XM-3500

yeah me as well, well being alot cheaper then the vectrix and closer to being the same i cant wait to see real world specs and some better pics and comments on this bike...

I test drove one last night, the Verde from Mountain Chen.
It was smooth, fast and quiet.All the lithium batteries
are low in one row, so center of gravity is low. Handles great.
I had it up to 80km indicated.(about 50mph). Range to be
determined

Robert Dudley
E-Scoot Tech

Wolf, you couldn't have explained my thoughts better... It's not quite in the same league as the Vectrix in many ways, but technically, and taking reliability into account, the extra price may not be worth it...

I'm seriously interested in details regarding these machines.

Starting our silent revolution...

i hear ya what with the way money and jobs are going nowadays...

Does anyone know if you can manually control the regen like you can in the Vetrix? I want the ability to coast as often as possible to extend range and reserve the regen for going down step hills.

I'm no longer sure that the XM-3500Li has regen. The XM-3000 was initially listed with regen but that seems to have gotten "lost" along the way (as well as the charger turned from a 10Amp unit to a 5Amp unit). These things aren't really that big a deal to me - just annoying.

Back to regen - if it has it then I strongly suspect that you won't control it separately as with the Vectrix. My guess is that it would be an on/off switch on the brakes.

However, regen on a motorcycle sized vehicle is of questionable value. It's more of a "gee whiz" feature if you ask me. Remember that a bike is a lot lighter than a car - so the amount of energy you can recapture is a lot less...

(No, really, I'm not just saying that because the XM's likely don't have it!)

Well that's a new one! I haven't heard of the "Verde". I've heard it called the Paladin and the VK-2008 as well as the XM-3500Li. To be clear Robert rode a bike that most likely has the same specs (and can be considered the same as) an XM-3500Li. However, the actual XM-3500Li's aren't in the country yet (i.e. the bikes which are sold as the X-Treme brand).

From the point of view of "how will the bike work" Robert's is most likely a near identical twin (so I look forward to hearing more from Robert). However, from the point of view of customers who might be saying "how come I haven't got my XM-3500Li that I pre-ordered yet?" - don't worry they're on their way but they're not here yet.

Robert - do you just have the one sample bike or do you have a stock to begin selling? I'm just curious as to whether this is a one-off import or a different source/brand for Chen's bikes. (this is not meant to be a "challenge" just genuine curiosity) Thanks.

I've been considering getting the XM-3500Li as well, but figured I would wait just a bit for some of the reviews to get in before ordering. Still, I'm leaning pretty heavily towards getting one if there seem to be no major issues. The thing I'm wondering about, though, is care of the batteries. I know usatracy and others have posted several things about the care of SLA bats, but what about these Lithium batteries in the 3500? I've heard that break in isn't really required but that it could be done, but if you do what would be the best way to do it? What about drain levels? Some batteries perform better when drained all the way down then fully recharged so as to prevent a shortened usage level due to "memory" issues (so to speak, I think those are NiCads primarily, though.) Any special considerations with these? What about Equalizers and PakTrakrs and such?

Lenny Zimmermann
Metairie, LA

Hi Lenny,

The XM-3500Li is supposed to come fitted with a BMS that will keep the individual cells in balance - so there should be no need for equalizers. However, it's yet to be seen how well this BMS works.

LiFe's (the type of lithium battery in the XM-3500Li) have no memory - so "opportunity" charging them is recommended to increase their life (i.e. charge them when you can and don't let them drain all the way). Supposedly you should get between 1500 and 2000 cycles out of the batteries. With a "best guess" of 40 miles "real world range" that's between 60,000 and 80,000 miles - pretty impressive if the numbers play out in the real world. The batteries have a 2 year warranty.

I'm not sure about break in yet - I'll research that some more. I seem to remember that folks say that LiFe's benefit from a couple of complete drains at a 1C rate (I believe PJD has first hand experience with this).

PakTrakr is a battery monitoring device. It can be useful if you don't "trust" whatever battery management system you have and can give you an early warning of the batteries becoming out of balance giving you the chance to rectify the situation before the whole string is over-stressed. However, you have to remember to check the individual cell voltages on a regular basis. For the "average" user I don't recommend a PakTrakr - however for the enthusiast who wants to know more about what's going on with her batteries then it's a great bit of equipment.

