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Zero off-road electric motorcycles get recalled, might crash more than usual
The Zero S our own Tim Stevens rode fearlessly through the streets of New York apparently isn't effected, but it looks like Zero's off-road electric motorcycles (the Zero X and Zero MX) have been hit with a recall after it was discovered that they might crash when it's not entirely the driver's fault. Turns out the throttle can get stuck in the open position or become disconnected, and that the "Easy" or "0-25" modes can "unexpectedly" lead to full power when the bike is turned on -- both what you might call "bad things." Of course, this is a fairly small recall (some 200 vehicles), but if that includes you, you'll want to get in touch with Zero to arrange for a free repair. Hit up the link below for all the necessary details.
Mission One electric motorcycle surpasses 150 MPH, heading to Snake River Canyon
It was no idle boast when Mission Motors claimed that its Mission One all-electric motorcycle could reach 150 MPH speeds. In fact, the company's showing in the 2009 BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah has proved all this and more, with the bike hitting single pass speeds as high as 161 MPH, and a two-pass average of 150.059 MPH, setting the Land Speed Record for Electric Motorcycles in the process. And this isn't a vehicle that taunts you, forever unavailable, like Evel Knievel's rocket-powered cycle. No, this is a production prototype featuring the same powertrain that customers can look forward to shelling out close to $70,000 for when it becomes available sometime next year. But don't take our word for it, peep the video for yourself after the break. [Via AutoBlog]
Paul Sr. demonstrates OCC's electric chopper, Fox News seems mystified
Paul Teutul Sr. may not be the most eloquent of men, but he's good at what he does and has developed quite a following both on and off the reality TV circuit. Apparently none of those followers work at Fox News, as he got something of an odd reception when going on air there to show off Orange County Choppers' latest creation: the Siemens Smart Chopper. A different sort of bike than either the Zero S or Brammo we've ridden this year, the Chopper has a 27hp electric motor and a top speed of over 100mph while still managing a 60 mile charge. It sports LED lighting and recycled components to further up its green cred, a combination that seems to, for some reason, raise the ire of the hosts of Fox and Friends. Or maybe they're just trained to always sound loud and incredulous. Decide for yourself in the video after the break. [Via Gizmag]
Zero Motorcycles bridges the dirt/street gap with the Zero DS electric motorcycle
We love motorcycles, and we love things that help the environment, so it's no secret that we loved the Zero S electric supermoto when we got to take it for a spin through the urban wasteland. That bike has now been set free from the world of asphalt, given some knobbies, beefier wheels, and brawnier suspension to make it just as good when the pavement ends, as the video below shows. It also has a much brighter light, which may put something of an additional drain on the battery (range is still rated at 50 miles), but will make it easier to find puddles to avoid -- or to aim for. This bike fills the void between the company's street and dirt offerings, and while it might not be quite as good over the yumps as the offroad-only Zero MX, it has the distinct advantage of not requiring a truck or trailer to get there in the first place. The DS costs $9,950, the same as the Zero S, and is available for order now.
Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle now available
The Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle -- which we took for a joyride around the streets of New York City last month -- can now be yours, as it's officially on sale. The eco-friendly bike has a horsepower rating of 13.7, with torque at 31 ft/lbs, and weighs about 280 pounds. With a top speed of about 50 miles an hour, the bike's got a 45 mile range before needing a 3 hour recharge. It's not the most powerful of motorcycles to be sure, but it's got plenty of style, and it can be yours for about $12,000. [Via Coolest Gadgets]
Zero MX all-electric motorcycle takes on the trails
Not one to rest on its ultra-quiet laurels, Zero Motorcycles has just introduced its newest zero-emissions bike: the Zero MX. Hitting the scene just a month and change after we test drove the Zero S, this whip is engineered specifically for track riding and motocross, with the fork, shocks, wheels and tires being all new for this model. In fact, we're told that the MX will enable riders to jump higher and land softer, with a beefier front-end and a "custom rear shock that gives riders a fully adjustable spring preload and easily tuned damping." Better still, it's available as we speak for the not-at-all-reasonable price of $8,250, though at least we're heading in the right direction -- the aforesaid Zero S rang up at nearly ten large (while that Brammo bike we tested today starts at twelve grand). Live action video is after the break.
