It was exactly one year ago, we tested the Zero X, the new MX and gave us a moment of déjà vu, because the frame, battery and motor are almost identical. Last year we were in the "X" is the best solution - and fun - electric scooter in the kind of young. In about 140 pounds, betraying the company CTO Neal Saiki previous job as a bicycle.
That first attempt was in fact a power bike, suitable for track use. It opened a lot of area to be closed at the gas jet and promised a great bike little play. Our tester (former AMA champion Micky Dymond) mounted on a mini-moto track and soon reached its limits by breaking the rear suspension.
That first attempt was in fact a power bike, suitable for track use. It opened a lot of area to be closed at the gas jet and promised a great bike little play. Our tester (former AMA champion Micky Dymond) mounted on a mini-moto track and soon reached its limits by breaking the rear suspension.
We are pleased to announce that the new, heavy-duty MX model year survived the test even though Micky rode in Lake Elsinore - a complete track bike, which got a much bigger jump. "It feels much more solid," Mickey told us, "so I have much more confidence to blow up things."
At first glance, it almost defines the new bike as a success. Neal Saiki Zero MO said: "We have a great response from buyers who wanted to be able to get some air to get - I did not want necessarily true motocross track to meet - but that customers wanted a small track in your backyard back and land some jumps. "At a time when more and more difficult to open, the idea that the motor is so quiet, you can practice in a vacant lot in the cities decided what they find attractive.
At first glance, it almost defines the new bike as a success. Neal Saiki Zero MO said: "We have a great response from buyers who wanted to be able to get some air to get - I did not want necessarily true motocross track to meet - but that customers wanted a small track in your backyard back and land some jumps. "At a time when more and more difficult to open, the idea that the motor is so quiet, you can practice in a vacant lot in the cities decided what they find attractive.
Compared with the base X model, the MX has a heavy impact and fork, larger tires on larger wheels, shopping and more. These changes make about 10 kilos more and give the engine power. Ironically, these changes allowed our tester to spend more time at full capacity, the attention of the bike's Achilles heel: battery life.
The battery is two kilowatt-hour lithium-ion matrix. It weighs approximately 45 pounds and is designed for rapid exchange. The idea is that customers can buy an extra battery and charger and on the bike, or take a spare with you to the track (in the same way even more fuel for diesel motor bicycle.) Changing the batteries is more difficult to refuel without tools.
The battery is indicated by an LED array. As the load decreases, the driver hears a tone, too. At that point the engine still covers several miles at low speeds, but the driver in the onboard computer / actually cut when you try to use full throttle. Pay attention to the LED and a beep, or risk the consequences if the bike turns power on the face of a double jump!
The battery is two kilowatt-hour lithium-ion matrix. It weighs approximately 45 pounds and is designed for rapid exchange. The idea is that customers can buy an extra battery and charger and on the bike, or take a spare with you to the track (in the same way even more fuel for diesel motor bicycle.) Changing the batteries is more difficult to refuel without tools.
The battery is indicated by an LED array. As the load decreases, the driver hears a tone, too. At that point the engine still covers several miles at low speeds, but the driver in the onboard computer / actually cut when you try to use full throttle. Pay attention to the LED and a beep, or risk the consequences if the bike turns power on the face of a double jump!
The X and MX use the same brushed DC motors. Buyers of any of the bikes have a choice of two engines, one of whom about 10% more powerful. Zero claims 23 horsepower and 50 lb-ft of torque for the standard engine MARS. That's enough for a bike light, and at least at the bottom of the demand appears to be justified, especially since electric motors make maximum torque as soon as they start to turn.
The ability of electric motors is strictly a function of stress. Zero, the system operates at 58 volts peak. "You can lick your fingers and the bridge of the two poles of our battery, and would not hurt you," Saiki told us (but not have asked him to show!).
Zero revs engines to about 2,500 rpm, and like all DC motors, there is a linear decline in peak torque beginning at half speed. So the overall impression is of an engine that pulls strongly from the ground and quickly running out of power. Transmission, the engine driver in the band of torque, but the weight and mechanical resistance to be added.
Since there are no gears, and therefore no need for a clutch, are equal to zero outside the established road bike, like cycling, two hand brakes. No foot controls at all. The 'gas', which is actually more like a rheostat, can not be connected directly to the engine to do so would be almost impossible not to Wheelie the bikes back. Instead, torque controlled by software that gradually ramps up.