Hope this helps.

I can understand the confusion. I am too. I am not a dealer, I was allowed to ride the scooter by the owner that ordered it from Mountain Chen. All I can tell you is it has the body style of the XM-3500LI. It has the 13" wheel/motor that Mountain Chen posted here awhile ago including videos of it scooting up a steep hill. An it has an
inline bank (low in the frame) of Lithium batteries. The charger is for Lithium Batteries. So even tho it says Verdes
on the front, I can only assume it is a 3500 with litium batteries. I guess that makes it a 3500LI (without the XM).

Robert Dudley
E-Scoot Tech

Hi Robert,

I imagine it's a one-off direct sale by Mountain Chen to a customer here in the US. Perhaps it was sold as a "sample". It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison of this bike with a "genuine" XM-3500Li to see if anything has changed between the manufacturing of this bike and an XM-3500Li.

I have "mixed" feelings about buying direct like this. On the one hand the customer takes some more risk and gets the bike at a lower price. On the other hand the importer is taking a bigger risk (by importing container loads) and has to compete with a direct sale at a lower cost. In the end with only one or two of these "direct from the factory" sales I don't think it's that big a deal. The only problem I foresee is if these direct buyers want support for parts and service from the importer and their dealers. I know I lost one sale from someone who got some "pre-sales" support from me (I simply answered questions about the bike) and then bought direct from Chen. Oh well - no big deal.

Can you tell us any more about the bike? Perhaps you can encourage the owner to post his experiences?

Forget the PakTrakr for LION batteries - way too many cells to monitor!

It works for 12V batteries, but not 3.2V cells.

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-5A.htm

Mr. Mik

If this is part of a closed thread but you want to comment please do so via my blog!

There is always a way if there is no other way!

They sell a version that monitors Lithium batteries: http://www.paktrakr.com/ (look at the big green letters on the left side of the page).

Thanks, I did not know that. My error.

Mr. Mik

If this is part of a closed thread but you want to comment please do so via my blog!

There is always a way if there is no other way!

Yes,Robert is correct,that's my first VK2008 arrived in USA.but it is first version with 19cell Lithium battery.

XM3500li is on the sea now who has 20cell LFP batteries.

Thanks for the info. Going back to battery questions, I was also wondering about how these should be handled for charge times as well. Do they have the same issues if left on a charger overnight, for example? Or does the charger that will come with the XM-3500Li have the capability to monitor when the batteries have hit capacity and stop charging at that point?

John mentioned what sounded like trickle charging as a possible break-in method, but how does one go about doing that? Will the charger have that capability?

Obviously some of the answer to those questions will depend on the charger that comes with the scooter, so maybe it would just be better to wait and see what folks will know when they start arriving.

Lenny Zimmermann
Metairie, LA

Folks,

I am the owner of the 3500Li direct from Mountain. We brought it in as sort of a trial run order for my local shop, Small Planet EV, whom I am trying to do some local reping for...

I actually have much to tell the forum about this and other changes in my EV life but have been swamped elsewhere in life. Reports coming sometime next week as I am out of town this weekend.

I can tell you a few things right off the bat...excellent handling with a low center of gravity, very good acceleration from a dead stop. Smooth ride and very comfortable. Drawbacks...speedo is off by 10 mph (not 10% but 10 mph) and has a top speed around 43 mph (my wife paced me in her car and I have passed two police readouts). I am disappointed by this stat. We had to swap out controllers due to a defect in the controller it came with. Mountain was great in letting us know about it up front. The replacement controller had some slight differences and I suspect that the amp usage may be different in this controller, thus limiting the speed. I haven't given the range must testing yet but have ridden it 20 miles at full throttle and the stock battery level gauge indicated the charge was still somewhere around 85% still.

Some teasers...I took out a car loan, am selling my ICE car and bought the 3500Li, a kelly controller to fix my money pit E-Moto and an electric car.

That's what I got for now...more coming when I get my life settled, hopefully next week sometime.

