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[[{“value”:”A report from Cycle World says that Zero may be entering the mini-moto realm. If the report is true, bikes like the Honda Grom and Kawasaki’s Z125 Pro could have a new rival. The report’s basis is reportedly a recent European design registration concentrating on the bike’s styling. A patent image-like drawing is said to show a much smaller motorcycle with bodywork that looks somewhat like Zero’s FX range of electric motos.
However, it seems that the motorcycle in the picture may be much smaller. Cycle World suggests that if the headlight shown in the drawing is a 5.75-inch unit, then their measurements say that the front wheel is a 14-inch unit, with the rear measuring 12 inches. Finally, Cycle World says that the machine would have a wheelbase of around 47 inches. Those numbers are pretty close to those found on the Grom, with the exception of the front wheel. The Grom features a 12-inch front hoop, but let’s face it, the reported numbers are pretty close.
Does Zero have an FXE-like mini-moto in the works? Photo: Zero Motorcycles
More Than A Styling Exercise?
However, the images in the design registration are focused on the little urban moto’s styling. So, the drawing’s dotted lines are merely there to help the reader understand the motorcycle’s styling. But if the bike’s dotted lines do represent the mechanical aspects of this potential new mini-sized machine, then there are also a few other things to be learned.
A European styling registration drawing may suggest that Zero is working on its own electrically powered mini-moto. Image: Zero
For example, the front fork appears to be an upside-down unit incorporating a single disc brake. Also, noticeably absent from this bike but found on other small electric motos is a hub-mounted motor. That’s because the machine in the drawing seems to have a conventional chassis-mounted motor and transmission. Cycle World goes as far as to say that Zero’s urban mini could have the company’s FXE 7.2 kWh Z-Force Li-ion unit, only in this bike’s case, the motor is moved more towards the rear and the battery mounted at an angle. Lastly, Cycle World mentions other factors that may indicate that the bike will be Zero’s attempt at the mini-moto class. They point to the instrument panel, mirrors, and turn signals that appear to be shared with other bikes in Zero’s product lineup.
If Zero is actually planning to build this machine, it would seem a good opportunity for the segment. Provided pricing and performance are similar to the gas-powered mini-motos, Zero could be on to something.
The post Zero To Enter The Mini-Moto Arena? appeared first on Adventure Rider.”}]]
