Well - I am getting ready to make the plunge. In large part because of the group here.
I do have questions.... my apologies if they seem a bit silly.
1) when the pedals are attached do these go round and round as fast as the XB-600 goes? it seems like an easy way to get many bruises per mile. Or do the pedals only move when you actually put your feet on them and pedal?
2) Is it reasonable to actually pedal? I don't intend to -- just curious.
3) I have been reading the posts about diferent mods. I guess I'll wait to see what happens before deciding on any mods... What kind of incline seems to bog the XB-600 down? We have one incline that is not so steep as it is long...about 1/4 mile long that when walking gives your legs a bit of a workout.
Thanks for your inputs.
Thom
Gotta admit; that one's a bit silly. ;) The technology of freewheeling was solved by those whacky bicycle people a couple hundred years ago, I think! And just imagine how goofy it would look - who'd ride one?
No. The pedals are ridiculously unusable. They are quite obviously there just to skirt the laws.
I live in a QUITE hilly neighborhood - hilly enough that the inclines scare me going down them on a bike - but with the shunt mod in my XB600 it will take them. It slows down to 15 mph or so on the worst of them. On my actual commute, it takes all the hills at around 20 mph.
Without the shunt mod, it's very frustrating. The mod makes all the difference.
1) The pedals only go around when you back up, not going forward. And yes, I have MANY bruises. They are very awkward but necessary to remain under our "Moped laws". (No licensing, no motorcycle license and no insurance)
2) No. I have come to the conclusion the pedals are just for looks. They're too far back to actually pedal. I have had a total knee replacement and I can't even get my right knee in the proper position to attempt to pedal.
3) We(my husband loves it when I say we....actually he'll be doing the mods shortly)...We will be doing the mods when the 30 day warranty is up. My bike doesn't seem to bog-down like everyone elses on the hills. I climb a steady hill of about 5 blocks at 20 mph. I can also go down that same hill at around 25 mph.
I love my XB and probably don't even need the mods. But it's that "Need for speed" I can't deny.
When you get ready to purchase...I highly suggest going through Arcticfox, a member of this forum and an authorized X-treme dealer. That's who I purchased mine from and also several other members did too.
Good luck!
Laurie(rocs)
Laurierocs,
I thought I would pass along a trick I was somewhere.
You can put one of the peddles on backwards, so that both peddles are down, instead of one down and one up. Then you can use them for foot rests, and I think they will be less likely to hit you in the shins.
Yes, to actually use them, you have to move one around the other way, but at least you will have peddles.
Note that the peddle you put on backwards won't snap on, like it is supposed to, but it most likely won't fall off either.
Just my thoughts,
Tom
Ingenious idea! I don't have the pedals on at all for two reasons, one for the backing-up-shin-barking reason, and the other because I was worried - watching my wife ride it from behind - that the low hanging pedal was a bit of a hazard. How do you feel about it dragging the ground on a tight turn for instance? Am I imagining the problem?
I have an X-700Li and as with the 600, the pedals are....well, just there. I took them off as they would scrape the roadway if I leaned going around corners. They aren't really functional unless I scooted way back in the seat and the one time I tried to use them I just about toppled over. They are now stored in the rear compartment.
Ben - Modesto
Tom, that's a great idea! However, I did just purchase some "Folding pedals" that hopefully will give my shins a rest. Found them on ebay for about $20. I'll let everyone know how they work. I'm somewhat skeptical that they'll fold in enough, but we'll see. I think my bruises are slowly fading...
I'm glad you all like the idea, it wasn't mine, I just saw it somewhere. I actually don't even have my peddles installed, I talked to the local radar motorcycle police the day I started riding my scooter, and told them I had peddles in the seat bucket, and they didn't seem to care that I don't have them installed.
I suppose if they scrape the ground, that would be disconcerting,
Tom
Hi Ben -
If you don't mind can you give me the pro's and con's of the 700Li over the 600?
I'm guessing you had the 600 first then upgraded or decided to add the 700Li. What was your motivation if you don't mind me asking. Thanks.
I was looking at both but started to settle on the 600 becasue of price. I have a bit of a hard time plunking down a bunch of cash for something that I can't test drive or physically look at.
Does anyone live in Southwest Illinois? Mind if I came by and took a peek?
Thanks. Thom
Thom, I never had a 600 prior to diving in for the 700Li. The deciding factors for me were reduced battery weight,longer battery life,advanced technology, handling and it being eco-friendly. I too was a bit leary about spending roughly twice what other X-bikes cost, but having read reviews by current owners helped me make the decision to get one.
So far I am pleased. It has great accleration, and has made it up the few inclines I've subjected it to without red-pegging at the bottom of the speed-ometer. I don't know how many hills you may encounter during your commute, but I have found planning is essential and makes life more enjoyable/survivable. I live in Modesto, CA where SUVs, land-yachts, soccer moms/dads and never-to-graduate student drivers abound.
I primarily stick to residential streets, but also use the bike lanes on the 45mph main roads. It's a pleasure to hear the roar of the engines and the hissing sounds of the fuel injectors as they propel the single- passenger road-hogs one entire block at-a-time.
That's when I silently glide up next to them at the red light and watch as they floor it only to pull in to the next gasoline station.
Too bad you are distant as I would let you take mine for test drive. Good luck and I hope you find the right bike.
Ben - Modesto
I dont own a 700 but I have a 600 and from my impressions, the pros/cons are:
700 pros:
700 can hold 350lbs where 600 can only hold 300 pounds
i'm pretty sure the 700 can ride 2 people whereas the 600's book said just 1
the 700 has lithium batteries which are lighter weight, will last through many more charge cycles, and has a greater range
600 pros:
the 600 is a lot cheaper
the 600 has a large group of people modding it so you get kick it up to 35mph if you want whereas the 700 is just starting modding (onemanprotest is trying for 72v)
and this last part i'm not sure about but I thought I heard somewhere that 700s are backordered which means a longer wait