Cheers!

Vinnie
Broomfield, CO

3500 watt = 4.691689008 horsepower [electric] xm-3500 43mph

3000 watt = 4.0214477212 horsepower [electric] xm-3000 43mph

mrladderman
72 volt mod http://visforvoltage.org/forum/4244-4000w-model-mountain-chen#comment-25513
xm-3000

I believe that scooter going up the hill was a was a Matrix 3500w by Falconev.com it is for sure the xm3500iL and in many a few more colors too, take a look www.falconev.com the price tag was $4200 I am new here and waiting for my xm3500iL

Green Zero Ev'er

Greetings, folks, from this noob.

I finally laid down my money for a XM-3500Li, and am waiting anxiously for the container(s) to cross the Pacific.

I first came very close to buying a Zapino from a local dealer here in San Leandro, but I really wanted more speed, faster recharge and greater range. What convinced me to get the 3500 was the presence of Mountain Chen here in these fora, and his good reputation as an electrical engineer.

The "Falcon Matrix" from Falcon EV seems to be the exact same bike, Having ridden an Expresso S (a 500-watt electric bicycle from Q-Electric) for several years as my primary transportation, I am looking forward with great glee to riding something with a bit more pep and range.

Hi Everyone. Anyone heard of the ETA for the 3500li? I am seeing July 28 now. First it was the 10th, then the 23rd, etc...

Green electric power and use thereof; what more do we need?

I was told by a lady at X-Treme that the end of this month (July 2008) is when they expect to get the shipment. Though I made my order, they have not yet charged my card, and I appreciate this practice.

Speculation on delivery and what we are going to get is about all we can do while waiting for our XM3500LIs.

If it takes 13 days to travel the great ocean in a container rowboat to Portland OR and there is a container ship from China due to arrive the 20th in Portland for unload on the 21st that fits in that 13 day timeline then I would guess that the bikes will be on US soil Monday. How long it takes to go thru customs and load on a train and complete its journey to Iowa is a mystery, but an educated guess would be a week which puts us to the 28th.

Too bad we can't get X-treme to ship the west coast bikes from Oregon. I could stand on the side of the tracks and wave at the container as it heads east and then wait for a truck to bring it back west again, that much more vibration to loosen up more electrical connections.

As for the base scoot that Mountain converted into the electric XM3500LI I would guess again that is probably a Jonway YY150T-19 a 150cc sized scooter, which I have seen and test drove. For a China IC scooter Jonways are pretty good after you tighten everything up and replace all the fluids.

Enough of this speculation

Gordon

Thanks, electromotion and ArcticFox. Though I'm 63 now and should have long since been acting more "mature," I still find myself as excited and nervous as a kid waiting for Christmas morning to roll around. Just as it was in 1950, I can't wait to get my shiny new bike!

Thanks for the Jonway information, both of you. It's nice to understand something of the bike's "lineage" For a moment, I was wondering why Mountain Chen bothered to move the front disk brake to the left side, then I realized that AF had simply flipped the 3500Li part of the image horizontally.

So, electromotion, I'm not the only one who'd like to know the time of delivery within, give or take, a few minutes? Thank you or your knowledgeable guesstimate.

(Removed by poster.)

In an email tonight, Mountain Chen wrote:

"The XM3500li will arrive in Xtreme this weekend."

After dabbling in Thundersky's a bit, I think that the two big "caveat-emptor" issues for the XM 3500li, are going to be what kind of charging protocol and what kind of charge management they have. Twenty Thunderskys will be expensive to replace if damaged by overcharging or over-discharging.

There seems to be a huge consensus that Thunderskys should be charged to just 3.7 volts per cell, or 74 volts for the whole pack. The factory's recommended 4.25 volts per cell is widely regarded as wrong. I know it's odd that you would want to ignore manufacturer's own specifications, but that's the nature of some Chinese manufacturers.

So, if the stock charger is charging to much over 74 volts at end of charge, I would be concerned.

