Jay Leno reviews Zero S electric motorcycle [w/VIDEO]
Click above to watch the video after the break
We suspected it wouldn't take long for Jay Leno to throw a leg over the new Zero S electric motorcycle, and indeed the popular late night comedian and talk show host has just posted a video review of the bike on the Jay Leno's Garage site. Zero founder and CTO Neal Saiki drops by and offers a bit of commentary on the recently-released machine, and there are a few bits of interest to dissect.
For instance, Neal says the bike's 32 horsepower is roughly equivalent to 50 horsepower in an internal combustion engine since that power is available all through the rev range. Coupled to a weight of just 225 pounds, that's an impressive power-to-weight ratio, regardless of which horsepower figure you choose to use. Saiki also says that the Zero's frame is made from aluminum that's just three-times the thickness of a soda can. Regarding the bike's top speed of 60 miles per hour, Saiki says it's possible to make the bike go much faster, but the gearing required to hit those speeds would reduce the bike's ability to wheelie on command, and that's not good.
While Jay doesn't test Neal Saiki's assertion that you could ride the Zero S from LA to New York with just $30 worth of electricity, he does hop on and take the bike for a ride. Jay definitely seems to like the Zero S, saying that he got used to the lack of shifting pretty quickly and that "this is the future" of motorcycling. Of course, it's also quiet, and Leno quips that "you could go through the bird preserve and not even bother anybody." There are a few flies in the ointment, though, such as the wimpy sound of the bike's horn. Click past the break to watch the video.
[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike!!ekiM 7:46PM (6/11/2009)
This thing is getting Dangerously close to Affordable. The Gas Engine bike is going to have a Near Death experience sooner then I though.
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jpm 8:09PM (6/11/2009)
With these impressive rebates, http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/incentives/ , I think they will be in high demand. Get the range and speed up, and there will be huge waiting lists.
Nice review Jay, thanks.
Robert 8:19PM (6/11/2009)
I'm not seeing video and all the "after the break" links are going to the ABG home page for me. What gives?
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Derk McRockgroin 10:23PM (6/11/2009)
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=658441
matthijs 6:19AM (6/12/2009)
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=1120652
MitchJi 8:25PM (6/11/2009)
Hi,
"While Jay doesn't test Neal Saiki's assertion that you could ride the Zero S from LA to New York with just $30 worth of electricity"
Justin rode an Ebike from Vancouver to Halifax (Pacific to Atlantic) for under $9 worth of electricity:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=7134
Mitch
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Hans Wurst 9:20PM (6/11/2009)
Not a fan of how everybody's talking about how much the electricity costs for a certain distance and would like to see how much the electricity + battery replacement costs are. When I did that math on the Zero X a while back, I quickly realized that the Zero S is not for me and spent the money I had saved up for it on something else.
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Richard 9:54AM (6/12/2009)
Makes sense, as soon as we start talking about MPG in terms of "cost of gas plus engine/transmission tune-ups and rebuilds."
Hans Wurst 12:59PM (6/12/2009)
Makes sense, once batteries are as cheap as said tune-ups and rebuilds :)
NeilBlanchard 10:16PM (6/11/2009)
Hi,
While we're on the subject of costs:
No oil changes (or leaks).
No clutch to wear out.
No tune ups.
I want the SS model, they are coming out with next.
Sincerely, Neil
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justin 2:38AM (6/12/2009)
""There are a few flies in the ointment, though, such as the wimpy sound of the bike's horn.""
I wouldn't need the horn because people would hear me going "woooo hooo yeah!" etc.
DasBoese 6:11AM (6/12/2009)
Ha, so it's actually 60 MILES, not 60 kilometers like a friend of mine thought. Sweet.
If the 4 hours charging time is at 110 Volts, then it hould take half that with a 220V European plug... that's plenty for commuting, it should even allow for some casual touring. Plan your route so you ride until 10% or 20% charge left, have a nice lunch and a cup of coffee during your 2-hour recharge break, ride back. Or do a round trip made up of multiple 70 - 80km stretches. Sell it as a bar-hopping tour to your riding buddies ;)
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