MotoCzysz E1pc electric superbike packs iPhone in the dash
We've certainly seen Apple's iPhone act as an integral part of a vehicle before, but we've yet to see one front and center on a motorbike. Hailed as the planet's first "digital superbike," the MotoCzysz E1pc packs some pretty sick technology from end-to-end. Aside from being a zero-emissions, all-electric motorcycle, it reportedly relies on Apple's darling for its instrumentation. Sadly, details about what exactly the iPhone handles are few and far between, but hopefully we'll hear more after its upcoming run in the TTXGP on June 12th. Two more looks after the break.[Via Hell For Leather]
DIY Solar Flyer motorcycle tearing around Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix area resident and motorcycle enthusiast Richard Gryzch got tired of gassing up his bike all the time, and he decided to do something about it. Rather than getting a fancy electric motorcycle, he modded one for himself -- making an electric bike that is seemingly covered in solar panels. The motorcycle uses no gas, goes up to about 90 miles per hour and has a range of around 50 miles. There are very few details about the inner workings of the bike, so we're loathe to say it's 100 percent solar, but Richard does plan on extending his bike's range of 300 miles. Hit the read link to watch an extremely tiny video of Richard and his bike.
Zero S electric motard set to scare commuters later this month
In the world of motorcycling the motard is a bike for crazies -- not packing much power but offering plenty of grunt for wheelies and other urban antics, making them quite popular amongst those who ride the city streets. They're typically modified off-roaders, as is the case with Zero X's new Zero S. The company took its electric dirtbike, added some street-friendly tires, tweaked the suspension, and doubled the battery life to offer 60 miles to a charge despite keeping the weight down to just 225 pounds. While a zero-to-60 time of five seconds won't win any awards from two-wheeled aficionados, that's more than quick enough to ensure victory at stoplights. A top speed of just 60 mph means highways are to be avoided, but they're no fun anyway. You can throw your leg over your own later this month for $9,950, or catch a video of this near-silent screamer right now after the break.
Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle to be sold at Best Buy
You're already buying TVs, washing machines, cheap keyboards and cell phones at Best Buy, why not a $12,000 electric motorcycle? That seems to be the thinking going on at Brammo HQ, where an infusion of cash from Best Buy's investment arm last year has now led to plans to sell the $11,995 Enertia at five West Coast Best Buy stores in May. Okay, sure, but we're way less optimistic about plans to let the Geek Squad handle basic repairs and maintenance -- we don't let those fools near our laptops, god forbid Pimples McUpsell touch something that could actually kill us. Eventually Brammo wants to sell bikes at every Best Buy location around the world, but we'll see how this initial test works out. [Via Autoblog Green]
Mission One electric motorcycle boasts 150 MPH top speed, extreme price tag
The Mission One EV electric sports bike got a proper unveiling at this week's Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference, and boy does this baby exude power. Mission Motors says the motorcycle's got an 150 MPH top speed and 100 foot-pounds of torque at any point between 0 and 6,500 RPM. That's a good deal faster than the Electric Motorsport GPR-S, which tops out at a now-paltry 100 MPH. The lithium-ion battery keeps it running for 150 miles, and charge time is targeted for under 2 Hours at 240V (8 Hours at 120V). Its stylish form factor comes from famed industrial designer Yves Behar. Yeah, we're excited, too, but here's the part where you flinch: the deathly silent super-scooter will first show up in 2010 with a 50-unit limited edition run costing $68,995 apiece. A more affordable model will be announced sometime this summer. If you've got a need for this much muted speed, be prepared to mortgage a house or two. [Via Autoblog Green]
Electric Motorsport's GPR-S e-motorcycle available now for $8,000
When we spotted Electric Motorsport last year the company was pushing a high-ish performance electric motorcycle prototype, with a top speed of 100 MPH, 100 mile range, a $15,000 pricetag, and a whole bunch ugly battery strapped underneath. Lucky for us, they've taken a very mass-market approach to their next bike, the GPR-S. Boasting a 60-70 MPH top speed and 35-60 mile range, the sleek little bike just might be the perfect commuter ride, and the $8,000 pricetag is much more palatable. The bike can charge in about four hours, or 1.5 hours with an optional speed charger. Even better, the bike is modular in nature, which means you'll be able to swap in a better power system once one comes along with a minimum of hassle. Electric Motorsport has sold 25 of these so far, but they're up and running and ready for sales at volume -- which is surprisingly still an incredibly rare feat in the electric transportation industry, even in 2008.
