Mar 27 2008
Zero Motorcycles today announced the Zero X, a no-compromise electric motorcycle that has race winning performance without the obnoxious noise and pollution of regular gas motorcycles. Its electric drive system provides incredible torque, delivering all you would expect in a full-fledged high performance motorcycle.
"I rode the Zero X prototype in a demonstration motocross race in Las Vegas in 2007 and was very impressed," said National Motocross Champion, Hall of Famer and TV commentator Jeff Emig. "I'm expecting the production version to have a huge impact in the motor sports industry."
"Local motorcycle and backyard tracks are being closed because of the noise and pollution made by gasoline engines. I built the Zero X to enjoy off- road riding without the loud engine noise. At first customers are interested in our motorcycle because it's silent and clean," said Neal Saiki, inventor and founder of Zero Motorcycles. "After a test ride, they are amazed with the extraordinary power and torque that is packed in the lightweight battery unit."
The Zero X is not a gas motorcycle conversion and was designed from the ground up to operate on 100% electric power. Neal applied his aerospace engineering degree and 15 years as a leading mountain bike designer to the problem. The chassis is made out of aircraft aluminum making it one of the lightest motorcycle frames on the planet at 18 pounds. More than 300 individual parts were custom fabricated and result in a total weight of only 140 pounds. That helps the Zero X weigh in at less than half the weight of a gas powered motorcycle.
What makes the Zero X truly different from other electric motorcycles is the use of a special high power Lithium Ion battery. The Zero X is the only motorcycle in production today that incorporates this powerful, longer lasting, and more efficient battery solution. Zero Motorcycle's patent-pending high capacity power grid technology has the highest power density (power storage per weight) battery pack on the market, delivering the full current of the battery pack immediately, safely and without overheating. Riders get the enjoyment of up to 2 hours of quality riding without seeing any impact on performance. To complete the cycle and keep it green, the Zero X battery unit is 100% recyclable and landfill approved.
Zero Motorcycles is even getting mountain bikers interested in riding an electric motorcycle. "This motorcycle has given me the connection with the trail, the single tracking maneuverability and closeness to nature I get on a mountain bike; while blasting up the hill at full throttle," says Mark Weir, International Professional Mountain Bike racer.
Zero Motorcycles has created the next generation of motorcycle technology. With the release of the Zero X, the first of what will be a series of powerful, capable, clean electric motorcycles is now available.