Buying a bike 700li?

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Sat, 05/19/2012 - 20:21
Heman B.
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Hi,

I've been reading up on some of the reviews on the 700li, and seemingly most people are quite happy with them.
I did read some negative reviews though, and I want to sift through them.
Most of the issues I touch below are from reading from forums or youtube, but I can't tell if they hold much of any truth in them:

What I don't understand is that some say it drives 27mph, while some say it's 27km/h (on a flat surface).
Most of the reviews are from 2+ years ago. I wondered if today (2012) the 700li is still a good bike to buy,or if there are better products on the market? I really like the looks of the 700!

I've read the reviews of the 4000li, but I'm a little hesitant on coughing up $4k (more than twice the price of the 700li), plus I prefer not to have to buy crazy expensive insurance.

1- I've read that the 700li needs regular maintenance, is that true?

2- I also read it squeeks and cracks like the frame is constantly bending under the weight after driving it a few thousand miles, and plastic plating is rubbing against each other.?

3- I would have loved to have the 700li, but even other users say it only drives 18mph (27km/h); which is just crazy a$$ slow!

4- I also like to know which is a good place to buy them! I've seen places sell them from $1790 all the way to $2124 (inc Ship), and the funny thing is that the guy selling them for 1,7+k replied almost immediately, saying he will have the black version in stock by the end of the month! Makes me wonder if his store is legit?
The others, selling at 1,9K did not respond at all. On amazon it costs me 2,1k shipping included, a little too much.
Any advise on sales places would be appreciated!

Thank you!

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Sat, 05/19/2012 - 20:25
#1
Heman B.
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Re: Buying a bike 700li?

ok, bad internet connection triple posted this,
if someone could help me remove the duplicate posts?

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Sat, 05/19/2012 - 20:53
#2
PzlPete
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Re: Buying a bike 700li?

I own both the 700li and the 4000li. My 700li has 3500 miles on it. My 4000li has 10,550 miles. There is no comparison between the two. I cannot believe the same company sells them.

The 700li tops out at around 20mph. Uphill, downhill, with the wind...20mph. The only way it is going faster is if you put it on a trailer. My original range when brand new was in excess of 30 miles, and probably closer to 35 miles. My range after 3500 miles is around 12 miles. And that might be pushing it. I have replaced numerous parts on it, but no matter what you do, it will rattle over every small bump in the road like it is falling apart. I had to readjust the mirrors after every small bump, and the pedals fell off daily. I paid $1700.

My 4000li was a showroom display with 14 miles on it, and I paid $1900. It was a steal. I would have purchased ten at that price. If the 700li was worth $1700, then the 4000li is worth $17,000. It tops out around 55mph, I have a range of around 40 miles even after 10,550 on the odometer, and insurance costs me 12 dollars per month.

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Sat, 05/19/2012 - 21:35
#3
Heman B.
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Re: Buying a bike 700li?

Thank you for your reply, PzlPete,

Do you have the newest battery type installed on the 700li, or an older type?

I understand 20mph is slow, but I'm not willing/capable of paying insurance.
Would you suggest a 502 or 610 is a better buy?

I've also seen smaller mods that allow few MPH faster (upto 25 or 27mph). If I could get 30 mph, or just below, I'd be a happy camper with them,even if they make noise.

Can a LiPo4 battery be installed in an XB-502?

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Sun, 05/20/2012 - 01:58
#4
Heman B.
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Re: Buying a bike 700li?

I'm mainly looking for a pleasure bike to ride along the beaches (not on the sand ofcourse), but I want it to go faster than 20mph (with or without a costless easy mod, meaning if I can rewire something,or install a small switch to make it go 20+mph I'd be very happy!)

Mainly doing 10-20mile rides max, with my girlfriend on the back, we're both skinny so the bike won't get more than 300pounds to carry.

I like the X-treme XB-700Li very much from looks, but I've seen many copies of such bikes, claiming they get 20+ MPH (I don't like the vespa looks).

Can the XB-700Li surpass 20MPH, or can it not? I can get a hold of small controller switches and copper wire, and can solder anything bigger than printboard together, but don't want a controller or motor swap.

Any advise on which bike to get is greatly appreciated (and yes, preferably something less than $2k, $800 preferred).

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Sun, 05/20/2012 - 11:52
#5
PzlPete
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Re: Buying a bike 700li?

My 700li had the older Lithium Magnesium cells. I sure wouldn't go with anything other than Lithium. And the Lithium Potassium are definitely superior. The 700li is not going to go faster than 20. Maybe another owner can chime in?

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Sun, 05/20/2012 - 18:28
#6
Heman B.
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Re: Buying a bike 700li?

It's a pity as some users say it goes upto 27mph on straight roads. that would be cool.
THen again, others say it's the 610 that goes 27mph , with a LiPo4 battery...
Most of the reviews are years old. I wonder if something has changed in the past year or 2.

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