Zero FXS — complete owner's guide

The FXS is built on Zero's X platform, the same lightweight chassis and drivetrain used by the FX dual-sport and later FXE street bike. What sets the FXS apart is its supermoto stance: 17-inch cast wheels front and rear wearing street rubber (Pirelli Diablo Rosso-class tyres, roughly 110/70-17 front and 140/70-17 rear), quicker steering geometry, and a lower seat than the wire-wheeled FX. Underneath, it is a full-strength electric performance motorcycle designed to be light, simple and low-maintenance.

Power comes from the Z-Force 75-5, a passively air-cooled, high-efficiency radial-flux interior-permanent-magnet brushless motor driven by a 550-amp three-phase controller with regenerative deceleration. That combination delivers around 106 Nm (78 lb-ft) of torque from zero rpm, roughly 34 kW (46 hp) net motor power, and an estimated top speed near 137 km/h (85 mph). There is no clutch and no gearbox: it is clutchless direct drive through a quiet, low-maintenance Gates Carbon belt (a chain drive was offered as an option).

Energy is stored in Zero's Z-Force Intelligent Modular power pack. The FXS accepts one or two battery modules: a single module gives roughly 3.6 kWh of maximum capacity, while the full ZF7.2 configuration offers 7.2 kWh maximum / about 6.3 kWh usable. Because the pack is modular, you can carry a spare module to extend range or swap in a fresh one. Each module weighs about 19 kg (42 lb), keeping the whole motorcycle in the featherweight class for its category.

The FXS uses a three-position key switch on the fork: Steering Lock, OFF and ON. OFF disables the electrical system; ON powers up the lights and dash and readies the bike to ride. To lock the steering, turn the bars fully left, push the key in with it in the OFF position and turn it counter-clockwise, then remove it. Always remove the key when leaving the bike to prevent theft.

The digital dash centres on a large speedometer ring (switchable between km/h and mph) surrounded by information zones. A clock sits at the top; a state-of-charge percentage and battery bar show remaining energy; and two customisable panels (Display A and Display B) can show range, motor rpm, trip meters, instant/average/lifetime energy use, motor temperature or stored error codes, set via the SEL (select) and ADJ (adjust) buttons. Two live meters, OUTPUT (torque and power being drawn) and REGEN (energy being fed back to the battery), let you see exactly how your right wrist is affecting efficiency. A Bluetooth icon confirms when a paired phone is connected. When charging, the charge-percentage field switches to an estimated time-to-full countdown.

The handlebar controls are conventional: left cluster carries the high/low beam switch, flash-to-pass, turn signals, hazard flasher and horn; the right side has the throttle, front brake lever, the motor stop (run/stop) switch and the performance mode button. The rear brake is a foot pedal on the right. Learn the warning lights before you ride, because on an electric motorcycle they are your main window into what the powertrain and battery are doing.

The FXS has no gears - you twist the throttle counter-clockwise to accelerate and ease it back to slow down. Because it is direct drive, response is instant and completely smooth. The performance mode button on the right handlebar cycles between three modes: ECO, SPORT and CUSTOM. You can switch modes while riding, but the change only takes effect once the throttle returns to the fully closed position.

ECO softens acceleration and lowers top speed while increasing regenerative braking - ideal for new riders, slippery conditions, or squeezing out extra range. SPORT unlocks the bike's full acceleration and reduces regen drag on a closed throttle, which suits confident riders who want maximum response. CUSTOM is the clever one: using the Zero app you can dial in your own acceleration, top-speed and regen levels to build a personal profile somewhere between the two presets.

Regenerative braking is a core part of how the FXS rides. When you roll off the throttle, the motor becomes a generator, converting the bike's momentum back into battery energy and producing a smooth engine-braking-like deceleration. You will feel a slight drag as it engages. If you want to coast freely - for example to carry speed through a corner - hold the throttle just off the fully closed position so regen does not activate. Because the bike is silent, remember to use the horn to alert pedestrians and other traffic to your presence.

The FXS carries a 650 W integrated onboard charger tucked under the front bodywork. You charge simply by plugging the supplied cord into the onboard charger connector and into a grounded wall outlet. The charger runs on either 110-120 V or 220-240 V AC, and - importantly - the mains voltage does not change how long a charge takes; the onboard charger's power is the limiting factor. A full ZF7.2 pack takes roughly 9.7 hours to reach 100% (about 9.2 hours to 95%) from the onboard charger in mild temperatures; a single 3.6 kWh module takes roughly half that. To cut charge times dramatically, the FXS supports Zero's off-board accessory quick chargers, which connect to the accessory port above the motor: adding one supplemental charger brings a full pack down to about 4.1 hours (3.6 hours to 95%), and up to four supplemental chargers can be stacked to reduce charging time by as much as 75%.

