Look here for the 2007 thing
caranddriverdiesel
But it looks like they may have solved the emissions problem
here
Also some of the newer disels may allow for tax credits
here

kenmarks said:momotarosan said:now thisBIKEwould be the stand-in for gas scooters until the get fuel cell bikes on the market.

62mph top speed and 70 mile range...with regenerative braking.
WOW. I want one of these ;~)
With the price of gas predicted to shoot up again in the aftermath of Katrina, this would be the way to go so I don't have to pump so much of my limited resources into the tank of my Expedition...
On another note, I hope rising fuel prices help fuel consumer demand for more choices from auto makers like hybrids, diesels built for economy (not just for power), etc.

Really Really Nice one..... any idea how much these costs?

heckU said:kenmarks said:momotarosan said:now thisBIKEwould be the stand-in for gas scooters until the get fuel cell bikes on the market.

62mph top speed and 70 mile range...with regenerative braking.
WOW. I want one of these ;~)
With the price of gas predicted to shoot up again in the aftermath of Katrina, this would be the way to go so I don't have to pump so much of my limited resources into the tank of my Expedition...
On another note, I hope rising fuel prices help fuel consumer demand for more choices from auto makers like hybrids, diesels built for economy (not just for power), etc.

Really Really Nice one..... any idea how much these costs?

I would also be interested in this one

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/mopedinfo.htm

TEXAS Moped

Driver’s license for a moped – A moped operator’s license is required for operators of mopeds. A person must be at least fifteen (15) years old to be issued a license to operate a moped. The department shall examine applicants for that type of license by administering to them a written examination concerning traffic laws applicable to the operation of mopeds. No test involving the operation of the vehicle is required.

Having trouble finding the three scooters on Texas certified Moped list..

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/documents/current%20moped%20list.rtf

This scooter uses 4 sealed lead acid batteries like in the car. It is much different that the NI-MH or Li-ion. I think sealed lead acid will last like 3-5 years. Anyway, hybrid car like Honda insight uses Ni-Mh battery that has to be replaced like in 5 years and it will cost couple thousand bucks. The sealed lead one costs only 30-50/unit.

rhk0327 said:Isn't battery technology pretty limited? Wont the maintenance on this thing be really expensive? My batteries on laptops and rc cars never last that long if used fairly regularly. Way less than a year. I doubt these batteries would last that long, are they cheap to replace?

I thought this is why all serious scooters are gas, not electric.

Well not quite like a car. Most car batteries are wet, even the "no mantainence" ones. They really should be called low mantainence. These on the otherhand are gel cells. They can't leak. But they are lead acid like the wet car ones. There's no reason a lead acid battery can't last forever unless it's been cooked. Then it's basically toast. Lead acid batteries will fade over time due to crystals forming on the lead plates. These crystals can be removed or kept from forming by using a desulfator. It's basically an oscillator that breaks up the crystals. Will your battery be 100% forever? No. Will it be 80%? Yes, mostly. People tend to throw away perfectly good car batteries that could be saved.

CoolxStuff said:This scooter uses 4 sealed lead acid batteries like in the car. It is much different that the NI-MH or Li-ion. I think sealed lead acid will last like 3-5 years. Anyway, hybrid car like Honda insight uses Ni-Mh battery that has to be replaced like in 5 years and it will cost couple thousand bucks. The sealed lead one costs only 30-50/unit.

rhk0327 said:Isn't battery technology pretty limited? Wont the maintenance on this thing be really expensive? My batteries on laptops and rc cars never last that long if used fairly regularly. Way less than a year. I doubt these batteries would last that long, are they cheap to replace?

I thought this is why all serious scooters are gas, not electric.

The higher end of car battery is gel sealed lead acid type, not sure this one is gel or not. It doesn't say in the spec, but i don't think it would.

puppyfriend said:Well not quite like a car. Most car batteries are wet, even the "no mantainence" ones. They really should be called low mantainence. These on the otherhand are gel cells. They can't leak. But they are lead acid like the wet car ones. There's no reason a lead acid battery can't last forever unless it's been cooked. Then it's basically toast. Lead acid batteries will fade over time due to crystals forming on the lead plates. These crystals can be removed or kept from forming by using a desulfator. It's basically an oscillator that breaks up the crystals. Will your battery be 100% forever? No. Will it be 80%? Yes, mostly. People tend to throw away perfectly good car batteries that could be saved.

CoolxStuff said:This scooter uses 4 sealed lead acid batteries like in the car. It is much different that the NI-MH or Li-ion. I think sealed lead acid will last like 3-5 years. Anyway, hybrid car like Honda insight uses Ni-Mh battery that has to be replaced like in 5 years and it will cost couple thousand bucks. The sealed lead one costs only 30-50/unit.

rhk0327 said:Isn't battery technology pretty limited? Wont the maintenance on this thing be really expensive? My batteries on laptops and rc cars never last that long if used fairly regularly. Way less than a year. I doubt these batteries would last that long, are they cheap to replace?

I thought this is why all serious scooters are gas, not electric.

So... i have a really bad driving record, and will be suspended for at least 30 days starting september 27th. I have 2 more tickets that will hit the DMV and result in additional 30 day suspensions.

I live about 3-4 miles from work (10 min commute max) and am considering one of these scooters as a LEGAL alternative to the BUS or bike(for the period of suspension only).

Is there a difference in durability/size based on the model you get? I am 6' and 195 lbs. I just need a legal and cheap way to get to work, so i don't have to get an SR-22 for a "hardship" permit so i can get to work.

Comments or thoughts?

I will be riding this in Eugene Oregon. It rains a lot here, but its nothing i can't handle for the 10-15 minute ride every morning.

Financially...300 one time, is way better than 300 a month on top of additional normal insurance for an SR-22 (too many moving violations in oregon is an auto 30 day suspension.)

Thanks for advice/comments.

~J

I'm continuing to research this. Not much online anywhere.

One person posted a problem with the battery charger basically melting and Pep Boys not really helping. When I spoke to the csr at Bajasports, lo and behold, one of the things he mentioned is that they recommend putting a small fan on the charger when it is charging, especially in hot climates.

GrayStuff said:Ride it to work and plug in !

can we take out the battery and recharge it in the office? i don't want to put the whole scooter on my desk and charge it.