Fitness
Learning to Ride on a Zero FXE Electric Motorcycle
Getting a motorcycle license has long been a goal of mine. It always seemed like a natural extension of my absolute obsession with life on two wheels. I’m a self-proclaimed accomplished cyclist, so how hard could it be to transition from pedal power to motor power?
“Not hard,” I was assured by friends who’ve ridden motorcycles their whole lives—and who played more than a small role in egging me on.
I was confident in my ability to handle the bike once I got it going—22 years of riding mountain bikes and six years on road bikes had me certain. The biggest hurdle standing in my way was the clutch. I never learned to drive a stickshift. The intimidation factor of combining a hand-operated clutch, a foot-operated shift lever, and learning how to handle an entirely new-to-me mode of transportation was enough to give me pause in chasing my goal.
But what if there wasn’t a clutch? What if there was no shifting? And what if there was hardly any maintenance? That would certainly change my mind. And it did when I learned about the Zero Motorcycles FXE.
For the unfamiliar, Zero is a California-based company making some of the best electric motorcycles available. Thanks to its electric powertrain, the FXE has no clutch, no shift lever, no neutral—to ride it, you just turn it on and hit the throttle. When you return home, you plug it into a standard outlet to charge the battery. It’s about as approachable as a motorcycle gets.
In my mind, the electric powertrain significantly lowered the barrier to entry. And when Zero offered me an FXE to test, that left only a 25-question written exam and a live skills test standing between me and cruising ribbons of twisting pavement through Vermont hillsides. The FXE left me with virtually no excuse not to check the box of getting my moto license.
The Bike
In terms of electric motorcycles, the Zero FXE is far and away the most approachable and most accessible. Competitors include more intense bikes from the likes of Energica and Damon, the latter of which will reach 200 mph—hardly suitable for a newbie. There are also a few less-polished offerings from Kollter, among others. They’re affordable, but they lack the polished presentation of the Zero. The FXE strikes a great balance between performance, refinement, approachability, and affordability. In other words, it’s a perfect battery-powered beginner bike.
That said, there are some downsides. Electric bikes are notoriously expensive when compared to gas ones, and the Zero FXE certainly isn’t immune to this criticism. The bike will set you back $12,995 without the quick charger. By comparison, a new Honda CB300R comes in at $4,949 MSRP. That’s a tough pill to swallow.
But consider the savings. When it comes to maintenance, the bike requires no oil changes, and there’s no chain to keep lubricated or replace when it becomes worn. Plus you’ll save on gas (especially considering current pricing), and there are often incentives available for purchasing EVs (more on that below). Once you factor all that in, buying an electric motorcycle starts to look a whole lot better, financially speaking.
The Gear
Before I ventured out on the road, I wanted to make sure I was properly outfitted. I didn’t compromise when it came to safety equipment. I went with a full kit from Alpinestars, including the SM5 Rover Helmet, Oscar Monty V2 boots, Victory Tech Denim pants, Crossland gloves and a full Tech-Air 5 wearable airbag system (the most advanced wearable safety system available for motorcycles). Add in top-tier eye protection in the form of Oakley’s Front Line MX goggles, and I was more than ready to hit the road.
The Nuts and Bolts: What Do You Actually Need to Do?
First, a major caveat: My experience applies to the state of Vermont. And while many states are similar, this is by no means an exhaustive guide to getting your motorcycle license in any state.
In Vermont, the process of getting your motorcycle license is pretty simple. Step one is studying the handbook. This outlines not only laws for operating a motorcycle, but also tons of tips and information to make sure you’re safe on two wheels. While many of them are only applicable to gas-powered bikes, there are plenty of tips that apply to electric bikes, too.
I studied this book for hours. I memorized which of the “three lanes” within a lane of travel is safest. I drilled into my brain the notion that no driver will ever see me, even if I make eye contact. And so on. Then I took my written exam online—and received the instant gratification of a passing grade. That afforded me 120 days of practice riding during the day with no passengers, and only in the state of Vermont.
The other option for those seeking their license is to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. This course will teach you to ride a gas-powered bike, and it will walk you through everything you need to know to ace the written test and get your license.
Since riding gas-powered motorcycles didn’t interest me, I skipped the MSF course. Even so, I would absolutely benefit from taking the course and may still do so in the future. But for the sake of achieving my goal of getting my license, and doing it by riding an electric motorcycle, I felt confident with my solo studying and real-world practice.
Step two on the licensing journey is to make sure that you have a properly insured and registered motorcycle to take the skills test. Since I was using a loaner Zero FXE, that part was already taken care of for me.
