We recently had the opportunity to test ride two popular electric bikes, the KBO Tornado and the Himiway Zebra. Both bikes are designed for off-road adventures and offer impressive features that make them stand out from the rest. In this article, we will compare the two bikes and share our first-hand experience with each.
The KBO Tornado is a powerful eBike that boasts a 750W motor and a top speed of 25mph. It has a range of up to 50 miles on a single charge, making it perfect for long rides in the mountains. The bike has a sturdy aluminum frame and comes equipped with front suspension, mechanical disc brakes, and a 6-speed Shimano transmission. The Tornado also features a color LCD display, which shows speed, distance, battery level, and other important information.
The Himiway Zebra is another impressive eBike that is designed for all-terrain adventures. It has a 750W motor and a top speed of 25mph, and can travel up to 80 miles on a single charge. The Zebra is available in step-through frame design which makes it easy to mount and dismount, and comes equipped with front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and a 7-speed Shimano transmission. The bike also features a monochrome LCD display with USB charging, which shows speed, distance, battery level, and other important information.
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Appearance & Design
KBO Tornado: Appearance
Himiway Zebra: Appearance
Both the KBO Tornado eBike and the Himiway Zebra have distinct looks that set them apart from other electric bikes on the market.
The KBO Tornado eBike has a sturdy and robust frame made of 6061 aluminum, which makes it durable and able to handle rough terrain. The frame is available in green, grey, and black colors, giving riders the option to choose the color that best suits their style. The bike's design is sleek and modern, with a minimalist look that is sure to turn heads.
The Himiway Zebra, on the other hand, has a more traditional design with an aggressive tube design and fat tires that give it a classic look. The bike's frame is also made of 6061 aluminum, making it sturdy and durable. The Zebra is available in grey, white, and a mix of striking colors which gives it a clean and modern look.
Both bikes have a design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The KBO Tornado eBike has a more modern and minimalistic design, while the Himiway Zebra has a classic look with its aggressive frame design and fat tires. Ultimately, the choice between the two bikes will come down to personal preference and which design appeals more to you.
Display and Controls
KBO Tornado: Display
Himiway Zebra: Display
In this section, we will compare the display and controls of the KBO Tornado and the Himiway Zebra.
Both eBikes come with LCD displays that show important information such as speed, battery level, distance traveled, and more. The display on the KBO Tornado is slightly larger than the Himiway Zebra however, both displays are easy to read and provide all the necessary information.
One advantage of the Himiway Zebra's display is that it comes with a USB charging port which riders can use to charge their smart devices. In terms of controls, both eBikes have similar setups with a half-twist throttle and pedal-assist level selector located on the right and left side of the handlebars respectively.
Overall, both eBikes have functional and user-friendly displays and controls. While the KBO Tornado’s larger screen may appeal to some users, the Himiway Zebra's USB charging functionality may give it a slight advantage over the Tornado.
Weight and Weight Limits
Weight is an important factor to consider when purchasing an electric bike. Not only does it affect the overall performance of the bike, but it also impacts how easy it is to transport and store. In our comparison between the KBO Tornado eBike and the Himiway Zebra, we found that both bikes have a similar weight, but the Zebra has a higher payload capacity.
The KBO Tornado eBike weighs in at 73 pounds, which is relatively heavy compared to other e-bikes on the market. However, this weight is due to the bike's sturdy frame and powerful motor. Despite its weight, the Tornado is still easy to maneuver and ride, making it a great option for those who want a heavy-duty e-bike.
On the other hand, the Himiway Zebra weighs slightly more at 79 pounds. However, this weight is offset by the bike's larger payload capacity of 400 pounds. This means that the Zebra can carry more weight than the Tornado, making it a better option for those who need to transport heavy loads or cargo.
Overall, both the KBO Tornado eBike and the Himiway Zebra are relatively heavy e-bikes. However, their weight is justified by their sturdy frames and powerful motors. If you need a bike that can carry heavy loads, the Himiway Zebra is the better option due to its higher payload capacity.
Motor & Power
KBO Tornado: Motor
Himiway Zebra: Motor
When it comes to e-bikes, the motor is one of the most important components. In the case of the KBO Tornado and the Himiway Zebra, both bikes come with a powerful 750W rear hub motor. This type of motor provides a good balance of power and efficiency, making it a popular choice for e-bike manufacturers.
One thing to note is that the Himiway Zebra has an oversized 960Wh battery, which provides a longer range compared to the KBO Tornado. This means that the Zebra can go further on a single charge, making it a good choice for riders who need to travel longer distances.
In terms of torque, both bikes have a good amount of power. The 750W motor provides enough torque to tackle steep hills and rough terrain. However, the Himiway Zebra has a slight advantage in this area due to its larger battery capacity, which allows the motor to operate at peak performance for longer periods of time.
