2023 BILTWELL 100

500+ pounds is a lot of bike, but facing fears and embracing discomfort is the spice of life. I let the idea kick around in my brain for a few weeks before finally saying, “what the hell, let’s do this.” Rumor had it the Biltwell 100 was the kind of race where any and every type of rider or bike is welcome. My compromise was signing up for the ADV Heavy Novice class, which meant 3 laps for a total of 75 miles rather than 100.

If you’ve never heard of the Biltwell 100, it’s one of those events that defies easy definition. It’s not about trophies or factory teams. It’s a dusty, rugged, run-what-you-brung kind of race through 25-mile long laps of brutal California desert. It draws everything from vintage dual-sports to Harleys with knobbies, from seasoned desert racers to people just looking to test themselves and their bikes in the sand so they can walk away with a story to tell. "Good times, not lap times" is the Biltwell 100 motto, and having fun is the top priority.

From the moment I committed, the idea picked up momentum. Word got around at Zero Motorcycles HQ, and suddenly our grassroots motorsports team was all-in. We weren’t just entering the DSR/X—we were fully embracing the challenge of reimagining it as a purpose-built race bike. A few weeks later, I was heading into the desert with a freshly prepped DSR/X and a solid support crew.

We made some smart changes to get the bike race-ready, the most significant being shedding weight. After removing the onboard charger, tail pod, and some unnecessary plastic, we managed to shed about 40lbs off the stock weight (544 lbs). We swapped to wire wheels, added a skid plate, mounted knobby tyres, and installed the adventure chain kit, aggressive footpegs, and Cycra handguards. The new Extended Range Charging feature let me start the race with 110% charge. Every little detail helped cut weight or add capability. But at its core, the DSR/X remained what it was designed to be: a powerful, all-electric adventure dream bike.

And it delivered.

The course was punishing—long, hot, and full of surprises—but the bike never flinched. I know I did a few times…blasting through desert whoops, hidden G-outs, and deep sand hits different on a 500-pound motorcycle. The DSR/X ripped through terrain I wasn’t sure it could handle and the instant torque on the straight flats was a treat. Despite the weight and the demands of the course, it never felt out of control. By the time I crossed the finish line, I still had 14% battery remaining.

One charge, zero drama.

I won the ADV Heavy Novice class that day. My first electric race. The DSR/X’s first desert race. And the kind of experience I’ll be chasing for a long time.

I was intimidated going into it—not just by the bike, but by the whole idea of racing something new and unproven in that setting. I had already known after taking it on the South Dakota BDR-X ride, but I was truly delighted to find yet again, this is one seriously capable machine.

Huge thanks to everyone at Zero Motorcycles who helped prep the bike, answered last-minute questions, and made sure I had everything I needed to just focus on riding. And massive props to the Biltwell crew for planting the seed and throwing one of the most fun, welcoming races I’ve ever been a part of.

Next year? We might need a few more electric entries on the starting line. 😉 The DSR/X has proven it can hang. Now let’s see what comes next.