Santa Cruz, California — The Santa Cruz, California-based company, Zero, has recently debuted its new Zero-X Electric Motorcycle, the result of years of work by Neal Saiki, founder, and inventor of the new e-cycle. Saiki is a former NASA engineer.

The overall design of the frame and plastic of the Zero-X is revolutionary, according to its reviewers from Dirt Rider, who also comment that the layout of the electric motor is innovative as well.

The bike is powered by a proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable power pack, and has an aircraft-grade aluminum frame and swingarm. There is also a massive power module cradled in the center of the frame – which weighs 45 pounds and taking up most of the room in the motor area.

To start the bike, you simpy turn the key, flip the on/off switch to “on” and then wait about 0.562 seconds for the green light to come on.

Because the bike is silent, it is easy to forget it’s on. Flick the throttle and the cycle moves forward immediately, with no hesitation.

The Zero-X’s has a 20 horsepower engine. A test rider was able to climb Glen Helen’s famed Mount St. Helens with little trouble. There are two switches behind the handlebar-that can  alter the Zero-X’s power. According to the reviewer, the “hit” switch doesn’t seem to make a massive difference, but the “low” setting makes the overall speed of the electric motorcycle much mellower. You have to toggle the key to go from low to high, which is a good safety feature.

The test rider pointed out that compared to a full-size 250, the Zero-X is fragile, but that’s because you’re contrasting it with a big bike. In relation to a mountain bike, though, this motorcycle is quite strong.

You truly have to ride it like a bicycle – that means no blatantly hard landings and no slamming into things; you have to use finesse to ride the bike. At 151 pounds, the Zero-X is about all that the mountain bike-style fork and shock combo can take, and the entire chassis takes on a nimble, flickable feel in the dirt. Although not as stable as some would like, the lightweight feel of the machine certainly is a benefit to the power-to-weight ratio, and though the Zero-X can’t take super-hard hits or big drops, it is still capable for mild trail scenarios.

It takes a while to get used to the layout of the bike. With two hand brakes and a throttle being the extent of the controls, there’s no need for your feet to do anything.

Some components-the chain guide, for instance-are low, obtrusive and simply not designed for serious off-road use (but then again, neither was the bike).  The brakes are yet another mountain bike-inspired part and do a good job of stopping the bike when new, though Dirt Rider reviewers have heard from customers who bought this bike in late ‘08 that the pads wear out almost immediately.

It was the battery duration that would be extremely important.

The testers ran three batteries out at the Zero-X intro, and they all died in different fashions.

One battery slowly grew weaker and chugged to a stop, another felt as though it operated at one-third power forever and then fell out, and yet another battery dropped dead like someone had turned the key off. This variation is most likely because the speed with which the battery runs out, much like a tank of gas, is dependent on which mode you are in and how hard you are on the throttle.

Swapping out a battery with a replacement takes less than three minutes, but an extra batter costs $2950 (plus shipping) for the replacement.

Otherwise, it takes about two and a half hours to recharge the battery.

Right now, the major competitor to the Zero is the Quantya electric bike.

Specifications
MSRP: $7750
Claimed Weight (with battery): 151 lb
Fuel Capacity: None.

Source:
DirtRider.com

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Peterborough, Ontario — People in their 70s may have a hard time biking up hill and down dale… but no longer. Not with the assistance of an electric bicycle.

The bike makes no more noise than a 21-speed conventional bike. It has a lower top speed than that conventional bike, however, because the motor cuts out at 32 km/h, and the rider must then try to accelerate the bike with an additional nine kilograms of weight (the weight of the battery and motor).

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China’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is subsidizing a wide selection of electric bikes, including one they call a bike which is obviously a scooter – since it has no pedals. These pedal-less models go as fast as 40kph

Until Nov. 30 2010, residents of China who purchase an electric bike — with or without pedals — can apply for a one-time NT$3,000 subsidy from the EPA, officials said.

The EPA has given the subsidy to more than 36,000 owners of electric bicycles since 2001, said Yang Ching-shi, ­director-general of the EPA’s department of air quality protection and noise control.

With the new pedal-less models, the EPA expects to subsidize an additional 5,000 bicyclists each year, he said.

Although the pedal-bicycles are in actuality “light weight motorcycles”, operators will not need a license.

Consumers should consider buying an electric bike now, because the pedal-less models cost around NT$25,000 or NT$26,000, so the subsidy would mean a 10 percent discount, Yang said.

“The discount will be given at retailers, so consumers will be able to enjoy the benefits immediately. The retailers will then apply for the subsidy with us,” he said.

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Companuies prepare for the TTXGP zero-emissions grand prix to be held in June during the famous Isle of Man TT race.

