Check Out This Supermoto-style Electric Bike From California

Zero Motorcycles, a California-based electric bikemaker, has unveiled the 2021 FXE electric bike. It retails at about Rs 8.8 lakh (converted from USD) in its home, making it a not-so-affordable e-bike. 

Coming to the bike, its design seems inspired by a supermoto bike, with its high-set front mudguard, minimalist tail section, and flat single-piece seat. Topping off the design is a circular LED headlamp and sporty alloy wheels.

While the design is rather sober, the features are slightly more engaging. The FXE sports all-LED illumination, two preset riding modes, switchable Bosch ABS, and a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster with smartphone pairing. 

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However, the most impressive bit about the FXE is its mechanicals. Zero Motorcycles has employed a Force 75-5 IPM motor putting out around 46PS and 106Nm, which can propel the FXE to a claimed top speed of 137kmph. However, you can’t maintain this speed because as soon as the motor heats up, it cuts the speed to 120kmph to cool down. One thing we find particularly impressive about the FXE is its carbon-fibre belt that’s been employed for effective transmission. 

The motor is coupled to two 7.2kWh batteries, offering a claimed total range of 160km at city speeds. Impressively, if you cruise at 90kmph, the range is still about 100km, but beyond that, there’s a significant drop in the range. 

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To excel at occasional sporty riding, the FXE rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped with Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres, sprung on a 41mm inverted fork and a 40mm piggyback monoshock, both fully adjustable and sourced from Showa. Meanwhile, the bike is anchored by a 320mm single disc up front and a 240mm rear disc, both shod with J.Juan calipers. 

Given the tall stance, one would think the FXE isn’t too user-friendly but it actually is, thanks to its 836mm seat height and just 135kg of kerb weight. 

All things considered, the FXE surely packs some top components usually only offered on premium petrol-powered bikes. But there’s no ignoring the fact that the FXE is an extravagant buy in California. Luckily, that’s not something we have to worry about because the chances of Zero Motorcycles stepping into India are fairly bleak.