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[Skull_Kid]

I definitely like what I'm hearing about the Zero FX.  Is the power decrease that noticeable when you're battery's SOC goes below 50%?  I currently drive a DRZ400SM, does it become slower than that?  Can you not do wheelies anymore?

[Cortezdtv]

Hollister hare scramble's open class has been won by Trevor   Not positive but I believe more than once

[mguw]

I definitely like what I'm hearing about the Zero FX.  Is the power decrease that noticeable when you're battery's SOC goes below 50%?  I currently drive a DRZ400SM, does it become slower than that?  Can you not do wheelies anymore?

Yes it gets definitely slower below 50%,   you still get nice torque at low speeds but top speed and top acceleration decreases.   Wheelings at 70-80 km/h are not possible anymore

A+ Marcel

[mguw]

Well it is not a step at 50% it is more like a continuous drop of power from 100 to 0, and it gets noticeable at 50% where top speed becomes 125km/h instead of 137 and at 10% top speed will be 90ish and 5% 70ish

Well the controller limits the current draw not to damage the battery,  this limitation is also temperature related

A+ Marcel

[grmarks]

It's not a KTM500, but I do have an RM250 (two stroke off-road bike) and I have an FX arriving tomorrow.  I'll be able to give a more detailed comparison in a few days, but here are my thoughts from the test ride (on road)...

• The FX pulls harder where 3rd/4th gear would be on an ICE bike.  For example, the FX easily lifts the front wheel from 25-55mph.  I think the feeling of constant acceleration through this range is what sold me on getting the FX - it just feels awesome.  Watch some of the FX reviews on YouTube and you'll notice the reviewers almost get giddy as they pass through this power range!
• The "instant"  and constant torque that electric bikes offer is real, but it didn't seem to "hit" the same way an ICE bike can when you pop the clutch or blip the throttle with the RPM's up.  For example, I'm not sure how well an FX will be able to hop the front wheel over a puddle or log.
• The FX is MUCH smoother and quieter.
• The FX will require MUCH less routine maintenance.
• The FX will have 25-50% less range, and "fill-ups" are not instant.
• The FX will probably be less durable over the long term if it will be seeing much off-road abuse.  For example, the frame is relatively thin, pressure washing may cause big issues, electronics/overheating issues are not yet uncommon, etc.  KTM has just had many more years to refine and work the bugs out of their designs...

about point 3 - if you have extra packs you can "fill up" in a minute or so.

[grmarks]

I will be interested to see how the 6.6 goes with respect to power loss, will it be around 40% soc when you notice the power drop instead of 50%? Or will the new packs be able to deliver more power thus not dropping off power at all?

[Cortezdtv]

6.6= beast mode I'm jealous!

[mguw]

I will be able to compare test a 6.6 this Sunday.  A friend just bought one,  I'll tell you.

I noticed also more power at 100% when just disconnected from the plug then at 100% if disconnected one or two days ago

A+ Marcel

[Lipo423]

Your comment is quite interesting…
I have also noticed the same…right after disconnecting at 100% charge it looks like the bike has a little more capacity than when kept for a few days pugged 

[NoiseBoy]

Could this be due to the battery not allowing regen when full? The bike can feel faster because it is coasting rather than slowing on a shut throttle. Just a guess.

Skull kid; the DRZ felt very flat to me so I'm certain that the FX will be an animal in comparison.  Even the old 2012 Zero X I borrowed for a month felt zippier than the DRZ.

[mguw]

The wheelings are not because of less regen ;-)


A+ Marcel

[Skull_Kid]

I'm very curious to hear about the 6.5 and how it compares.  I'm guessing 2015 models will be discounted and with the terrible Canadian dollar, there would probably be a considerable gap in price.  The FX went up 1800$ in 2016 so probably 2500$+ difference OTD.

[mguw]

Hello

Ok I couldn't compare.
We went out to the motocross track and both broke our belt before we could exchange motorcycles...  They broke on hard landings...
Chain kits are ordered...

Envoyé de mon SGP521 en utilisant Tapatalk

[BenS]

I have a '15 FX and a 2010 KTM530exc. The KTM is much better for serious off-road riding. KTM just have much more experience in building bikes tough enough to handle off-road riding. KTM's Freeride E would be great for off-road, but it only has half the battery of the FX, so it'd only be useful for short rides or racing. I doubt the FX chassis would last long for serious off-road riding; it's fine on-road, but just doesn't compare to the KTM for off-road. For me, my FX is just a casual, fun bike that I can ride almost anywhere, because it's quiet(apart from the front brake; not so stealthy!). A couple of things I don't like on the FX is the howling(and small) front disc brake, and the low hanging kickstand(it gets snagged easily), which I remove if I do any single trail(the sensor harness needs to be modified with a switch, so that ABS can still be turned off). I also wish that ABS could be turned off or even better, removed, permanently!

[StraydogEOMFD]

Interesting thread that I've been checking back in on quite a bit since the first post since I'm in the same boat.  One issue with online reviews of anything powersports is of course the subjectivity.  Specifically, in terms of the FX, I see that people are saying it can't handle "serious" off-road riding.  Could you guys define that by chance?  I'm seriously considering an FXS with a set of FX wheels and a chain kit for dual sport exploring, commuting, true supermoto as well as pavement only kart course track days.  The dual sport riding I do is on trails in New Jersey/Pennsylvania which ranges from mud, dirt, sand, rocks to any mix in between.  There is one section of one trail we ride that has about 5 minutes of whoops which is tiring but fun.  There are a few tight spots that are a little tricky to navigate, but otherwise it's mostly single and double track type of trails.  Is that too much to ask of the Zero FX(S)?  Would I be better off dealing with the constant maintenance of the EXC in favor of the performance? 

I really like a lot about the Zero such as the lack of a clutch/shifter which makes for a purer riding experience, the quietness, the lack of required consistent maintenance and the fact that it's made in the USA.  Plus, after the initial purchase, there is little time or money required to upkeep the bike for the most part. 

The cons that have me on the fence of 500 EXC vs Zero FX(S) are the lack of ability to "refuel" quickly without dropping $3k on an extra set of batteries, having to buy an offboard charger to get reasonable recharge times and one thing that is a slight issue for me is the range.  However, having said that, the range surely seems to be a ton better with the 2016s thanks to the 6.5 but it seems like nobody who has one has posted up their feelings on it.  Everything I read is the 5.7 but if I go with a Zero, it's going to be the 6.5.  I realize it's still pretty new but I've been stuck overseas researching and following this bike for six months so I find myself trying hard to find new info/reviews/youtube videos daily without much luck.