Zhang Xue Responds to 820RR Track Stalling Issue: Lean Angle Sensor Calibration to Blame

User Reports Track Stalling, Zhang Xue Responds Swiftly

On May 1, Zhang Xue Motorcycle founder Zhang Xue posted a video on his personal social media account, publicly addressing user reports of the Zhang Xue 820RR stalling during sessions at the Ningbo circuit. Zhang Xue stated that his team had identified the root cause — the vehicle's six-axis lean angle sensor was set to a 61-degree threshold, at which point the system would automatically interpret the motorcycle as having crashed and cut the engine as a protective measure.

In the video, Zhang Xue explained: "Our bike's lean angle — our six-axis sensor — was set at 61 degrees, and once that was reached, the engine would cut off because the system determined it was a crash." He speculated that during aggressive riding on the Ningbo circuit, the rider may have leaned the motorcycle to the 61-degree threshold, triggering the engine cutoff protection. However, he noted this has not yet been fully confirmed.

Sensor Temporarily Disabled, Threshold Optimization Planned

As an interim fix, Zhang Xue's team has temporarily disabled the lean angle sensor on the affected vehicle to ensure the user can continue riding normally. Zhang Xue also revealed plans to increase the sensor's trigger threshold to accommodate the demands of high-intensity track riding.

The lean angle sensor (six-axis IMU) is a core component of the electronic assist systems found in modern high-performance motorcycles, capable of monitoring the vehicle's attitude changes in three-dimensional space in real time. When an abnormal lean angle is detected, the system triggers protective measures — including cutting fuel supply and shutting down the engine — to minimize secondary injuries that may occur after a crash. However, lean angles achieved by riders on track often far exceed those in everyday riding, placing greater demands on sensor threshold calibration.

Zhang Xue addressed the situation candidly: "I don't think it's that big of a deal to encounter some issues with a new bike."

Mass Production Challenges Behind a WSBK Championship Halo

The Zhang Xue 820RR previously garnered widespread attention after winning a race at the WSBK (World Superbike Championship) round in Portugal, making it the first Chinese motorcycle to claim a WSBK victory. On April 3, the bike officially entered mass production and began deliveries to customers, priced from 43,800 yuan. It boasts a maximum output of 135 PS and a 0-100 km/h time of just 2.81 seconds, offering highly competitive value for money.

Notably, the official product ordering page includes strict purchase requirements: buyers with less than one year of motorcycle riding experience are prohibited from purchasing the bike. If a buyer with less than one year of experience acquires the motorcycle through a dealer, other users can report the case to the factory, and upon verification, the whistleblower will receive a 5,000 yuan reward. This measure reflects Zhang Xue Motorcycle's emphasis on product safety.

From Track to Street: Calibration Still Needs Refinement

This stalling incident highlights a typical challenge in bringing high-performance motorcycles from track validation to mass-market delivery. Race-grade electronic control systems must undergo more refined parameter calibration and more flexible strategy adaptation when confronted with diverse real-world usage scenarios. The six-axis IMU lean angle threshold must ensure safety protection during everyday riding while avoiding false triggers during extreme maneuvers such as deep cornering on track — a true test of the engineering team's tuning capabilities.

For a brand-new model that has just entered mass production, continuously optimizing electronic control strategies through real-world user feedback is an essential step toward product maturity. Zhang Xue's team demonstrated a proactive after-sales attitude characteristic of emerging Chinese motorcycle brands by quickly identifying the issue and responding publicly. Whether the specific recalibrated lean angle sensor threshold will be rolled out via OTA updates to the broader fleet remains to be seen.