I rolled on the throttle. I rocked backward. The rear shock compressed. And the front wheel lifted off the tarmac.

I’m a minimalist. I own seven pairs of underwear. I own 3 pairs of shoes - black boots, brown boots, and running shoes. I own one motorcycle. And most importantly, I don’town a car. 

In my quest to downsize my possessions, I asked myself:

Do I really need a shelf full of books? Not when I can borrow them from the library. 

Do I really have to collect vinyls? Not when I can Spotify the record.

Do I really need a second motorcycle? Maybe we should talk about this one…

When you undertake this lifestyle, you realize that simplicity doesn’t always lend itself to functionality. You learn that you better do laundry every week or you’re going commando on Monday. You learn to dress up your boots for the work week and dress them down for weekend hikes. And you learn that you’re shit out of luck when your motorcycle gets a flat. 

If that last example seems oddly specific, that’s because I recently picked up a nail in my rear tire and had to take a sick day. I rely on one vehicle to get me to and from work, so I don’t have a plan B if anything goes wrong. They say the best ability is availability and I can’t expect the Harley to be 100% one-hundred percent of the time. So maybe a second motorcycle wouldn’t be such a bad idea, right?

I know what you’re saying, “why not just buy a car?” But I’m sorry faithful reader, that sounds far too practical and honestly isn’t an option for me. I enjoy not owning a car and I will do my best to keep it that way.

With that established, I should note that I want my second motorcycle to be off-road capable? I want to take on challenging, new terrain. I want to slide the back wheel out. I want to hit the whoops. I want to ride where I won’t get obliterated by a 2-ton cage on four wheels.

With that in mind, my search invariably led me to dual sports. Though I’d prefer a dedicated dirt bike, I’d also prefer to NOT own a pickup truck. How else would I get to the trails if I didn’t own an expensive toy (in the form of a truck) to cart my other expensive toy (in the form of a dirt bike) there? How could I keep my possessions to a minimum while justifying the purchase as a “necessary, and specialized” tool (wink, wink)?

Cue Zero’s light, dual sport, electric motorcycle, the FX.

At 289 lbs, the FX touts an astounding 46 horsepower and 78 ft-lb of torque! Versus Honda and Husqvarna’s 450cc dual sports, that’s a powerful package that was just begging to be ridden. So when I swung a leg over the FX, it’s safe to say that I was giddy as an alcoholic at an open bar.

At just under 35″, the Zero’s seat height isn’t for the vertically challenged. With 8.6″ of travel up front and 8.9″ in the rear, I had to use all of my 5′10″ frame to fit the bike. While stationary, I stabilized the bike on the tips of my toes, but anyone sub-5′8″ would probably need to favor one foot at stop lights, using their leg as a human kickstand of sorts. Compared to the low slung seat of my Harley and the intermediate height of the Naked bikes I’ve ridden recently, the FX felt like straddling a donkey without stirrups. 

With my toes brushing the concrete, I couldn’t help but bounce on the rear suspension. Surprisingly, the monoshock compressed quite easily, filling me with hope for undulating terrain, yet filling me with dread for twisting roads. It’s safe to say that my past experience with Yamaha’s FZ-07 left me with a residual distrust of mushy springs. 

Once the rest of the group mounted up, we set out for the Hollywood Hills. Zipping along Fairfax Ave, our e-motors buzzed like a pack of RC cars, the audible whir increasing along with our speed. If there’s anything consistent across the Zero models that I’ve tested (FX & SR/F), it’s the sophistication of the throttle mapping. Without the modulation of a clutch, you would assume that the power would engage the back wheel instantaneously, but the gradual roll on aids the most ham-fisted riders and ramps up with exponential velocity as you twist your wrist. 

While the FX gains speed without effort, it also holds low speeds with nuance and finesse. Squeaking past Hollywood traffic isn’t an easy feat for many a bike, but Zero’s dual sport pulls it off with a controlled low-speed mapping and steering. 

