SUPER73-ZX
This isn’t your grandfather’s mini bike
Starting back in the late ’60s and running well into the ’70s, mini bikes were all the rage in America. As the name implies, these were shrunk-down motorcycles (most famously the Yamaha JT-1 Mini Enduro and the Honda XR75) that helped fuel the off-road motorcycle boom five decades ago. Of course, preceding the “mini-me” versions of big bikes were the first run of mini bikes that were powered by lawnmower engines (most famously the Taco 22). It was somewhere between the two genres that Super73 CEO and co-founder LeGrand Crewse decided to create his own e-bikes based on them.
The trend has caught on. They are now selling like hotcakes, and at least a half-dozen other companies make this type of bike now. We’ve seen massive packs of Super73 riders riding through Venice, California, on weekends. Like some bike brands, they, too, have garnered a cult-like following.
Recently, Super73 has been making some interesting, limited-edition models that have included collaborations with Saint Laurent, Mattel/Hot Wheels and famed motorcycle designer Roland Sands. While we often get flagship models to test, which for Super73 is their R-series model featuring full suspension, we instead opted for the more reasonably priced ZX model.
THE BIKE
The rigid aluminum-framed bike rolls on 20-inch wheels, though the 4-inch fat tires are a lot bigger than a standard 1.75-inch BMX tire. The saddle sits on top of the frame with a padded area, allowing for plenty of different seating options for most people and possibly carrying two at a time. People from 5-foot-2 to 6-foot-5 easily fit on this bike. The ZX is offered in two colors—Storm Gray and Moon Rock, which is a sort of putty/beige color. We loved the Storm Gray color with its matte finish and dark overall tone.
THE PARTS
This bike comes with a single-speed setup with a chain and no headlights for the U.S. version. Because of EU regulations, the version sold in the EU will have headlights and a 10-speed drivetrain, and the motor will be limited to 250 watts nominal.
The triple-clamp fork lends an added motorcycle appearance to the bike. The rims are 100mm wide with cutouts to save weight, and an aesthetic liner that shows through that is white on the Storm Gray model and red on the Moon Rock version.
“This is a bike for having fun and looking stylish.”
Unlike some of the models, the ZX doesn’t have fenders, but you can add them as an accessory. You can add other accessories, including one called the Feed Bag that attaches to the handlebars to help you carry your personal items. There’s also a stylish ZX Molle panel set, which are plastic inserts you can bolt into your frame to fill up the vast, empty space frame. Super73 also offers a full-face helmet and a pack of keyed-alike TiGr mini locks with frame-mounting clips.
THE MOTOR
The motor is listed as Super73, and it’s an internally geared, brushless hub motor that puts out 1350 watts of peak power. The peak listing isn’t the rating; the nominal rating for this motor is 750 watts, keeping it street-legal in the U.S. It’s a Class 2 bike, meaning it will go 20 mph with pedal assist or throttle.
The big 615Wh battery is slung under the frame right below the seat. It provides plenty of power and good range, and there’s a mounting bracket and plenty of room in the front triangle to mount another battery if desired.
The display is very simplistic, but there’s also an app for both Android and iOS that can be paired for updates and customization. We didn’t play with it too much, as the factory settings are really well done. The app does allow for over-the-air updates, and Super73 adds features and functionality via the updates. There’s also navigation available on the app and on the LCD smart display.
The bike comes standard with a 2-amp charger that will take up to seven hours to charge the battery, and that can be done on or off the bike. They offer an optional 5-amp charger that can fully charge the bike in two hours.
WHO IT’S MADE FOR
This is a bike for having fun and looking stylish. The target audience skews way younger than anyone who has ever seen an actual 1970s mini bike. There are no ways to effectively carry any cargo, so if you want to use it as a commuter, you’ll need to carry everything with you in a backpack. It’s legally an electric bicycle (although, we only see people using the throttle), so there are no requirements for licenses, insurance or registration.
THE RIDE
At 31 inches tall, the seat height is low enough for virtually anyone to easily swing a leg over easily. When pedaling, the Q-factor (width between the crank arms) is comically wide to account for the wide, fat tires. We spent very little time pedaling, and most of the time we were on the throttle. Throttle response is very good, and it’s very easy to modulate speed. There’s plenty of torque on tap. It’s like riding a short motorcycle with a thumb throttle! It was a popular bike when we had it. It saw many a mile in the paseos and streets near the office.
THE VERDICT
The Super73 a good-looking bike that’s fun to ride. As we said, it isn’t fun to pedal because of both the weight and how far apart the pedals are, so expect you’ll ride it with the throttle most of the time. As we’ve seen the majority of people riding Super73s around town, they are never pedaling, which leads us to assume that it’s not really a bike for anyone expecting to get any exercise. The Super73-ZX is the least expensive of the Super73 line, and it’s a blast to ride.
SPECS
SUPER73-ZX
Price: $2195
Frame: 6061-T6 aluminum
Fork: Aluminum
Motor: Super73 internally geared, brushless motor, 750W nominal, 1350W peak
Battery: 615Wh
Controls: Super73
Charge time: 7 hours with 2A charger, 2 hours with optional 5A charger
Top speed: 20–28 mph
Range: 20 miles throttle only, up to 75 miles in Eco with pedal assist (claimed)
Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc brakes, 180mm rotors
Seat: Super73
Rims: Aluminum, 20” x 100mm
Hubs: Super73
Tires: Vee Lizard Skins street, 20×4”
Weight: 63 lb.
Color choice: Storm Gray, Moon Rock
Sizes: One size