Overall, both the KBO Tornado and the Himiway Zebra have powerful 750W motors that provide a good balance of power and efficiency. While the Himiway Zebra has a slight advantage in terms of battery capacity and torque, the KBO Tornado is still a great option for riders who want a reliable and powerful e-bike.
Battery Capacity and Range
KBO Tornado: Battery
Himiway Zebra: Battery
The KBO Tornado eBike comes with a 48V 14Ah battery, which is removable and can be charged both on and off the bike. The battery takes about 6 hours to fully charge and provides a range of up to 50 miles on a single charge, depending on the terrain and rider weight. The battery level is displayed on the bike's LCD screen, which also shows speed, distance, and pedal assist level.
On the other hand, the Himiway Zebra comes with a larger 48V 20Ah LG battery, which is integrated into the frame. The battery takes about 7 hours to fully charge and provides a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge, depending on the terrain and rider weight. The battery level is also displayed on the bike's LCD screen, which shows speed, distance, and pedal assist level.
Both e-bikes have impressive battery capacities, with the Himiway Zebra having a slightly larger battery. However, the KBO Tornado eBike has a faster charging time, which could be a significant advantage for riders who need to recharge their battery quickly.
In terms of range, the Himiway Zebra has a clear advantage, with a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge compared to the KBO Tornado eBike's range of up to 50 miles. However, it's worth noting that the range can vary depending on the terrain and rider weight, so riders should keep this in mind when choosing an e-bike.
Overall, both e-bikes have impressive battery capacities and ranges, and riders should choose the one that best suits their needs.
Ride Quality & Handling
When it comes to ride quality and handling, we found that both the KBO Tornado eBike and the Himiway Zebra are impressive performers. The Tornado eBike is an all-terrain bike that delivers a smooth and comfortable ride, thanks to its front suspension fork and fat tires. The step-over frame design is perfect for riders who prefer a more traditional bike feel. The Tornado eBike is easy to maneuver, and the powerful motor makes it effortless to climb hills and tackle rough terrain.
On the other hand, the Himiway Zebra is a step-through eBike that offers a more relaxed riding experience. The step-through frame makes it easy to mount and dismount the bike, and the all-terrain design ensures that you can take it anywhere. The Zebra's fat tires and front suspension fork provide a smooth ride, and the powerful motor gives you the extra boost you need to conquer hills and rough terrain.
Overall, we found that both eBikes offer excellent ride quality and handling. The KBO Tornado eBike is perfect for riders who prefer a more traditional bike feel, while the Himiway Zebra is ideal for those who want a more relaxed riding experience. Regardless of which eBike you choose, you can be sure that you'll enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable ride.
Suspension, Brakes, Wheels & Tires
KBO Tornado: Tires
Himiway Zebra: Tires
Starting with suspension, the KBO Tornado has a front suspension fork, which helps to absorb shocks and provide a smoother ride. The Himiway Zebra also has a front suspension. Both ebikes come with adjustable shocks which makes them very practical to ride.
Moving on to the brakes, the Himiway Zebra comes equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, which provide excellent stopping power. The KBO Tornado on the other hand is equipped with mechanical disc brakes, which also provide decent braking power but are not as efficient as hydraulic brakes.
When it comes to the wheels and tires, both bikes have fat tires that are great for off-road riding. These tires absorb shocks, resulting in a smoother ride, and provide a larger contact patch for better grip, improving overall control and comfort.
Overall, both bikes have impressive suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires. However, the Himiway Zebra may have a slight edge thanks to its hydraulic braking system.
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Pedal Assist & Throttles
KBO Tornado: Twist Throttle
Himiway Zebra: Half-twist Throttle
There are two main ways of engaging an e-bike's motor: pedal assist and throttle. Pedal assist, as the name suggests, provides assistance to the rider's pedaling. The motor only engages when the rider is pedaling and stops when the rider stops pedaling. Throttle, on the other hand, allows the rider to engage the motor without pedaling.
Both the KBO Tornado and Himiway Zebra offer both pedal assist and throttle modes. The KBO Tornado comes with a half-twist throttle and pedal assist levels ranging from 1 to 5. The Himiway Zebra, on the other hand, also comes with a half-twist throttle and pedal assist levels ranging from 1 to 5.
One thing to keep in mind is that in the US, e-bikes are limited to a top speed of 20 mph when using the motor. Both the KBO Tornado and Himiway Zebra comply with this regulation.
The KBO Tornado's half-twist throttle is easy to use and allows for quick engagement of the motor. The pedal assist levels are also easy to switch between and provide a good range of assistance.
