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One of the most emissions heavy thrills one can experience is now a lot less harmful to the rest of us. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=61506)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Zero_Motorcycles_Profile.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) – Dec. 28, 2007

Many have experienced the excitement and freedom of riding a dirt bike in a designated off-road area. By far the worst problems associated with this activity are two-fold. The sky high emissions of a non-catalytic converter equipped two or four stroke bike causing immeasurable damage to the local environment is one. The second can be even more obnoxious. That is the incessant brraaappp of a high powered engine running through the gears from one corner to the next.

So what is an off-road thrill seeker supposed to do? The solution may be the 2008 Zero X (http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/index.php).

Neal Saiki, a dreamer and designer of the Zero X is not at all unfamiliar with finding solutions to tough problems. With varied experience including high altitude plane design for NASA and aluminum fabrication and design for off-road biking giants TREK and Santa Cruz Bicycles, what he came up with is an elegant answer that might steer the rest of the off-road industry in a far more sustainable and cleaner direction. For those hell-bent on “feeding the need” in particular ;)

The Zero X motorcycle is a hybrid in its own right. Borrowing lightweight yet track tested technology from the Mountain Bike world, mating that to an off-road yet lightweight motorcycle design, a patentable Li-Ion configuration battery and 19-HP electric motor reveals what many would have to concede as the next big thing in off-road enjoyment.

With a 30 - 40 mile AER (all electric range), a 0 - 30 mph time of approximately 2 seconds, no emissions other than that produced from your local power supplier, and silence other than tire roll and chain mesh on, this hybrid-BEV based motorcycle has staying power.

Zero X at a glance:

Price|$7,450 + $300 shipping
|
Power|
Battery Pack|300-Amp capable Li-Ion
Electric Motor|19.3 HP ETEK
|
Performance|
AER|30 – 40 miles
Charge time| 2 hours from 0% SoC
Acceelration|0 – 50 mph in 4 seconds
Top Speed|57 mph
|
Suspension|
Front |FOX 7 – 8.0” travel
Rear|FOX 8.0” travel
|
Dimensions|
Wheelbase|51”
Ground Clearance|11.4”
Seat Height|34”
Peg Height|12.8”
Weight|140 pounds w/ Li-Ion pack

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Zero_Motorcycles.jpg

Interesting! I wonder how far one of those would go if it stayed on streets and had a street tire on it? With plenty of coasting and moderate speeds I would not be surprised if this could handle my 45mi RT commute just fine...

Is it street legal? Top speed 57mph...

Thats pretty nice, but I like the sound of the engine and the smell of the exhaust. For me that is all part of the experience.

Hi Sean and KSS:

___The street version with longer range and higher speed is just around the corner :)

___Koreberg, no comment :rolleyes:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Thats pretty nice, but I like the sound of the engine and the smell of the exhaust. For me that is all part of the experience.


they will also make a version with a subwolfer that Pumps a deel bass sound that co relates with the rpm of the engine, and a refillable cologne spray with 100 octane :)

why did they choose to target the offroad market first . thats just crazy, Make a street version damn it !