The other item is charge management. It needs a charge management system that keeps the cell at end of charge to to within 0.1 volt between the highest and lowest cell. It also needs a low-voltage cutoff that protects any individual cell from discharging below 2.5 volts. I'd check the individual cell voltage at first charging. And look for a low voltage cutoff - you should see wires from each cell going to some sort of electronic module.

Does anyone have any new-news about how the XM3500li manages the battery pack?

I'll be investigating both of these things when I get my bike. "Real soon now"...

Hi JDH -

"Real soon now" meaning July 23rd?

I'm eager to hear whatever you can tell us about your hands-on experience with the XM-3500Li! ... and I'm dying to place an order for one as soon as you give the thumbs-up!

Thanks!
-=xring=-

Sorry "real soon now" in fact means August 1st. I was just talking to customer care at X-Treme about an XM-3000 ordr and they're in the same container as the XM-3000's/

Oh well, at least it's not THAT far away... (I'm like a kid waiting for XMas as well as the others!)

"August 1st?!?!"
Argh! You're KILLING me!

I was never good at waiting for Xmas either

Ok I gest checked my VK2008 -Vedra_ paliden It has 19 Cells with a red and green globe emblim on them , there is no individual wires to each cell ,only the + and - outs ! no regen no bms the rear disc squeels till it warms up and rubs agin after cool down ! it goes 80 on the KM speedo but traffic on a 35mph road is just a little slower than my fastest !!! went 10 miles out and back and had lots of fun OH YA having trouble getting it titled and licenesed SO that is it for know till I can realy take the byke the distance and recharge at the other end ! So , LaTer

thank GOD I wake up above ground !!!!

I too am waiting for information on the XM-3500Li!

In the meantime I have another challenge to work on, Maybe ya'all can help.

I am in search of someone in my area who is willing to take on the challenge of maintianence(or trouble shooting, hopefully not) of this bike.

I talked to a guy a Suzuki dealership who knows a little about it and may be of a little help. The next guy said no way, but he gave me a number of a guy to try. I have more stops to make, but I wanted to check in here too.

I would be happy for just someone who has a simular bike who could give me a reference.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I live an hour west of Philadelphia,PA, in Chester County. I am also near Wilmington Delaware.
I am willing to take my chances with a new product, I just need a little back up!

Thanks!!

Strawwhistle,

You will need to find a BMS for it.

The Thundersky cells will not last long, nor will you be getting full performance without one.

For now, try checking the voltages of each individual cell and the total pack voltage as you charge it - especially near the end of charge. I'd really like to find out what you get.

If the charger is indeed charging at too high a voltage, this might be a blessing, since you will probably want to add at least one more cell. The working voltage under a good load is just 3 volts per cell - less in cold weather, so you need at least 20 cells to get the full 60 volts and more speed.

There is a 16 cell BMS being developed in this thread:

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5416&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

For your pack you will need two of them - for now, they will be only in kit form when Gary puts them up for sale - but you can probably find someone to help assemble it.

Paul D.

Apparently the XM-3500Li has 20 cells and a BMS - Chen described the above as an "early model". However, a picture posted by Chen didn't show any leads for a BMS, so I'm still waiting to see what comes out of the box. Should be "real soon" now...

John if your xm's have bms and 20 batts can I upgrade right away from extreme , or, you ???
LaTeR

thank GOD I wake up above ground !!!!

Strawhistle, thanks very much for the information you are sharing. If I can ask for more, I would like to know your comments on range at top speed. This can perhaps give us a sense of how accurate (or optimistic) the spec numbers are. Also, your impressions of fit and finish and ergonomics. If you've driven a vectrix, how does this bike compare?

Also, if you happen to know anyone with a camera, some youtube footage would be quite awesome at this point, since there's not much available at present on this bike.

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

Pictures of the 3500LI I worked on.

Robert Dudley
E-Scoot Tech

sweet...

The XM-3500Li's are within a stones throw of the factory! (They're at the final rail terminal - next trip is by truck to the warehouse).

X-mas is coming to a few lucky folks next week (me included - I've been good, really I have!)

Thanks Robert! Those are great pics. Did you have an opportunity to ride it or test it on dyno? If so, what were your impressions of the speed and power? Did it get up to 55mph easily? Was the bike sturdy and well assembled or flimsy and loose?

