Not really sure if this welcome in the electric cycle thread on CC, probably not here either, but if anyone's interested here's the low down on the electric scooter, which is a Lifan LF1200.
The publicity seems to suggest they'll do between 40-75 miles on a charge, which seems incredibly over optimistic, being honest. I think someone said that after the initial ten charges it will get better (that seems to be true, too) but my best so far has been about 27 miles. There are three phases of 'speed' 12/18/30mph, from memory. Obviously the lower the range, the further it should go and mine went into a sort of limp mode (12mph) when the battery was down to about 10% remaining, and obviously there's no pedalling when the battery runs out!
Was told they can be used in 12mph mode on cycle paths etc, but being honest if I ever did I'd cover the number plate as someone is bound to take exception to it I reckon. Parts, with the exception of the battery (£500 iirc) are really cheap, including the plastics.
Mine's been chipped and once did an impressive 37mph down a bit of a hill, though on a flat in 'normal' conditions, it hovers around 30mph. It's no fun on 50mph roads, only a little better in 40 zones, but purely because you know you're holding people up and all your speed is already being utilised.
It's best being used for what I suppose it was meant for, commuting to and round town and maybe work if you take slower roads. It's weird riding it, all you can hear is wind noise and stopped at lights etc it's surreal hearing pedestrians having conversations, as you can car drivers. It's not been too much of a hazard with pedestrians so far either, bit worried that because there's nothing to hear, people might step out but keep my finger over the horn just in case.
There's a kill switch under the seat, along with the bit where the battery goes, and removal is quite simple. The seat catch doesn't seem overly well made though, so can be a faff getting it to unlock to access battery. Decent top box at standard which holds a helmet, little shopping hook inside leg shields also.
Very, very impressed with it so far, about 160 miles on the clock at the moment. It'd be no good if you're commuting on 50mph roads or for distances of perhaps more than 25 miles each way (charging it after each ride) but for town or pottering about, it's honestly brilliant. Even with time to put coat/helmet/gloves on and getting it out of the garage, it's so much quicker going to city centre and actually very pleasant. I even use it to go to the petrol station with a can in the top box if the car or one of the other scooters is running low.
Lithium batteries iirc, and we all know that power stations aren't run on lentils and fairy dust, so electric motoring isn't quite as 'green' as some might suggest, but it's great not having to put petrol in it!
The publicity seems to suggest they'll do between 40-75 miles on a charge, which seems incredibly over optimistic, being honest. I think someone said that after the initial ten charges it will get better (that seems to be true, too) but my best so far has been about 27 miles. There are three phases of 'speed' 12/18/30mph, from memory. Obviously the lower the range, the further it should go and mine went into a sort of limp mode (12mph) when the battery was down to about 10% remaining, and obviously there's no pedalling when the battery runs out!
Was told they can be used in 12mph mode on cycle paths etc, but being honest if I ever did I'd cover the number plate as someone is bound to take exception to it I reckon. Parts, with the exception of the battery (£500 iirc) are really cheap, including the plastics.
Mine's been chipped and once did an impressive 37mph down a bit of a hill, though on a flat in 'normal' conditions, it hovers around 30mph. It's no fun on 50mph roads, only a little better in 40 zones, but purely because you know you're holding people up and all your speed is already being utilised.
It's best being used for what I suppose it was meant for, commuting to and round town and maybe work if you take slower roads. It's weird riding it, all you can hear is wind noise and stopped at lights etc it's surreal hearing pedestrians having conversations, as you can car drivers. It's not been too much of a hazard with pedestrians so far either, bit worried that because there's nothing to hear, people might step out but keep my finger over the horn just in case.
There's a kill switch under the seat, along with the bit where the battery goes, and removal is quite simple. The seat catch doesn't seem overly well made though, so can be a faff getting it to unlock to access battery. Decent top box at standard which holds a helmet, little shopping hook inside leg shields also.
Very, very impressed with it so far, about 160 miles on the clock at the moment. It'd be no good if you're commuting on 50mph roads or for distances of perhaps more than 25 miles each way (charging it after each ride) but for town or pottering about, it's honestly brilliant. Even with time to put coat/helmet/gloves on and getting it out of the garage, it's so much quicker going to city centre and actually very pleasant. I even use it to go to the petrol station with a can in the top box if the car or one of the other scooters is running low.
Lithium batteries iirc, and we all know that power stations aren't run on lentils and fairy dust, so electric motoring isn't quite as 'green' as some might suggest, but it's great not having to put petrol in it!
