After starting production in June, Zero started delivering its new Zero XE and Zero XB electric motorcycles to customers in July. While taking delivery of another Zero electric motorcycle this morning, I got the chance to take a Zero XB for a quick spin.
Price and key specs under $5,000
As Electrek has covered, the Zero XB story begins with its price. The “all-terrain, all-electric” X line starts below $5K. The Zero XB carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $4,395.
The other part of the story is the rider experience. The Zero XB weighs 139 pounds, making it feel weightless while you’re riding and light enough to lift into a van without ramping it.
The 50-mph top speed gives you enough propulsion to have fun, especially off-road, and the fully adjustable suspension instantly adapts from paved streets to dirt roads and nature trails.
Ride impressions on street and trail
In my quick test ride, I tried the bike on all three terrains. I started in eco mode to get a conservative feel for how it reacts to rolling the throttle. You can change riding modes when not accelerating, so I switched to standard mode after getting comfortable on each terrain.
I was told that riders have reacted to sport mode with some surprise at its power. The oomph felt great on pavement, but I was too cautious to push sport mode on a dirt trail or through a wooded area. Still, riding over tree roots and rocks felt great thanks to the bike’s suspension, making the trail as comfortable as the street.
A pair of brakes round out the handlebars, but it’s the tiny little screen with just enough of a user interface that impressed me. At a glance, it feels no bigger than a couple of Apple Watch displays. It uses this screen to compactly display charge level, time of day, speed, Eco/Standard/Sport mode, trip and total mileage odometers, and more. The “P” button lets you swap performance modes while riding.
The best part for me? None of that engine noise that sounds like a pack of bees, and no engine heat that makes you wish it was winter.
If you get a chance to test ride a Zero XB and XE, helmet up and experience it firsthand. Meanwhile, Zero Motorcycles just scored a spot on the podium at the Tennessee Knockout Extreme Enduro motorcycle competition on Saturday. Rider Dustin Foudray earned third place on a Zero XE in the eMoto Expert class competition. I’ll add video if footage shows up online.
For now, you can learn more about the new Zero Motorcycles X line from Micah, and be sure to tune in to the Wheel-E podcast for your weekly dose of electric bike news.
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