The ability of electric motors is strictly a function of stress. Zero, the system operates at 58 volts peak. "You can lick your fingers and the bridge of the two poles of our battery, and would not hurt you," Saiki told us (but not have asked him to show!).
Zero revs engines to about 2,500 rpm, and like all DC motors, there is a linear decline in peak torque beginning at half speed. So the overall impression is of an engine that pulls strongly from the ground and quickly running out of power. Transmission, the engine driver in the band of torque, but the weight and mechanical resistance to be added.
Since there are no gears, and therefore no need for a clutch, are equal to zero outside the established road bike, like cycling, two hand brakes. No foot controls at all. The 'gas', which is actually more like a rheostat, can not be connected directly to the engine to do so would be almost impossible not to Wheelie the bikes back. Instead, torque controlled by software that gradually ramps up.
Getting the engine control software is the equivalent right in an electric motorcycle, the throttle type engine fuel injection. "I think I'm dragging the rear brake a lot," said Mickey, "even when I'm on the throttle, the bike in mid-corner stability." It is also a total absence of engine braking noted, but said that soon gets used.
"You just can not miss hit, bulky waste," said Mickey, "things like skating on a bicycle. This is difficult if there are tracks and paths. However, some of the materials feel dry which is great. In a solid technical preparation, the dry, soft curves and jumps with many children, these things pretty quickly. "
Then, quietly, we heard him say: "I want one of those things." In general, the basic model of MX Micky was a significant improvement in the original X, and the optional bet even suspension
to continue. The suspension of high level was much better than he has more time at full speed. This highlighted a problem, although Zero claims from 45 minutes to two hours of battery life, our expert tester was never more than 30 minutes before losing all their strength.
Yes, so let potential customers of this bike, plus the occasional stranded? Make a spare battery is essential for more than short sessions in your own backyard?
"You just can not miss hit, bulky waste," said Mickey, "things like skating on a bicycle. This is difficult if there are tracks and paths. However, some of the materials feel dry which is great. In a solid technical preparation, the dry, soft curves and jumps with many children, these things pretty quickly. "
Then, quietly, we heard him say: "I want one of those things." In general, the basic model of MX Micky was a significant improvement in the original X, and the optional bet even suspension
to continue. The suspension of high level was much better than he has more time at full speed. This highlighted a problem, although Zero claims from 45 minutes to two hours of battery life, our expert tester was never more than 30 minutes before losing all their strength.
Yes, so let potential customers of this bike, plus the occasional stranded? Make a spare battery is essential for more than short sessions in your own backyard?
The zero-based MX sells for (are you sitting down?) $ 8,250. The "Extreme" option package, stiffer fork and shock Marzocchi Fastac covers, and a little more powerful German-made motor PERM is an additional $ 1,700. A spare battery is $ 2,950. Call anywhere nearly double to almost triple the price of, say, a Honda CRF150R
We asked Neal Saiki, or, like other high-tech products, we would expect exponentially increasing performance and decreasing prices. He told us that battery costs fall, probably because there are many new EV companies in the market, driving demand, and only a handful of companies that Li-ion cells. So far, zero prices remained stable.
These expenses can be justified if there is a vacant lot near where a gasoline motor, the wrath of neighbors and the attention of the Sheriff to sign, but you can ride horses almost noiseless MX Zero.
Realistically, if you plan on truck / trailer your bike to a training area, the total ecological footprint of your trip is high in both directions, and in the near future, the satisfaction of "green" comes at a high cost.
We asked Neal Saiki, or, like other high-tech products, we would expect exponentially increasing performance and decreasing prices. He told us that battery costs fall, probably because there are many new EV companies in the market, driving demand, and only a handful of companies that Li-ion cells. So far, zero prices remained stable.
These expenses can be justified if there is a vacant lot near where a gasoline motor, the wrath of neighbors and the attention of the Sheriff to sign, but you can ride horses almost noiseless MX Zero.
Realistically, if you plan on truck / trailer your bike to a training area, the total ecological footprint of your trip is high in both directions, and in the near future, the satisfaction of "green" comes at a high cost.
