Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, USA
Zero Motorcycles to introduce street model, having trouble keeping up with high demand
Click on the image able fore more pictures of the Zero X
Last year, we introduced our readers to the Zero X electric off-road motorcycle, which is capable of a forty-mile range after a two-hour charge. Last year the bike was selling for just under $7 grand, and although it is now going for nearly $7,500, we hear that they're having no problem selling the bikes. In stark contrast to Vectrix, Zero Motorcycles is reportedly looking for enough funding to undergo expansion in order to keep up with demand.
What is even more exciting is the new Zero S on-road electric motorcycle that the company is currently rolling out. The new S model will come complete with everything needed to register it on the street, including lights and turn signals, and is expected to be available this summer. Of course, the key to any electric vehicle is the battery, and the unit used by Zero contains 168 individual lithium ion cells and is expected to endure six years of hard riding.
Gallery: Zero X Motorcycle
[Source: Zero Motorcycles via The Kneeslider]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick 4:49PM (3/19/2008)
If they can make a real motorcycle that goes highway speeds (70 mph), gets AT LEAST 50 miles per charge (when driven in the worst possible way, and will continue to get this range even after a few years of battery wear), and costs under $10k, I'm in.
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bobsled 11:47PM (4/22/2009)
what a joke, i hear they can't sell'm
Tim 5:23PM (3/19/2008)
$5K LESS than the Vetrix? That's like FREE electricity for the life of the bike! The'll sell like hotcakes.
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Tim 5:24PM (3/19/2008)
I hope that it's not a gay scooter.
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Tim 5:34PM (3/19/2008)
Here’s the 4-part YouTube video on the off road version: http://www.youtube.com/user/emotofreak
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kagiso 7:39PM (3/19/2008)
They should put another motor in the front wheel and add traction control. Imagine the performance of a 2WD dirt bike.
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green shredder 3:03PM (2/19/2009)
I wouldn't like a 2wd dirtbike for the sole reason that when jumping, one wouldn't be able to correct the bike by hitting the gas to raise the front end. With a 2wd bike, you'd hit the gas and both wheels would spin...as a result the wheels would remain at the same level causing the "dead sailor" effect. If you are interested in a 2wd bike, I think a quad would suit you better.
drivethruecp 1:03PM (3/20/2008)
Can't wait! I'll sell my perfectly fine Husqvarna TE450 (DOT street legal MX dirtbike) and buy one. Quantya is also working on a US version. They currently have a European one that is street legal now. The worst part about driving the Husky on the road is I have to change clothes every time I ride it, which becomes a chore being that you reek of gas if you so much as start it (as with any dirtbike).
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Will Sterling 2:22PM (3/20/2008)
They were able to keep the Zero X inexpensive by using a large amount of off the shelf mountain bike parts. I don't know if they will be able to do the same with a street bike that has to pass more safety regulations.
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GenWaylaid 6:33PM (3/20/2008)
Oh heck yeah! I've been waiting for them to make a street model for years. These guys took the trouble to design around an electric drivetrain from the ground up, and as a result their bike is much lighter and zippier than any converted ICE motorcycle.
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T the D 6:36PM (3/25/2008)
Finally, an answer.
Any solution is going to have to be durable to withstand the pounding of our crumbling road system.
I'll take two, please.
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brian 11:20PM (7/04/2008)
This is exciting ! I keep the stock muffler on my dualsport so i can sneak in places, but this is the ticket !
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DavidV 12:44PM (9/13/2008)
Can you ride this dirt bike on the surface streets, not highway/freeway, in California? I saw it has a 30 mph toggle switch so you can ride it in bike lanes. Bikes are allowed to ride on the surface streets here. So, theoretically you could ride on the surface streets.
And yes, I would wear a helmet and other gear!
Thanks in advance.
D
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Rodrigo 2:21PM (11/14/2008)
"In stark contrast to Vectrix, Zero Motorcycles is reportedly looking for enough funding to undergo expansion in order to keep up with demand."
of course it sell is because it is NOT UGLY
UGLY electric vehicle = No sell
NOT UGLY electric vehicle = sell
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Jharlan 12:55AM (12/21/2008)
It looks like Neil Saiki has done it. This is very encouraging. I can't wait to see the street bike.
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