XB-600 v.s. EW-500 First E-bike help!

ALSO!

How well does either of these bikes fair in the rain?

I have to admit that my initial thoughts were the same as yours, but if you take into consideration the smaller build and weight of the scooter, along with the fact that you can indeed become 50% of the energy it uses by pedaling the whole time I would have not much doubt that would indeed lengthen it's distance by quite a bit. I have also noticed how all of the specs I have seen for it they leave out the sentence "Distance on electric power alone". I would not put it past the dealers to leave out that the distance they advertise was reached through not only the battery power alone, but with the person possibly pedaling, as well as possibly keeping the speed on low. And yes, the EW-500 DOES in fact come with a switch to turn your top speed from low to high. Press it to limit your speed to only around 18mph, and again if you want to get the 25mph speeds.

We are all aware that speeds over 20mph would classify this as a moped instead, but I would happily say that any cop I come by would not need to know how fast it really can go, and keep it on the low setting to be safe. I would say it is not much different than any other person out there who has modded their XB-600 and used the speed limit cables already installed on their bike [though you need to find the cables yourself].

The 2nd post in this thread helped me a bit as well: http://visforvoltage.org/forum/10130-reviews-e-wheels-ew600

Apparently the speeds of the EW-500/600 have been tested. Assuming the weight of the rider is around 170lbs, the EW-500 can apparently really go 13mph on the low setting, and 26mph on the high speed setting.

Personally the speed is not all that important to me. More so comfort, weight limit, and distance is what I am aiming for. Even if the distance advertised for the EW-500 is reached through a low speed setting and help of pedal power I would not mind that at all.

Thanks for the suggestions Leftie. :]

I had actually been thinking to myself that I would probably be able to edit the seat to have more padding, but at the same time although the seat can be padded the shape might still give a problem. The seat for the EW looks kind of thin to me from the pictures, and I would like to keep from just pretty much sitting on a bar. But I figure it might be different in person, which is why I ask for others who have had the chance to try one of these bikes.

I am also very interested to hear answers to the questions I posted for both bikes, as well as any other thoughts someone might have on either of them through their own experience. I am not comparing only just the seats, even though that is the largest issue I take into consideration. I would rather like to weigh each side on their pros and cons.

Also, I do happen to live in an area where there is nothing but flat ground. Maybe a short dip here and there, or occasional speed bump, but nothing too hilly. So I believe it is safe to say that if/when I may have a second rider with me it will be a flat ride most of the way.