ZERO 11X REVIEW

ZERO 11X Summary:

The ZERO 11x is a strong scooter with a long range, a solid build, and a durable two bar steering column. Ride positioning is more easier because to the longer deck and aluminium rear footplate. Taller riders will have an easier time maintaining a rider stance at high speeds, and there is enough of room on the deck to find a comfortable riding posture.

The 11x has hydraulic disc brakes, however the manufacturer of callipers varies depending on where you are; most ZERO 11xs come with NUTT hydraulic callipers.

The cockpit setup is simple and clean, consisting of a low-cost LED odometer panel and a convenient separate volt metre to display battery voltage.

Performance Overview:

The ZERO 11x is without a doubt one of the most capable scooters that is also quite convenient. While there are quicker electric scooters available, such as the RION RE series, the ZERO is one of the quickest within its price range.

For many, a peak speed of 60–62 mph (96–100 km/h) is sufficient, and for less than £2,500 ($3,500) from several UK and international merchants, this is excellent value.

To put it in perspective, just a few scooters in the 5400w peak range are available, and nearly none at this price.

The 11X features two BLDC hub motors, each capable of producing over 2700w peak power, for a total output of 5400w.

Because acceleration is highly dependent on battery condition, scooter age, topography, and rider weight, a consistent time reaching 60 mph (96 km/h) is hard to estimate. On flat level terrain, on a dry day, with a battery state of 81v and a rider weight of 64 kg, we were able to achieve 62 mph (100 km/h) in roughly 9 seconds from a standstill (141 lb).

Most individuals should be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 9 to 12 seconds, which is rather impressive for such a large scooter.

Overall, the 11X performed admirably, lasting a whole day of frolicking on trails and fields with plenty of power left over. In terms of real-world applications,

The claimed peak range varies between 75 miles (120 km) and 90 miles (160 km) depending on which websites you visit (145 km). In fact, it’s quite doubtful that anyone will ever reach these heights. On a FULL charge, with a 64 kg (141 lb) rider and an ambient outdoor temperature of 18 c, we were able to go 49 miles (79 km) in ECO mode with a single motor.

We were able to fully drain the 11x’s 32ah LG battery in only 18 miles in full power mode (ECO off, twin motor, P Settings set to 80 percent power), which translates to a run duration of about 18-20 minutes at speeds of 50 – 60 mph (80 – 96 km/h).

Although the ZERO 11X is fairly hefty and sometimes feel a little insensitive in muddier situations, performance off road was amazing – furthermore, you absolutely MUST have the appropriate sort of off road tyres to have any hope of preserving traction.

The ZERO 11X is best maintained on the road (with road tyres) for most users, as off-road tyres can be loud and don’t give the same amount of grip in the rain.

Speed & Acceleration:

Although the ZERO 11X is fairly hefty and sometimes feel a little insensitive in muddier situations, performance off road was amazing – furthermore, you absolutely MUST have the appropriate sort of off road tyres to have any hope of preserving traction.

Top Speed:

The ZERO 11X is best maintained on the road (with road tyres) for most users, as off-road tyres can be loud and don’t give the same amount of grip in the rain.

The peak speed of the 11X is, once again, highly dependant on the rider’s weight and the terrain. Top speeds are also hampered by wind; if you’re driving against a stiff breeze or severe gusts, you’ll lose 5-10 mph (8 – 16 km/h).

Peak reported speeds range from 60 to 62 mph (100 km/h). Some users claim to be able to attain speeds of up to 68 mph (109 km/h) when going downhill.

Because the ZERO 11X employs a low-cost Chinese odometer and control screen, its accuracy is suspect; also, you must pick the correct wheel size. Many users prefer to have a GPS with them in order to receive a more accurate measurement of peak speed.

GPS peak speed readings typically range from 60 to 62 mph (96 to 100 km/h).

