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Zero X

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Thu, 1 Apr 2010 13:04:00 GMT

Take a look at the world’s cleanest dirt bike! How does that sound anyway? But it’s true; the thing is called the Zero X and it is the only trail bike in the 2010 Zero Motorcycles product lineup. Derived from the 2010 Zero MX, the X gets 23 electric horses and 50 ft-lbs of torque, which is more than ok considering the 161 pounds curb weight.

Like its motocross sibling, the Zero X comes in two versions, the X Sport and X Extreme, the difference between the two being made by engine grunt and different suspension. Hit the jump for more details.

Zero X originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 1 April 2010 13:04 EST.

Zero MX

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:34:00 GMT

Time has come for green dirt bike riding and, why not, racing with the 2010 Zero MX, the world’s first electric motocross ride. Zero Motorcycles also plan on maintaining it on its “most advanced electric dirt bike” position, so for this year they’ve upgraded virtually everything they could: powertrain, suspension, looks.

Furthermore, two versions are available, the Zero MX Sport and the Zero MX Extreme. With more power and stiffer suspension, this last version is the closest thing to a racing electric dirt bike that money can buy. It rewards you with 50 ft-lbs, 23 horsepower and only weighs 172 pounds, so it’s more or less like a mountain bike on steroids.

Zero MX originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 March 2010 09:34 EST.

Zero DS

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:18:00 GMT

The 2010 Zero DS is an electric bike with guts. It promises 96lb/ft of torque, all while weighing 277 pounds, and claims to have the ability to keep the rush coming on all kinds of terrains. What you’ll like about it the most is that it keeps its word on everything.

Zero DS originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 11:18 EST.

Zero S

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:52:00 GMT

Zero Motorcycles recently presented their 2010 product lineup and because the Zero S is their first and most advanced street model yet, the plug-in bike demads a fair share of attention. While most will consider it the electric equivalent of a supermoto powered by a 250cc internal combustion engine, as we’ve come to find, this think is capable of offering an entirely different riding experience due to the lack of engine sound and a classic transmission, all despite it’s limited 67mph top speed.

Zero S originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 29 March 2010 10:52 EST.

2010 Zero DS and Zero S priced under $7.5K in California

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:32:00 GMT

California residents with a soft spot for electric motorcycles are now offered the possibility to buy the Zero DS and Zero S bikes at the special price of $7,495. That’s $1,500 less than what residents in the other 49 states will pay for the same bikes and it is all made possible through the California Clean Vehicle Program rebate and ten percent federal tax credit.

Zero Motorcycles will start a "Discover the Experience Tour" in order to popularize their 2010 product lineup – which is actually made of four electric models – and the $1,500 rebate applicable for their two bikes with the most chances to sell. Read the full press release after the jump.

2010 Zero DS and Zero S priced under $7.5K in California originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 18 March 2010 13:32 EST.

2010 Zero Motorcycles Product Lineup

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:47:00 GMT

Zero Motorcycles has come a short way from idea to the world’s main electric motorcycle manufacturer and their 2010 product lineup already counts four models suiting four different riding tastes: the Zero S, which is your daily electric commuting bike, the Zero DS, pretty much an S model with off-road abilities, the Zero MX, what you would call an electric dirt bike and, finally, the Zero X, the plug-in trail bike. Sounds cool already? Click past the break for the official press release and launch video.

2010 Zero Motorcycles Product Lineup originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 13:47 EST.

Ex-Buell engineer heads towards Zero Motorcycles

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 09:13:00 GMT

Posted on 03.5.2010 09:13 by Maxx Biker
Filed under: Zero | industry news | electric bikes | Motorcycles | Motorcycle News

Electric bike manufacturers such as Zero Motorcycles are just revving up on their ascendant market path and it order for them to achieve high standards, demands head towards highly experienced engineers with innovative ideas to make their green bikes stand out from all points of view.

What we’re talking about here is a happy case as Abe Askenazi, who worked as Vice President of Engineering for Buell in the last 14 years and who was free of contract after Harley-Davidson annihilated Buells from the production line, is now seeing his way towards Zero Motorcycles.

It is great to see the American company investing in know-how because this is the only way they’ll make it on the short and long run. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Ex-Buell engineer heads towards Zero Motorcycles originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 5 March 2010 09:13 EST.

Zero Motorcycles enters 2010 TTXGP Electric Motorcycle Championships

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Wed, 2 Dec 2009 15:52:00 GMT

Zero Motorcycles has announced their entry into the 2010 TTXGP series, which turns them into competitors for Team Agni and CRP Racing. The company’s race bike will be built around a Mavizen TTX02 chassis, the same as on KTM’s RC8 superbike, while the battery packs and electric motors will be those of the Zero’s Z-Force.

Sounds like the competition is getting stiffer and stiffer in the TTXGP’s electric motorcycle racing series, eGrandPrix and we can’t wait for next year’s May, when the first race is scheduled at Infineon in California.

Press release is attached after the jump.

Zero Motorcycles enters 2010 TTXGP Electric Motorcycle Championships originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 2 December 2009 15:52 EST.

Quantya vs Zero - First Ever Public Race

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Fri, 1 May 2009 08:15:00 GMT

Today, May 1st, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Europe’s Quantya Track all-electric dirt bike faces the Zero X, America’s top electric motorcycle in a showdown as never before. During the half time show of the AMA/Maxxis MiniMoto Supercross race, five bikes from each manufacturer will go head to head in quiet dirt-spreading action towards the finish line.

