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[benswing]

Here is a favorable review of the DS in Autoweek magazine:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130521/CARREVIEWS/130529972

Enjoy!

[Marshm]

I thought in general ebikes were comparable to a 250cc dirt bike in power.  This article compares it to a DRZ400.  I have heard other comparisons to 600 twin street bikes.  Is that just due to the new 2013 motor?  Is it really that powerful or are these articles exagerating? 

Pretty much with gas bikes, a larger motor always uses more fuel even if you are just taking it easy.  With electric, I assume a smaller motor would also use less power.  So for those of us who prefer 250cc dirt bikes instead of the 400-450's, a smaller motor option should give a range increase.  If they truely have a 400 class bike, I am surprised they don't make a 250 class bike since those are the major ones for offroad.  Ofcourse now the lines are somewhat blurred with 300 and 350's becomming popular.  Maybe the zero is at the lower end of the 400's for power?  If Zero is more like some of the 350's or 300's, they might think they found an ideal level between the 2 major classes so don't need 2 versions.

I know for street maybe most people would choose more power, but for offroad there really is quite a difference between the 450's and 250's.  That may be due to the larger rotating mass of the larger engine making it harder to turn with the gyroscopic effect.  Perhaps 2 sizes of electric motor do not have that big of a difference, I don't know.

This is a curious topic.  It seems like they really could make a powerful 250 class dirt bike with more range than what they have now. 

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

I thought in general ebikes were comparable to a 250cc dirt bike in power.  This article compares it to a DRZ400.  I have heard other comparisons to 600 twin street bikes.  Is that just due to the new 2013 motor?  Is it really that powerful or are these articles exagerating? 

The new 2013 motor is more powerful and more efficient. Personally, I feel like it has the same power as my original starter bike, the Ninja 500, and way more torque.

This is (as I understand it) the first in-house designed electric motor by Zero just for their application, so it's simply a better fit for the load. As for efficiency, the smaller bike models are lighter and one could dial back the limits on torque, etc., but the overall range is a factor of battery size, rolling resistance, and weight, so it's probably not as straightforward as you imagine. The "powerful 250 class dirt bike" is the Zero FX.

[skeezmour]

That is the beauty of electric drive train. You only use the energy you need to achieve the performance your after. You could ride a bike that is capable of 1000hp but if you ride it nice (all other things being equal) you will not use any more energy to cover a certain distance then a bike that makes 10hp.

[WindRider]

Marshm,

Zero makes two motors now that are based on the same platform.   The XU, MX, and FX use a smaller motor (it is narrower) and the modular battery pack system.   The MX and FX are similar in weight to a 250 so if you like lighter dirt bikes, check those out.

The DS and S models use a wider motor that is more powerful and also comes integrated with a larger battery box for more range.   Likewise, the S and DS weigh more so they handle more like larger bikes.

As mentioned, with electric you can just use less energy and be more efficient whereas with an ICE if the engine is larger it generally uses more fuel.

[BSDThw]

...but for offroad there really is quite a difference between the 450's and 250's.  That may be due to the larger rotating mass of the larger engine making...

There will be a big difference with electric, the main problem is weight of the battery, so you can built a nippy offroad with less distance but if you need more distance it will not matter if you have a 250's or 450's motor equivalent, its the battery

... but the overall range is a factor of battery size, rolling resistance, and weight, so it's probably...

and air drag do most at higher speed.

[protomech]

Marshm,

Zero makes two motors now that are based on the same platform.   The XU, MX, and FX use a smaller motor (it is narrower) and the modular battery pack system.   The MX and FX are similar in weight to a 250 so if you like lighter dirt bikes, check those out.

The DS and S models use a wider motor that is more powerful and also comes integrated with a larger battery box for more range.   Likewise, the S and DS weigh more so they handle more like larger bikes.

Zero uses 3 combinations of motor and controller for 2013:

75-5 motor, size 2 controller: XU
75-5 motor, size 4 controller: FX
75-7 motor, size 4 controller: MX, S, DS

Gearing combinations, maximum battery discharge rates, and weight are other factors that determine acceleration.