Himiway D5 (Zebra)

In this review, we’re testing the Himiway D5 Zebra, an update to the brand’s popular fat-tire, commuter-equipped e-bike. We’ll see how it compares to the original version and other similar e-bikes we’ve reviewed.

What Is the Himiway Zebra D5?

Himiway now offers buyers the choice between cadence or torque sensors. Other differences include an upgraded display, a larger saddle, a faster 3A charger, and UL 2849 certification. Himiway has also released a Zebra D5 Pro mid-drive build.

The Zebra D5 has a similar design to the original and the same choice of step-through or step-over. We’re testing the step-over, which has a stated height range of 5’3″ to 6’5″. The step-through’s height range is slightly wider, with a claimed fit of 5’1″ to 6’5″.

The D5 ships as a Class 2 e-bike (20mph) but can be unlocked to reach 28mph. The updated version is still just as heavy and large, weighing 89.6lb.

Himiway equipped this bike with 4″ Kenda Krusade fat tires and a 95mm suspension fork. It also has a rear rack, fenders, and lights for urban riding.

Pros

Well-Rounded Performance

The Zebra D5 is comfortable and easy to use. It has a plush saddle and a well-laid-out cockpit with a large, centrally-mounted display that’s easy to read.

The bike is also fast and responsive. Our test model has a 750W hub motor that combines torque and speed sensors. Pedal assist is quick to engage and delivered in a measured way, which is important for riding off-road.

Sometimes, torque-sensing e-bikes require lots of input from the rider to maintain the top speed, but not the Zebra D5. The sensors are tuned so that it’s possible to maintain 20mph without much effort.

This bike has Tektro HD-E3520 hydraulic disc brakes, which didn’t make noise during testing and offered lots of stopping power.

Torque Sensor

The D5 Zebra is a pleasant bike to pedal. The torque sensor enhances the ride quality as the motor matches your effort for a more natural pedal feel. However, unlike some torque-sensing bikes, it doesn’t require heavy input to maintain high speeds. The Zebra D5 easily maintained 20mph during our PAS 5 range test.

Long Range

The Zebra D5 has a 960Wh battery that delivers impressive range. For this review, we completed three range tests. Using max assist in Class 3 mode, we covered 34.3 miles and 1,719 feet of elevation at 20.4mph. This is the longest range from any bike we’ve tested at the max assist setting.

In Class 2 mode, we covered 48.3 and 1,811 feet of elevation at 16.8mph. Our ‘real-world’ range test (PAS 3) returned 51.8 miles with 1,765 feet of elevation at 15.9mph. So, if you’re looking for a long-range e-bike, the Zebra D5 is a solid choice.

Cons

Large and Heavy

The Zebra D5 weighs almost 90lb and measures 78.7″ long. This size and weight make it challenging to move unpowered, let alone lift it into a trunk or up a flight of stairs. The weight and fat tires also mean pedaling without power isn’t practical.

It also won’t fit into tight spaces, and most vehicle-mounted bike racks won’t support its weight. A bike this large and heavy is best for those with garage storage.

Riders under 5’7″ are unlikely to fit the step-over frame, though Himiway rates it for 5’3″ to 6’5″. The step-through version is the better option for shorter riders.

Suspension Fork

The Trama 95mm suspension fork is a budget component. Anything more than a light impact is jarring, quickly using up the travel. A higher-end fork with more travel or an air shock would greatly benefit this bike.

Drivetrain

The final characteristic of the Zebra that disappointed in testing was the budget drivetrain’s limited gear range. This bike has a Shimano Altus derailleur, 14-28t cassette, 44t chainring, and TX50 overhand shifter.

I found this drivetrain to be lacking both high and low gears. The lowest gear (44/28t) is too high, so starting from a stopped position requires a lot of effort. If you unlock the bike to Class 3 mode, the bike runs out of gears at speeds above 20mph.

What Does It Do Best?

Aside from the suspension fork and drivetrain, the Himiway D5’s components are solid, and the frame feels sturdy. The ride is comfortable and stable, inspiring confidence at high speeds.

A large battery and powerful motor provide plenty of range, fast acceleration, and the ability to maintain speed, even on climbs. The bike also comes with a rack, fenders, bright auto-on lights, and mounts for a bottle cage and front rack.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

The biggest drawback of the D5 Zebra is its high weight and bulk, which make it very difficult to lift and maneuver. It also severely limits vehicle rack compatibility and requires a lot of storage space at home. Additionally, the gearing is limited, so ghost pedaling starts at speeds above 20mph.

Conclusion

I enjoyed testing the original Zebra, but the new version is even better. The addition of a torque sensor improves the pedal assist, making it more intuitive, though buyers can still choose a cadence-sensing build. The new version is also UL 2849-certified.

