Newbie Question...

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phoobar
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Newbie Question...

Just joined the other day after reading a CNN article on electric bikes. Am so happy there are people here with experience & knowledge.

Am going to start saving $1000(US) to get either a XB-600 or another 48V bike. Would any 48V bike serve me well for the following reasons:

1. Rider weight around 275-300 Lbs
2. 110 degree F+ weather during April through September
3. Moderately flat roads with some low hills (mainly inclines)
4. Commute from 16-25 miles a day
5. Needing to work nights & days
6. Convoluted Arizona laws on what constitutes a bicycle & a motorized bicycle/motorcycle
7. Would be riding into Nevada...which clearly states what they consider the XB-600 to be
8. If I were to move to a colder climate...how would the batteries handle this
9. Ability to connect a solar panel & what size in my yard to recharge the battery
10. Would a gas vehicle be better for me
11. Would any of the conversion kits for current non-EV bikes work for me

Anything you can suggest would be helpful.

Thanks!!!

Craftkiller
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Re: Newbie Question...

1. You should be fine here but if you do the 60v or 72v mod you might be reaching over 300 pounds which is against the guideline in the handbook so if you go with the XB-600 you wont be able to carry much with you (unless the handbook is just being safe... personally I dont want to risk testing it with more than 300 pounds)
2. No idea, thats rly hot compared to my area
3. very good, less hills = better (but the shunt mod will prolly help anyway)
4. That could be a little iffy, From my understanding, once you do the shunt mod and the 60 (or 72)v mod your range drops... also the bike range will drop as the batteries die (from my understanding) so while the website advertises 20-25 mile range, you might not make it all the way
5. For night time driving you may want to attach extra lights, even if it means crazy glueing battery powered bike lights to your moped
6. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS.... it is important to note the XB-600 DOES NOT get a VIN or a MCO. You can get a "Bill of Sale" by calling customer support though, so hopefully I'll be able to get mine registered because here in pennsylvania you must have it titled registered and insured
7. Same as above
8. It is my understanding that the batteries lose capacity in colder weather (sometimes down to 20% of normal from what ive read) Perhaps someone here with actual winter experience can provide more hands on knowledge
9. No idea, plz share your experiences if it works
10. The gas vehicle MIGHT be better because of the range requirements... you are hitting it pretty close to its max range and as you can tell from other posts on this forum, walking 2 miles home after it dies is awful
11. Sorri but I have no idea

hyperob
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Re: Newbie Question...

I don't think the XB600 with mods will have the range that you need. You would be draining the batteries completely everyday if you can't charge once you get to work. You would probably go through a couple of sets of batteries per year especially running the bike hard in 110 degree weather.

Regarding the registration: I received an electric bicycle/moped designation for my XB-600 in California. It is a one time registration fee and you do not need to carry insurance or a special license. Every state is different with regards to these bikes. No one appears to really how to designate them except the manufacturer ;)

Bottom line, I would look at a bigger bike (perhaps the 700li might have the range, I haven't read any definitives on this yet. I believe those batteries are better in hotter temparatures) There are a lot of alternatives in the 48V market as well.

Good luck in finding the bike that fits your needs.

hyperob

win32forth
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Re: Newbie Question...

Hello Foobar,

Just joined the other day after reading a CNN article on electric bikes. Am so happy there are people here with experience & knowledge.

Am going to start saving $1000(US) to get either a XB-600 or another 48V bike. Would any 48V bike serve me well for the following reasons:

1. Rider weight around 275-300 Lbs

I am around 230, and I notice I have already crushed the seat. It is still usable, but it is flatter than it used to be.

2. 110 degree F+ weather during April through September

I don't think hot weather is that much of a problem for electric vehicles.

3. Moderately flat roads with some low hills (mainly inclines)

As was already said, flatter is better.

4. Commute from 16-25 miles a day

That is too far for the XB-600, unless yo charge at work all day.
Also, you don't say what kind of road you will be on. In my state, it is illegal to ride electric bicycles on roads with a speed limit above 30 mph.

5. Needing to work nights & days

Lighting is not very good, they really aren't meant to be driven at night. You can upgrade the lights of course.

6. Convoluted Arizona laws on what constitutes a bicycle & a motorized bicycle/motorcycle

Maybe a real scooter (larger electric, or medium size gas) would be a better choice.

7. Would be riding into Nevada...which clearly states what they consider the XB-600 to be

8. If I were to move to a colder climate...how would the batteries handle this

No idea, but I suppose so.

9. Ability to connect a solar panel & what size in my yard to recharge the battery

Well, the recharge power needed is very small, so you might as well just plug it in. It costs me in the range of 4 cents for five miles.

10. Would a gas vehicle be better for me

I think so. a 150 cc scooter would be street legal, and would require licensing and insurance, but it will also be built better, will go faster (about 65 mph) and can be driven on most highways. The cost of upkeep is higher, because of gas and insurance, but you will get there in under 1/2 hour, instead of close to an hour.

