The 2009 ZERO X Electric Motorcycle
For further Enquiries
and Info
Click
Here
Electric Motorcycles Africa (Pty) Ltd is the official Distributor for Zero Motorcycles in South Africa.
All models available for demo in South Africa from December 2013
www.zeromotorcycles.co.za
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Zero
X Extreme Electric (Trail) - 2009
Specifications |
| Electric
Motor |
|
| Type |
Brushed
permanent magnet electric |
| Torque
|
50
ft-lbs (67.7 Nm) |
| Peak
horsepower |
23
horsepower |
| Peak
electrical input |
17,400
watts |
| |
|
| Power
System |
|
| Battery
|
Lithium ion Array |
| Capacity
|
2
kWh (58volts @ 35Ah) |
| Range
|
2
hours or 64 km, longer if you freewheel downhill |
| Recharge
time |
Less
than 2 hours (1.5 hours from totally flat) |
| Input
|
Standard
220V |
| Acceleration |
0-80km/hour
in 4 sec |
| |
|
| Drive
Train |
|
| Transmission
|
Clutchless
one speed |
| Drive
system |
12T
/ 73T, 420 Chain |
| |
|
| Suspension,
Brakes |
|
| Front
|
Whyte
Brothers - 200.7 mm travel |
| Rear
|
Marzocchi
DH - 215.9 mm travel |
| Front
brakes |
Hayes
4 Piston hydraulic, 203mm rotor, hand actuated |
| Rear
brakes |
Hayes
4 Piston hydraulic, 210mm rotor, hand actuated |
| |
|
| Dimensions |
|
| Wheel
base |
137.2
cm |
| Seat
height |
88.3
cm |
| Rake
|
23
degrees |
| |
|
| Weight |
|
| Frame
|
5.9
kg |
| weight
without battery |
52.2
kg |
| Battery |
20.9
kg |
| Riding
weight |
73.0
kg |
| |
|
|
|
Waterproofing:
You can get most of the ZERO
X
wet without compromising the electronics. However it cannot
be totally submerged and its not a good idea to get water
into the vents of the battery. But for normal riding and
puddle splashing, its pretty waterproof. The battery must
be removed for cleaning after riding.
Battery Range/Life:
This
particular test bike is the ZERO
X (Extreme)
and is fitted with a torque and speed setting. I discovered
by changing it to the low torque low speed setting, the
battery lasted about 2 hours and more if I freewheel the
downhill sections.
Hanging on the throttle and spinning the rear all the way
round an MX track and you'll be lucky if you get 1 hour.
Recharge Time:
From totally flat to fully charged normally takes about
1 and a half hours. Its NOT advisable to leave the battery
uncharged. Regular topping up will not build a memory and
is best suited to Lithuim Ion cells.
Off Road Handling:
On
the MX Track:
Although the ZERO
X
is not specifically designed for the Moto-X track like its
bigger brother the ZERO
MX,
it can still deliver a thrill ride and be extremely competitive.
The suspension however is not suited for big MX jumps, so
even with a light rider of 56kg, the ZERO
X
was bottoming out on landing. The MX
version has beefed up Front fork and rear suspension.
In the Forest:
You
would think given the size and weight (73kg) that the ZERO
X
would be too heavy for singletrails - right? - not at all
!!
I was able to maneuver the bike and whip it about with almost
equal agility to a downhill mountain bike of 20kg. It does
have its limitations, and the throttle must be treated carefully
in technical sections - but that's all forgotten when you
reach the bottom, turn around, and blast back up the forest
roads to the top of the track for another downhill run -
its ridiculous how many runs you can do in a two hour session!
On the Mountain Trails:
The
ZERO
X
come into true form on mountain trails no matter what kind
of terrain
- sand, rocks, mud, steep or flat, this bike can chew it
all up and spit it out. The X version is light enough to
throw around like a Mountain bike.
The secret is not to be too heavy on the throttle if you
want the battery to last a two hour session - and freewheel
on the downhill sections.
Power
to Weight:
At
only 73kg and delivering 23 horsepower - you can expect
to be pleasantly surprised when climbing aboard the ZERO
X.
WARNING!! do not think for one minute that this bike wont
put you flat on your back if you give it half a chance.
The front end is extremely light and great caution must
be taken when riding. The ZERO
X
is so powerful that the front end has a tendency to lift
under full acceleration.
The climbing ability of this bike is truly amazing, embankments
of 45 - 50 degrees are a piece of cake for this Electro
wonder machine. |
|
|
Overall
Opinion
There is simply no better way to describe the ZERO
X
electric motorcycle, other than Ridiculous Fun !! - it
does seem very Alien to open the throttle and silently
shoot away from 0-80km/hour in under 5 seconds. Every
person who experienced this bike during this testing -
was left wide eyed and grinning. And all with the similar
comments - "F*&%$# ! this thing is fast,
I want one!" was the number one comment from
ALL first time riders who got a chance to ride it whilst
here in the Cape.
Although the bike will retail in the region of R75 000,
with ZERO cost for fuel, ZERO cost for oil, and ZERO cost
for engine services and replacement parts required - you
will see a massive saving after you have owned the bike
for some time. With correct treatment of the Lithuim Ion
battery it should last for 5 years and more. Replacement
batteries are prices at R20 000 - but they are getting
cheaper each year.
The ZERO
X
is everything you want in a light trail bike with a similar
agility to a downhill mountain bike - but with the power
and speed of an 85cc or 125cc MX race bike. If you ever
get the opportunity to ride one of these Electro Techno
dream machines - do so. and if you can afford to purchase
any of the available models, you wont be sorry. |
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The 2013 ZERO Electric Family
ZERO S (Street) - ZERO DS (Dualsport) - ZERO XU (Urban Crosser) - ZERO FX (Urban/off-road) - ZERO MX (Motor-X)
For further Enquiries
and Info
Click
Here
  
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