Quantya Track bests Zero X in Las Vegas
In the first battle royale between the all-electric motocross bikes from Quantya and Zero Motorcycles, it appears that Swiss precision has bested American muscle. Each manufacturer sent 5 bikes to compete in a special electric event at the AMA/Maxxis MiniMoto Supercross race and when all the laps were run and the dust settled, Quantya rider Brian Roth owned the top podium position with teammate David Lodermeier in firm possession of second. Blake Mitchell, who we've seen ride the X before, saved Zero some embarrassment by grabbing third place.
No word on when the next match up between these two might happen but we hope it's soon. Besides racing in the dirt, the two manufacturers could also meet on asphalt. Zero Motorcycles has already released a supermoto bike, the "S," for the street and Quantya has a supermoto that it's been showing off in it's homeland. While both companies are winners for offering environmentaly-friendly products like these, the real winner of this competition should be the consumer if the rivalry spurs development of even better electric bikes.
Gallery: Quantya Track
[Source: MiniMotoSX via QuantyaUSA twitterfeed]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jpm 3:20PM (5/03/2009)
Since the article didn't mention specs of each bike, here they are:
Quantya Track:
motor power: 12 kW
voltage: 48 V
torque: 31.5 Nm
weight: 195 lbs
Zero X:
motor power: 17.4 kW
voltage: 58 V
torque: 67.7 Nm
weight: 151 lbs
The Zero X bike looks to have a big advantage on the Quantya. How did the Quntya kick it's ass so bad? Either the Zero X riders must have sucked real bad Zero X exaggerates its specs, or the Quantya team secrety installed a big motor.
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Brian 4:59PM (5/03/2009)
Zero exaggerate.... No....
Scott 6:19PM (5/03/2009)
The two Quantya riders that won are ex-pros that used to race in the 250 class super and motocross events. As far as I know the Zero team didnt have any ex-pros they were just some dudes that love to ride. All in all this is great because the competetion will push both brands to get better!
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A Zero X Owner 10:11AM (5/04/2009)
What this shows is that how you ride, and your skill set, is way, way, way more important than what you ride.
I ride a Zero X and it's exceeded all my expectations.
Congratulations to Mr. Mitchell for third.
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Star Faraon 2:37PM (5/04/2009)
Hello, i have been riding and comparing a 08 & 09 zero x to my 08 Quantya strada over the last few months on the steep country terrain here. My experience is that the zero recuires a lot more maintenance and is much less durable with about half of the range of the quantya. The zero excells with gentle riding on tight bycycle trails. My quantya now has 70 hours on it and all is well , brake pads are still in great shape. I replace the zero pads after every 5 hours of riding and it gets old . I really love electric motorcycles and hope both companies continue to improe on there products.
A Zero X Owner 10:39AM (5/04/2009)
Obviously, range is not an issue in short track races. Out in the field, at Hollister Hills, for example, the lighter weight of the Zero X might prove to be an advantage. It'd be interesting to see them against each other on a forty mile course with no power pack swaps allowed - whoever goes the longest distance or completes first wins. Clearly in that case, having a rider who is very light (small) and skilled at both speed and getting the most range out of the power pack is a huge advantage.
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Ed 1:44PM (5/04/2009)
How much do these bikes cost?
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Yuros 3:25PM (5/04/2009)
I had a chance to test ride both Zero S and Zero X at a Green Living show in Toronto a couple of weeks ago. I was impressed with the performance of the bikes, but a few things left me disappointed;
Brakes. I had to check if model "S" used disk brakes from a mountain bicycle. They definitely felt outmatched by the power and torque of the motor. Perhaps it was just a worn-out demo model.
Bike still has that "amateur-home-built" feel to it. Just doesn't look like a nicely finished factory product. The wire harness needs to be better housed or covered, wires are just out there in plain site. The plastics are a bit rattly with unfinished edges. Trim is not quite flush. Overall looks like it's been built from a kit in a garage and not in a factory. Granted, the company of 30 people like Zero is hardly a "factory".
All those things are mostly cosmetic, but at a price of $10,000 this is something a consumer would expect. I'm sure Zero will polish and tweak the product once they ramp up production.
But the performance is undeniably there! The torque and acceleration will put a smile on any riders face.
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Bikeraider 3:51PM (5/06/2009)
Zero X loose this race for two reasons and nothing else.
1) The front wheel of a Zero X is a bicycle tire, with a lot of wash out, even if the best rider on hearth is riding it.
2) The LEMCO LM-200 (Quantya) is a better motor with more torque no matter what Zero X claim about it.
Good day!
Bikeraider
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Star 11:42PM (5/07/2009)
The zero lost for many reasons.Zero is an od motorcycle bicycle hybrid . It rides light and responsive but it is much too fragile to be considered a sturdy motorcycle .If you ride it hard at all it will fall apart in many ways just after one hard ride .The quantya is much sturdier and can handle an amazing amount of hard riding.Competition is good for this new industry pushing all manufacturers to build better bikes.
Bikeraider 1:38AM (5/09/2009)
Hi Star,
I have a question I never have a chance to ride a Zero X but last summer I ride a Quantya and it's really a great motorcycles no doubt about it, thanks for thoses explanation.
For me the Zero X seems under power (no matter what Zero X says) on hard acceleration to a Quantya or i'm wrong ? So far what are the weaknesses of your Quantya?
Thank's
Bikeraider
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Bryan 3:07PM (6/09/2009)
Not sure what Star does on his bike to wear out brakes in 5 hours.... We raced these bikes for 24 hours and some of the bikes finished on the old set of brake pads. On top of that all bikes finished. Riding a 24 hour is not an easy task mind you especially with riders beating on the bikes the whole time on the track. 500 Miles of constant use proves Zero's durability. Unfortunatley Quantya was not able to make it to the 24 hour even though they were invited, not really sure why though.... :( Check the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zgp3zHL9E0
By the way I've logged many hours of ride time on these bikes for the purpose of demonstration, I'm no pro though, just an enthusiast. I did race the 24 hour as an amatuer with Team Marin however.
B
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Steve Patmont 3:00PM (6/12/2009)
Hi guys,
We hope to have our PMW Shocker at the next EMX showdown to regain US dominance in this exciting new form of competition.
Check it in street clothing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8T53KPBvSY
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