The 2009 Zero X is so green that you can eat its battery. Luckily its performance is more appetizing; it’s the fastest electric dirt bike ever.
We teamed up with Fast Company, where you can read about the business and technology behind the bike, and Hell For Leather, for this review.Like the Quantya Strada Wes and I rode around his loft, the Zero X is powered by a Lithium Ion Battery. While they share a few common specs, the X is actually a very different bike. For starters, at 151 lb., the X is 44 lb. lighter, makes 23 HP with 50 lb-ft of torque (twice that of the Quantya) and does 0-to-30 in less than 2 seconds. That’s performance more akin to a 250cc two-stroke, but without the clouds of burnt Castrol R.Â
It’s pure power to weight. The 18 lb chassis uses thin-walled aluminum construction standard in auto-manufacturing, making it so light I can pick it up with my fingertips…Â More info
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…finally, the new Indian Motorcycle Company is now ready to unveil some actual product. The company says its 2009 Indian Chief lineup will be on display in the Black Hills of South Dakota at the 68th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. It’ll be a great chance to scope out the ’09 Chief Standard, Deluxe, Roadmaster and Vintage models on the corner of 4th and Lazelle in downtown Sturgis.
There will also be an Indian Motorcycle show trailer on the site, with space dedicated to bikes, accessories and apparel. Chris Bernauer, Indian Motorcycle’s general manager, says, “To see the culmination of years of engineering and hard work come together at such a historic rally … More info
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Darwin Motorcycles, the builder of the Brass Balls Bobbers & Choppers motorcycles, is pleased to announce its Custom Bobber received the 2009 V-Twin Bobber of the Year award at the 2009 annual V-Twin Expo, the industry’s largest trade show, held February 7-9 in Cincinnati, OH.
Once a year, on Saturday night, the industry gathers in the Grand Ballroom of the Duke Energy Convention Center to celebrate the winners of the Excellence Awards given away by Paisano Publications. Dave Nichols, Chief Editor of Easyriders Magazine, brought Darwin Motorcycles’ founder Dar Holdsworth up to the stage to receive the award in front of his peers. …Â More info
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said Saturday it has heard the concerns of the motorcycle and ATV industries and riders and is responding by taking action to meet their needs. The agency has decided that machines designated for youths ages 12 to 15 — formerly the Y12 category — are not prohibited under new lead content regulations and can be sold, an agency representative confirms with Dealernews.
“It’s time for everyone to be aware that those models for youths 12 to 15 are not deemed to be children’s products under the law,†said Scott Wolfson, a CPSC spokesman. “Those that are the old Y12 or any newer version of a model [for 12- to 15-year-olds] do not have to come off showroom floors and can be sold appropriately to young riders,†he says…. More info
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