2013 Zero MMX Military Motorcycle Info
Due to strategic missions where silence is a must, the U.S. Military began seeking a quiet motorcycle that gave off minimal heat signature to stay beneath the radar.
The military chose Zero Motorcycles for the mission, and soon the electric-motorcycle manufacturer based out of California was working under military contract to develop its newest creation – the Zero MMX.
The 2013 Zero MMX military motorcycle will be used in the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF), providing riders with tactical advantages over those found on traditional gas-powered, combustion motorcycles. Zero reports that the MMX’s electric powertrain – a new Z-Force motor that pushes 54 horsepower – allows for rapid movement over hostile terrain in near silence and minimal heat signature.
Zero Motorcycles unveiled the motorcycle Tuesday, and announce that the MMX met the stringent standers of the U.S. Military. Now, an undisclosed number of MMX motorcycles are undergoing some military testing.
Abe Askenazi (Chief Technology Officer for Zero Motorcycles) says: “It was a very rewarding experience for the Zero team to go through such an exacting development process. The military needed a very specific set of core features on the MMX, and we were incredibly thankful to work side-by-side with them to deliver such a unique product.
“The great news for our civilian customers is that we made the decision to incorporate into our 2013 MX, FX and XU retail motorcycles virtually all of the powertrain enhancements associated with satisfying this project’s stringent military requirements. Our 2013 product is truly ‘military grade’!”
Following are the technological highlights of the 2013 Zero Motorcycles MMX.
2013 Zero MMX Military Motorcycle Key Features:
- Specialized military dash for quick and centralized mainline controls
- Keyless ignition engaged with dash toggle for quicker departure
- Modular and quick-swappable power packs
- Wet operational abilities in up to one meter submersion
- Switchable headlight for night-time stealth
- Integrated wiring to accommodate quick installation of front and rear infrared systems
- Safety override and reserve power capabilities to extend range during extreme situations
- Aggressive foot pegs and hand guards for optimal control
- Tie down eyelets with integrated tow cable and rear seat strap
- The 2013 MMX Military Motorcycles are built off the 2013 MX platform, which is incredibly tough and lightweight, and uses a finely tuned and fully adjustable suspension system to absorb aggressive terrain. Combined with state of the art Z-Force technology and an ultra-light frame design, the Zero MMX is agile and fast where it counts.
The 2013 Zero MMX features the all new Z-Force motor. With 54 horsepower and 68 ft-lbs of torque, the Zero MMX accelerates hard, with incredibly smooth throttle control, to allow riders to tackle bigger obstacles and corner faster.
When rolling off the throttle, riders can take advantage of regenerative braking to both modulate speed and extend ride times. The performance characteristics of the Zero MMX are also adjustable via Bluetooth and a compatible smart phone mobile device when using the Zero Motorcycles mobile app.
The 2013 Zero MMX integrates the world’s first truly modular power pack system and is available in two configurations: ZF2.8 (one module) and ZF5.7 (two modules). The lockable modules can be individually added or removed, regardless of state of charge, in less than a minute. Charge times can be cut down to around an hour using a scalable quick-charge accessory system or with the CHAdeMO accessory (CHAdeMO charging requires a supporting charge station). Owing a Zero has never been easier as the sealed Z-Force™ motor virtually eliminates all routine powertrain maintenance and drives the rear wheel by way of a beefier 520 chain.
CHAdeMO Charging Standard
The CHAdeMO fast charging standard is the most widely adopted DC Fast Charging standard and has over 2000 installed stations worldwide, with an additional 1000 in Europe expected before the end of 2013. According to Nissan estimates, 2000 fast chargers will be installed in the United States by the end of 2014, with at least 400 in California alone, supported by government electric vehicle infrastructure spending. Based on Pikes Research estimates, 115,000 of these chargers will be installed by 2017.
For additional information on other products, visit Zero Motorcycles.