High-end electric dirt bike company Zero has finally entered the ever-popular e-moto category, competing directly with well-known companies like Surron and E Ride Pro. With 74v power systems and top-quality componentry in a mid-sized light frame, the Zero XE and XB are the latest must-have e-bikes.
What sets these two electric dirt bikes apart from the other brands is the power output vs the price. As we write this, the XB is cheaper than the latest Surron LBX, and the XE isn’t that much more expensive – for a ridiculous amount more power.
But who is Zero and where did they come from – and how do the XE and XB stack up against the tried and tested Surron LBX or Ultra Bee?
Let’s dive into it.
Who is Zero Motorcycles?
Zero has been around since 2006, creating the ultimate in electric motorcycles. 2006 is before the OG of e-moto, Surron, even formed as a company! At the time, it was pretty much groundbreaking to include an electric drivetrain in anything other than a Walmart-spec kid’s toy. Their name was a nod to all the things their bikes wouldn’t have – emissions, gas, oil, and noise – a concept so novel that it could all be embodied by a single word: Zero.
Back in 2006, Zero founder Neal Saiki created an awesome looking, but rudimentary, electric dirt bike that has a few similarities to the well known Surron Light Bee. It was a 140 lb, mid-sized electric ‘dirtbike’.
However, we all know that the technology of 2006 isn’t anything like today, and although this first electric motorcycle was turning heads, it didn’t take off like today’s e-motos. The 2008 recession didn’t help things either.
In 2009, Zero started mass production of their first street-legal motorcycle, and in 2012 Zero was able to achieve a 100-mile range on their motorcycle, placing them among the first consumer electric motorcycle brands to achieve a practical range figure. (source)
As the years went on, Zero upgraded their motorcycles, adding ABS, top-quality suspension and tires, and more features to become a high-end brand. In 2021, Zero introduced the FXE, a motorcycle that resembled more of an adventure tourer. I say “resembled” because, as many riders, including Revzilla’s Zack Courts discovered, the FXE only had a usable range of about 40 to 50 miles – a short adventure by any measure.
Flash forward to 2025 when Zero is launching their mid-sized electric dirt bike duo, the XE and XB. These electric dirtbikes are part of the ‘All Access’ initiative by Zero, which is to deliver a range of electric motorcycles under $10,000 – making electric bikes affordable to more people – so your wallet isn’t left with zero bills in it.
But has Zero’s budget-minded formula worked this time around?
Zero XB
The Zero XB makes a new off-road rider a solid entry point into the world of dirt bikes. At a very reasonable price point, you can get yourself a zippy bike that has loads of power and can reach a top speed of 50mph! For those new to dirt bikes, 50mph is way more than you really need around a track or on a tight trail. At a glance the XB can get within a shout of the XE’s 53 mph top speed, but it takes longer to get there thanks to its reduced power output.
Power Delivery
With the option to choose your power modes on the fancy and easy-to-read dash, you can customize the feel of your ride and the power delivery. This makes it perfect for both beginners and experienced riders looking for a light flickable frame. It is easy to adjust the throttle response to be quick or smooth, depending on experience and terrain. The motor outputs a peak of 7.5Kw via a gear reduction system, which means no additional belts or chains like other brands, while delivering a similar power level to the current generation Surron LBX.
Build Quality
The Zero XB has a light, strong frame suitable for challenging terrain, with quality components to match and a seat height of 32.7in. For reference, the Surron Light Bee X has a seat height of 32.6in. KKE is a well-known brand in the dirt bike world, and you’ll find both the front and rear suspension is KKE on the Zero XB.
Continuing with high-performance parts, the brakes are a comfortable 220mm on the front and 203mm on the rear, and use DOT hydraulic fluid. DOT fluid remains more temperature-stable under repeated braking, leading to much better performance than inferior fluids used by many other bikes on the market.
Gauge Cluster
The dash is one of the nicest we’ve seen, with its full-color, easy-to-glance-at display. It has all the usual e-moto features, but also includes impressive features like cruise control and reverse, all on this entry level bike.
If this is what you get on the entry level electric dirt bike, wait until you see what you get on the next model up!
Zero XE
Powered by a big 74V 58Ah battery and a 15.5kW motor, the Zero XE is a powerful, yet nimble electric dirt bike. Retailing for a little over $2000 more than the XB, it has some impressive features that will turn any dirtbike rider’s head.
The seat height of the Zero XE is 35.4in, compared to the Surron Ultra Bee of 35.8in, or 38.4 of the Yamaha YZ250. It is a physically bigger electric dirt bike compared to the Zero XB, competing in the realm of the Surron Ultra Bee rather than the often called “toy-like” LBX.
The Zero XE runs a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear, with CST tires. This is a great stock tire for most loose terrain and one of the best you can get on a stock e-moto. You can see that Zero has really put some thinking into releasing a high-quality dirt bike, made for riding in dirt!
The suspension is fully adjustable, and the brakes are a big 270mm front and 220 rear, with DOT fluid. This off-road e-moto is ready straight out of the box for some technical trails through the woods or for wide open desert areas.
