the mountain slopes, disappearing into the rock and passing over gigantic viaducts in unexpected places.

This is an area I have travelled through many times, but it’s still rather unknown to me. I visit Filisur where the sign “Landwasser Viaduct” promises a view at one of Switzerland’s landmarks. The promise is not fulfilled – I don’t want to leave my fully packed motorcycle unattended for the walk to the viewing platform. So on we go.

Thusis is my next stop. I connect my SR/F to a Plug’n’Roll charging station once again and enjoy the sun, in which my chocolate bars melt away. Just a few kilometres away I could find another highlight of the Grand Tour of Switzerland, including a photo spot: Viamala. The photos of my last visit are still stored on my smartphone – impressive, unique. A descent into the depths normally is a must, even for me who is afraid of heights.

Favourite passes,
 finally …

My destination, however, is in the other direction. The Better Route Planner suggests Disentis/Mustér as the next charging stop – I am looking forward to the sight of the gigantic Benedictine monastery and, of course, to the subsequent ride over the Oberalp Pass. Below me, in his deep gorge, the young Rhine flows towards Chur, while I’m getting closer to its source. I will reach it in the most beautiful afternoon light.

I greet the lighthouse on the Oberalp Pass briefly, but appropriately: by flashing my lights. The parking lot is too crowded for me, so I quickly disappear into the gallery after the pass summit and breathe in the smell of the Furka-Oberalp railway. The evaporating tar oil of the railway reminds me of my childhood and the adventures on the abandoned Venosta railway. Later, the view across Andermatt in the direction of the Furka and St. Gotthard passes captivates me for minutes. I am still unaware of the course of the E-Grand Motorcycle Tour of Switzerland, but I sincerely hope that I will be allowed to ride my machine over the asphalt curls fading away back there, far in the haze.

For the last time today, I connect the SR/F to Swiss electricity and get a few extra percent of battery capacity for the way to Sarnen. I let the wall next to the Wassen charging station, warmed by the day’s sunshine, warm my back and look contentedly at the turnoff to the Susten Pass. Only a few weeks before, I produced a story for a german motorcycle magazine here, together with my photographer friend Uli from www.moppetfoto.de, and rode the pass several times with open eyes and activated impression recorder in my head. And fell in love with this road wonder.

Almost no one rides the Susten now – I’m lonely on the road. It winds forsaken through the nostalgic Meien valley. In my head I read my story again and flip through Uli’s sensational photos as I swing towards the top of the pass.

And then, as I look over the Haslital sinking into the evening glow, at the play of light breaking through the mist, I sit down on a rock and would like to stay here.

During the night, the Susten Pass is closed due to snowfall. It was good that I swung through the most magical Swiss curves down to Innertkirchen in the last light. During the ride to Sarnen it gets dark, the battery still holds 30% capacity. At night, central Switzerland is drowning in pouring rain …

Everything done right – the electric journey to the “E-Grand Motorcycle Tour of Switzerland” already is a success!

Facts
 and Curiosities

Trip	Route	Distance	Charging Time	Consume	Costs
Laas (IT) – Zernez (CH)	https://kurv.gr/eRqMb	67 km	41 min	4,2 kWh	4,14€
Zernez – Thusis	https://kurv.gr/mVhnG	78 km	38 min	3,9 kWh	3,99€
Thusis – Disentis	https://kurv.gr/vQvdN	67 km	40 min	4,2 kWh	4,53€
Disentis – Wassen	https://kurv.gr/uh2tf	43 km	16 min	1,8 kWh	1,81€
Wassen – Sarnen	https://kurv.gr/BdpBd	82 km	–	–	–
		337 km	135 min	14,1 kWh	14,47€

The maximum battery capacity of my SR/F (14.4 kWh) theoretically would have made it possible to ride to Sarnen in one go. However, only 12.6 kWh of the available 14.4 kWh can be effectively used – so without an additional 2 kWh I would have been stranded somewhere.

Three charging stops would have been enough for the distance – the fourth stop in Wassen served as a power buffer for the sporting pleasure on the Susten Pass.

My domestic charging rate (30 ct/kWh) would have made the journey 2/3 cheaper.

---

Thank Yous
 & High Fives

During my electrifying rides, I can count on the support of several partners. I would like to thank them with a raised front wheel!

• SW-Motech, for the tank bag and the very useful big tail bag!
• Nolan Group Deutschland, for the first class X-Lite X-1005 Ultra-Carbon: THE helmet for photographer and cruiser!
• Country Road Alpnach, for your firt class service reg. Zero Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson!
• Zero Motorcycles, for your outstanding support!

---

Perfectly matching: