XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

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Almy
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XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

I've been doing some pretty serious consideration on buying the xm3500 when it becomes available, and after we get some hands on reviews. But in order for me to really justify the long term benefit I would want to use it VERY often. Including rainy conditions.

Anyone know just how well this bike, and I suppose other EV's as well, can stand up to hard rain on a regular basis? I also haven't found anything about headlight usage. I want to run the headlight all the time but was wondering how much that drains from the battery.

The more research I do the more it feels like I'm better off buying a lower CC motorcycle so that I can get around 75mpg for the price of the 3500 and up.

sgmdudley
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

I have the same concern for my Zapino about driving in the rain. However, my concern is due to the small tire footprint.
I had a 1960 Vespa 150cc scooter in San Frnacisco in 1960. Took a few spills on wet streets.
I also do not turn the headlight on for my normal commute. It is on a switch so not on all the time. My '89 Honda
GL-1500 trike does have the headlight on all the time and I even turn the high beam on during the day to save my
low beams and be more visable. On an electric scooter, the lights take current to run so I try to minimize the
amp draw to maximize my range.
.
250cc Vespa = 60mpg
150cc Vespa = 70mpg
50cc Vespa = 80-100mpg(?)

Robert Dudley
E-Scoot Tech

Almy
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Yeah I hear you there. I can get a 2009 Honda Rebel 250, when they come out in augustish, for the same price as the xm3000...at 70mpg.

So many decisions

dogman
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Where i live air pollution is not a huge issue. Is it where you are? Gas bikes really pollute. But if the rain scrubs the air clean enough, and I wanted to go fast, I'd get the gas bike. Maybe you could save enough money for a budget e bike for the nice days and shorter trips and do both.

Be the pack leader.
36 volt sla schwinn beach cruiser
36 volt lifepo4 mongoose mtb
24 volt sla + nicad EV Global

Almy
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Pollution isn't really an issue here. I think my main concerns are weather conditions. I would be riding whatever I get exclusively. And we get some odd weather. TON of rain for a couple months, then 120 with the heat index for a couple months...then ice...et cetera. It's very sporradic.

I have strong doubts that any EV currently out, or coming soon, that is under $4k could do that day in and day out for years. And when they tend to be $2k to $4k for the EV's that would suit me best it makes me hesitant when I can get a brand new 70 to 85 mpg motorcycle with local warranty service for $3k.

I guess in the end I'm finding it hard to justify paying more for less :(. I really would like to jump into EV's but for me, wanting to ride the vehicle exclusively, it looks like the current and next generation of EV's aren't really a main vehicle. My real problem might be trying to find an EV that can be my one and only vehicle...probably just not possible right now.

dogman
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Four stroke motorcycles last nearly forever. Find a 125 used for a lot less and don't worry about warranty. I rode a honda 125 for 3 years as my only transportation and never so much as changed a spark plug, and may have changed the oil once. Then I sold it, considerably more beat up now, for what I paid for it. Then take the money you saved and put a cheapie ebike together for nice days, and rides under 8 miles round trip. A cheap mtb for about $200 and a hub kit for around $700 can eliminate a good bit of the riding you will be doing on the gas bike. In a place that is not oversmogged, switching to an ICE vehicle that gets 60 or more mpg is still progress. But get an ebike anyway for the short trips in good weather.

Be the pack leader.
36 volt sla schwinn beach cruiser
36 volt lifepo4 mongoose mtb
24 volt sla + nicad EV Global

Almy
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Pretty good idea. That may be the new direction I should take. A good way to do both rather than try to just do one or the other. Thanks for the brainstorming!

vinnie
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Hey guys,

Just to clarify, even if you live in a local area where air pollution is not bad, the CO2 and other gas emissions do affect your environment. Lots of rain does not "scrub" the air clean, but rather the CO2 gases dissolve into the water. This drastically increases the acidity levels of rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater...which of course can have drastic affects on your local environment. I think a savvy shopper can combine a cheap 4-stroke ICE vehicle and an affordable EV meet all your needs, driving the gas scoot only for long trips and rainy weather.

