I bought my XB500 mid summer 2008. We all got a small raise at work, with a pretty good retro amount. Gas prices went over $4/gal and it was rough to get where i need to go. With a family depending on me, I had to get to work every day, do various errands. I remembered how I loved a moped I had many yeaars ago, found electric scooters & bikes, finally settled on the XB500. I had problems putting it together and electrical issues. I found the info & parts I needed and my son got it running. I was so excited. I used to literally have dreams of riding again, now I was doing it.