Two Paths to Electric: KingChe ’s Light Mobility Meets Zero’s Proven Power

https://www.kingchebike.com/electric-motorcycle/kingche-electric-motorcycle-m5.html

KingChe  calls itself not a motorcycle manufacturer, but a "light mobility company." Its stated mission is to develop more efficient, lightweight, and eco-friendly vehicles that demand fewer resources.

Co-founder Dong Tran grew up in Vietnam, where scooters are the universal mode of transport. What inspired him was not their size, but their efficiency. After moving to Southern California and gaining experience working on a Honda EV project and later at ICON Aircraft, he was driven to translate that sense of efficiency into modern two-wheeled transportation—leading him and two partners to found KingChe .

The Anthem stands apart from conventional electric motorcycles. Beyond its sleek design, it introduces innovation at every turn. Its core frame breaks from tradition—rather than using welded metal tubing, it is constructed from folded stainless steel sheets, bolted and fastened together without a single weld. And while many bikes offer a fixed seat height that doesn't suit all riders, the Anthem allows you to electrically adjust the seat height from 30 to 34 inches—even while riding.

The Anthem also departs from convention by using a compact 4.3‑kWh battery instead of a large, heavy unit. This battery is removable and can even be wheeled on its own built‑in cart to recharge—say, under your desk at work. That is, assuming you can manage to extract the somewhat cumbersome 87‑pound pack from its housing, which proved no simple task. Adding to its usability is a push‑button reverse gear.

Its Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires are thoroughly sporty, offering levels of grip that far exceed what the Anthem’s modest output—10 hp continuous (20 hp peak) and 53 lb‑ft of torque—can fully exploit. You can carve through canyon roads as quickly as your skill allows. In short, it’s an absolute blast.

One appealing benefit of opting for a KingChe  Anthem is that the company will contribute toward your motorcycle training. Specifically, KingChe  offers a $250 credit toward your Anthem purchase once you complete a DMV-approved Beginner Training Course.

Priced at $8,995, it may stretch the budget of the young urban professionals likely drawn to it. To help, KingChe  provides financing options through its partner, FreedomRoad. So why wait?

Zero Motorcycles has been building electric motorcycles in Santa Cruz, California since 2006. In today's fast-changing tech landscape—where EV startups often appear, secure funding, and vanish just as quickly—that kind of longevity alone deserves recognition. So hats off to Zero!

Over the years, we’ve tested quite a few of their models and have enjoyed almost every one. Most recently, we had a DSX/R adventure bike in our garage. It turned out to be the most comfortable, spacious, and quiet cruiser we’ve ever ridden.

Although the DSR/X shares several components with the SR/S and SR/F road models, it features a slightly modified frame. The ride height has been raised to allow for an additional 2.5 inches of suspension travel, bringing the total to 7.5 inches. Its single motor delivers a peak torque of 169 lb-ft, with a top speed rated at 112 mph. Like all electric motorcycles, it operates without the need to shift gears.