My two cents!

Cheers,
Vinnie
Broomfield, CO

Vinnie
Broomfield, CO

MikeB
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

I also haven't found anything about headlight usage. I want to run the headlight all the time but was wondering how much that drains from the battery.

The more research I do the more it feels like I'm better off buying a lower CC motorcycle so that I can get around 75mpg for the price of the 3500 and up.

Many states have mandatory headlight laws for motorbikes, and for good reason. One of the biggest risks a motorcyclist ever faces is an intersection with cars turning left in front of them. The second biggest risk is actually cars pulling out of driveways and parking lots into the road. In both cases, a headlight helps significantly. On my gas scooter, I've added extra driving lights on the forks as well as a headlight modulator.

A standard car headlight is 55w. Some smaller scooters use a 35w bulb instead. The electric motor on the 3500 can draw up to 3500w, but normal cruise power is probably under 1000w. Compared to 1000w, an extra 55w is pretty small, you'll see a decrease in range but not a big one. Personally, I'd be adding more lights, not turning them off.

A small motorcycle or larger scooter, 125-250cc, is probably an economical choice at the moment, but don't be surprised to see gas continue to rise quickly.

My electric vehicle: CuMoCo C130 scooter.

vinnie
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

I've been thinking about the headlight thing myself. There have been some discussions elsewhere on this forum about LED headlights to lower electrical usage...I need to look them up.

Anybody know where to get an LED scooter head lamp that can be easily swapped out?

Vinnie
Broomfield, CO

Mountain chen
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

I've been doing some pretty serious consideration on buying the xm3500 when it becomes available, and after we get some hands on reviews. But in order for me to really justify the long term benefit I would want to use it VERY often. Including rainy conditions.

Anyone know just how well this bike, and I suppose other EV's as well, can stand up to hard rain on a regular basis? I also haven't found anything about headlight usage. I want to run the headlight all the time but was wondering how much that drains from the battery.

The more research I do the more it feels like I'm better off buying a lower CC motorcycle so that I can get around 75mpg for the price of the 3500 and up.
------------

XM3500li have water proof wiring bundle,as attached
DSC00126.jpgDSC09782.jpg

it is much advance than Hongda or Suzuki.

eped
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Hi Mountain Chen:

I have preordered the XM-3500li so if you have any news on when they will be here in the US please let me know. I want to get it and review and post my thoughts.

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

Mountain chen
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Ok,thank you...just watching the website of Xtreme website.

Ben
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

I have personally ridden these style electric scooters in heavy rain and not had any issues, except for being very wet and freezing. Regularly... well as often as I wanted to be wet and freeze.. I don't believe water is an issue with these later ones. I have seen a report from one user that was riding through flooded areas with motor essentially submerged.. still no issue.. More or just as likely to have a petrol scooter stop on you. Petrol still has electrics to make it run.

If you are riding anything regularly in the wet I think it might be prudent to have a spray can of water dispersant handy no matter what bike you choose.

As far as the air being not so polluted in the area you live... well I think we all share the same air last time I looked.. So if something has changed?? or if you live in a dome?? I think you will be polluting the air generally with a petrol scoot.

Electric scoot on renewable energy is the cleanest surely. Do you not have that choice where you live?. Here, we can just choose to have the power generated from renewable at $4.40pw premium and it's done. Then the whole house, not just transport is clean and green.

Almy
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Oh I certainly agree that an electric scooter is FAR FAR better for the environment, regardless. I'm just checking all the financial angles to make sure it's actually feasable for me as main, and only, vehicle.

Right now for me they just aren't quite there I don't think, but I'm still considering it. I appreciate all the replies! Great help for sure.

I haven't seen any comments on running the headlights all the time. Does anyone know how much that will kill the range of an LI?

MikeB
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

I haven't seen any comments on running the headlights all the time. Does anyone know how much that will kill the range of an LI?

Scroll up, I commented.

My electric vehicle: CuMoCo C130 scooter.

Almy
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Re: XM3500: Rainy conditions and always using the headlight

Wow, I'm blind sometimes :)! Thanks.

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