The Himiway Zebra's twist throttle is also easy to use and provides quick engagement of the motor. The pedal assist levels are also easy to switch between and provide a wide range of assistance. One thing that sets both bikes apart is that the Himiway Zebra's motor provides up to 86Nm of torque, making it a good option for tackling hills and rough terrain.
Overall, both the KBO Tornado and Himiway Zebra offer good options for engaging the motor. The half-twist throttles on both electric bikes provide quick engagement of the motor, while the pedal assist levels on both bikes provide a good range of assistance.
Portability
Both the Himiway Zebra and the KBO Tornado are non-foldable e-bikes, meaning they do not have a collapsible frame for easy storage or transportation. Despite this, their dimensions and weights offer distinct portability considerations.
The Himiway Zebra, with its total length of 78.7 inches, handlebar height of 42.9 inches, and a wheelbase of 49.2 inches, presents a larger profile. This might affect its maneuverability in tight spaces and its ease of transport, especially when it comes to fitting it in confined areas such as elevators or storage spaces.
On the other hand, the KBO Tornado boasts slightly smaller dimensions, with a total length of 74.5 inches, handlebar height of 48.8 inches, and a wheelbase of 45 inches. This could contribute to better maneuverability in urban environments and make it a more convenient option for users seeking a more compact e-bike.
In terms of weight, the Himiway Zebra weighs 79 lbs, while the KBO Tornado weighs 73 lbs. The weight differential could influence how manageable each e-bike is to lift or carry, particularly when navigating situations that require lifting the bike, such as climbing stairs or loading it onto a vehicle.
Ultimately, the portability comparison between these two e-bikes comes down to a trade-off between the Himiway Zebra's larger size and the KBO Tornado's slightly lighter weight and more compact dimensions. Consider your intended usage scenarios and transportation needs to determine which e-bike's portability characteristics align better with your preferences.
Pros & Cons KBO Tornado vs Himiway Zebra
In this section, we'll provide a rundown of the pros and cons of each eBike to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of KBO Tornado
Cons of KBO Tornado
Pros of Himiway Zebra
Cons of Himiway Zebra
Specifications and Features Table
KBO Tornado
Himiway Zebra
Specification/Feature | KBO Tornado | Himiway Zebra |
|---|---|---|
Motor | 750W brushless geared hub motor | 750W brushless geared hub motor |
Battery | 48V 14Ah Samsung battery | 960Wh Samsung/LG battery |
Range | Up to 45 miles with pedal assist | Up to 80 miles with pedal assist or 60 miles with pure electric power |
Charge Time | 4-6 hours | 6-7 hours |
Gears | Shimano 6-speed transmission | Shimano 7-speed shifting |
Components | Premium-grade aluminum alloy frame, adjustable suspension fork, Tektro mechanical disc brakes | Premium-grade aluminum alloy frame, adjustable lockout suspension fork, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes |
Chain | TEC chain | KMC chain |
Front and Rear Lights | Yes | Yes |
Both bikes have a lot of great features, but there are a few key differences to note. The Himiway Zebra has a more powerful motor and battery, allowing for a longer range and more power when needed. The KBO Tornado, on the other hand, has a slightly shorter charge time and features Tektro mechanical disc brakes, which some riders may prefer over hydraulic brakes.
In terms of gears, both bikes feature a Shimano transmission, but the Himiway Zebra has Shimano 7-speed transmission, while the KBO Tornado has a 6-speed transmission. They both also come with a lot of accessories like front and tail light, a rear rack, and fenders.
Overall, both bikes have a lot to offer and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what features are most important to you.
Overall Recommendation Based on Intended Use
After extensively testing both the KBO Tornado and the Himiway Zebra, we have come to the conclusion that both bikes are excellent choices for different purposes.
If you're looking for a bike that can handle off-road adventures, the Himiway Zebra is the way to go. Its fat tires and durable aluminum frame make it perfect for rough terrain, and the front and rear lights ensure that you can ride safely even in low-light conditions. The Himiway Zebra also features hydraulic disc brakes, which provide excellent stopping power and better heat dissipation, making it a reliable choice for long rides.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a bike for daily commuting or leisurely rides, the KBO Tornado is a great option. Its moped-style design and front suspension provide a comfortable ride, and the cadence sensor ensures that you can ride at your own pace without getting tired. The KBO Tornado also features an adjustable seat and front light, making it a convenient choice for urban riding.
Overall, both bikes have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice ultimately depends on your intended use. If you're looking for a bike for off-road adventures, the Himiway Zebra is the way to go. If you're looking for a bike for daily commuting or leisurely rides, the KBO Tornado is the better choice. Regardless of your choice, both bikes are excellent options that offer great value for money.
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