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Newest electric bikes impress local riders

CBXMAN of Edwardsville unveils the American-made Zero S, which draws raves.

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

EDWARDSVILLE – Motorcycle enthusiasts got the chance to test ride two electric American-made motorcycles Saturday in Edwardsville at CBXMAN Motorcycles.

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Aaron Mulhern of Nanticoke puts one of the new American made electric made by Zero Motorcycles through a workout at CBXMAN Motorcycles in Edwardsville Friday.

Don Carey / The Times Leader

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Dennis McCartney, president of CBXMAN Motorcycles in Edwardsville does a wheelstand with one of the new American made electric made by Zero Motorcycles.

Don Carey / The Times Leader

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Zero S, a street bike, that is battery operated created by Zero Motorcycles of Santa Cruz, Calif. was unveiled for the first time Saturday. Its counterpart, the dirt bike Zero X, has been on the market for less than a year.

People can zip around on these motorcycles for up to two hours at a time before needing to recharge them. The street bike comes with a cord to easily plug it into any electrical outlet to recharge it in two hours. The dirt bike must be charged using a generator. The batteries, which are the only part of the bike not made in America, lasts for seven years. The battery is manufactured in Canada.

CBXMAN Motorcycles is the only dealer in the entire United States to sell the Zero S motorcycles, said CBXMAN Motorcycles President Dennis McCartney, who’s ridden bikes for 35 years.

“The electrical power develops all its torque instantly. They are actually quite fast considering their size. The reason they’re fast is because they are light,” McCartney said.

Wilkes-Barre resident Mike Hromchak has ridden bikes for nearly 10 years. He came out to test ride the 31-horsepower electric street bike and was impressed with its light weight, easiness to maneuver and quick torque.

“I was impressed for an electric motorcycle how powerful it was. I could see someone who just wanted to get back and worth from work or around town looking into it,” Hromchak said.

Zero Motorcycles are not only fun to ride they’re also good for the environment, while saving people money on their federal taxes.

The batteries use non-toxic lithium-ion technology so they can be recycled or disposed in a land-fill, according to ZERO motorcycles’ Web site.

These motorcycles also qualify for a 10 percent tax credit from the federal government.

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