On display at the Grand Prix will be an electric sport bike capable of zero to 60 in 3.8 seconds. A San Francisco firm led by former Tesla Motors engineer Forrest North will compete with an electric motorcycle capable of going 150 mph.

Also on display will be the EV-O RR, seen above. Evo Design stands out for the depth of its experience. The iconic British motorcycle company Triumph is among its biggest customers, and its five employees have worked on “everything from submarines to glass bottles,” Simpson said.

The  EV-0 RR has a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, as is propelled by a forkless single-sided front suspension and twin electric motors.

Although the first monocoque bike hit the track in 1967, single-sided front suspension appeared in 1949 and the earliest patents for electric motorcycles were filed in the late 1860s, everything is just coming together now – just in time!

This motorcycle will be running in the  TTXGP zero-emissions grand prix in June, and Evo hopes that if it runs well, their company will stand out in the growing field of high-performance electric motorcycles.

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OHM Cycles, a bike company based in Vancouver, Canada, announced on February 28, 2009 its next generation of hybrid electric-assist bicycles for 2009.

Four power packs are now available, each one designed to offer optimum power and range for every rider. According to OHM Cycles President Michael DeVisser, “The OHM Urban and Sport hybrid bicycles are a comprehensive solution for eco-friendly mobility.”.

The OHM hybrid e-bikes, which combine BionX drive technology with a Molicel Rechargeable Li-ion cell battery pack, are the first electric bicycles purpose-built for the North American market.

OHM Cycles can be ridden as a conventional bicycle ,or with pedal assist from the intelligent drive system. They have a center-mounted power pack which provides better balance and weight distribution and maintains a standard wheelbase. Because of its ightweight components and a customized power system, OHM “will send you racing up hills and around the city, with ease.”

For 2009, new features have been added:

• 4 Power packs available – 25 to 70 miles per charge with custom OHM Quick Connect system to easily remove and recharge
• Fast Recharge – 90% capacity in 20 minutes, fully charge in 3 hours, charge over 500 times without loss of capacity
• Intelligent Sensor – Patented BionX torque sensor automatically responds to the way the rider pedals and provides a smooth natural sensation
• Suntour Suspension seat post for a more comfortable ride
• Adjustable stem and handlebars to customize riding position
• Topeak rear carry rack with QuickTrack™ MTX

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An electric bike is not the same thing as an electric scooter or motorcycle.

The difference is rather obvious – an electric bike has pedals! This enables the rider to pedal and get some exercise, using the motor only when faced with a long uphill climb, or when just a little bit more speed is wanted for some reason.

An electric bike is a vehicle that is subject to the rules of the road. (So is a standard bicycle, for that matter.) Because we want electric bikes to be accepted, we must know the rules of the road and follow them. Otherwise, tickets and outraged motorists will be left in our wake!

The location where you purchase your electric bike should be able to give you a manual for the rules of the road – or more likely will point you to the website where they are posted. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse when it comes to the police – they will ticket you for breaking them.

Because an electric bike has a bit more power than a regular bike, it’s easier to use it as a shopping transport vehicle. But many people ride them just as they would their normal bikes, just for pleasure, although, again, secure in the knowledge that if they come to a monster hill, they won’t have to kill themselves getting to the top of it.

Indeed, that is the only drawback to an electric bicycle – the weight. A battery pack currently weighs about 17 pounds. Well, think of how strong your legs will get pedaling all that extra weight around.

In addition, an electric bike can be solar powered. Think of how sweet that would be. The solar panels would be in the wheels. The energy absorbed from the sun is transmitted to the battery where it is stored and used on demand. Such a battery would last a long, long time.

Rather than purchase a brand new electric bike, why not start out by purchasing a “conversion kit” to turn your current bike into an electric one. Give it a try for a while, and see if you don’t become hooked.

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OHM Electric Bike

If your looking for a true off road experience the Ohm’s XS700 comes closest. Fitted like a real mountain bike and headlining a burly 350 watt motor, this is the true off road experience in an pedal-assisted bike.

This efficient two wheeler weights only 53 pounds and has a nine level power- assist regeneration system.

Whatever your thrill is, the Bion-X power plant which is mounted to the rear hub constantly adjusts the level of assistance depending on the terrain. You can be gliding downwards on paved asphalt, heading into boggy ground, or charging up a steep hill – with a flick of the throttle the motor will take over and the pedaling is no longer required.

The nine modes can be fitted onto almost any bicycle, with four pedal assisted power settings, a neutral positing and four regeneration modes that allow you to put some power back into the battery on the downhill slopes.

For a ton of fun and a suprisingly good range -including a test of rolliing hills, bike paths and off road double tracks . The Ohm’s little gem will set you back $3,450 US.

Source: Wired

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