Battery care matters more than any other maintenance item on an electric bike, because lithium cells age with both use and calendar time - and ageing accelerates when a pack sits at a high state of charge, especially when hot. Charge only with the Zero charger or Zero-approved accessory chargers; unapproved chargers can damage cells and void the warranty. Always charge in a well-ventilated area away from combustible materials, and avoid charging outdoors in the rain. The onboard charger draws up to about 14 A on a 120 V circuit, so do not share that circuit with another heavy appliance.

The pack will not accept a charge if its internal temperature is below 0°C (32°F) or above 50°C (122°F); after hard riding it can be internally hot even on a cool day, and usually needs around 30 minutes to cool before it will charge again. Range in real-world use depends on speed, terrain, rider weight and weather; conservative riding and ECO mode maximise it.

The FXS's motor and battery need no special break-in period - the electric powertrain is ready to use from delivery. What does need bedding in are the brakes and tyres, and the most important early habit is following the initial-service schedule. Zero specifies inspections at the first 160 km (100 miles) and again at the first 1,000 km (600 miles); these early checks catch anything that has settled or loosened after assembly and are vital to long-term reliability, so do not skip them.

New brake pads and discs deliver very little stopping power on their first applications until an even layer of pad material transfers onto the rotor. Bed them in deliberately: from about 64 km/h (40 mph) gradually brake down to roughly 16 km/h (10 mph) without locking the wheels or triggering ABS and without coming to a full stop, then accelerate back and repeat, doing front and rear separately, for 15-20 cycles. Finish with a 16 km (10 mile) ride to let everything cool. Fresh tyres also have a slippery release-agent film - take it easy and increase your lean angle gradually over the first tankful of riding.

Spend your first rides learning the throttle-and-regen relationship, practising smooth stops (the FXS is light and can lock a wheel if ABS is off or inoperative), and getting used to the near-silent operation. Before every ride, run through the 'every ride' checks: tyre pressures and condition, brake feel, lights and horn, and the battery charge level shown on the dash.

An electric motorcycle needs far less servicing than a petrol one - there is no oil, filters, spark plugs or coolant - but the FXS still has a defined schedule that keeps it safe and preserves warranty coverage. After the initial 160 km and 1,000 km services, the recurring interval is every 13,000 km (8,000 miles) or 12 months, whichever comes first. Zero recommends a dealer inspection every 12 months regardless of distance. Where items list both time and mileage, follow whichever arrives first.

The Gates Carbon belt is the heart of low-maintenance running: it needs no lubrication, only cleaning with water and a soft brush (never detergent), and it must never be crimped, twisted, back-bent, inverted or used as a lever - any of which can break the internal carbon cords. Check its tension and condition at the scheduled intervals and after belt exposure to grit; correct tension for the 11 mm-pitch belt is roughly 42.5-73.6 Hz measured with the Gates Carbon Drive phone app (or about 25-76.5 kg with a mechanical tension tester) on the lower belt span between the sprockets. The belt itself is a wear item and should be replaced at about 37,000 km (24,000 miles). If you ever hear or feel the belt 'ratcheting' (teeth skipping over the sprocket), replace it before riding again.

Brake fluid is DOT 4 and should be checked at the scheduled services and periodically replaced. Steering-head bearings get repacked with grease at longer intervals (around every 25,000 km / 16,000 miles), and swingarm pivot and steering bearings are inspected on the extended schedule (around every 37,000 km / 24,000 miles). Periodically confirm the key chassis fasteners are at their correct torque.

Correct tyre pressure is the single most important safety check on the FXS. Set them cold (not ridden for at least 3 hours) to 32 psi (2.21 bar / 221 kPa) front and 34 psi (2.34 bar / 234 kPa) rear, and replace the valve caps afterward. Under-inflation is a leading cause of tyre failure and unstable handling, so check before every ride. Inspect for cuts, cracks, bulges, uneven wear and exposed cords, and never use tyre-dressing products, which reduce grip. Because the ABS compares front and rear wheel speeds, only fit the tyre sizes and types Zero specifies - the wrong tyres can degrade ABS behaviour and stopping distance.

Braking is handled by a Bosch Gen 9 ABS system with J-Juan hydraulic calipers - a single front disc (larger diameter on the 17-inch supermoto setup) and a single rear disc, both running DOT 4 fluid. Replace the pads once either pad's friction material reaches 1.35 mm (0.05 in) or less, always in pairs, and replace a disc if it wears below 3.85 mm (0.15 in). ABS switches off automatically below 5 km/h (3 mph) and can be manually disabled for off-road or performance riding; a completed key-off cycle (bring the bike to a stop, key OFF, wait about 5 seconds, key ON) restores it once both wheels pass 5 km/h. If the ABS light stays on above 5 km/h, treat the system as inoperative and get it serviced.

