2016–2019 · Electric Motorcycle · Buyer's Guide
Torque First, Everything Silent
The FXS is a supermoto that happens to be electric, and it commits to both halves. A 27 hp Z-Force motor puts 70 lb-ft on the belt from zero rpm, there is one gear, no clutch, and nothing to warm up. The aluminum frame carries the battery low, 17-inch street rubber sits at both ends, and the whole thing weighs 291 lb wet, with ABS standard. Top speed is 85 mph. That number tells you exactly where this bike belongs: city streets and tight back roads, not the interstate.
Ride it and the appeal is immediate. It steers with almost no effort at 291 lb, holds a line without arguing about the battery weight, and the power builds in one clean, predictable pull. Ownership is where you have to be honest with yourself. The pack is modest and charging takes real time, so range planning is part of the daily deal, and older packs lose capacity with a replacement bill of $1,500 to $3,500 sitting behind them. Buy on the health of the battery, not the mileage. On a 2017 bike, confirm the ABS control unit recall was completed.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 27 hp (20 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 70 lb-ft (95 Nm) @ 0 rpm |
| Engine | Electric |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 1-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front tire | 110/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-17 |
| Seat height | 32.9 in (836 mm) |
| Wet weight | 291 lb (132 kg) |
| Top speed | 85 mph (137 km/h) |
Equipment check
Safety
The first thing that registers is what's missing. No idle, no heat off the frame, no buzz through the bars or pegs at any speed. Pull away and you hear the belt, the tires, and your own jacket in the wind. At 32.9 in the seat sits tall enough to see over traffic, but the bike is narrow between your knees, so your feet reach the ground more easily than the number suggests. The stance is upright supermoto: wide bars, knees bent, elbows out, no weight hanging on your wrists. At real road pace the silence changes how you ride. You judge speed by wind pressure and road surface instead of by revs, and it takes a few miles to recalibrate. Half an hour in you stop noticing it and just ride.
This isn't my verdict. It's what owners have told me over the years in paddocks and at club nights, plus the messages riders send me after living with one. On the FXS Gen1 the pattern barely changes: high praise for how it rides, steady worry about how far it goes.
The torque comes up first in every conversation. Owners describe the pull from a standstill as immediate and habit-forming, and say it keeps short trips through town interesting. The second constant is how little the bike asks physically: light, carried low, changing direction with almost no thought. Upkeep comes up too: no oil, no clutch, a belt at the back, and a quiet that owners call a pleasure in itself.
Range leads the complaints. At a steady 70 mph owners put the useful distance near 37 miles, and say the math never quite leaves their head. A drained pack needs around 9 hours on a standard outlet, so plugging in overnight becomes routine. Some riders miss the clutch and gearbox and feel twist-and-go sits too close to a scooter. A few describe ABS that steps in early and is slow to release, taking the edge off their confidence.
ABS Hydraulic Control Unit may be misconfigured (recall 17V145000)
NHTSA campaign 17V145000: on certain 2017 FXS units the Anti-Lock Braking System Hydraulic Control Unit may store the wrong vehicle model information, which can cause the ABS to function improperly and increase crash risk. Dealers reconfigure or replace the HCU free of charge.
Battery degradation on older units
The lithium-ion battery pack can lose capacity over time, reducing range and performance; replacement cost is high ($1500-$3500).
Motor controller failures
Some units experience stuttering or complete failure under hard acceleration, often requiring expensive controller replacement.
Cracked or warped brake rotors
Brake rotors may warp or develop cracks over time, leading to pulsing or reduced braking efficiency.
DC-DC converter / 12V system failure
Loose connectors or converter faults can cause intermittent loss of lights, horn, and other 12V accessories, though the motor and dash remain functional.
Corroded or loose charging port
Some owners report corrosion or loosening of the charging port connector, leading to intermittent charging. Cleaning or tightening the connector often resolves the issue.
Incorrect model year on emissions (VECI) label (recall 17V762000)
NHTSA campaign 17V762000: on certain 2018 FXS ZF7.2 units the Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) label may show the wrong model year, failing 49 CFR Part 567 certification. Dealers replace the label with a corrected one free of charge.
Where this Zero FXS pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the FXS is actually built for.
On the ridge roads it earns its keep: light, quiet, and quick out of every corner. Build the loop around your charge stops and it works beautifully. Ask it to cover long highway miles and it won't.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
This is the job it was built for. Short commutes, easy traffic pace, and almost nothing to maintain beyond tires and a belt. Be honest about your daily mileage before you sign.
Made for Austin · Bay Area Ridge Roads · Denver / Front Range