30 pounds lighter and 69 per cent more powerful, the Zero X starts as a favorite, but the Track is sure to give it a hard time which is precisely what the crowd has gathered for.

Press release after the jump.

Quantya vs Zero - First Ever Public Race originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 1 May 2009 08:15 EST.

Zero X – the ideal hunting motorcycle

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:37:00 GMT

What we’re seeing here is a totally camouflaged Zero X motorcycle being ridden to hunting. The off-road model is brought back in the public eye after the launch of the Zero S, an electric urban commuter.

The reasons why the bike in this video is great for hunting and for nature lovers in general are more than obvious: it doesn’t pollute and doesn’t make any engine noise whatsoever so a skilled rider and hunter shouldn’t scare all the dears away.

See action footage after the jump.

Zero X – the ideal hunting motorcycle originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 24 April 2009 15:37 EST.

2009 Zero S, world's first road legal electric supermoto

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Wed, 8 Apr 2009 15:36:00 GMT

It is now official! The world witnessed the unveiling of Zero’s S model, the first ever road legal supermoto powered by a lithium-ion battery. Like all early technologies, the electric bike doesn’t dethrone any traditionally powered supermoto, but the 31 horsepower and 84.6 Nm powerplant performance figures aren’t to be ignored either. Considering the bike’s 102kg, the top speed is of 96.6 km/h. Ok, so it isn’t that impressive, but the bike is expected to sell in a great number.

Instead of fuel capacity and mpg, now we’re talking about charging time (which in this case if of four hours) and range (also, a decent 97 km). From the very first glance, the Zero S doesn’t look quite like any regular supermoto two-wheeler because of the battery replacing the noisy four-stroke motor. That’s also most likely the reason why this bike features a fairing, apart from the basic one that the bodywork was needed in order to call the thing attractive.

The bike has a price tag of $9,950 and will start being delivered next month. We’re just waiting to see the most ostentatious of you out there on the supermoto tracks. But until then, here’s Zero’s official video for this bike precisely on a supermoto track.

2009 Zero S, world's first road legal electric supermoto originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 8 April 2009 15:36 EST.

24 Hours of ‘Electricross' competition ends in success

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Tue, 7 Apr 2009 16:50:00 GMT

The last weekend saw Zero Motorcycles undergoing the 24 Hours of Electricross competition which ended up setting two Guinness World Records, one for the furthest distance traveled in 24 hours on an all-electric off-road motorcycle (500 miles) and the other for the largest electric motorcycle race (50 competitors racing for 10 teams).

Satisfied with the results, founder of Zero Motorcycles and organizer of the race, Neal Saiki said that "this event proved that electric technology can endure the same level of competition as their gas-powered counterparts, however, the power resources to compete are drastically different. The total cost to power all 10 motorcycles for 24 hours was approximately $100,"

Here’s a video from the first international endurance competition for off-road electric motorcycles won by team HotChalks MDV.

24 Hours of ‘Electricross' competition ends in success originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 7 April 2009 16:50 EST.

Zero Motorcycles organizes 24-hour endurance event. You're invited!

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Wed, 4 Mar 2009 16:58:00 GMT

Posted on 03.4.2009 16:58 by Maxx Biker
Filed under: Zero | offroad | world record | Motorcycles | Motorcycle News

Zero Motorcycles offers to everyone owning an electric motorcycle, ATV or quad the change to put their name in the record books on 4th of April. They are the organizers of world’s first 24 hour off-road endurance event destined to electric bikes and all riders are invited to a racing incursion in the world of battery-powered vehicles.

The event will take place in San Jose at the 408MX Motocross Track and it is all covered By Zero Motorcycle, including free food and drinks for everyone. All that you have to do is register until March 20th and be there on the event’s date.

All competitors will win a prize, but only those who make it to the podium will take home a trophy. Even those who don’t own an electric bike should be prepared for a surprise from Zero Motorcycles. Ok, that’s all I’m saying apart from the fact that buying a Zero X motorcycle can get you approximately $745 back in sales tax deduction.

Zero Motorcycles organizes 24-hour endurance event. You're invited! originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 4 March 2009 16:58 EST.

Jay Leno's garage: 2009 Zero X motorcycle

Maxx Biker@topspeed.com(Maxx Biker) — Mon, 9 Feb 2009 12:50:00 GMT

Jay Leno has invited Neal Saiki, the inventor of Zero Motorcycles, to talk about the 2009 Zero X motorcycle which has just become available for purchase at the Zero Motorcycles website.

“After years of designing electric motorcycles we’re still innovating to go faster and further. The 09 Zero X is another evolutionary leap forward. We’ve made several key changes based on suggestions from both pro riders and our current customers,” said Neal Saiki, inventor and founder of Zero Motorcycles. “We are definitely the leader in electric motorcycle technology and we intend to remain out front.”

The new model year electric bike incorporates mostly chassis upgrades (frame, suspension, brakes and wheels) as the powerplant was sorted out ever since the groundbreaking ’08 entry.

Highly performing and zero polluting, the Zero X is powered by a 23 horsepower electric motor and features a lithium-ion power pack that fully charges in approximately two hours. The aluminum frame is actually a very advanced unit as well so overall the bike ends up weighing 151 pounds.

Zero X’s performances are comparable to the ones of modern day 250cc four-stroke dirt bikes and the bike is destined to challenging terrains. Still, it can be fitted with a street legal kit and hit the streets.

See the video after the jump

Jay Leno's garage: 2009 Zero X motorcycle originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 9 February 2009 12:50 EST.