So what's the current favorite for best moped?

if you can find one the e-ton beamer e-scooter is a great bike that is exactly like there gas version beamer but its electric and has a cvt transmission will do 40 mph for about 12 miles in economy mode will do 30 mph for about 20 miles.batteries are only 26 ah so maybe it can be up graded...also like my oxygen but to slow and miss my emax sport....pjd how is my old bike?

"...pjd how is my old bike?"

Dennis, nice to hear from you.

You old bike is running fine. That occasional power cutout problem was in that unnecessary piece of complexity we call the "black box". I basically bypassed the box and solved the problem.

It then received the same improvements as the first model - bigger 3.50-10 tubeless tires for a bit more top speed (35 to 37 mph), repair of the loose controller capacitors and upgrade to possible 60v use. It also served as the test-bed for modifying the controller for more amperage. At 95 amps on "turbo", it is a much nicer ride in traffic and up hills.

The silicone batteries may be showing their age, max range in my local hill terrain was probably a bit less than 20 miles when the last riding season ended.

As far the original question, if you are shopping, I would seriously look into the Z-20 - although with a top speed of 45 mph it is not a "moped". Their bulletins have shown attention to the technical details not seen from the other manufacturers/importers. (http://www.evtamerica.com/sco_z20.htm)

There are probably still some bargains on remaining e-maxs, but expect to have to work on them.

PJD ,
I'm with you on the Z20. Wish they would do a more recent update. :(

EVTAMERICA Announces August 2006 Update: The Z-20
ANSWER TO DELAY IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE Z-20
So why the delay if the demand is there? Simply said, because we are not ready or better yet, the Z-20 is not ready. What is holding it up? Not the DOT compliance for it is compliant. What has happened is that while we were extensively testing the Z-20 in various conditions, we found that the controller, a highly complicated piece of electronic equipment and probably the most important component on the scooter, was not working in a satisfactory manner with the motor. As summer progressed we found that under extreme conditions the motor was overheating.

Truthfully, we probably could have gone on with what we had at the time, almost a year ago and most of you would never have known the difference, but the motor instead of lasting the 50,000 plus miles that it is rated for would have probably encountered problems very much sooner. So we have had to redesign the controller and while we were at it we had an electrical Lab that works with the University of Illinois measure the specs of the motor in order to make sure that the values which had been given us by its manufacturer were in fact correct. They were not. So back to the drawing table we went.

SMARTSPARK INNOVATION: In the meantime, while a much more sophisticated controller has had to be designed and tested, we have incorporated a battery equalizer made by SmartSpark especially for us that insures that all the batteries charge and discharge equally and can even indicate with LED lights when a specific battery is not taking a charge properly or is malfunctioning. This additional piece of equipment will increase the lifespan of the batteries considerably (by as much as 20%) and simplify the difficult task of finding a faulty battery, which before was nearly impossible and usually meant changing all four batteries.

ALTERNATIVE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY AS AN OPTION: We have now tested several types of batteries and will be able to offer not only a better and more efficient lead acid battery, but also polymer and lithium ion battery packs as options for those that are willing to pay for them.

REGARDING DOT COMPLIANCE AND CERTIFICATION: As for the legality for the importation and road use of the Z-20 scooter in the US as well as its certification in Canada and Europe, we will have to go once more through the usual bureaucratic obstacles imposed by each country?s Department of Transportation, but this will not be a problem as almost all the steps have already been taken and we only need to update what few changes we have made. We are so confident that these will not present a problem that while these tests are being conducted we will have begun our production.

EVTAMERICA GOAL: Our final objective has always been, and will continue to be, to manufacture a street legal scooter of optimal quality that is as reliable as any scooter can be, that will not need any or very little maintenance, that will take a rider from A to B safely while attaining speeds of 45 MPH or more and also has a reasonable climbing ability. Until we have met these goals we will not release the Z-20 to the public.

The good news is that we are very, very close to accomplishing our objective.

For those that couldn?t wait, you have our sincerest apology and for all those others that have patiently waited, all I can say is, you won?t be disappointed.

This Press Release was written by Andres Pruna, Director of Research and Development at EVTAMERICA and Head of the Z-20 Program. If you wish to ask Andres any questions regarding this Press Release or the Z-20 his email address is support [at] evtamerica.com.

Peace Out, ;)
Gman
PJD, your encouraged as a community stakeholder to share your preferred future vision of our growing community http://visforvoltage.org/forum-topic/our-community-vision/330-it-seems-well-be-here-awhile-what-your-vision-future-

...but please don't call it a "moped". A "moped" is a low speed 50cc cycle with pedals for assisted-propulsion, like the old Solex or Puch (which is still made).

The e-max or the Z-20 pictured above, like the Vespa, is called a "scooter".

CGameProgrammer, ;)
I don't see how they can sell them a such a low price, based on what the the nearest completive E Scooter is selling for.
There was a latter update, but I believe it's the same old information.
FOR THE "Z-20 WAITING LIST" CLUB December 2006 UPDATE
I have personally communicated with SMARTSPARK INNOVATION and there local distributor, so I know the Battery Equalization System is not vapor ware.
The Z-20 Testing Film seems to also be the real deal.
According to the Florida Corporate Headquarters Electric Vehicle Transportation of America, Inc. is a privately held Corporation, so maybe they don't have very deep pockets.
Vectrix had to eventually seek a suitor, maybe that's the problem. The USA is not the best market for EV Scooters, probably because of all the liability issues, and them being a American Corporation, they would have a lot of exposure.
ETS, EVT America Sign Electric Scooter Distribution Agreement
What ever this means:
Attorney General Investigation Alert!!!!
Please note that ?Florida Corporate Headquarters? is not associated with the Florida Secretary of State?s Office and Florida Corporate Headquarters is currently under investigation by the Florida Attorney General?s Office. For more information on the investigation, please visit the Attorney General's web site.
Maybe a Florida member can chime in on this for us?

Peace Out, ;)
Gman
CGameProgrammer, your encouraged as a community stakeholder to share your preferred future vision of our growing community http://visforvoltage.org/forum-topic/our-community-vision/330-it-seems-well-be-here-awhile-what-your-vision-future-

Yeah, or other people think a "scooter" is one of those four wheeled electric things for people with lower-level disabilities. They especially think that's what I'm talking about when they hear "electric scooter".

I think the confusion is mostly a USA thing, where scooters have never been a popular as other places.

Then again, there is a fairly large contingent of Vespa-enthusiasts in my my town, and they probably rarely hear their restored vintage machines being called "mopeds". The word "moped" seems to have come to be associated with the cheap-Chinese-style scooter. Just the same, I prefer the word "scooter".