The narrow frame squeezes through the smallest of spaces and its height allows the handlebars to easily float over side view mirrors. With a combination of weasel-like maneuverability and a range of 91 miles per charge, the FX challenges all other commuter candidates in the field. 

As my group turned off Hollywood, leaving the urban landscape behind, I was pleased to see an empty street winding up a steep hill. That’s when the pace quickened. That’s when motor really stretched its legs. That’s when I could test out that suspect suspension.

We accelerated up the increasing incline, each rider inclined to increase the space between them and those following. We banked right. We banked left. And to my surprise, the “mushy” monoshock retained its rigidity in the corners, responding to my every input. 

On my Harley, I depend on the weight of the bike to slow down my approach into an uphill corner, but on this featherweight, you barely lose any velocity. Despite my approaching speed, the bike easily negotiated each turn, relying on the combination of snappy handling and ride height/lean angle. 

Though blasting through the corners is fun, speed is nothing without brakes, and the FX delivers in that department. Once we slowed to a stop, I peered down at the front rotor, floored by the fact that it only housed a single 240 mm rotor and a 4-piston caliper. The stiff, even braking left me perplexed. How could such a minimal package provide maximum performance?  

I could chalk it up to the light weight of the FX, but that would be an oversimplification because the J-Juan calipers that come equipped on all Zeros have only outperformed my expectations on the bikes I’ve tested. 

Once the pack regrouped at a stop sign, we turned down a side street. 

I rolled on the throttle. I rocked backward. The rear shock compressed. And the front wheel lifted off the tarmac. 

Now, I can’t lie, I wanted to see if I could wheelie the FX. Lacking a clutch, Zero’s dual sport has to rely on horsepower alone to get that front wheel up, and I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t curious if it could do it. But once I achieved my goal, I came to my senses and kept my lead wrist in check.

We soon descended the domestic labyrinth, bending the fleet of Zeros through the gentle curves of the Hollywood Hills neighborhood. Little did I know, a stop sign was waiting for me at the bottom of the hill. 

I stabbed the front brake. I slammed on the rear pedal. I braced for the endo. I waited for the rear to break loose. But instead, the bike eased to a steady stop, the calipers progressively clamping down on the frisbee-sized rotors. 

After that close call, I diagnosed the only shortfall with the FX, and it wasn’t the brakes, it wasn’t the handling, and it damn sure wasn’t the power. The sole complaint I had for the FX was the ergonomics. 

While the bars are wide, while the riding posture is upright, the height of the footpegs leave your lower quarters cramped. At a level angle, the pegs force your feet into an acute angle with your shins. Having my knees bunched up, I found myself frequently dangling my right foot where it naturally wanted to rest, under the brake pedal. Not the safest of positions when you need to brake in an emergency.

But aside from the performance of the bike, you also have to take pragmatism into account. The biggest barriers for the FX - and most electric motorcycles - are price and range. With an MSRP over $10K, I’m not sure if I could justify purchasing a bike that only nets an hour and a half of ride time. I wouldn’t be able to undertake a long trip on the FX. I would be limited to a 45-mile riding radius or risk the possibility of not making it back home. Living in the city, I’m not sure if I could even make it to the dirt with that capacity (or lack thereof).

In order to get the most out of the FX, I would need to transport it to the nearest trail, and it doesn’t make much sense to pay for a $10K bike that would need a $20K truck for me to properly enjoy it. At a scant 91 miles per 9.7-hour charge, I realized that the best ability truly is availability. And I’ll take a Harley that’s 100% ninety percent of the time versus a Zero that is only 100% fifty percent of the time. 

In time, the range of e-bikes will increase and the price will decrease, but for now, I’ll rely on my good ole Low Rider…and maybe take a few more sick days.

Harley-Davidson’s Baby Bike

Sometimes less does mean more… customers.

Yesterday, Harley announced their partnership with Chinese Manufacturer, Qianjiang Motorcycle Company Limited, to produce the smallest bike in their current lineup. 