Anything you can provide would be more than welcome while we wait for the arrivals...

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

This machine was 1st shipped, only had 19 cells (57V). Upgrade to 20 cells has been sent. When I test drove it,
I thought the handling was great. Smooth, quiet, fast up to the point where 57v could push it. The lithium
batteries are real low in the frame and all in a row so center of gravity is great.

Robert Dudley
E-Scoot Tech

top speed?

Dudley , Were did you get that upgrade for 20 batt's ??? LaTer

thank GOD I wake up above ground !!!!

Hey folks,

Just to clarify again, I am the one riding the bike smudgley worked on and posted photos of. I would have much more info up here right now, but I lost my camera several days before picking the bike up and have also been bogged down with a home improvement project. I hope to post more photos soon.

Everything posted previously fits my findings thus far. Great handling, smooth ride, excellent acceleration. The only drawback to the bike has been top speed, which Mountain Chen tells me is a function of the 57v versus 60v issue. I have found my estimated REAL top speed to be around 43 mph. With this being below specs and with the XM-3500 having 60v, Mountain Chen graciously agreed to send me one more cell to match what is in upcoming XM-3500s.

As I said, he has been very good to communicate and do business with...I will verify his product support when the additional cell arrives. As long as the cell actually shows up, I will be very pleased with the bike.

Vinnie
Broomfield, CO

Thanks for posting Vinnie. I'm definitely looking forward to your pics and additional info when you have some time. If you've got a quick second though, can you clarify if the top speed of 43 mph was from the bike's speedometer reading or by some other (hopefully more reliable) means? I believe someone else on the board (could have been you for all I know) said that this bike's speedo was 10mph (not 10%, but 10mph) optimistic.

In any event, considering that Mt Chen's specs are for the top speed to be 54.7 mph (88km/h), he's banking alot on that extra cell! I'm sure hoping that it works. I so want to see this bike (and others like it) succeed.

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

Sure, it was me that reported the speedo at 10mph reading. My estimate of top speed comes from my wife pacing me in a car and my passing of two of those police signs that tell you your speed. All of these can, of course, be off so this is only an estimate until I can figure out a more reliable speed test. I think Mountain has made improvements on the bike before shipping to xtreme besides the additional cell. He is sending me the cell to help me up the top speed to help make a few local sales. I am hoping to see the top speed above 45 mph with the additional cell.

The second generation of this bike (aka the XM-3500), according to Mountain, has other improvements as well. I have been giving him feedback and he has been responding in kind. Eagerly gathering what is working and where improvements can be made for both performance and quality.

Vinnie
Broomfield, CO

Vinnie,
Thanks for the info update, helping to fill the vacuum.
Have you heard anything about a brake disc upgrade? as I had read reports of disc warpage on the 2000 or 3000 from a few folks.
Extreme folks have told me "it's completely updated so there shouldn't be a disc problem".
And do you have any juicy bits on the battery Management of the 3500?

thanks,
Ross

Extreme sent me the email confirmation that my 3500Li is shipped and on its way to me. Hooray!

Gordon

Awesome news Gordon, I think you might be the first to announce. Anyone else got word your 3500 is on the way? John?

Can't wait to hear first reports, top speed, fit and finish and general impressions. Hurry back once it's arrived and throw a bone to us. Pics, vids, comments!!!

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

Anyone on the board live near extreme? Maybe someone could hop over there and take some pics and perhaps sneak a test drive

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

lol i didnt even order one and im still excited for you guys..lets see some specs and pics...

I feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to hear you guys reviews =)
Please hurry up and get your bikes so I can decide to get one or not!
Oh, and thanks for being the guinea pigs.

looking for ...
- real top speed.
- real range (low, medium, and high speeds).
- build quality.
- price paid + shipping, from what company.
- videos showing your new pimp ride!

... and ...

-real charge time.

Hi electromotion - if I can ask, when did you order your 3500li and roughly which part of the country do you live? I ordered mine early June and can't wait!

Thanks

Green electric power and use thereof; what more do we need?

