Hello everyone,
I have not been around much lately, mostly because I was so bummed that I wrecked my Vectrix.
Last March I was the participant (I won't say victim) in a hit and run. Some car ran a stop sign and allowed me to broadside them. Then they drove off never to be found again. Luckily for me I was only going about 25 mph, so I bounced off the car and hit the street. After a fun ride to the hospital I found I had shattered my collarbone.
I got out of the ER with a sling and a scrip for drugs and went to see my poor bike. There was not a body panel on the bike that was not displaced or cracked. The front forks were bent back into the frame. I had the feeling that the bike had sacrificed itself so that I could walk away relatively unharmed.
Despite the apparent extent of the damage, my shop thought they could repair it.
So 4 months later, with not a single phone call from the shop (I had to call them for any information) they finally started working on the bike. When they removed the damaged parts they noticed a crack in the frame. The insurance tech described it as a six inch tear. And so it was totaled.
The time delay may have been aggravated by the troubles at Vectrix, but the extremely poor service from the shop has guaranteed that I will not do business with them. So I am kind of glad to be finished with them and with a failing company.
So now I am looking for a new electric ride. There are several good options now so it is kind of exciting. I am scheduling a test ride on the Zero-S, trying to contact Electric Motor Sport, and even thinking of driving to Ashland to check out the Brammo Enertia. And those are just the ones close to me.
It would be even better if I could get a job with one of these companies. That would help with my decision. I can see my career path now: Naval Submarine Nuclear Reactor operator - Semiconductor capital equipment manufacturing - electric vehicle something or other.
Exciting times...
Sorry to hear about that..
Do you still have possession of the carcass and can it be mined for spare parts?
Anyway as for your choices.. I've personally looked at the Zero-X and the GPR-S, plus ridden the Zero-X. The Zero-S looks like a streetified Zero-X. The Zero-X is really solid and powerful. Haven't ridden the GPR-S but it also looks really extremely well built, and it's an open design which you can rebuild any way you want.
One thing is none of the ones you mentioned are not the same style as the Vectrix. What is it you want out of the bike? Do you like the scooter styling? Like cargo capacity? Or do you prefer motorcycle styling?
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki
Sorry - I can't resist a pitch. How about a Current Motor Company C130? http://www.currentmotor.com
More speed and range than your prior VX-1. Better battery technology and better battery management system.
I'd like to tell you that it has an early warning system and the ability to vaporize idiots who pull out in front of motorcyclists - however, that's on next year's model (honest!)
Seriously, check us out.
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.
If you can wait until Q1 2010, I'd consider a Piaggio MP3 Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid can run off of a standard charge for 40 miles, and has a gas-powered generator (like the Volt) for extra power, with a promised 141 mpg overall. It's packed in with some regenerative breaking, a high-performance battery-boosted mode, and a pretty innovative leaning three-wheel design so you don't even have to put your feet down at stop lights.
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/03/141mpg-piaggio-mp3-hybrid-will.html
Best of all, Piaggio owns the Vespa line, so they've got plenty of dealers and aren't likely to go bankrupt anytime soon.
What do I want in a bike?? That is a good question. An important part of that question would be what does my wife want in my bike. In that respect 2 person capability would be important.
I actually have a Super Motard from EMS now, it has very limited range so is only good for my short commute. So an upgrade to the GPR-S may be ideal if I can use the motard as a trade in.
The Zero seems to have the best HP rating of all the bikes I have seen. It also is just a single rider vehicle.
I am obviously not against the maxi-scooter. My Vectrix was very nice to ride and it had some Givi storage which was very handy. I like the specs on the C130. It is hard to tell from the pics exactly how big the bike is. Is it about the same size as the Vectrix? the only other drawback is the location of your company. I am way over here in California, hard to arrange for a test ride. Then there is always that employment option :)
Anyway I am still looking, I should get the check from the insurance this week. The wife has yet to weigh in on the subject. She is ok with me getting a new ride, just not what her desires are. Got to keep em happy.
Luther Burrell, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Rides: ZuumCraft from zuumcraft.com
Previous Rides: Blue Vectrix Maxi scooter
That is an interesting alternative. I will definately keep an eye on this bike.
Why is it that the things I want are always a few months away?
Luther Burrell, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Rides: ZuumCraft from zuumcraft.com
Previous Rides: Blue Vectrix Maxi scooter
This project is similar to prius. Not a "true" Hybrid! I won't recommend it...
I would much rather be all electric. But you never know what your requirements may be. As I change jobs over the next year, my Bay Area commute may be 50 miles one way. That would play a big role in which vehicle I choose. If I can't be completely electric, I will be as close as I can get.
Luther Burrell, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Rides: ZuumCraft from zuumcraft.com
Previous Rides: Blue Vectrix Maxi scooter
Did you ask the insurance if they would sell you the damaged bike?
raytheham had a similar problem (but much worse injuries) and the insurance wanted too much for the mangled remains of the bike.
