Strange ride home

reikiman's picture

I rode my Lectra to work today and had the most bizarre ride home.

It started before I took off -- two of my coworkers were in the parking lot having seen the bike and they told me they'd spent the prior 1/2 hour going over all the details of the bike, and saying that Dave (me) would love to see the bike. So when I came towards them wearing a motorcycle jacket they broke into cheers and waving and saying what an awesome bike. Ohmygosh.

I spent about 10 minutes going over it with them, and discussing various ins and outs of this vehicle. They were still very impressed .. so I musta said the right things.

Even though it's not highly polished or cleanly finished etc.. they just loved the various bits and bobs of the bike. Like the dashboard that's made of diamond plate and held on with those stainless steel straps with holes in them. I had to paint the dashboard black because the reflections were bothering me, and they just loved it.

Then... During the drive home I passed this accident scene. There was a 5x9 enclosed trailer by the side of the road with a fountain of water gushing from underneath it. What had to have happened is it got out of control and somehow hit a fire hydrant. An amazing amount of water..

Then... At one intersection I looked over and saw a BugE!!!!! It looked awesome. I'm gonna have to try and contact whoever has that and see if I can do a test ride.

Then... I stopped at an intersection and heard this voice yelling something.. I eventually realized it was this lady in the car next to me asking Where did you buy that bike? Replying that I built it, she wanted to know if I had a card, if I would build her one, etc. Then the light changed the guy behind her started honking and she had to drive away.

So, here's something that's interesting... I know several people who want to own an electric vehicle and they see my Lectra and they start asking about where they could buy an Electric Motorcycle.

The desire is there .. well, among people I know anyway. The desire is there for EV's, but the public is being stymied in owning EV's because other people made choices that prevent EV's from being sold to the public. Well, it's also battery technology.

before comments

Comments

Dear David, i always liked the way your posts always seem to be from a perspective of wanting to help others realize whats possible with EV's, instead of just "hey, look at me!".

I believe your experience today will be very common for a very long time. Perhaps you might consider putting a "visforvoltage.org" bumper sticker on the back. Also I would suggest screwing a large paperclip somewhere onto the dashboard (under an existing screw).

In the clip put a dozen business-card sized pieces of paper saying "Please take one card, This is a Lectra I built. The range is X-miles, the top speed is Y-MPH, and the cost was Z-dollars for the parts. I'm David, and go to visforvoltage.org for all the details".

At stop lights, the people next to you will probably often ask about it, so just give them a card!

It took me a month to track down the only E-Biker in my neighborhood so I could ask about the model, and if he was happy with it.

andrew's picture

The desire is there

I have to agree. It just feels good plugging it in, instead of fueling at the pump with nasty gasoline that's going to stink up the air, and contribute to our oil problem. There's really a huge market for good quality electric scooters, motorcycles, and cars, if only the price was reasonable for the product. For instance, something like the Xebra is a good concept, but over priced.

[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/587-my-kz750-electric-motorcycle-project]KZ750 Motorcycle Conversion[/url]
[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/588-fixing-my-chinese-scooter]900 watt scooter[/url]
Pic from http://www.electri

I know exactly what you guys are saying. Even with my XB600 I get many questions, etc. I KNOW the time is NOW for electric vehicle innovation to really begin to take hold. All the signs are there.

Lately I've been telling numerous people the following...cause nobody in my area of FL or even near seems to know diddly about EVs...let alone does conversions, etc. If I wanted to be in business (but have no interest in that) I would start my own EV conversion business (cars). I see the strong beginnings of "average" people wanting some kind of alternative...especially considering the rising cost of gasoline and a growing understanding of the tremendous damage we have been doing to the environment with ICEs. I don't believe there is a single person/business in a 200-300 mile or more radius of where I live that does EV conversions...as a real business. I also believe that as gasoline prices continue to rise that middle income people especially are going to feel "trapped" with no way out...meaning no real alternative feasible for them to their growing "limited" mobility. Americans are so used to that "free" feeling of moving about, not just long distances, but moreso just around town, etc...with no thought of cost. That's all changing and rapidly now.

The newer hybrids and such will be beyond the "middle class" true affordability, especially with what's been happening in the economy...and most of that market won't and simply can't go for electric bikes, cycles, etc. However, they will go I believe in "droves" for electric car conversions that can come in at $10-15,000. I have no doubt about that. As I recently told my friend here...if someone begins doing conversions in this area of FL they'll have the entire southeast almost with virtually no competition...at least for awhile. People will be knocking their door down, getting in line to get an affordable conversion done.

My second thought on this is that just as "Honda" made their splash with the "small car" concept many years ago...with all the naysayers, etc. So will another foreign company with a small, 4 wheel, no frills, well built, electric car that will be sold at an easily affordable cost to the "middle class" in the USA. When that car arrives...that company will surge to the very top of the industry. Just look where that little ole "motorcycle" company called "Honda" is today!

Anyway, as a closing thought here...I saw a poll on one of our local tv news stations recently. They asked "what price will gasoline have to get to for you to look at an alternative?" 43% said $4 a gallon! Folks, the time is NOW for the EV Revolution!

Note...I now have my own "homemade" sticker on the back of my XB600 that says "ELECTRIC" and has the "crossed out" gasoline can underneath! And by the way, where's the best place to get sticker material to print via my desktop printer? (anyone know?). Couldn't find any good EV stickers online so I have to make my own!

Happy EVing and spread the word!