Solar powered motorcycle now an impractical reality
Why is this guy smiling? Unlike your Zero, his electric motorcycle is solar powered. To build the bike, Jim Corning started with his wife's Ninja 250, adding a front wheel cover and extending the back end for aerodynamics. The motor is powered by lithium-ion phosphate batteries, which are recharged by four 800-watt solar panels mounted to the roof of his house (so it's not like you can just sit out in a field somewhere and charge up). The current design gets up to 70 mph and a range of about 50 miles: no power cord required. Want to make one yourself? Hit the read link for more details, and don't forget to be super rich and totally insane.
Modded electric motorcycle is street-legal, costs under $2K
We've seen more silly homemade electric vehicles than we care to remember, but Ben Nelson's electric motorcycle manages to retain some of its original two-wheel charm while using only a penny of juice per mile -- roughly the equivalent of 300mpg. Nelson bought the bike for $100 and swapped out the original engine for a Briggs and Stratton 8HP DC motor he picked up on eBay for $500, using four $160 Optima Yellowtop lead-acid batteries for power. Nelson says he can get the rig up to a top speed of 45MPH, and he's got a range of about 20 miles before he needs to plug in -- enough to run errands around town. Best of all, the state of Wisconsin willingly registered his bike as a "hobbyist" vehicle, which means he's free to (silently) roam the streets at will. Ben first built the bike about a year ago, so he's accumulated a ton of useful info if you're interested in following in his tire tracks -- hit up the read link to learn more, and check the video after the break.Read - Nelson's build blog[Via ecomodder]
Matra shows off its human / electric-powered MS1 bike
Sure, we've seen all flavors of electric motorcycles over the years, but Matra's iteration takes a slightly different approach. The MS1 looks more like a bicycle and less like a Harley, and it provides commuters with a backup source of energy that should never fail so long as you're properly fed, hydrated and rested. That source, of course, would be your legs / feet, which can pedal this bad boy away long after the electric motor runs out of steam. Reportedly, the bike has a range of around 62 miles without any pedal assistance, captures usable energy when you apply the brakes, and sports a speed limiter that kills the juice just before you exceed 28mph. No word on when this thing will hit shops, but it'll supposedly run you around €3,500 ($4,951) whenever it does. Click out a couple more shots after the break.
Zero Motorcycles cranks out whisper quiet electric bike
Can't scrape together enough coin to pick up an electric whip? Fret not, as your options in the not-gasoline-powered motorcycle realm are quickly expanding. Enter Zero Motorcycles, which already offers a Zero X dirt bike for a mere $6,900, and hopes to unleash a street-legal commuter motorcycle soon that will be "slightly larger and more powerful than the Zero X" and will sport the obligatory lights and turn signals necessary for street riding. Currently, the off-road flavor will cruise 40 miles on a single charge, can be recharged in just two hours, can be shipped in a cardboard box, and reportedly accelerates beyond 30mph in "just a few seconds." And if you're just now daydreaming about how splendid it would be to take one of these out for a spin, be sure and visit the read link below to live vicariously through a few lucky CNET employees.[Via UberReview]
evDaytona: electric motocycle with turgid windscreen
Feel like cruising upwards of 93 miles-per-hour on a motorcycle without using a single drop of fuel? How about being absolutely certain that a great egret could hit your windshield without even fazing you? If you're in agreement with those two tidbits, Triumph's evDaytona looks to be the bike for you, as it can go zero to 60 in a mere 2.9 seconds, roll 143 miles on a full charge, and sports a five-year battery life to boot. This aluminum alloy-framed machine sports all the amenities you'd expect to find on your average motorbike, but throws in a ginormous windscreen and removes the need for fossil fuels along the way. Of course, the bike currently still needs DOT approval, and while we've yet to see anything definite on price, word on the street is that this here ride will run you about $77,000 whenever it actually launches.[Via MotorBiker]
