Electric Scooters/Motorbikes

johnfás

Hi

Would anybody here be in a position to provide me with a bit of advice regarding electric scooters, their costs, reliability, effectiveness etc.

I am starting a new job next month and don't wish to cycle in for sweaty reasons etc and was thinking perhaps an electric scooter would be a good way to go as the tax is neglible and the running cost would be very low. I don't know alot about insurance on these either.

I know Green Machines in Terenure stock this sort of thing, are there other stockists around Dublin as well?

Sesshoumaru

I've done some searching/googling. The only decent (what I would consider decent) electric scooter on the market currently is the Vectrix that Green Machines sell. It seems they dropped the price recently as well, used to be over 10k I think. Now I see it listed at €6,999.

eurofoxy

i have seen plenty here in europe, i have a few friends that have them, they bought them in cologne, i dont think it would be much hassle to get it back to ireland, they paid less than my vespa i think in total it was about 2500ish.
I will let you know the site but if your german is good have a look at the german aa site its adac.de, they did a test of the top 10 electric scooters in germany, they give a run down of all their faults etc.

johnfás

Thanks Eurofoxy, ich werde einen blick!

eurofoxy

johnfás wrote: »

Thanks Eurofoxy, ich werde einen blick!

its no bother i have sent you a pm with the web address of the test of all the scooters,

Sesshoumaru

eurofoxy wrote: »

its no bother i have sent you a pm with the web address of the test of all the scooters,

Can you send me the link as well please?

eurofoxy

Sesshoumaru wrote: »

Can you send me the link as well please?

pm sent let me know if you need help translating it.
They picked the 10 most popular electric scooters and rated each one, they are quite nice to ride similar to most vespas,
The only thing is the charging, some come with removable batteries that are charged away from the bike, handy for bringing into the office, others come with just a long extension cable from under the seat.

Del2005

johnfás wrote: »

Hi

Would anybody here be in a position to provide me with a bit of advice regarding electric scooters, their costs, reliability, effectiveness etc.

I am starting a new job next month and don't wish to cycle in for sweaty reasons etc and was thinking perhaps an electric scooter would be a good way to go as the tax is neglible and the running cost would be very low. I don't know alot about insurance on these either.

I know Green Machines in Terenure stock this sort of thing, are there other stockists around Dublin as well?

For electric scooters you'll need a bike licence, insurance, helmet.

For a pedal assist bike you need nothing and you also have the benefit of being able to keep going when the battery is drained.


I've seen plenty of people riding electric scooters* around Dublin with no safety gear, and I'm assuming no licence or insurance, and the Gardaí have never stopped a single one.

* Once the bike can move without the pedals being turned it's an electric scooter not a pedal assist.

jayok

I bought one of those EVT-168a from Green Machines in Terenure in 2009 as my first venture into the world of 2 wheels. I bought new, but got the bug and went up the power outputs, so only kept it for 8 months.

Anyhow, really the whole electric thing excited me a first, but being honest, they way it works today is a 49cc scooter is a much better prospect.

Some of the cons of the electric scooter I had was:

1. Short range, practically 15 miles (now the first 6 are fine as the batteries are 100% after 15 miles it really dies dow)
2. Hills, it will die a death on hills and you will be embarassed by bicycles! (now I am 90kgs so this didn't help)
3. Charge time, it took 5 hours to charge full
4. Battery maintenance, you've gotta keep care of those things
5. Charging, must be done indoors (i.e. garage)
6. Weight, looks like a scooter, but weights around 120kgs

Pros:

1. Silent running (this is somewhat of a con as people don't hear you for safety, but I loved it)
2. Tax is €31, but a full bike is €76, so it's not a big deal
3. A full charge costs 60c.


TBH upon reflection, I should have bought a straightforward 49cc jobbie. Having said that GreenMachines were a good sales experience.

MCC Controls

Hi, I am new to this forum and a little uncertain of the etiquette. However can I suggest you visit www.vectrixeurope.com and find your way back to Ireland.
I am a Vectrix owner and I ride it every day ...and love it. To cut to the chase, we have a Vectrix available for €4000 + VAT
Regards

Sesshoumaru

MCC Controls wrote: »

Hi, I am new to this forum and a little uncertain of the etiquette. However can I suggest you visit www.vectrixeurope.com and find your way back to Ireland.
I am a Vectrix owner and I ride it every day ...and love it. To cut to the chase, we have a Vectix available for €4000 + VAT
Regards

I take it that's not the lithium ion version?

MCC Controls

No, this is the VX-1 with NiMH which has a range of about 60 - 80kM. However, there will be 2 new Lithium versions launched shortly. The VX-1 Li will be launched next month (March) and will have a range of about 100kM and will be followed later in the year by the VX-1 Li+ which will have a range about 140kM.

Sesshoumaru

MCC Controls wrote: »

No, this is the VX-1 with NiMH which has a range of about 60 - 80kM. However, there will be 2 new Lithium versions launched shortly. The VX-1 Li will be launched next month (March) and will have a range of about 100kM and will be followed later in the year by the VX-1 Li+ which will have a range about 140kM.

Can you PM me details on the VX-1? and maybe the two newer models if you have any more info? rough idea on price? I'm quite interested in getting an electric vehicle for my daily commute.