By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Electric Off-Road
Zero FX (MY2016) vs KTM Freeride E-SX (MY2015)
Zero FX vs KTM Freeride E-SX: two dirt bikes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
You'll treat the Zero FX casually until you twist the throttle and the motor's on it at once. The KTM Freeride E-SX pulls in a straight, clutchless surge.
So which one do you buy?
The Freeride E-SX has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Edges it: Freeride E-SX
On loose ground, the Freeride E-SX feels a little more sure-footed. Credit a tougher build and better suspension. Small margin, and the right tires matter more.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
The Zero FX costs less, but that doesn't make it the better buy. Neither bike is the clear winner on value at these used prices.
What makes each one tick
FX
At dawn the FX slips past sleeping houses with barely a hum, and hikers who'd glare at a loud enduro just wave. Rough ground doesn't suit it, since each bump finds the limit of the budget fork and shock. The brakes run short there, too. The motor punches hard from a dead stop.
Nils rode the FX in Austria in 2016 (NastyNils Testride).
Freeride E-SX
There's a mellow Economy map on the Freeride E-SX, and Full Power lets the motor run wild. Built on a youth motocrosser's chassis, it steers into a corner with barely a nudge at the bar. It hops lines in tight terrain.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The FX has the lower seat: 34.7 in (881 mm) vs 35.8 in (910 mm).
- The FX makes more peak power: 43 hp (32 kW) vs 22 hp (16 kW).
- The FX makes more peak torque: 70 lb-ft (95 Nm) vs 31 lb-ft (42 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
FX
Strengths
- Silence opens doors
- Unplug and go
- One gear, clean pull
- Instantly familiar throttle
- Instant, abundant torque and seamless power delivery
Trade-offs
- Brakes run out early
- Optimistic battery gauge
- Limited range and long charging times
- Expensive for its performance envelope
Freeride E-SX
What owners say
Strengths
- Instant torque and seamless power
- Beginner-friendly twist-and-go operation
- Light and agile handling
Known problems to check before you buy
FX
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Freeride E-SX
- Water ingress damage to electric motor Moisture can penetrate the motor housing, causing corrosion on internal components and eventual motor failure. This often manifests after riding in wet conditions or after aggressive washing.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 9-year-old FX with a 9-year-old Freeride E-SX.
- FX
- about $4,700
- Freeride E-SX
- about $8,700
At nine years old, the Zero FX sits around $4,700 while the KTM Freeride E-SX runs about $8,700. That's a $4,000 gap in the FX's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Electric
- Gearbox
- 1-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
Where the spec sheets split
| FX | Freeride E-SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 34.7 in (881 mm) | 35.8 in (910 mm) |
| FX | Freeride E-SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 43 hp (32 kW) | 22 hp (16 kW) |
| Torque | 70 lb-ft (95 Nm) | 31 lb-ft (42 Nm) |
| FX | Freeride E-SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 120/80-18 | 120/90-18 |
| Ground clearance | 10.6 in (269 mm) | 13.4 in (340 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.6 in (218 mm) | 9.8 in (250 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.9 in (227 mm) | 10.2 in (260 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| FX | Freeride E-SX | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
