Via MyFoxNY.com:
Zero Motorcycles has created a stealth motorcycle for use by U.S. Special Operations Forces: The MMX.
The all-electric off-roader features a nearly silent powertrain, full blackout capability, wiring for infrared lighting systems and a keyless ignition for quick starts.
[…]
Matte black paint completes its low profile look, and with no intake or exhaust to worry about, the bike can operate when submerged up to one meter.
A pair of modular batteries provides more than two-hours of riding per charge and can be swapped out for fresh packs in a matter of moments.
A fleet of the bikes is currently being evaluated under operation conditions.
It’s no Harley, but I gotta admit – I don’t hate it.
I test-rode one of those at an Earth Day thing at my old work….it’s still pretty gay.
The center of gravity us too high and the seat is so high you need to be over 6 ft tall to flat foot it. it’s also expensive enough that only an entity that’s spending someone else’s money would consider them worthwhile. The motor rates at right around 15-20 horsepower.
admittedly, the one I rode didn’t have IR headlights and was gloss black and red.
I wrote an article about this at the beginning of last month when it was announced. Add a .50 cal mount and I’ll take one.
blarg went to an Earth Day event! Shun him!!!!
yeah…I know – my ex-job had an Earth Day thing every year…of course this was in Commiefornia and the company was in the extreme left-wing industry….I never went until I saw these electric motorcycles and like Harvey, I thought hey, look – something kind of not gay. Well I was wrong. Although the bike would get you from point A to point B it was awkward and absolutely no fun at all to ride…unless you find pleasure in driving a Prius. Think I’ll hang on to my Harley.
As penance, not only did I quit my job soon after, but I ended up leaving the state where the event took place.
center of gravity that high and 15-20 hp makes it more a motor scooter, no matter the cosmetics, at least in my mind. could have uses. what’s the scoop on acceleration, range and top end? didn’t say in the article.
blarg – your remorse seems sincere. The shunning is hereby renounced.
@jw
I can see why the military would like it. It’s very utilitarian and if you just need to transport some stuff from point A to B then it’ll do. Since it’s electric, you get 100% torque @0 RPM so you don’t need to spin up the motor and slip the clutch. You also can’t stall it. So if you can imagine just quietly rolling somewhere with a heavy pack instead of walking…yeah, I can see the appeal. The one I rode (obviously not the military model) topped out at 60, acceleration was ok, but not impressive for a motorcycle, and the range was around 40 miles on a charge, and I think there were some other more expensive models that had a bit more power and range…and like I said since I’m not a tall guy, I found it awkward and top-heavy – tall and very narrow, but it was very quiet. Other people that rode it were kind of underwhelmed – it’s biggest appeal was to scooter riders who commuted to work on scooters on surface streets. It’d scare the hell out of me to take that thing on a freeway. Also I believe the price was a bit to steep – I think they were in the $9k-$18k range….that’s premium bike country. You could get a lot of bike for that kind of money.
The notes I gave them (they were asking for notes) was they HAD to lower the seat height at least 5″ – 33″ was WAY too high for most consumers, especially if they’re new to motorcycles, and that they need to make a cruiser model. They were a really nice bunch of people though.
@8 blarg
thanks. about what i expected, though it needs more range for the military i would think.
i’ll keep my triumph.
Tuna to Damn Cat!
You can put a .50 on a prius and it would still be ghey.