News – Zero Motorcycles is refining its electric motorcycles in 2010 – Occasions ZERO MOTORCYCLES

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Zero Motorcycles polishes its electric motorcycles in 2010

News - Zero Motorcycles is refining its electric motorcycles in 2010 - Occasions ZERO MOTORCYCLES

The American manufacturer Zero Motorcycles has decided that 2010 will be colorful: now available in blue and red, its electric motorcycles also benefit from technical improvements. Introducing the new Zero DS, S, MX and X motorcycles !

Based in Santa Cruz, the team of Zero Motorcycles probably does not abuse the sun, the beach and the pretty Californians: still very recent, its range of electric motorcycles already benefits from an update in terms of batteries, the management of "gases" and colors.

"Zero Motorcycles continues to forge its way into high performance electric motorcycles. Our team of engineers have revamped, redesigned and tested four models that offer significant improvements for 2010. The result: more power, a new look and a great riding experience", details Gene Banman, CEO of Zero Motorcycles.

The DS (Dual Sport) and S (Supermotard) models are the most spoiled: they introduce a cooling system allowing their engine – "lighter and more compact than the 2009 versions", underlines the manufacturer -, to reach a peak power of 31 horses and a torque of 84.6 Nm.

Values ​​that gain in presence when compared to the weight – "full facts" (!) – of these electric motorcycles: only 123.8 kg for the S and 125.6 kg for the DS! For comparison, the last road trail Site tested, the friendly Kawasaki Versys (read), weighs 206 kg for a power of 64 hp and a torque of 61 Nm..

Zero DS and Zero S users should therefore be able to venture out on the road without fear of being run over, especially since "top speed is up 10%", congratulate the Californian engineers: thanks to their slightly longer final report, the two" road "can now gallop at 105 km / h.

The range always varies depending on the driving between 40 and 80 km, at the end of which a charge of a little less than 4 hours on any AC outlet will be necessary to fill up with energy (count values ​​half lower for both other off-road models, smaller and lighter).

With performance like this, the DS and S should start to gain serious attention: clean and quiet in use, they blend in perfectly with the urban environment. "A little too much", will not fail to complain pedestrians – too inattentive? – or other road users – too distracted ?…

At the same time, the teams of Neal Saiki (the former aeronautical engineer behind Zero Motorcycles in 2006) produced a "new throttle grip technology" and a "new battery cell management module"which also benefit MX (Motocross) and X (Trail).

"The cumulative result of all these technologies is longer battery life, more available power, better acceleration and better handling.", assure the managers of the brand.

Green "philosophy", the new Zero Motorcycles retain their white color but adopt two additional colors: democratic red or republican blue! "I came back from the Geneva Motor Show, which is no longer an auto show but rather "soft mobility", and it turns out that the color code for this type of vehicle is not green but blue", explains to Site Antoine Valla, communication and marketing manager of Goes Europe, the importer of Zero Motorcycles in France..

Your choice between these four models and their color is made? So you can order the bike directly from the store on the official site, which is also full of parts and accessories of all kinds. The Zero DS and S are displayed at € 9,995, the MX at € 8,295 and the X at € 7,495, to which must be added € 330 for shipping and handling costs..

Then count "less than one euro to cover 1,000 km", assures Zero Motorcycles, either"30 US $ to travel the distance Los Angeles – New-York", illustrates Neal Saiki in an interview with the CNN news channel.

FYI all the same, heavy users should plan to replace their battery after 1000 charge cycles. "Today, prices are around US $ 1000 per kWh", explains Antoine Valla:"for a Zero S battery, it takes around 3600 €".

On the manufacturer’s website (link opposite and below), an additional battery for version X costs exactly € 2,748. A significant expense that amounts to paying nearly 125 full 17 liters of SP95 at once! Will these steep tariffs turn off buyers? ?

"At Goes Europe, we firmly believe in electric", continues Antoine Valla,"and it is important for professionals to anticipate its arrival. The market is there, it remains to be seen when it will really develop: 2020-2025 according to the pessimists, 2010-2015 according to us !".

Finally, the French importer tells us that a restricted version of the DS and S is planned: "the power will be limited to 8 or 9 kW, i.e. less than 15 horsepower". Zero Motorcycles will open the doors to a colossal clientele: B licenses! Enough to boost sales in France? Case to be continued … Stay tuned !

Matthieu BRETILLE – Builders Photos

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