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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 VEHICLE REVIEW 
4

Electric Bike Performs, Lacks Motorcycle Sound, Speed

While nice for urban jaunts, range and speed are limiting

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(Newser) – The Zero S electric motorcycle is everything an electric car should be—quiet, emission-free, affordable—but the formula doesn’t necessarily translate well to bikes, Jonathan Welsh writes in the Wall Street Journal. The performance mimics a typical 500cc gas-powered bike, with peppy acceleration, and a city-worthy 60mph top speed, but its 60-mile range and four-hour charge time is limiting. Perhaps worst: It lacks that motorcycle sound.

The Zero S makes almost no sound, a problem for those who enjoy the head-turning growl of a motorcycle approaching. And the 60-mph limit, while fine for urban riding, could be dangerous in fast-moving highway traffic. The Zero S is a unique addition to a rider’s collection, but for an all-around bike that goes for distance and speed, look elsewhere, Welsh concludes.

The 2009 Zero X Electric Motorcycles from Santa Cruz-based Zero Motorcycles.
The 2009 Zero X Electric Motorcycles from Santa Cruz-based Zero Motorcycles.   (Zero Motorcycles)
Zero Motorcycles' 2009 Zero S-High Performance, All-Electric Street Motorcycle.
Zero Motorcycles' 2009 Zero S-High Performance, All-Electric Street Motorcycle.   (Zero Motorcycles)
Actor James Denton recently purchased an All-Electric Zero X Motorcycle from the company, based in Santa Cruz, Calif.
Actor James Denton recently purchased an All-Electric Zero X Motorcycle from the company, based in Santa Cruz, Calif.   (Zero Motorcycles)
Actor James Denton Recently Purchased an All-Electric Zero X Motorcycle from Santa Cruz, CA-based Zero Motorcycles. (July 2008).
Actor James Denton Recently Purchased an All-Electric Zero X Motorcycle from Santa Cruz, CA-based Zero Motorcycles. (July 2008).   (PRNewsFoto/Zero Motorcycles)
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4 comments
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nick
May 21, 09 9:11 AM CDT
Another dumb article, brought to you by the status-quo crowd. Reply
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0
RobN
May 21, 09 11:45 AM CDT
The lack of sound is a big issue. The relative loudness of a bike is one of its few safety features, it's not just about sounding cool. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
May 21, 09 5:47 PM CDT
Yeah, motorcyclists are already killed way too often by car drivers just not registering that zippy little non-car thing flying by as the driver turns left into the cyclist's path. Take away the sound, and it's just going to look like a bird flying by totally not registering . . . Maybe massive, flashing strobes and a P.A. system at intersections would wake drivers up?
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TerrifiedCitizen
May 21, 09 3:04 PM CDT
The sound issue could be easily solved by clothes-pinning a playing card to fan the spokes... but it needs to go 75 or so for safe passing. Reply
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