The nearest repair shop from my location is 350km away and I don't want a first thing to do to tow a new bike with a fault to the repair.
When my Vectrix gets delivered to my address, what things should I check?
I will make a check list of your suggestions. Please, tell me everything I should be aware of (checking the paint, lights, horn, gearbox,...).
Thank you!
I would check the paint in detail around the front where the D loops are for tie downs. You might also want to check the alignment and tolerances of all the plastics and body panels.
Take a test ride before delivery, be very sensitive to vibrations, if you do feel vibrations go ahead and ride it further and faster to warm up the tires to eliminate any possible flat spots from sitting or shipping.
Be concerned if the vibrations dont fade, its probably bad tolerances in the transmission, you should here it too.
Also be sensitive to the throttle and how well it operates. It should be silky smooth!
Hope this helps!
Check brake light and rear light.
They tend to fail unnoticed.
Mr. Mik
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Thanx for suggestions.
Can I ride the bike right off the truck or do I have to fully charge the bike first?
Does the first charge have to be a 24 hour charge (to form the battery) or is that not needed?
Try to get detailed instructions from Vectrix on how to condition the batteries, then let us know!
Ask them if there is any risk of damaging the motor controller fuse in the process...
As a new customer one would think you need to be told these things - and hopefully by now they have worked out sensible instructions.
Mr. Mik
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
If I may ask...
Why is that Mr. Mik?
Why would a low battery place any more load on the motor controler fuse or damage it more so than other points in the discharge?
I would guess something to do with keeping a balanced discharge between cells causing a surge of some kind? I am sure Mik will be along with the correct answer soon though LOL.
Its a pretty poor design flaw if they havent corrected it in the latest updates though (can something like that be corrected in a firmware update?!)
That's what I was told by a Vectrix tech - I do not believe it is correct, though.
Here is the post on V with the background to it.
Littlelfuse apparently do not publish specific curves for their fuses. And they did not reply to my emails requesting information on how to purchase a fuse or what the specs are.
That's why I use a Bussman fuse now! They publish their specs.
I avoided low battery uphill driving situations like the plague with the (discolored and probably used) replacement fuse but it blew, nevertheless.
Then I designed and build the RETAMPI and videoed it several times during empty battery, full-throttle steep uphill rides and walks, sometimes even necessitating pushing in addition to full throttle.
The Hall effect sensor and display only have millisecond response times, but absolutely no spikes in current were observed.
Vectrix do not talk to me and I do not try any longer, but new and prospective customers might have better luck.
My assessment and recommendation remains that a Vectrix should be conditioned on a dyno, controlled to ideal conditions by software. Then it could be delivered to the customer in a road-worthy condition.
If they cannot arrange that, then the very least is that they give comprehensive advice to new owners on how to best condition the battery, both to avoid getting killed on the road crawling (or pushing it) along and to maximize battery life expectancy.
Mr. Mik
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Most people, when they buy a new bike (or car) just look at their shiny new toy and barely listen to what the dealer has to say. It is only days later when the glow has worn off that they notice the little things like scratches or missing cigarette lighter.
I prefer to inspect the bike before it leaves the dealership as much as possible so there are no surprises.
There is some assembly required by the dealership when they get their shipment, so you are not only checking the quality of your Vectrix but also of how well the dealership did their part.
This would be the same if the bike is delivered before you take official possession. Don't be afraid to crawl on the ground and look at everything:
Head lamp
Signal lights
brake lights both with brake levers and regen braking
regen braking and reverse
hydraulic resevior level
tires
brake rotors
body panels, tie downs
Check for loose or missing hardware
check operation of the storage covers
Condition of the recharge cord
High and low beam operation
horn
kickstand and centerstand if installed
Instrument panel and associated lights
Ask your dealer about maintenance and battery conditioning, they may not know any more than what you can find out in this forum, but then again they might have soemthing interesting to say that you can pass on here.
Add to this list if there is something specific you found on your Vectrix.
Luther Burrell, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Rides: ZuumCraft from zuumcraft.com
Previous Rides: Blue Vectrix Maxi scooter
Thank you! This is very helpful.