First Aussie ride: Zero X electric bike

WHAT WE LIKE

NOT SO MUCH

I wasn't the first person to make the faux pas, and I probably won't be the last. After a quick squirt on the electric Zero X Extreme, I settled into a conversation with Phil Wilkinson, the man behind bringing the American brand into Australia.

I remained on the bike while it was 'idling' - that is, not making a sound. But then the internal combustion mindset kicked in, and I defaulted to believing the bike was turned 'off'. But I soon knew that wasn't the case when I shuffled forward, brushed the throttle and, thanks to the instantaneous torque reaction, cannoned out of control like my absent-minded aunty all those years ago on my 60cc minibike.

My aunty's wild ride terminated in her rose garden - it was an early start to pruning season - while I was lucky not to collect Phil's ute. But it still scared the bejeezus out of me.

Phil sensed my embarrassment, and he assured me I wasn't the first person to perform such a goofy stunt. He also said I must be a half decent rider after tuning up for our rendezvous on the massively powerful Honda CBR1000RR.

Quietly chuffed with Phil's comment, we then got back to talking about his new business venture.

Zero Motorcycles Australia, based in Melbourne, will be importing a range of off-road electric bikes into Australia, as well as a roadbike.

The off-road bikes - the 'X' and 'MX' in Sport and Extreme configurations - will go on sale in Australia around late July, followed by the 'S' supermoto-style streetbike once it has gone through ADR compliance (which history suggests can be a frustrating and time-consuming exercise).

Think of the Extreme as an options package on the Zero and you won't go wrong. A bit like the 'S' in the Ducati range.

The MX is the newest addition to the Zero family and was only publicly announced on the marque's official website (here) last week.

Zero has now joined Vectrix as the second zero-emission electric marque in Australia, but they are following separate paths. Vectrix is in the scooter market, while Zero is potentially zeroing in on a bigger segment of the populace, from the 'fun' sector to those who like their daily commute laced with a bit of excitement, supermoto style.

When the BikeSales Network visited Phil, he had just returned from Cooktown (Qld), where British filmmaker and adventurer Charley Boorman was using the two X Extremes currently in Australia for his second series of By Any Means, which is taking him from Sydney to Japan via the Pacific Rim. I'm told the Zeros can be ridden under water, but I think Charley is deferring to more traditional means for the ocean trek.

Anyway, the bikes survived the Queensland pounding from Charley and his cohorts, opening the door for the BikeSales Network to become the first Aussie media organisation to ride a Zero.

The Sport and Xtreme versions of the S and MX are based on the same platforms, but the Extreme has better suspension and a different, German-sourced motor (not engine, because we're talking electric). There is no horsepower differential between the two motors, though.

Zero Motorcycles was founded by Neal Saiki, and is based at Sant Cruz in California, just a short distance away from Silicon Valley.

Saiki has two degrees in aeronautical engineering, which is probably why the Zeros have "aircraft-grade" aluminium chassis.

After heading up a major aircraft project in the aerospace industry and developing a deep appreciation for the environment -- he's had a first-hand look at the destruction of the ozone layer -- Saiki decided to start his own business designing full suspension mountain bikes and motorcycles.

Obviously, Saiki's a big one on practical solutions, but he's no dummy: motorcycle symmetry is as much about fun as anything else. And that's what he's set out to achieve with Zero.

Prices for the Zeros are not totally locked in yet, but expect to pay from around $10,000 for the S Sport, and from $11,000 for the MX Sport.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The Zero is bigger than the sum of its parts - because there really aren't any. It's electric, so things like radiators, coolant and fuel are not part of the landscape.

Total weight for the S Extreme is just 68.5kg, with the power pack making up nearly a third of that. The aluminium frame weighs 8kg.

The battery is lithium, and its range is about two hours or around 65km. It's not a total loss battery and the rider will be warned when it's reaching the end of its working life, with a small blip in performance.

Recharge time is less than two hours, at what Zero estimates equates to less than one cent per kilometre.

The battery lives in a comfy housing just above the motor, and is held in place by one bracket, which is removed in just seconds.

The motor produces 23hp and 67.7Nm, and its peak electrical input is 17,400 watts. The motor has a small cooling fan, but other than that what you see is what you get.

The Zero is chain driven, from a 13-tooth front sprocket to a massive 71-tooth at the rear. According to Phil, a smaller rear sprocket would place too much of a strain on the motor.

Saiki's pedal background is evident, with the brakes and suspension straight from the mountain bike fraternity. They are certainly no heavy duty items - that also holds for the wheels - but then again less weight equals less stress.

There is an ignition key on the top right of the chassis and a standard on-off switch like you'll find on most bikes.

When that switch is turned on, you have to wait a few seconds before it "clicks" and then it's ready to go.

There is not a lot to play with on the instrument cluster, with two switches; one to toggle between Sport and Easy modes, and the other between 0-30mph and 0-60mph.

From that, we can deduce top speed is around 100km/h.

ON THE GO
What an experience. Once the X Extreme "clicked" into gear - it's a clutchless one-speed transmission - I was off, without a hint of hesitation.

Once the throttle is opened, the 67.7Nm of instantaneous torque - about the same as a Triumph Daytona 675 - guarantees its open season from the get-go. Like a trials bike really, with the extremely low gearing.

On the flipside, there isn't a massive horsepower hit once you're up and running, but that doesn't place it at a huge disadvantage.

In fact, the Zero bike compares very favourably in both power-to-weight and torque-to-weight against something like the Suzuki DR-Z400E. In fact, the Zero is better.

And what type of 'work' would that be? It's about as endless as your imagination, but with its zero emissions and noise-free demeanour there won't be a lot of natural barriers.

Phil knows that too, although the Zero X will probably be more of a 'funbike' to begin with and it will appeal to younger and older folk alike. Although with a relatively high 910mm seat height, it will present a challenge to some.

Even mountain bike riders may want to up-spec to a motor-powered machine as they start to grow weary of pedalling. I'm throwing up all sorts of possibilities, as this really is uncharted territory in so many ways.

And where do you sell the Zero: simply through traditional motorcycle dealers? Undoubtedly, that will be another big decision for Zero Motorcycles Australia to make as it rolls out its marketing blueprint.

The brakes may look small and spindly, but the X Extreme stops very well. I'm not so sure they'd remain so perky in a more intense enduro ride, but that's probably where the MX model will endear itself. Certainly, Phil expects the MX to be the bread and butter model, both in Australia and New Zealand, where he also has the distribution rights.

At just 68kg and with the centralisation of mass around the battery and motor, the S Extreme is ridiculously easy to turn.

I certainly didn't push the envelope - and suspension - as I was navigating my way through a wet carpark, but it's certainly no uncompromising, energy-sapping meanie. I may beg to differ in terrain with bigger deflections and rougher ground, but then again I don't think I would put the Zero Extreme through that. A more definitive test in the future will provide some answers.

The Zero is an example of simplicity that works, and it's a rollicking fun ride.

Without doubt, Zero is going to gain some currency because its bikes are a quantum leap away from the internal combustion set.

Brand recognition is one thing but the next step, translating interest into sales, is always the biggest hurdle.

For something so quiet, the Zero is going to have to make a lot of noise. And I look on with interest, as the Japanese and KTM are going to be rolling out their own electric dreams in the next few years too.

It's a new frontier, but one that is damn exciting - and just a little compelling.

Zero Motorcycles Australia is already taking pre-orders, tel 0438 015 823 or email phil@zeromotorcycles.com.au.

To check out a video of the 24-hour 'electrocross' event, click here.