Hill Climbing:

The 11X is capable of up to 35 percent gradeability, however lighter riders may be able to get away with up to 40 percent. Because of its large weight, the scooter is marginally less competent on steep climbs than the Minimotors Dualtron Thunder.

Battery & Range:

You can travel up to 50 miles on a single charge if you ride softly and wander around the pathways, but make no mistake: it’s very difficult to get close to the advertised ranges (trust us, we tried). The maximum we were able to obtain was 49 miles in single motor, ECO mode on fairly flat terrain with an average speed of just 15 miles per hour and a 64kg rider.

Driving style will undoubtedly limit range — hill climbing and lengthier bursts of “full speed” will lower the distance travelled to as little as 18 miles.

The 32ah battery is used in this calculation.

The reported mileage for the 28ah battery ranges from 15 to 35 miles, although we haven’t tested it yet (we will).

With mixed use, your baseline range should be approximately 25 miles on average.

If you decide to put the ZERO 11x’s hill climbing prowess to the test, you’ll quickly lose range — the 11X has hot controllers, and loading them may significantly increase battery charge loss.

Motor Configuration:

The 11x is equipped with two brushless DC electric motors. The motors look to be unbranded and generic. The 11X has many modes, including single and twin motor operation, as well as reduced and increased power modes.

ECO mode reduces the amount of power delivered to the controller, whilst single / dual mode does exactly what it says: it allows you to drive the 11X with only one motor.

What every ZERO 11X owner or potential owner should be aware of is the following:

• Only riders under 100 kg (220 lbs) and on flat terrain should ride the 11X in single motor mode. Loading a single motor puts tremendous pressure on the motor and controller. It takes a lot of effort to shift 53 kg (116 lbs) of scooter + x KG of rider with a single 1600w hub motor.
• Water intrusion is not impenetrable to brushless motors, and they corrode quickly. To reduce the possibility of water or damp getting into the motor casing, apply a silicone spray to partly waterproof the motors.

Construction & Quality:

The 11x is built to last, with a boxed base and curved / triangular suspension arms that are stylish while yet remaining durable. The ZERO 11X’s frame is built of aircraft-grade aluminium alloy and is powder painted in black, red, or blue.

The scooter’s overall construction is excellent; the frame components are typically sturdy, and the suspension layout helps to minimise flex between the wheel portions and the main box section itself.

Although the 11X’s novel approach to using the footplate as a suspension mounting point demonstrates that a lot of care gone into its design, there are other places where the scooter falls short.

Hydraulic lines to the rear brake pass via a plastic enclosure that is tightly attached to the 11x box portion, but the line has plenty of space to move and is visible in several places.

The rear hydraulic brake line exits the plastic box part and passes through a steep angle where excessive friction is likely to fracture the hydraulic line over time.

The front suspension mount is also a source of worry. The shock absorber joins the inner half of the suspension arms together in the 11X’s triangle type suspension / pivot mount arrangement. This is a load-bearing joint, and the pin/bolt that passes through the suspension mount is excessively thin, making it prone to breaking — this might be dangerous, especially if travelling.

Because the metal used in the bolts may have some quality difficulties, there is also the risk of corrosion/rust causing the bolt to fail prematurely.

During our ownership, we saw that even minor dampness produced surface rust on the steering clamp bolts, which isn’t something you want on key components that keep the scooter together.

The steering column is a one-of-a-kind design found on very few scooters. Most e scooters have a single column arrangement with a clamp – single column scooters must transfer greater stresses to the clamp region – the ZERO11X’s steering column is one of the sturdiest we’ve ever seen – there is practically NO wiggle in lateral movement.

Overall, the construction quality is GOOD, but it may be better. We enjoy the 11x, but we can’t get the feeling that the metal components aren’t as good as we’d want.

There’s no denying that the 11x is a fantastic scooter for the money. You get a lot of bang for your buck, but there has to be a trade-off somewhere. The ZERO’s overall build quality is rather good.

