The Zero MX

Suspend your thoughts about the roar-and-vibration riding experience for a minute and consider a near silent hum instead, because electric bikes just kicked the caboodle out of gas powered motorcycles at the May 7 Minimoto Energy Crisiscross (ECX) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It was the inaugural American Motocross Association sanctioned electricity vs. gas race, and electricity nabbed the first six spots, seven out of the top ten. Drew Gosselaar, riding a Quantya Track, took first place and riders on Zero MX bikes landed the next six at this AMA first.

The event matched these electric dirt bikes with comparable 150cc gas-powered cycles and while gas vehicles maintain many advantages over electric, the Energy Crisiscross results show that electric manufacturers are making strides.

The Quantya track boasts a top speed of about 43 mph, with a 30-90 minute run time and two-hour charge time. The Zero MX provides up to 23 horsepower, has a range of up to 40 miles and fully charges in about two hours.

If a person had a job less than 20 miles away, one could do worse than commuting on an electric street model motorcycle, some of which have top speeds up to and exceeding 65 mph and ranges closer to 50 miles.

Of course, they probably don’t produce much roar and vibrato.