The FXS runs fully adjustable Showa suspension: 41 mm inverted cartridge forks and a piggyback-reservoir rear shock, each with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping. Springs are set at the factory for an 82 kg (180 lb) rider; heavier riders need more preload. The recommended sag targets are about 60 mm at the front and 82 mm at the rear. Factory front settings for the supermoto (17-inch) chassis are roughly 7 clicks of compression and 12 clicks of rebound out from full-hard, with 5.5 turns of fork preload from fully out. Never wind any adjuster fully to one extreme - always leave at least one click in each direction.

For any layup longer than 30 days, leave the charger connected. After 30 days without the key being switched on, the Battery Management System (BMS) activates Long Term Storage Mode: it drains the pack to about 80% state of charge, then lets it self-discharge slowly (roughly 1% per day), and whenever it falls to 30% the charger tops it back to 80% and repeats. This keeps the cells in the healthiest window automatically. If you cannot leave it plugged in, check the dash state of charge at least every 30 days and never let it drop below 30% - storing a pack at a low charge for a prolonged period can permanently damage it and void the warranty.

Store the bike somewhere cool and dry; the ideal storage temperature band is 10-35°C (50-95°F). Heat is the enemy of lithium cells, so avoid hot sheds and direct sunlight. Cold storage in an unheated garage is fine provided the temperature never falls below -20°C (-4°F) and the pack is kept above 30% charge and was last topped off above 0°C. When you bring it out of storage, disconnect the charger, key ON, raise the stand and set the run switch to Run to exit storage mode, then key off and charge for at least 24 hours to fully re-balance the cells before riding.

For transport, both wheels must be on a trailer or transport device - Zero does not permit towing the FXS on its own wheels. Secure it with two ratchet straps at the front and two at the rear, anchored to frame contact points and pulled at about a 45-degree angle, using soft straps to protect the finish. Cold riding does not permanently harm the pack, but expect reduced range (up to about 30% less at -1°C versus 27°C) and softer performance; avoid riding when the pack is below -5°C (23°F), and if you do, put it on a charger above 0°C as soon as you get home.

The FXS communicates faults in two ways: a red system-warning light that flashes a repeating count, and two-digit diagnostic codes you can retrieve from dash Display A. The flash count is the quickest diagnosis. A single flash can mean a safety override is active, a BMS isolation fault, a charging problem, or that the motor-stop switch is OFF or the kickstand is down - the last two you can fix instantly by pressing the run switch ON and raising the stand. Other common counts: 3 flashes means the throttle was open (or has a connection issue) at power-up; 5 means the pack is too low to ride and needs charging; 11 means a battery temperature sensor fault (rideable but needs service). Counts such as 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 and 15-18 indicate faults that require a dealer.

Diagnostic codes give more detail - for example code 1 (high throttle), 2-5 (motor or controller temperature warnings), 7 (low battery voltage), 14 (safety override), 24 (startup error), 44 (kill-switch disable), 45 (kickstand-switch disable), 57 (a module did not connect - your bike may simply need recharging), or 61 (tip-over detected). Temperature-related codes usually clear once components cool. If the yellow temperature indicator flashes, the passively air-cooled powertrain is nearing its heat limit but power is unaffected; if it goes solid, the bike is deliberately reducing power (or top speed) until it cools - this is normal thermal protection, not a fault, and causes no damage.

The BMS itself can disable the throttle or block charging to protect the pack. If the pack is empty, too hot (above 50°C internal), or grossly out of cell balance, the throttle is cut until the condition clears - for an unbalanced pack the fix is to leave it charging for up to 72 hours so the BMS can rebalance the cells. The bike also has a tip-over sensor that disables drive if it falls; upright it and perform one full key cycle (OFF, wait for the display to go blank, then ON) to reset. For many niggles, the first move is simply key OFF, wait about 5 seconds, and key ON to re-run the self-test.

The FXS is a genuine performance motorcycle and should be treated with respect. Always wear a regionally approved helmet, eye protection, gloves, over-the-ankle boots and protective clothing - on every ride, however short. Read the safety labels on the bike, never let an untrained rider use it, never ride under the influence, and complete the 'every ride' pre-ride checks. Its near-silent running means pedestrians and drivers may not hear you coming, so ride defensively and use the horn.

The battery and drive system operate at high voltage. Any cable or wiring with an orange covering is high-voltage - do not probe, cut, tamper with or modify it, and never open the power pack (that is strictly a job for trained Zero technicians). High-voltage components can be hot during and after use, so mind both shock and burn hazards. In the rare event of a crash, do not touch orange wiring or the components it connects to. If a fire ever occurs, extinguish visible flame with a Class D extinguisher, then douse with a water-based extinguisher once the flame is out.

Do not modify the motorcycle in ways that affect safety - non-approved modifications can make it unsafe and are not covered by Zero. Use only Zero-approved parts, accessories and chargers to preserve both performance and warranty. Zero advises against towing anything with the FXS, as it can damage the powertrain. Keep the firmware up to date through your dealer, and keep this documentation with the bike - in many regions it is legally part of the vehicle and should be passed on to any future owner.