Electric scooters?

[prettybillie]

Heya - does anyone know much about electric scooters? I'm thinking about getting one to blat to and from work. I only live 8 k's from my office and thought one of these might be an option. The whole lower my carbon footprint and crap

[CrazyFrog]

Electrics are cheap for a reason....not that well built, and only have a 30-35km range before battery dies, also only about 40kmph top speed. Okay if you live close to work tho, and your route isn't hilly. They suck on hills.
Don't know how much power they draw charging the batts....okay if your boss doesn't mind you charging it at work tho!!!

[MisterD]

I think Scooter Emotion might have some electrics now, personally I'd still say if you want a little scooter, then 50cc 2-stroke is the way to go. If you're bothered about buying into the globular yawning scam and want to travel 8ks silently, get a push bike.

[tri boy]

Finding tyres for them, (if it has 14" rims) can be a pain.

[Jantar]

I'd be more interested in a genuine electric motorbike rather than a scooter. Something like this perhaps. http://www.electricmotorsport.com/store/ems_electric_motorcycle_gpr-s.php

[Dave C]

Talk to Moto Mandy at Scooter Emotion right at the top of New North Rd. I have ridden their electric scoots ,and they perform at least as well as a 50cc petrol scoot, even with my (80kg+) weight on board, run (almost) silently, are well made, and score highly on the fun factor!

[Pogo2]

I think Scooter Emotion might have some electrics now, personally I'd still say if you want a little scooter, then 50cc 2-stroke is the way to go. If you're bothered about buying into the globular yawning scam and want to travel 8ks silently, get a push bike.

I hear Goetz is going to stock a few variants of the electric kind. He seems quite passionate about it.

[prettybillie]

Finding tyres for them, (if it has 14" rims) can be a pain.

Does anyone know what they are like to maintain - easy to get parts etc???

[davereid]

Does anyone know what they are like to maintain - easy to get parts etc???

I don't particularly know about electric bikes, but I regularly have people coming in and saying "Can I have a new drive belt - disk pads - tail light lens for a Kamasuta illustrated I bought off TardMe ? Its the same as the ones you sell "

And I have to say, err no. Its not the same. It looks the same. But its not. I can't sell you those brake components, cos if they don't work, and you die, I don't want a visit from plod.

So, the rules are...

- If you don't know the brand, how can you be sure you can get parts ?
- If the retailer is not reputable, does he care ? will he just promise you parts ?

Why not just by a quality petrol eating moped, from a european manufacturer, or a quality asian... and dodge all the hassles of the kamasutra illustrated ?

[prettybillie]

Yeah - I think I'll just go for a petrol one. These ones seem to be a little more trouble than the output you get from them. :apint:

[vtec]

Range of 30 k's sounds very useful for in the cities. These will probably take off as long as a decent quality supplier is found. No fuel yay.

50cc scooters are fun, but I prefer my bicycle for the cost savings. I would however love a Suzuki UZ125 scooter, 120kph top speed, 40km/l fuel usage. and fast and fun and two seater, little and light and reliable and well built. Best scooter ever. Ask Danchop.

[geoffm]

Biggest problem I can see with an electric scooter is top speed (and maybe power up hills on some). My FA50, now retired, topped out at 42kph - and that is dangerous in Auckland traffic since you get carved up by all the cars. Any scooter used for commuting needs to do 60 IMO.

[portokiwi]

I'd be more interested in a genuine electric motorbike rather than a scooter. Something like this perhaps. http://www.electricmotorsport.com/store/ems_electric_motorcycle_gpr-s.php

That looks cool. Just wonder how long before you to replace bty, how much for the bty. Are they here in NZ?

[prettybillie]

I'd be more interested in a genuine electric motorbike rather than a scooter. Something like this perhaps. http://www.electricmotorsport.com/store/ems_electric_motorcycle_gpr-s.php

Oh my god - those are cool! The only thing I've found in NZ are these www.envirgold-electric-cycles.com

[honem]

Oh my god - those are cool! The only thing I've found in NZ are these www.envirgold-electric-cycles.com

www.envirogold-electric-cycles.com

fixed.

[klingon]

For anyone who hasn't actually tried an electric scooter yet, I strongly suggest you visit Goetz or Mandy at Scooter e-motion. They are absolutely reputable dealers and the scooters they are bringing in are brilliant. Don't diss them till you've tried them!

I know there are other brands around that might be a bit dodgy, but these ones are really good. If you have any doubts about finding tyres, spare parts etc, talk to them about it. They have got all those issues sorted out and wouldn't risk their reputations on anything they can't support.

By the way, I have no connection with Scooter e-motion and they're not paying me to say any of this! I just think it's a shame that some of the cowboys who have imported other dodgy scooters seem to have spoiled the market for the genuine dealers.

[imne1]

you could always get an electric bicycle/kit from http://ecobikes.co.nz/ but I'm with everyone else on this, get a good quality fuel injected small scooter like the Suzy UZ125 or the Peugeot jetforce 125 http://www.scooterazzi.co.nz/detail/?id=8 which although not available in NZ also comes in a supercharged 2-stroke version :gob:

[Dave Lobster]

No matter how good the quality, $18,000 for a scooter is a crazy price.

A 400cc scooter can be bought for HALF that. Running costs for a couple of years wont be anywhere near the depreciation of the electric one.

[Jantar]

That looks cool. Just wonder how long before you to replace bty, how much for the bty. Are they here in NZ?There was an electric motorcycle featured on the Breakfast show a few weeks ago. It was undergoing type certification testing in Auckland, but they didn't give any details about the importer etc.

It certainly looked similar, but the breakfast show indicated a much more powerfull bike.