It was a great surprise to get the comfirmation email. A little hard to get the big hit on the credit card though. Glad I have been saving up for a while.

I ordered the 3500Li the middle of June through Advanced Electric Scooters the Nevada dealer, the state I live in. Advanced is more of an internet order taker and provides very little real support when you need support of have questions. They send you off to X-Treme. They really need a bunch of front line dealers that can take care of the customers and the scoots.

I hope that my electric RC and LiPo battery experience helps me through alot of the issues that may arise. For grins a couple of the RC EDF planes I fly use 4000 watts of power to propel a 14 pound plane 148 MPH for 4.5 minutes. Thats 275 watts per pound, more watts than some of these scooters.

I should be a good test subject also for the 3500 as I am 6'1 and 220 Lbs, which works out to about 7 1/2 watts per pound. We will see!

Gordon

Well, at least you don't need to fly. And, hopefully, won't.

I haven't yet received my confirmation email, but will let you folks know, when I do. I figure that X-Treme received the container(s) either last Friday or this Monday, and are now "prepping" them. This would involve physical inspection, and creating the VIN and the paperwork we'll need for registration. And also (shudder) perhaps slapping on X-Treme's (IMHO) ugly, adolescent logos.

Hopefully, X-Treme is shipping on a first-ordered, first-shipped basis.

How exciting folks!
I ordered mine just last Friday from Advanced in Nevada, who had a few left from their quota.
I called today and they said it will ship Tuesday; wow, I guess It'll actually get here this week!
I'm really hoping they can hit 50mph; X-Tremes site says what, 55mph, So I'll be disappointed if it only gets up to 45.
I suppose if I throw on some Michelins with a little more circumfrence, that'll help a bit, eh.
I just noticed the XM-2000 is off their site menu now.
It's sounds like some of you are buying one direct from X-Treme? or are you dealers?
By the way, who amongst you are dealers for X-Treme, by name?
Oh, has anyone successfully removed their decals?

cheers,
Ross

I ordered directly from X-Treme. I would have ordered from one of the people here who are X-Treme dealers, but I hadn't realized there were any such here when I ordered.

I'm wondering, too: What is a good solution to use in removing decals from (is it ABS, as on my Expresso 2?) body plastic? I'd suspect strong ethyl alcohol would be safe and effective, but I'd hate to try it and then find I'd ruined the finish. I've got my own "logo" that I'd like to try. It reads, "La Dolce Vita Elettrica." (Think Frederico Fellini movies and postwar Vespas.)

That's interesting to hear because as X-Treme dealers, we are not allowed to purchase these directly from X-Treme.

And, on their own website they state:

X-Treme is starting to piss me off. Again.

www.BaseStationZero.com

Ask about year-end specials for V-members²!

Since I just figured out how to post images here... here's another that I did:

Click here to see image.

i found for removing those ugly stickers just take a sponge and hair dryer...wet the sponge then wipe the sticker, using the hair dryer blow on stiker with hot air, the sticker will start to roll up and be easily removed...most of the time...good luck...i dont have one 3500 on order but i am eagerly awaiting the news along with my friends on this site...

Maybe some extreme dealers can chime in, but I don't think that the flame branding is suited for the larger street legal scooters. To me, it would seem more flexible to allow the dealer to opt for whether the logos go on our not. If that's not an option, perhaps extreme could have a more upscale branding package option for these bikes.

3500Li will likely appeal to the person who likes Vectrix but cannot afford it. I don't think that person is likely to want flames on their ride. Anyone else concur? These bikes provide serious transportation alternatives, they should be marketed as such...just my opinion

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

wolf - thanks for the removal tip. I'll try that soon.

halfmooner & scott - the stickers are applied by the factory in China. There's no prep of the bike - the end customer is the first person to see the bike after it leaves the factory in China. So, it's an all or nothing thing - change all the bikes with a different logo or change none. I doubt X-Treme are in any rush to change because setting up a new brand is non-trivial. At the moment they can sell all their stock looking like it is (so from there perspective, why change?)