11. Would any of the conversion kits for current non-EV bikes work for me

No idea.

I hope this helps,

Tom

Craftkiller
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Re: Newbie Question...

Oh yeah another advantage to the XB-700 is I believe the weight limit is 350 instead of 300 pounds, which would be more suited to carrying anything extra... however to my knowledge no one has modded the 700li yet so you might be stuck at 20-25mph on that for now

hyperob
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Re: Newbie Question...

I think you could probably do a shunt mod but going to 60 volts would be costly ( I have yet to even find a 60Volt LI charger as I was contemplating doing this to the XB-600 but it would cost about the same as buying a 700 brand new.

phoobar
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Re: Newbie Question...

Oh yeah another advantage to the XB-700 is I believe the weight limit is 350 instead of 300 pounds

Was thinking about that as well. The lithium batteries & able to carry more weight. With a Yamaha Vino at $3500 new...even the 700 is half the cost of a gas engine.

no one has modded the 700li yet so you might be stuck at 20-25mph on that for now

Not that concerned with the speed on it...especially since it seems about 1/2 of the people out here are riding bikes due to either not being able to afford a vehicle or having lost their license to DUI. Plus...would love to be able to move to someplace cooler (Colorado & such) where this mode of transportation is looked upon with more respect than out here...in addition to being able to load into a moving truck & not being able to worry about oil or gas leaks.;)

phoobar
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Re: Newbie Question...

4. Commute from 16-25 miles a day
That is too far for the XB-600, unless yo charge at work all day.

Was thinking about this as well...especially since I haven't met many employers out here in Southern Nevada/Northwestern Arizona (big gaming/gambling area) who would be interested in allowing you to plug in your transportation. (More interested in a warm body!) On the other hand...in Vegas...they actively encourage their employees to do things like this.

Also, you don't say what kind of road you will be on.

Mainly side streets...but also highways/parking lots. Be a way to goof off while everyone else is worried about $5+ a gallon of gas.

In my state, it is illegal to ride electric bicycles on roads with a speed limit above 30 mph.

Not a problem out here...since I see tons of bike riders (pedal/gas) riding on the main drag all the time. Mentioned in another post that you see TONS of adults riding pedal bikes around here...rather than walking. :P

10. Would a gas vehicle be better for me
I think so. a 150 cc scooter would be street legal, and would require licensing and insurance, but it will also be built better, will go faster (about 65 mph) and can be driven on most highways. The cost of upkeep is higher, because of gas and insurance, but you will get there in under 1/2 hour, instead of close to an hour.

The more I think of it...something like the 700 or even bigger would be the option for me...especially since I've had an MC endorsement for over 20 years.

Thanks for all the info. Means spending another $500 or so more to get something which would suit me better.

mopedbrainy
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Re: Newbie Question...

finsonwheels.jpgIf ridding over 95 degrees F. You may set some fins to help shed off heat.FOUR ON MY REAR WHEEL TAKE ABOUT ONE (1) MILE off my top speed. My motor runs much cooler instead.

dogman
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Re: Newbie Question...

Cool Idea. See heat abused WE bd36 for a full story on how fast 105 F can destroy a motor. I got it extra hot since my route home is about 80% uphill. The other contributing factor was the 1 hour length of the ride. Heat can quickly destroy small gas mopeds too, also been there and done that. You might actually be better off with a bike or scooter in the 150 cc range. On electric bikes, 25 miles a day is about 2 hours of time. If you are doing that one way, an ebike is going to just be too slow. I solved the heat problem by getting on the bus to go home on days that it is over 95 F. Soon it will be cool enough anyway, even for you by the time you get the machine.

One guy is running a heinesman motor in Phoenix. It has a thermal sensor that will stop the motor before destruction, but then you are stuck peadling in heat that will liquify a road.

Be the pack leader.
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phoobar
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Re: Newbie Question...

Heat can quickly destroy small gas mopeds too, also been there and done that.

All ready had an old car of mine blow apart from the heat out here in the Arizona desert. Have a feeling I couldn't really want or need to ride any electric vehicle out here...except from October to April. Funny thing about the heat...it's almost always 10-15 degrees hotter here than in Phoenix or Las Vegas.

You might actually be better off with a bike or scooter in the 150 cc range.

Am thinking the same thing. Have been looking at either the XM-160 or the XM-150. With the 150...the weight issue isn't an issue anymore. Looks close enough to XB-700Li that it's probably the same frame/body parts. Just wondering if either of these gas bikes are as reliable as what I'm hearing about the battery models? Would love to go with an electric ride...but doesn't look like I can do so out here. :(

phoobar
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Re: Newbie Question...

Did you make those or buy those???

mopedbrainy
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Re: Newbie Question...

Those are from old pc's power supplies.Lots of equip. would include similar stuff.The only thing to do is to bore the holes for fasteners.If done with little tolerance , one fastener per fin would suffice .

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