J.C. Current
Staff Writer

 Neil Saiki is like many of us who ride motorcycles – he is passionate about them. That is probably the most important reasoning for why he started his electric motorcycle company. The other would have to be his love of the environment, which many of us share these days. Put the two together and you get ZERO Motorcycles of Santa Cruz, California.

Zero is one of the great companies founded on passion and purpose. And Neal Saiki is someone who knows where he wants to go and how to get there. He seems to hold no illusions, and this is one of many traits which have helped his company create what is surely the world’s best known electric motorcycle brand. Saiki’s influence comes from minds like Soichiro Honda, who built Honda from the ashes of World War II.

Fortunately, Saiki did not create his company from such destruction, but to help save the planet from it. That is not Zero’s only purpose, though, as the first motorcycle Zero produced was created to make it possible to ride off-road in California’s close-to-suburban recreation areas without getting complaints about noise and/or pollution. See, Zero Motorcycles are not only efficient – costing around a penny per mile – but they are also quiet and handle like petrol-powered 250 motocross bikes.

The future of Zero is looking bright. “Wait until December 1,” says Saiki, “you will hear something when the entry list is released for Infineon.” He is referring to the Infineon TTXGP race which will run alongside the AMA Pro Racing weekend at the California circuit in. Stay tuned…

Zero MX brings revolutionary electric motorcycle technology to the track

Press Release

SANTA CRUZ – Zero Motorcycles recently announced the latest addition to its electric motorcycle fleet, the Zero MX. The Zero MX is made specifically for track riding and motocross. The fork, shocks, wheels and tires are new for the MX. The Zero MX is high-performance, lightweight, low-maintenance and silent. It opens up local track riding possibilities by eliminating the loud noise associated with a traditional gas dirt bike. It is available for purchase now.

“After engineering electric motorcycles for urban areas and off-road trails, we recognized the need to design a motorcycle with the motocross rider in mind,” said Neal Saiki, founder and CTO of Zero Motorcycles. “Aggressive track riding requires a motorcycle with a high power-to-weight ratio and an advanced suspension system. The Zero MX delivers both without the noise of a typical gas motorcycle. This makes riding possible in areas that are usually off-limits due to noise restrictions.”

Zero S Supermoto 

Press Release

SANTA CRUZ – Zero Motorcycles recently revealed its new high performance electric street motorcycle, the Zero S. This highly anticipated launch marks Zero Motorcycles’ official entry into the street legal category. The company’s new flagship motorcycle uses Zero’s proprietary Z-Force™ power pack and aircraft grade alloy frame to make the Zero S the quickest production electric motorcycle in its class. Zero Motorcycles have already booked substantial pre-orders for the Zero S without sharing details or images, and now anticipates a soaring demand. The Zero S will begin shipping to customers in the next thirty days.

“Our goal from the beginning was to engineer a high performance electric urban street motorcycle that would change the face of the industry. The Zero S is a revolutionary motorcycle that is designed to tackle any city street, hill or obstacle,” said Neal Saiki, inventor and founder of Zero Motorcycles. “The innovation behind the Zero S is what separates it from the competition. The Zero S is a high performance motorcycle that also happens to be fully electric and green. The fact that it’s electric means not having to get gas and reduced maintenance.”

Zero Motorcycles to set World Record for 24 Hour All-Electric Vehicle Endurance Race

Innovative Santa Cruz Company Races into History Books With Never-Before Attempted Event

Press Release from Zero Motorcycles
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (March 23, 2009) – Zero Motorcycles will make history again the weekend of April 4-5, when they host the Zero Motorcycles’ 24 Hours of Electricross. The event will be the first international endurance competition for off-road all-electric vehicles and is a landmark moment in the electric vehicle industry. Teams from across the United States and around the world have signed on to be a part of making history and for a chance to be included in the Guinness World Records.

“This event is pulling together an incredibly diverse group of people from around the world. Everyone from lifelong motorcyclists to environmentally-conscience trend setters are fielding teams. Some are traveling thousands of miles at their own expense for this opportunity to make motorcycle history,” said Neal Saiki, inventor and founder, Zero Motorcycles.