E-Moto’s biggest player confirms their entry into the off-road-only segment with two new overseas-built models. Can they compete with the established players?
We may be a little biased here, but we’re of the opinion that electric motorcycles just make sense for playing in the dirt. While range limitations continue to hobble the viability of street-going e-motos, the instant torque, user-friendliness, and relative simplicity of an electric powertrain have clear advantages for off-road use.
This explains the explosive success of brands like Surron, Talaria, and Stark, and also explains Zero’s big announcement going into 2025. As of this morning, the California-based firm has confirmed they’ll be producing two new off-road-only models: enter the new XE and XB electric dirtbikes.
They’re calling it their new “X-line” of motorcycles, both of which are designed with an emphasis on low weight, off-road performance, and (most importantly) affordability. These two new models also represent a major turn in the brand’s manufacturing strategy, as they’ll both be built overseas (India and Southeast Asia specifically, according to Zero CEO Sam Paschel) and offered for less than $10,000 new.
A quick look at the two models immediately reveals two important things to the e-moto faithful: they’re clearly direct competitors to Surron’s two most popular models, the Light Bee and Ultra Bee, and they’re clearly bringing an added level of fit and finish to the segment.
Let’s take a quick tour of each model below for comparison.
2025 Zero XE
Of the two new models, the Zero XE is the larger, more premium, and more capable of the two. Zero says that “E” designation is short for the “enduro” class the new bike is expected to compete in, as well as the “E” license required to operate it in European markets.
In our view, the new 2025 Zero XE is a clear shot across the bow aimed at the popular Surron Ultra Bee, but a few distinct differences tell us this isn’t some carbon copy of an existing model either.
Starting with the obvious, the specs are different. Zero says the new XE comes equipped with a 4.3 kWh removable battery, a 15.5kW permanent magnet motor, and weighs in at 233 lbs. That all adds up to a 53 mph top speed, a claimed 65 mile range, and roughly 21 horsepower, or 468 ft-lbs of torque at the rear wheel.
Power-wise that marks a notable improvement over the Ultra Bee’s 12.5 kW figure, and while both bikes spec a 74-volt battery, the XE has a slight advantage with a 58Ah spec over the Surron’s 55Ah unit. The XE also weighs about 46 pounds more than the Ultra bee, however, so whether or not that advantage makes a real-world difference remains to be seen.
For what it’s worth Zero says the XE’s battery is the “largest capacity swappable battery on the market today” and they also say the XE has been tuned with maximum efficiency as a primary focus. Their claimed 65-mile range figure may seem small in comparison to Surron’s, but it’s also worth pointing out that Zero arrived at that figure from a constant 34 mph speed test, while Surron’s 87 mile figure requires a significantly lower 25 mph speed.
Other notable differences include a standard 21″/18″ wheel setup, which is a smart move on Zero’s part considering the 19/19 setup we typically see on “smaller” electric dirt bikes is often one of the first things we upgrade. We’re also fans of the slick full-color TFT dash located on the left handlebar, which is the kind of refinement one expects to see from a premium brand like Zero.
We’ll also note that while regulations prevent Zero from launching their XE as a street-legal motorcycle here in the US, they’ve confirmed the European version will be designated for street use with an A1 license and will come with a full light/plate kit from the factory. It’s just speculation at this point, but it seems like there’s a good chance for some dual-sport potential here in the years to come.
As for pricing, the 2025 Zero XE is confirmed with a starting MSRP of $6,495, which is close enough to the Ultra Bee’s current $5,899 asking price to keep it competitive.
You can check out the full rundown of the new XE here.
2025 Zero XB
On the other hand, we’ve got the new Zero XB, which is presumably about as clear a competitor to the Surron Light Bee as you can get without getting into any legal grey area. That’s an important comparison to note, because Zero has also confirmed that the 2025 XB starts with a base MSRP of just $4,195, which is a few hundred dollars lower than most Light Bees are currently selling for.
So where does the new XB fit into the ultralight e-moto space? Despite its all-too-familiar appearance, Zero seems to be doing their own thing with the XB, surprisingly enough.
We say this because while most bikes in this space seem to be locked into an ongoing power war, the new XB retains (dare we say it) fairly modest power figures with a 7.5 kW (10 hp) peak output and a 28 mph top speed. For comparison, the new Altis Sigma ($5,499) claims an absolutely bonkers 22kW peak power, while the E Ride Pro SS 3.0 ($4,999) specs a 15.8kW peak. The latest Talaria Sting MX5 Pro ($4,700) comes a little closer with a claimed 13.4kW peak, but we’re still talking about nearly double the peak power.
So yes, the clearest competitor here remains Surron’s popular Light Bee X, which falls somewhat short of the XB’s claimed output with just 6.0kW of peak delivery. Zero’s also running a 74V system on the XB compared to the Surron’s 60V, resulting in a slightly higher top speed of 50 mph. Take that with a grain of salt, however, as the Zero is also heavier by about nineteen pounds.
Of course our main complaint with any bike in this class has always been suspension, and it’s worth noting that Zero appears to have equipped the XB with more robust components than many of its competitors. Zero says the XB is equipped with KKE front and rear suspension, with both ends being fully adjustable and “factory tuned” for North American riding styles, whatever that means.
Apart from that, components look more or less par for the course here with a 19/19 wheel setup, forged 6061 aluminum frame and swingarm, and dual-piston caliper brakes front and rear. Interestingly enough, the XB appears to get the exact same 2.4″ TFT dash as its larger sibling which includes the same features ranging from power mode selection and regen adjustments to a hill hold function and even a final gearing adjustment.
Both the XE and XB models are expected in dealerships by the summer of 2025 according to Zero. Expected demand is reportedly so high that Zero is opening a reservation system for these bikes for the first time in the company’s history, which you can find here if you’re considering one yourself.
