2009 Zero MX Announced

The Zero MX is a modified version of the off-road Zero X, with new forks, shocks, wheels and tires designed for more aggressive motocross riding.

In our 2008 Zero X electric motorcycle review, former AMA Motocross champion Micky Dymond put the Zero X to work and promptly blew the rear shock apart on the whoops. The Zero X however, was intended more for trail use, so the new Zero MX may be more accommodating for the bigger jumps in motocross riding.

After engineering electric motorcycles for urban areas and off-road trails, we recognized the need to design a motorcycle with the motocross rider in mind, says Neal Saiki, founder and chief technical officer of Zero Motorcycles. Aggressive track riding requires a motorcycle with a high power-to-weight ratio and an advanced suspension system. The Zero MX delivers both without the noise of a typical gas motorcycle. This makes riding possible in areas that are usually off-limits due to noise restrictions.

The Zero MX uses a newly developed suspension. The inverted front fork has fully adjustable rebound and compression damping. The custom-developed rear shock has fully adjustable spring preload and damping. The standard suspension system on the Zero X only featured adjustable preload. Zero has also given the MX a 19-inch alloy front wheel and tire package that will suit motocross tires.

The new motocross components gives the Zero MX a claimed weight of 156 pounds with the power pack installed, a five pound increase from the Zero Xs listed weight.

The 2009 Zero MX is priced at $8,250, an $800 increase over the 2009 Zero X. Zero is also offering an Extreme Package upgrade for an additional $1,700 which would add a more powerful motor and a specially developed Marzocchi fork.

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