Riding the Zero FXE
My first impression of the FXE when I got it out on the road? It is quick. The best comparison I can make is to a handful of e-bikes I’ve ridden over the years. But the boost of torque you get with a pedal-assist e-bike is nothing compared to a twist of the throttle on the FXE. It’s instant power.
The actual mechanics of turning, braking, and navigating roadways, however, felt as intuitive as riding my road bike. It takes a bit more muscle considering the FXE weighs 300 pounds, but riding it felt totally manageable.
The FXE is also nearly silent. In that way, it’s similar to riding a road bike down a long hill—and much quieter than even a small gas-powered motorcycle. You mostly hear road noise, a bit of mechanical whirring, and the rubber on the road surface. The electric motor paired with a belt drive means that mechanical noise generated by the bike is kept to a minimum. Most gas-powered bikes feature traditional chain drives, which are notably louder than belt drives and require more maintenance.
In terms of weight, the Zero FXE (298 pounds) compares favorably with the aforementioned Honda CB300R ABS (317 pounds).
While I had the bike, I used it most often on the 18-minute commute from my house to the office. It’s a prime use case for the FXE. No highways or high-speed roads, just standard streets with traffic lights and stops signs through neighborhoods and downtown Burlington, VT. There’s plenty of range to go out and have some fun on the back roads (I got about 78 miles to a charge in real-world testing), but I was cautious given my beginner status.
In terms of charging, keeping the FXE topped up couldn’t have been simpler. It plugs right into a standard household outlet. That made it easy to ensure I always had a full charge before heading out. The downside is that you can’t charge it at the burgeoning network of EV charging stations, though there are other Zero models that offer that capability.
The Test
After a few weeks of getting comfortable on the bike, it was time to schedule my Motorcycle Skills Test. Vermont, along with many states in the U.S., uses a standardized motorcycle skills test referred to as the ALT MOST test. It consists of four exercises—a cone weave, a right turn and sweeping u-turn, a quick stop, and an obstacle swerve. All of the exercises are completed at low speeds (around 12 to 18 mph), which actually makes the test somewhat difficult, and even harder to pass on bigger and more powerful bikes.
When I showed up at my test, the FXE garnered the most attention—which is saying a lot considering the other two riders were on a Ducati Panigale and a Suzuki GSX R.
“Is that electric?”
“What do you think of it?”
“Is it fast?”
The questions kept coming. Even the test administrator quipped “cool bike” when he glanced over to inspect my plate and registration. Luckily, all of the questions were quick and easy to answer over the rumble of their gas-powered engines and through the grip of my heightened nerves.
“Yes.”
“It’s awesome.”
“Sure is.”
I moved through all four exercises smoothly and quickly. No line touches, no cone hits, and no feet down. The Zero’s lack of a clutch, instant power, and eco mode throttle map, along with its centered and fairly upright riding position, made the slow maneuvers stress-free and intuitive.
I circled back to the small brick building at the testing site, paid the nominal fee to add the motorcycle endorsement to my license, and became the state of Vermont’s newest licensed motorcycle rider.
So You Want An Electric Motorcycle of Your Own? Check Out the Tax Credits
Despite the federal government rolling back and revising many of the EV tax credits, there are still plenty of ways to save on the purchase of an electric motorcycle.
The first place to look is with your state government. Many state governments offer incentives for EVs, and while not all states offer these credits for electric motorcycles, a handful do. Zero even has a portal that tracks available state incentives.
A lesser-known way of earning some money back on an electric motorcycle purchase is through your utility provider. Many utilities offer kickbacks for purchases of electric motorcycles. For instance, my utility is currently offering $500 in statement credits for the purchase of an electric motorcycle. Some utilities will even install free Level 2 chargers for owners of EVs, motorcycles included.
The Takeaways
Getting my motorcycle license afforded me a freedom that I hadn’t experienced in other two-wheeled modes of transportation, and Zero’s FXE made that possible. It’s obviously faster than pedaling a bike, but it offers a similar wind-in-your-face, open-air feeling that’s understandably addicting. It lacks the sweat and grit of cycling, but it also lacks the sweat and grit of cycling. I can’t say for certain whether or not I would have pursued it if electric motorcycles didn’t exist, but I can say unequivocally that choosing a battery-powered motorcycle made it easier and more attainable for me.
If you’re in the same boat, consider an electric motorcycle, and particularly the FXE. It’s a hyper-fun commuter that offers plenty of power without overdoing it, and it’s right in the sweet spot for a beginner.
[$12,995; zeromotorcycles.com]
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The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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