Gushar

Gus

reikiman's picture

They asked "what price will gasoline have to get to for you to look at an alternative?" 43% said $4 a gallon! Folks, the time is NOW for the EV Revolution!

Oh, that reminds me of another item I saw during the ride home. At a gasoline station the price for diesel is $4.19 per gallon. The price for premium is still "only" $3.79 but we're just at the beginning of the summer driving season, and if past patterns hold the price for all forms of gasoline (in California) will be over $4/gallon.

reikiman wrote

At a gasoline station the price for diesel is $4.19 per gallon

Diesel is extremely expensive, My dad has two tanks in an F350 pick-up
price for both full tanks is about $160-180. I think the highest I have seen lately it went up at some stations for $4.27
The price for unleaded regular is $3.72 + and it's about almost $50 now for my car.

PJD's picture

I know the aggravation.

Even in my stodgy neck of the woods, I get people asking about my e-max, and I find myself somehow having to explain, in a limited period of time, that the e-max is no longer available, that they wouldn't have wanted one unless they were really mechanically and electronically proficient at fixing its' defects, that there is something called a "Z-20" but it is terribly built too, and therefore, they should probably consider a gas-powered Vespa, or look into ways they can use the bus more frequently.

That's actually my standard spiel.

There is NO reason a well-built, reliable, battery-electric scooter or motorcycle isn't available. Even with ordinary lead-acid batteries, there is nothing technological in the way of a reliable, cheap EV - only the priorities of the bean counters and boardrooms.

andrew's picture

PJD's reply

Sad but true. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy an electric scooter unless they wouldn't mind doing some work. Even the Vectrix is proving to be a PITA for buyers.

I think that's where quality and support come in. Novascooters (referring to someone who can't be referred to as novascooters) has a good idea. There's a business potential for all of us who've used EVs and know how to make them work well. One could sample the ev market, do some testing, and figure out what modifications need to be done. Than modify and sell a reliable EV with support. That's a stepping stone to get more EVs on the market with what's available now.

There's just not a quality product available at an affordable price with some exceptions. It seems the marketing scheme is to either sell it cheap and make it very cheap as a way for consumers to "save money." Or to make it appear next generation with high-tech garbage, and a ridiculous price. Where's a simple well built affordable EV, that can travel fast enough to ride on most roads in the US?

[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/587-my-kz750-electric-motorcycle-project]KZ750 Motorcycle Conversion[/url]
[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/588-fixing-my-chinese-scooter]900 watt scooter[/url]
Pic from http://www.electri

http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_file.asp?portfolio_id=772804&individual_id=177081&sort_by=1&

A local dealer started selling these for $1850, they have motorcycle sized wheels, 150 cc, tubeless tires, cast wheels (no spokes), front AND rear disc brakes, windsheild included, 100-ish MPG.

I could drive this for a few years and then convert to electric with lithium for an additional $2,000-$3,000. The build quality looked good, and a coversion is a LOT cheaper than a problematic $12,000 Vectrix.

The Popular Mechanics that came out today had a page on the Giant Twist E-bike. They wrote like it was a new idea that was the best thing they had ever heard of. It DID have factory lithium batteries, BUT...

Its $2,000, has a 250-Watt motor using 26-volts, its a ped-elec so you HAVE to pedal to get power, it doesn't have a rear suspension or front disc brakes...AND...for $2,000, it only goes 15 MPH !! and did I mention...ITS 2,000 freakin dollas !!

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4253976.html

andrew's picture

Its $2,000, has a 250-Watt motor using 26-volts, its a ped-elec so you HAVE to pedal to get power, it doesn't have a rear suspension or front disc brakes...AND...for $2,000, it only goes 15 MPH !! and did I mention...ITS 2,000 freakin dollas !!

That's exactly the kind of high-tech garbage I'm talking about. There are ebikes for 1/4 the cost with much better specs, and one can swap the batteries for lithium or NiMH.

[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/587-my-kz750-electric-motorcycle-project]KZ750 Motorcycle Conversion[/url]
[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/588-fixing-my-chinese-scooter]900 watt scooter[/url]
Pic from http://www.electri

jdh2550_1's picture

http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_file.asp?portfolio_id=772804&individual_id=177081&sort_by=1&

A local dealer started selling these for $1850, they have motorcycle sized wheels, 150 cc, tubeless tires, cast wheels (no spokes), front AND rear disc brakes, windsheild included, 100-ish MPG.

That's a pretty bike - it would make a good basis for a conversion. There are LOTS of choices in this category. I'm contemplating using one of these: http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/qlink-legacy-250-automatic-cvt-cruiser-motorcycle-black.aspx as the basis for a "more professional" conversion - after I've finished my "apprenticeship" building my CB-84V...

John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.

Does anyone know if the eGO (link below) is well built and reliable? Because if it is it sort of fits what people are talking about. Maybe it would need a beefed up motor to fit what you guys are talking about, but the base cost of $1,550 which is pretty darn good. A version that was a little faster that coasted more would be a very good deal.

http://www.egovehicles.com/products/north-america/

andrew's picture

From what I remember, the ego is well built. But the support was poor. That's what I remember from the old forum. Since then it may have gotten better.

It's kind of expensive. They upped the price. I think it was $1,000 or $1,200 for the base model back then.

[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/587-my-kz750-electric-motorcycle-project]KZ750 Motorcycle Conversion[/url]
[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/588-fixing-my-chinese-scooter]900 watt scooter[/url]
Pic from http://www.electri

$1000 or $1200 would have been even better, but I haven't run into anything cheaper...though maby I'm not looking.


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