If you are looking for a comfortable, powerful, long-range e-bike with fat tires, and you don’t mind the heft, the Himiway D5 Zebra is worth considering.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 2, Class 3 (unlockable)
Warranty: 2-Year
UL Certification UL 2849
IP Rating Not stated
Battery Weight: 8.8lb
Total Weight: Claimed: 79lb – Actual: 89.6lb
Motor Brand: Himiway-branded
Motor Type: Rear hub
Motor Nominal Output: 750W
Max Torque: 86Nm
Battery: 48V – 20Ah (960Wh)
Range Claimed: Up to 80mi
Range Tested (Class 2): PAS 5 – 48.33 mi – 1,811 ft. – 16.8mph / PAS 3 –  51.84mi – 1,765 ft. – 15.9mph
Range Tested (Class 3): PAS 5 – 34.33 mi – 1,719 ft. – 20.4 mph
Max Speed: 28mph
Throttle: Thumb-style
Pedal Assist: 5 levels
Charger: 54.6V 3A
Charge Time: 6 hours
Display: 3.5″ LCD
Frame: 6061 aluminum
Fork: Trama 26″, 95mm travel
Brake Levers: Tektro HD-E3520
Brake Calipers: Tektro HD-E3520
Brake Rotors: Tektro TR180-52 180mm
Chain: KMC Z8.3 EPT 120L
Crankset: Prowheel 170mm, 44t chainring
Derailleur: Shimano Altus 7-speed
Shifter: TX50 7-speed
Freewheel: Shimano MF-TZ500 14-28t
Rims: Alloy MD-147 26″
Tires: Kenda Krusade – 26″ x 4″ – 3mm puncture protection
Fenders: Included, plastic
Lights: Headlight, rear light with brake activation
Grips: Slip-on, faux leather
Saddle: Selle Royal – Himiway saddle
Pedals: Aluminum, platform
Handlebar: Promax HB-3188 22.2*31.8*700mm
Kickstand: Single-sided, aluminum
Payload Capacity: 400lb

Frameset and Geometry

The D5 Zebra is available as a step-through or step-over; both are one-size-fits-all. The frame feels sturdy, and the bike has a high 400lb payload capacity.

It’s comfortable on pavement and non-technical off-road terrain. However, the high weight and lack of maneuverability are quickly felt on trails with lots of roots or obstacles and in tight situations. The low-end 95mm coil suspension fork is bouncy on rougher trails and doesn’t improve traction. This fork has lockout and preload adjustment.

The frame has mounts for a bottle cage and front rack to complement the included rear rack and fenders.

Finally, Himiway states rider fit of 5’3″ and 6’5″ for the step-over and 5’1″ to 6’5″ for the step-through. The step-over frame’s 31″ standover height is unlikely to fit riders below 5’6″.

Seat Tube: 17.5“ (444mm)
Reach: 17.8” (452mm)
Stack: 24.6” (625mm)
Stand Over Height: 31.1” (790mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 24.4” (620mm)
Min Saddle Height: 20.9” (531mm)
Max Saddle Height: 31.4” (798mm)
Wheelbase: 49.2” (1250 mm)
Recommended Rider Height: 5’3” – 6’5” (Step-over) / 5’1” – 6’5” (Step-through)

Display and Control

The D5 Zebra has a large, high-contrast 3.5″ display with a USB port for charging devices. The display is easy to see and operate.

On the main screen, the battery is represented with a five-bar graphic that I found to be accurate. Additionally, current speed, odometer, and power output are shown.

This bike can be unlocked, with the top speed fully adjustable up to 28mph. It doesn’t require a key for operation and doesn’t have a lock. Removing the battery is the only way to ensure the bike cannot be turned on.

Motor

The D5 has the same 750W rear hub motor with a max torque of 86Nm. Our test bike is the torque sensor version, and this provides natural and responsive pedal assist.

The motor accelerates quickly, reaching 20mph from a stop in just seven seconds using max pedal assist and nine seconds using the throttle.

The D5 Zebra didn’t break any records in the climbing tests. Torque-sensing hub drives generally deliver more measured power as motor output is meant to match rider input. In contrast, cadence sensors supply full power based on the level of assist chosen and the speed at which the cranks are turning. This measured power output uses the battery more efficiently, increasing range.

Battery and Charger

The D5 Zebra has a 20Ah battery and 3A charger that returns a reasonable seven-hour charge. Both the battery and bike are UL 2849-certified.

The battery can be charged on or off the bike. Battery removal is a bit tight, with minimal space between the down tube and front wheel.

We completed three range tests with this bike. In both Class 2 tests using PAS levels 5 and 3, the D5 Zebra achieved the best results of the bikes we’ve tested, as seen in the graphics below.

Drivetrain

The D5 has a mixed groupset, including a Shimano Altus 7-speed rear derailleur and TX50 Tourney shifter. The cassette is a 14-28t 7-speed paired with a 44t chainring.

The gearing is sufficient for pedaling at up to 20mph. However, with the bike unlocked to 28mph, the lack of high gears leads to ghost pedaling.

Brakes

The D5 Zebra has Tektro HD-E3520 hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors and reach-adjustable aluminum levers.

The bike’s brakes are quiet and effective, bringing this heavy bike to a stop in just 18 feet—a shorter stopping distance than most of the bikes we’ve tested.

Wheels, Tires

For the D5, Himiway chose 4″ e-bike-specific Kenda Krusade tires and 26″ aluminum rims with 12G spokes. These tires have a deep tread pattern and 3mm puncture protection to keep you rolling problem-free.

The tires perform well over various surfaces, providing good grip, though they can lose traction when leaning into corners.

Accessories

The D5 Zebra comes with fenders, a rear rack, lights, and additional attachment points for a bottle cage and a front rack.

The included fenders are made from hard plastic and attach securely. The rear rack can support 33lb and has a large surface area for mounting cargo or pannier bags.

Himiway provides a bright 500 lumen headlight and a taillight with brake activation. These can can be turned on with the control pad or set to come on automatically based on ambient light.

Finally, the standard single-sided aluminum kickstand works as required.

Touchpoints

The D5 Zebra comes with ergonomic slip-on grips that are comfortable but move around on the bars. I had to adjust them multiple times while riding, so I prefer lock-on grips.

The large Selle Royal saddle was comfortable on short or medium-distance rides. However, its width results in rubbing and discomfort on longer rides. After completing the 50-mile range test, I was happy to hop off.

The D5 uses aluminum platform pedals with small pegs for traction. They are standard pedals that work for most recreational users.