At 338cc, HD will only offer the entry-level moto in China, catering to the needs of its large and ever-growing urban population. Whether you agree with the move or not, the announcement aligns with the company’s current direction, appealing to a younger, metropolitan demographic. 

With a goal to reach 50% revenue in international sales by 2027, this news marks a pivotal moment in Harley’s future plans. While the rest of the motorcycle industry turns their attention to India, gaining access to the highly restrictive Chinese market helps the Motor Company plant a flag where others are unwilling to go. This move will also help Harley explore where it’s been historically reluctant to go, design updates.

Sporting a trellis frame and an inline twin, the new bike feels miles away from your classic Harley. Where are the forward controls? How am I supposed to attach a sissy bar? Why isn’t the motor v-shaped?

Despite all the departures from HD’s vintage aesthetic, the twin thumper still retains the iconic silhouette of one of the Motor Company’s most decorated models, the XR750. Leveraging the peanut tank, the tail section, and the livery of the XR, the brand plans to draw upon its legacy to attract a new group of riders. By leaning on the racing heritage, Harley preserves the design continuity of their past and acts as a stabilizing force in the face of a rapidly changing customer base. If the technology changes, if the feeling changes, at least the design is familiar. 

Harley seems to be following the approach Ford took with the Mustang and VW chose for the Beetle: they’re making what’s old new again. You could say that’s what Harley’s always done, but this time, they’re not afraid to change what’s under the hood/tank. However new, however earth-shattering the design may be to the Harley faithful, I’d be remiss to not mention how HD’s newest model eerily resembles another bike that Qianjiang manufactures, the Benelli TNT 300. 

Even if they’re essentially rebranding another bike, even if the production of the bike is restricted to China, I certainly hope the model makes its way to the states (along with production [of North American units]) because the small displacement market is the fastest growing segment in the industry. New and younger riders tend to opt for smaller, lighter bikes, and the Motor Company lacks a sub-500cc offering as it stands. 

You could say that the Street and Sportster acts as Harley’s beginner bikes already, but at  450 and 550 lbs respectively, many new riders (female and male) don’t consider those models manageable rigs for their first two-wheeled vehicle. 

With a 338cc motor, the MoCo’s baby brawler could deliver a lower entry point for riders (in age and weight), increasing the likelihood of developing brand loyalty with younger riders. 

While I think this is a great move for HOG, I can’t help but ask: 

Why aren’t they going even further/smaller? 

It makes me wonder why Harley doesn’t have a line of 125cc and 250cc dirt bikes. It makes me question where their 50cc and 75cc pit bikes are. If they really want to develop riders from a young age, why aren’t they making models that grow with them? Why are the majority of dirt bikes produced by Japanese and Austrian-based companies when it’s a predominantly American sport? If there’s such a big demand for dirt bikes in America, why doesn’t Harley have a dog in that fight?

In March of this year, HD purchased StayCyc, a brand that makes e-bikes for young children. At the time of the news, I saw this move as a forward-thinking. I felt that this would help the Motor Company appeal to future generations much earlier than their mid-life crisis.

But once those kids outgrow those mini electric bikes, are they supposed to wait another 10 years before they jump on an 883? Are they expected to stay loyal to Harley when competing brands offer the next immediate step up?

While this announcement is an encouraging move for Harley’s evolution, they need to address the gap between their product lineup if they’re going to retain the youngest of customers. I can only hope that their promise to introduce 100 new models in the next 10 years will fill in that gaping hole. I mean, who wouldn’t want a Harley-Davidson dirt bike? 

Though I feel the introduction of a 338cc motorcycle is a good step for HD, I look forward to seeing the next foot drop. The story will only continue to develop and I’ll be rooting for them the whole way.

What do you think of the new model? What do you think of Harley producing it exclusively for China? Would you want to see more small displacement options from the Motor Company? 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.