I do agree that the logo isn't so great. My current intent is for rEV to import our own brand of bikes with no graphics. We will give the customer a couple of different options for graphics and apply them "to order" so to speak. We can do this because our model is based around prepping each bike before shipment. Haven't worked out the details or the practicality of adding graphics to order yet - but at least we're thinking about it

Cool, I'm thinking the same thing. What is your timetable for moving? Looks like I might be your friendly Southeast region competitor

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

Hopefully in time for next season. But we're still doing due-diligence. We'll likely make a go / no-go decision in September.

Just in time for the Chevy Volt production design unveiling! Should be good timing...Everyone will be talking electric then. Should help us all to evangelize this tech..Hopefully GM hits a home run with the Volt. It's the last card in their dwindling deck... Can anyone say "All in"...

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

Here's a money saving tip for GM - just resurrect the EV-1; that should save you a good few hundred million in new design costs. Oh, but you'd have to admit you were wrong - so that ain't gonna happen!

Also, Toyota - bring back the RAV-4 EV. Now! (pretty please?)

Well I got the call from AdvancedElectric who told me they "only got 15 XM-3500Li's from China, not their full order..." so I didn't make the cut this time, wah!
I don't know if the 15 referred to THEIR allotment, or if that was X-Tremes allotment for all dealers?

You dealers out there...do you have any 3500Li's which aren't pre-sold and are available?

thanks,
Ross

That's not good news. Now, I find myself wondering if it's going to take months more to get that bike I ordered. I wish X-Treme would candidly update its customers.

Failing that, maybe Mountain Chen could give us some idea of what's in the transpacific pipeline?

All Gentlemen,it is a pity of delay in delivery. It is not faulty of Xtreme.

Our factory is making a move to bigger plant so that all production are delay recently.Next month all orders would be on schedule.

Mountain wrote me a few hours ago, adding to his words above, "Another 30pcs of XM3500li would be shipped next week."

So, maybe only two, three more week?

Hi folks,

Here's what I know.

The first container of XM-3500Li's arrived this week. About 20 bikes total. All shipped out. So, if you didn't get your shipping notice - I'm afraid you didn't make this shipment.

There's a second container due in a few weeks time that has around about another 20 bikes. These are all pre-sold. Folks who didn't get a bike this time around stand a good chance of getting a bike from this shipment.

I don't know if Mountain's comment reported by HalfMooner above represents 30pcs shipping from China. This would be a 3rd container and if I remember right it takes 4 to 6 weeks to get from the dock in China to the warehouse in Iowa. I really hope it's an additional 30. I'm hoping there will be some of these available for folks who are taking a wait and see approach.

I'll check with API later today.

Sorry to hear about the production shortage. Hopefully once Mountain gets moved into his larger factory, things will smooth out.

If first reports are positive (and we should be getting some any day/hour now I would expect) then Mountain's move to expand capacity will prove a very good thing indeed (and wise on his part).

Also, I can't help but think that the split that resulted in two suppliers/manufacturers where once there was one, can only be good for the consumers of this technology and for the manufacturers themselves. Not only does it help keep competitive forces in play, it should result in improved quality as these two fight to stay ahead of one another in a market where there is more than enough room for them both to thrive (as long as they hit their marks)...

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

Top speed at 55 MPH - Tested to 63 MPH.
De-tuned to 55 MPH for increased range.

http://www.x-tremescooters.com/electric_mopeds/xm-3500li/xm-3500li.html

mrladderman
72 volt mod http://visforvoltage.org/forum/4244-4000w-model-mountain-chen#comment-25513
xm-3000

Just spoke with API / X-Treme: 2nd container 4 to 6 weeks out. 3rd container probably 8 to 10 weeks out.

Any reports yet? Seems like folks should be receiving their bikes by now. Dealers: any confirmations that any of your customers received their bikes?

~ scott
My Blog: PetroZero.org
My Bike: 2007 Lashout Electric Scooter (12mph/12miles)
Considering: xm-3500Li

I received a email from my dealer on 7/25 who told me there is a couple of days delay. They also said that they have 12 customers waiting for the xm3500Li and that I am scheduled on the first shipments out. So I have not heard anything furter but waiting patiently < (do you know how hard that is)

Green Zero Ev'er