Zero XB Top Speed:
The Top Speed of the Zero XB is 50mph, compared to 53mph for the Zero XE.
Are the Zero XE and Zero XB road legal?
From the factory, the Zero XE and XB are not road legal in the US. In Europe however, the XE and XB are able to be road registered.
If you live in the US and want a road legal dirt bike, you can add a few mods, such as turn signals and number plate lights, and submit your paperwork. Contact our sister company Dirt Legal for a quick and easy way to register your Zero e-moto as street legal.
Other electric dirt bike options
Zero XB vs Surron LBX
This is the comparison of the current versions and prices at the time of writing.
Seat height:
- Zero XB: 32.7in
- Surron Light Bee: 32.6in
The Zero XB can be compared to the Surron Light Bee, similar size and very similar performance. At the time of writing, the Zero XB is cheaper to purchase. It has similar features, a similar ride feel, and both e-motos are a good quality build.
Interestingly, the Zero XB is powered by a 74V system, which in theory, will give more efficiency (less heat) due to fewer amps being required. We haven’t tested this to the extreme yet, and will report once we have more data.
Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter community to be the first to hear our findings and more!
Both of these e-motos are awesome, you’ll have a heap of fun on either bike you choose. The Surron Light Bee can only be purchased in person from a dealer, check out the Surron webpage here to find a dealer near you. I’ve heard you can still buy these online from marketplaces like Alibaba, but I don’t recommend you do this as the risk is too high… we’ve all heard the stories… Also, you don’t get any warranty from Surron that way and no dealer will want to help if you don’t buy from a reputable company.
The Zero can be purchased in person and online from authorized dealers, and can be serviced at over 80 locations in the USA. We are an authorized dealer ourselves, so if you’d like to support our efforts to develop parts for the XB and XE while supporting the creation of articles like this one, consider subscribing to our newsletter so you can be among the first riders to get your Zero from GritShift when we get our first shipment.
Zero XE vs Surron Ultra Bee
This is a comparison of the current model Zero XE and Surron Ultra Bee and prices are correct at the time of writing.
Seat height:
- Zero XE: 35.4in
- Surron Ultra Bee: 35.8in
Both the Zero XE and the Surron Ultra Bee are very similar in design in some ways but also have some unique differences. One of the biggest differences is the 21” tire in the front of the XE, vs the 19” on the Ultra Bee. This is more like an ICE dirt bike setup, giving more off-road stability when encountering larger obstacles and more on-road stability for those paved sections between the trails.
The Surron Ultra Bee’s range is 71.5 miles at 31mph, while the Zero XE range is 65 miles, also at 31mph. Keep in mind that this depends on the rider and conditions, so overall it is very similar. The power is higher on the Ultra Bee when you temporarily engage Turbo mode, or it’s 18kW in a continuous sports mode.
The display on the Zero is pretty neat – a full-color, easy-to-read screen. This is what you’d expect from a high-end brand like Zero.
Like the Surron Light Bee, you can only purchase this in person, while the Zero can be purchased online also.
Can you mod Zero e-bikes?
As enthusiasts of modding electric dirt bikes, the short answer: Yes! Long answer, we won’t know the full modding potential of the XB and XE until we put both through our rigorous development schedule.
We do know that both the XB and the XE run KKE suspension, similar brakes and wheels, and handlebar/ergo setups similar to current e-motos, so it’s very likely many components will be a universal fit.
As Zero is a high-end brand that has been around long before Surron was even a thought, we would expect the bikes to be of high quality in the long term. How this relates to sky-high jumps (and landings!), we’re not sure, but we’re excited to find out!
Our thoughts
The e-moto world is expanding at a rapid rate. One thing that I find surprising is how long it has taken Zero to join the electric dirt bike race. But now that they’re here, the real race can begin!
With their entry level e-moto, the Zero XB for the perfect beginner dirt bike at a fantastic price, Zero is ensuring the e-moto world isn’t getting lost in the high power war. Instead, they’re entering the market with a top-quality build with ample power for anything most riders need.
The Zero XE is also another e-moto that I’m excited to watch. It has Zero’s build quality, and a great ride feel. While other brands are battling it out for the top power output, it does make you stop to think, is it at the expense of ride feel?
For those from a gas dirt bike background, it’s like jumping on your YZ450 and taking it through a technical, tight trail. Will it do it? Yes, but in those circumstances, I would rather take my YZ250. It just feels better, I can’t explain it, but it’s probably something to do with how nimble the 250 is and I just wouldn’t be using the full available power of the 450.
Either way, the best e-moto is the one that’s sitting in your garage – get out and ride it! If you’re thinking of starting or adding to your collection, or upgrading, then add Zero to your list of electric dirt bikes to check out, I think you’re going to be very pleasantly surprised!
Join our newsletter community here to be the first to know what we find out about these exciting new electric dirt bikes as we put them through our R&D paces, and consider buying your Zero from us here at GritShift to support ongoing efforts such as these.
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