The Onyx RCR and Super73 ZX exist in the same visual category — both look like 1970s enduro motorcycles, both attract riders who want something that rides like a motorcycle but skirts the registration and licensing requirements of one. But they're quite different machines. The Onyx RCR is a genuine speed vehicle: in its top configuration it hits 60mph and is technically a motorcycle in most states. The Super73 ZX is a Class 2 e-bike with exceptional power and style that stays street-legal on bike infrastructure. Buying the wrong one is a real problem.
Super73 ZX
The Super73 ZX is the better choice for riders who want street-legal moped style without licensing and registration complexity; the Onyx RCR is for buyers who fully accept its motorcycle classification.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Onyx RCR | Super73 ZX |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Peak | ~5,400W peak / 3,000W continuous | ~1,500W peak |
| Battery (Sport) | 3,300Wh | 960Wh |
| Top Speed | 60mph (30/45/60 modes) | 20mph Class 2 / 28mph Class 3 |
| Legal Status (US) | Motorcycle/moped in most states | Class 2/3 e-bike — no registration |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc, 203mm motorcycle spec | Hydraulic disc, 4-piston |
| Bike Weight | ~85 lbs | ~78 lbs |
| Price | ~$4,000-$7,500+ | ~$2,695 |
Motor Power and Speed: Where the RCR Diverges
The Onyx RCR uses a 5,400W peak motor (roughly 3,000W continuous) with lithium battery packs up to 3,300Wh in its Sport configuration. These are motorcycle numbers. Onyx specifies three speed modes: 30mph, 45mph, and 60mph. At 60mph, the RCR is a motorcycle with a motorcycle's kinetic energy — stopping from 60mph requires proper motorcycle brakes, proper protective gear, and motorcycle road positioning.
Onyx classifies the RCR as a 'bicycle' in their marketing, but in most US states, any vehicle capable of exceeding 30mph under motor power is a moped or motorcycle requiring registration, insurance, and in many states a motorcycle endorsement. Buying an RCR with the intent to ride it at 45-60mph on public roads without registering it is a legal exposure that buyers should fully understand before purchase.
The Super73 ZX uses a 1,000W nominal motor (1,500W peak) limited to 20mph in Class 2 configuration with a 28mph Class 3 pedal-assist unlock. These are within e-bike legal limits in all 50 US states and most international jurisdictions. The ZX's performance at those limits is strong — it accelerates crisply and climbs hills with authority — but it's operating within the law rather than circumventing it.
Battery and Range
The Onyx RCR in Sport configuration carries a 3,300Wh battery — extraordinary capacity for a two-wheeled vehicle. At 30mph mode, range is 75-100 miles. At 60mph mode, the massive motor draws down the battery much faster: 30-50 miles. Charging the 3,300Wh pack from empty takes approximately 8-12 hours on the standard charger.
The Super73 ZX uses a 960Wh battery with real-world range of 35-60 miles depending on assist mode and terrain. At legal Class 2 speeds with moderate pedaling on PAS 3-4, 50+ miles is achievable. Like the RCR, the ZX battery is frame-integrated and non-removable.
Onyx offers battery configurability — buyers can choose smaller packs (1,600Wh, 2,200Wh) at lower price points. The base RCR with 1,600Wh retails at approximately $4,000; the full Sport at $7,500+. Super73 ZX retails at $2,695 with a single 960Wh battery configuration.
Build Quality and Components
The Onyx RCR's frame is purpose-designed for high-speed use: heavier steel construction, wider stance, and motorcycle-specification components. The hydraulic disc brakes on the RCR are sized for its speed capability — 203mm rotors front and rear with motorcycle-quality calipers. Onyx uses Pirelli Angel tires at proper widths for high-speed cornering grip.
Super73's ZX uses 4-inch fat tires on alloy wheels with hydraulic disc brakes appropriate for its 20-28mph operating range. The ZX's suspension — a front fork with approximately 70mm of travel — handles the kind of urban terrain you encounter at legal bike speeds. Component quality on the ZX is better than Super73's earlier bikes: the pivot points, welding, and paint on 2025-2026 ZX models are noticeably improved.
Both bikes weigh approximately 80-85 lbs — heavy by bicycle standards, appropriate for their purpose-built platforms.
The Legal and Practical Reality
Buying an Onyx RCR and riding it as a bicycle — without registration, on bike paths, at full speed in traffic — is illegal in virtually every US state at its higher speed modes. Onyx explicitly notes in their documentation that the bike 'may be considered a moped or motorcycle in your jurisdiction.' That's not a technicality — it's a genuine legal situation that requires action: registration at the DMV, minimum liability insurance, and in many states a motorcycle license or moped endorsement.
The Super73 ZX is legally straightforward: it's an e-bike. In Class 2 mode, it can be ridden on bike lanes, paths, and roads where bicycles are permitted without registration, insurance, or specialized licensing in all US states. The ZX's legal status is one of its most practical features.
For the buyer who wants the look and feel of a motorcycle-style electric vehicle but rides in an urban environment with bike infrastructure: the Super73 ZX delivers that experience within the law. For the buyer who wants genuine high-speed performance and is willing to register, insure, and license the vehicle: the Onyx RCR is an extraordinary machine.
Onyx RCR Strengths
- 5,400W peak motor — genuine motorcycle-level acceleration and top speed
- Up to 3,300Wh battery — 75-100 miles range at moderate speeds
- Motorcycle-specification brakes and components appropriate for 60mph use
- Pirelli tires — proper high-speed cornering capability
- Exceptional value for the performance level when registered properly
Super73 ZX Strengths
- Class 2 legal street operation in all 50 US states — no registration or license required
- 1,500W peak motor delivers strong performance within legal limits
- Hydraulic disc brakes appropriate for operating speed range
- Extensive Super73 dealer and parts network
- $2,695 vs RCR's $4,000-7,500+ range
Onyx RCR Weaknesses
- Legally a motorcycle/moped in most jurisdictions — requires registration, insurance, often a license
- $4,000-7,500+ depending on battery configuration
- 80+ lbs — very heavy for two-wheeled vehicle storage and transport
- Riding at full performance on bike infrastructure is illegal
Super73 ZX Weaknesses
- 1,500W peak is significantly less power than RCR's 5,400W
- 960Wh battery — less range than RCR Sport configurations
- Top speed limited to 28mph in Class 3 mode
- Fat tires at this weight class handle less precisely than RCR's motorcycle tires
Best For
- Onyx RCR Buyers who want genuine high-speed electric performance and are prepared to register, insure, and license the vehicle as a motorcycle
- Super73 ZX Riders who want the aesthetic and power of a moped-style e-bike while staying fully legal on bike infrastructure
FAQ
Can you register the Onyx RCR as a bicycle to avoid the motorcycle license?
No — registering a vehicle with a 5,400W motor as a Class 2 e-bike is not legal in any US state. E-bike classification requires compliance with federal 750W motor limits and 20/28mph speed limits. The RCR's speed and power capability places it in the moped or motorcycle category regardless of what the manufacturer calls it.
Is the Super73 ZX faster than 20mph in practice?
In Class 2 mode: throttle-only tops out at 20mph. In Class 3 mode (pedal-assist only, available through the Super73 app in supported configurations): 28mph is achievable with pedaling. Both configurations are within US e-bike law. Riders who want to ride at 28mph legally need to pedal — you can't simply throttle to 28mph and stay Class 3.