It’s not a scooter that comes across as frail or lacking in toughness. The 11x is solid and substantial, which is comforting. The tight steering column, firm suspension, and overall robust appearance and feel scream “high-end construction.”

However, as the scooter matures, there may be underlying concerns.

Smart Motion Bikes / ZERO electric scooters Australia issued a recall for some ZERO11X scooters that could suffer a catastrophic frame fracture as a result of a manufacturing fault caused by a crack line during the forging process / the Y-Channel material needed to be thicker / reinforced against cracking.

Some users claimed to have discovered a crack in the frame’s front Y portion.

During extensive use, several users have experienced the front suspension pin fracturing/shearing.

Some of the fasteners, especially the steering clamp bolts, had corrosion and seemed to be of inferior grade metal.

The general build quality is decent, but make sure you maintain your scooter by not abusing it, riding it in the rain, drowning the engines in water, or putting it through extreme weather conditions.

Suspension & Comfort:

The 11x boasts a one-of-a-kind lever arm suspension system. The pivot points in the front and back layouts are similar, but the mounting points are different.

Two suspension arms and an adjustable shock absorber slung back roughly 1 cm from the wheel make up the front suspension.

The setup maintains the front wheel as near to the deck as feasible without drastically limiting the turning radius. The sole disadvantage of this system is the lack of load bearing support. When you consider the total scooter weight, load weight (rider), and suspension layout, the bolt utilised to install the suspension to the top and bottom arms is too thin.

Users should install a stronger stainless steel bolt to remedy this possible weak area on the 11x.

The single rear suspension arm has a pivot mount between the lower arm and the rear footplate. This is quite creative, and it was one of our favourites.

The suspension and ride quality are good right out of the box. The shock absorbers appeared to be of decent quality, and they provided a smooth, even ride. Because of the scooter’s unsprung weight, the suspension may need to be adjusted to fit your weight and riding style (off road riding will mean you are better off tightening up the suspension).

Overall, the suspension performs admirably and provides a comfortable ride.

Ride Quality:

Overall, the ZERO 11X riding quality is excellent. This scooter is a joy to ride thanks to its spacious, long deck, strong footrest, high handlebar position, and decent suspension. Potholes and bad road surfaces are readily handled, and off-roading is a breeze – but don’t get too comfortable, because the 11X’s power may make it difficult to control in the rain.

We were able to kick the front wheel out and nearly fall off a couple times even while riding gently.

Overall, the ZERO 11X has one of the greatest ride qualities we’ve observed among most scooters, which is a major selling feature.

The 11x’s suspension is forgiving, but the 11′′ wheel size isn’t, so you’ll want to avoid potholes like you would with other electric scooters.

Lights:

Given the size and presence that the 11X will have on the road, it should come with lights. The lighting setup is excellent right out of the box. A frame-mounted BAR holds two separate LED lights on either side of the 11X.

Aside from the bright front LED output, the lights are also adjustable, which is fantastic.

The beam pattern performs a wonderful job of lighting the roads / trails ahead at night since they’re just the proper height from the ground (unlike traditional eScooters which may house their lights at the top of the steering column).

The bright adjustable front lights shine more than 3 metres in front of the scooter, making them ideal for night visibility.

Rear lights are also included with the 11x (The usual flashing lights that activate when braking and the permanent rear semi-illuminated LED lights).

It’s a shame that the 11X doesn’t come with any indicators, but you can always wire your own in.

Braking:

Front and rear hydraulic brakes are included on the ZERO 11X. With dual 160mm discs (rotors) and NUTT callipers, you have a very conventional configuration. Regenerative braking, which utilises load resistance to assist slow the wheels / scooter down, complements mechanical brakes on the 11x.

The ZERO11X’s overall braking performance is excellent. The 11X can brake from 60 mph (96 km/h) to 0 in 50 metres.

The regenerative braking system is also rather efficient. However, while regenerating, the feedback pressure exerts a strain on the controllers, which can cause harm – especially if the battery is at full capacity. Many people disable regenerative braking entirely, while others lower the amount of regen braking.

