Hi everyone,
I was looking around on this site for info on the Ego SE Scooter. I am considering that and the Kasea electric (e-max "replacement"). Vectrix is sweet, but way too much money. I currently have a Goped ESR and think it's pretty much the worst. I have had nothing but problems with it since the beginning. I am on the third motor, second set of brushes, second power controller, etc. I think the Goped is over-hyped and a ultimately "tinkerers toy".
My riding consists of a 12% grade for one mile on the way to work. I weigh 170lbs and use it everyday to commute. What are your recommendations. I am looking for something to climb on and commute back and forth to work and the grocery store with little maintenance. Thanks for the help!
is your commute only 1 mile distance or is include a 1 mile hill ?? Just need more information. God Bless :)
The commute is about 3 miles and one mile is uphill. Thank you
Eric,
Since your trip is very short you really don't have the need to be able to pedal like a bike but the smaller scooters like the one you have just do not have the hill climbing ability without too much ware and tear on the motor. I think what you need is a cross between a bike and a scooter. A good bike for your use would allow the motor to use the gears for hill climbing. A good scooter would allow you to cruse without having to pedal. I think I would get a bike remove the pedals put on a scooter motor which could drive the bike gears and have the best of both for your use. I have 3 bikes, 2 use the bike gears and can climb very with top speeds of just over 20 MPH. These bikes can go between 12 to 15 miles, without pedaling, on a single charge in hilly areas. Either one of them would allow you to get to and from work. One of them uses a cheap 500-watt x-treme scooter motor and a 3-speed Nexus hub running @ 36-volts 12-AH lead acid batteries. This is a very cheap solution. I bought a 500-watt 36-volt X-treme scooter for about $200.00 a bike for about $250.00 and another $75.00 for miscellaneous items. Rack, Panniers, new seat, mirror, and odds and ends. As you can see this is a very inexpensive EV. BTW I have had this bike for 4 years and it still runs well. Of course you need to be a tinker to put something like this together but you can get lots of help here on the Forum.
Another Idea,
Chas S.
My Bicycle Pages
Thanks Chas, I will look around and see where I can find one of the x-treme scooters.
Eric,
I found THIS ONE on ebay which uses the same basic components as the one I used. I just took the guts from a scooter like this. You get the batteries, motor, throtle, controller, and even lights. The head light bulb can be placed in bike style head lamp and runs on 36 volts so you don't have to have a 36 to 12-volt converter.
Chas S.
My Bicycle Pages
According to the official website, the Ego SE is exactly like the Ego LX but with useless decorative trim added. It's the same performance, so I'd save your money and get the LX. Of course, the LX has exactly the same performance and range as the normal one, but with turn signals, headlights, etc., making it better for commuting among traffic.
I've heard good things about them, though I don't own one myself. They're much heavier than a Goped; you can't carry it or anything. But they sort of resemble bicycles, which means you can probably get away with riding them in the bike lane. They're also less than half the weight of large motorscooters.
But then I've also heard good things about the Goped; I'm surprised you had so many problems.
Hi eric j,
I did a lot of research on the eGo on the old Voltage Forum. Like you I was making my first purchase, and it took me a year to finally make a decision.
It seems the old Voltage Forum had nothing but very good things to say about the eGo, but I didn't care for the way it looked, and felt I was being pressured by several people there to purchase one. What my research revealed was posted, and repeatedly removed by someone. Since I was fairly new and figured I had done something wrong I repeatedly tried to repost the information and it never appeared. I did the same thing on Zappy, and the same thing happen. Finally I received a warning from Ken to stop trying to post the information on either site.
I will say, my research revealed some possible problems with the company, which latter happen. People were unable to contact them about problems, and I assume that information was also being removed from the old Voltage Forum also.
This is not the correct thread to post what I found out, but I will say do your research, everything you hear is not always correct.
The nice thing about this site is all information gets posted, both pro and con.
The eGo will require registration with your local DMV, and they are not the company they previously were.
How much were you looking to spend?
I assume you need lighting since you will probably use it after sunset?
Do you have away to secure and charge it while at work?
Will you be using it on major roads where there is also rush hour traffic?
Are you looking for something over or under 750 Watts?
There is a hazard in riding something that appears to be a Vespa or something to other traffic, and it lacks the power and speed of a Petro Scooter.
What I have also learned since I purchased my E Scooter, a E Bike is probably a better value if your not into looks as I was.
Unless your a handy person, support may be hard to find, and economical replacement parts nonexistent or with shipping charges greater than the price of the replacement part.
Based on your post, none of this is new to you.
Peace Out,
Gman
Rric j, now that we have clarified our beliefs, your invited to join us as we begin building on them to define our http://tinyurl.com/32amk
Peace Out, <img src="http://tinyurl.com/ysafbn">
Gman
Eric J
I have found my E-MAX to be a real asset in the nearfield range (max 5 mile radius) ...just the other day I did the trip with the car since I had a flat a few days ago and I was astonished how much longer it took me to to run my errands versus being on the scooter.
Now of course you can drive faster, but the traffic lights don't allow any car to be ahead of me for a long time. The time saver comes in for me when I pull right up to the sidewalk of the business (or onto the sidewalk - so far no business owner has complained, quite the opposite, some security guys will come up and wonder why the scooter is so quiet.)
Searching for a parking place in L.A. anywhere is pretty nightmarish...
One more very important decision that had me steering away from the eGO:
When riding a bicycle-like vehicle, you are expected to ride on the right side of the lane, which loves to get slammed by people pulling out without using turn signals or, completely oblivious to traffic on the lane to their left, will open the door wide and take you off your bike.
If you stay further left, be prepared to have people get very nasty on occasion since they expect you to subject yourself to the above scenario!!
With a motorcycle (bearing a license plate) you are much more accepted in the middle of the lane. And even then, with the much wider "footprint" of the scooter, I am astounded how many people do NOT see me!
You gotta have good nerves, but the payoff is clear on many levels. I am particularly not very interested to ride a car - period.
My car sits in the driveway 4 out of 7 days each week, that ends up being a whopping savings of about 1 grand a year, no matter of course, which e-vehicle or "muscle-driving" vehicle you ride.