Keep this in mind: I just paid AU$385.53 incl. 2 x postage to get a new rear light and new rear indicator from the USA and England to Australia. I would have rigged something up instead if I had to pay for it myself, but because the driver who nudged me agreed to pay for it, I got to find out how much it really costs.....
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
I will definitely ask them when they call with the total. I know there are some parts that must be okay, like the motor, controller maybe. I will see what they want for the remains.
Luther Burrell, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Rides: ZuumCraft from zuumcraft.com
Previous Rides: Blue Vectrix Maxi scooter
Yeah - there's a good chance that the insurance company won't appreciate the value of what they have. It would likely be a good investment to buy back your damaged bike.
I'd be wary of the MP3 - a very complex, and thus expensive (and perhaps temperamental), piece of machinery.
The C130 is about the same size as the VX-1. Seat height is 27.5 inches, weight for the C130 is 426 lbs. You can see a video of me riding it - I'm 5'7" (as long as I stand up straight!) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrpYZJRw5AI&feature=player_embedded Coverage of the bike starts around 2:20 in this 3 minute video.
Maybe we can get "creative" about getting a bike to you for a test ride. We'll have to think about that.
EDIT: Here's a screen cap from that video:
Now, about that job - what were you thinking you'd want to do for us? Make a nuclear powered version?
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.
I was looking on the Brammo site and saw that they were hiring a SF Bay area Service tech. This got me thinking how awesome it would be to have a job you not only could feel good about but would also be fun. My current company is circling the drain so I figure within the next year I will be needing a new career.
Not being desperate for a new job puts me in a position where I can look around, I can get some training, I can even work for free (along with my current job of course) and if I am lucky get a job that I will enjoy. I can start out small and hopefully grow that into something big.
Maybe you want a bike in the Bay Area for people to see and ride.
Luther Burrell, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Rides: ZuumCraft from zuumcraft.com
Previous Rides: Blue Vectrix Maxi scooter
I definitely see your point about the complexity of a plug-in hybrid. A pure EV has so much fewer parts and no ICE, which means a lot less to go wrong and much more manageable maintenance costs.
However, after putting over $5,000 mi/yr on my Vectrix, I've come to better appreciate the appeal of hybrid designs. Frankly, I'm tired of stressing over whether I have enough charge left to get home. I'm tired of trolling for public outlets all the time. I'm tired of getting abuse from my neighbors as I creep up the hill to my house at <10 mph on the last bar of my charge. I'm tired of misjudging the remaining distance and having to call my wife to rescue me at the side of the road.
In my opinion at least, the piece of mind I'd get from having that generator is more than worth the additional maintenance costs.
Chad
All you have just wanted is this:
Fuel Cell Vectrix
My first post, although i'm reading this forum since i bought my Vectrix in March.
This fuel cell project seems to be very interesting but all the info i could find seems to have been issued before Vectrix was actually brought to market.
Parker's site
and the newer info i could find was on the Protonex site but all infos are "under construction"
Do you have recent information or not?
Le site des utilisateurs français (The French user's website) http://www.vectrix.fr/
There are no recent information. Vectrix stopped all projects far as I know...
All of us 'forward thinkers' are wishing we had tomorrows technology today.
We just need to be patient I guess. As far as the running out of juice problem, I am sure an enterprising individual could come up with a way to wire in an emergency power pack. So when you pushed your luck too far you could flip to your reserve and get those last few miles at a respectable speed.
I know the Vectrix has the capacity to carry such a pack and now you don't have to worry about voiding your warranty.
Luther Burrell, Mesa, Arizona, USA
Rides: ZuumCraft from zuumcraft.com
Previous Rides: Blue Vectrix Maxi scooter
best quality video i have ever seen got to be high def hd ..nice.
kev
What's the link?
I couldn;t be bothered waiting, as I've heard the hybrid is going to have a (rather high) street price. I just got a MP3 400ie as a back-up should the Vectrix cause problems in the reliability stakes - bust so far, is fine!
My Piaggio dealer explained that not all dealers will be able to stock it. When the X9 was launched in 2002 Piaggio came up with a new concept 'Master' dealers who had to buy in to the powerful model and purchase specialist parts. They've been told the hybrid will be the same, and many dealers have told them to take a hike - so I wouldn;t hold your breath.
- Raymond
Don't expect too much of the hybrid from Piaggio. That's only a normal bike that turn off the motor when it is stopped. The battery is weak and can only be charged with the gasoline motor. Resuming, not a true hybrid and a real pain in the a#s when it get broken because joins the problems of 2 technologies.
All the articles I've seen on the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid were very specific about it being a true plug-in hybrid (versus a parallel hybrid like the Prius).
I'll cede the point on design complexity, though. More parts means higher maintenance costs, but there's also a cost to having to depend on another vehicle to get anywhere beyond your battery range.
If that is true, than the project was revised. That's not the same that I saw... Maybe a older version?