Overall, the 11x’s braking performance is excellent.

Portability:

This is where the 11X falls short, and to be honest, it wasn’t supposed to be portable in the first place; it was designed to be huge, quick, and powerful.

With a weight of more than 50 kg (110 lbs), this isn’t going to fit in the boot of a family hatchback or be carried up the stairs into an apartment — it’s too enormous, heavy, and ungainly to move.

Worse, when you fold the handlebars down, there’s no locking mechanism, so you can’t raise the scooter by the handlebars. Instead, you’ll have to fumble about seeking for a space around the wheel or suspension arm to lift – which isn’t doable for most people.

The 11x is not a portable device. While it will fit in a larger car with the seats folded down, it will be difficult to move it in and out of tight spaces without hurting items.

So, if you live in an apartment, flat, or shared house and need to move your 11x up and down, don’t bother.

Tyres:

Although it is possible to have your 11X supplied with off-road tyres, the 11X comes with 11 inch tubed tyres that are road tyres from the manufacturer.

Because it is based on an inner tube, changing the tyre / inner tube in the case of a puncture is significantly easier. When you develop a puncture, tubeless tyres are more difficult to deal with (despite being more durable).

Many 11x owners say that rear punctures are common, so make sure you have a spare inner tube and tyre on hand.

Both on-road and off-road tyre combinations are supported by the 11x.

Deck:

The deck is one of the largest we’ve seen on an electric scooter, extending over 2.5 feet long and providing plenty of place to stand. Unlike other scooters in this power range (the Dualtron Thunder and Dualtron X), the ZERO has a significantly larger deck, making it much simpler to achieve the ideal riding posture.

The ZERO 11X deck comes with a ZERO logo sticker in the centre of the deck, which is encircled by grip tape.

The deck is quite resistant to stone chips and markings, however the deck’s edge is extremely simple to chip.

The deck’s logo / sticker also rips off easily and isn’t particularly sturdy.

The footrest is located towards the back of the deck.

Reliability:

The 11x has proven to be a dependable scooter, although it is not without flaws. We’ve encountered various difficulties with the controllers, a failing LCD display, punctures, corrosion, and issues with front motor vibration in our 5000 miles (8046 km) of use (most likely a bearing).

The ZERO 11X’s controllers are arguably the most chronic problem. The 40 amp controllers are just not up to the task and frequently overheat unless the power level is increased (in P settings down).

The 11x’s deck is also susceptible to water infiltration, which can create issues with electrical components.

Overall, you should anticipate your e scooter to be quite dependable with ordinary day-to-day use in dry conditions and without extensive off-road activity.

Harder driving on a regular basis may prematurely wear out the battery and other scooter components.

The 11X battery display (on the LCD) is completely useless, therefore make sure you only use the standalone voltmeter to check the voltage.

Be aware that as the 11X becomes older, it will be more prone to shutting down prematurely. The BMS (battery management system) will essentially stop the scooter from running if the voltage drops below 60v, however if your battery is about 65 percent and you load the motors significantly, the voltage can drop below 60 percent, triggering cutoff even if the battery isn’t completely charged.

Warranty:

Depending on where you buy your ZERO 11X Scooter, it may come with a different warranty. You should check with your provider to see if the scooter comes with a guarantee. The default warranty period looks to be one year, however it is also conditional.

ZERO 11X: Is it worth the money and is it worth buying?

Yes, the 11X is worth the money in our perspective; after all, who could expect flawless perfection when you get so much scooter for so little money? The quality faults may be disregarded if you look after and maintain it, keep it out of the rain, and alter the 11X P Settings to operate at 80 percent power or less; anything more will fry the controllers.

There aren’t many scooters with this much power, sturdiness, or presence at this price point.

Excellent value for money, a lot of fun to ride, and you’ll be the envy of the ordinary electric scooter rider on 350w to 1000w scooters like the Xiaomi m365 or Kugoo G booster.