Summer FE options - Scooter, bike assist, etc - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Ryland · 03-06-2008, 02:00 PM

I have a kit from http://electricrider.com/crystalyte/phoenix.htm and I really like it, they are pretty honest about their top speeds and range, I've ridden the Currie bikes, and wasn't overly impressed with them, mostly due to their low top speeds (15mph) and their motor felt a little weak on acceleration.

I also have a Tomos Arrow scooter, made in the chec republic, they are slightly lower quality then Honda's but not much, they are good enough that I bought one new, if you check on eBay there is a guy selling some 2005 models, that is what I have, carburetors are the most worked on part of a scooter or moped, and the Tomos has a single simple, easy to remove cover that bolts on that covers the carburetor, you can buy new parts for them from Tomos, and new and after market parts from places like MopedJunkYard.com, also if you check on mopedarmy.com people tend to like Tomos, if you are looking at old stuff tho, find a Puch or Honda on craigslist.
if you can get a motor cycle license,then go for a small Honda motorcycle, even the oldest ones you can find work well and are cheap to fix.

friedlbug · 03-06-2008, 07:48 PM

Working through moped registration hell here in PA. Haven't purchased the bike yet, and have Curry tech support finding out if they can get me a Manufacturer Statement of Origin. PA sucks.

friedlbug · 03-06-2008, 10:06 PM

Well, PA still sucks for gas assist bikes, but ebikes are a different story. And Currie support is better than I can believe. More details as soon as I get permission to post Currie's response.

friedlbug · 03-06-2008, 10:52 PM

As promised:

From: <removed for spambots>
To: <removed for spambots>
CC: <removed for spambots>
Subject: RE: Pennsylvania Law regarding eBikes
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 20:00:23 -0500

Thank you very much for responding to me so quickly, Mr. Pizzi. I greatly appreciate the CEO of Currie Tech responding to my questions, especially within four hours of sending them. I have been posting my registration questions and an excerpt of the email I sent to <head of Tech Support> on a motored biking website. Would you mind if I posted your response so others in my situation can read it as well?

<friedlbug>

> From: <removed for spambots>
> To: <removed for spambots>
> CC: <removed for spambots>
> Subject: Pennsylvania Law regarding eBikes
> Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 16:07:49 -0800
>
> Hi <friedlbug>,
>
> Thanks for your email. I am not certain what the acronym "MSO" refers to
> however, I have attached some information that may be helpful to you. Also,
> you may want to contact the Electric Drive Transportation Association in
> Washington, DC to answer your questions about the law.
>
> As you can see from the Federal law that passed in January 2002, that low
> speed electric bicycles (all our products meet these qualifications to be
> defined as such) are to be considered consumer products and NOT motor
> vehicles. The law also states that it supersedes any State law that may be
> more restrictive or stringent.
>
> In Pennsylvania, the law on the books was written to address gas powered
> Mopeds that were popular in the 1970's and the Federal law was written this
> way specifically to address State Moped laws.
>
> I hope this helps and that you will be enjoying one of our electric bicycles
> very soon.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Larry Pizzi
>
> President
>
> CURRIE TECHNOLOGIES

_______________________

February 3, 2003
ELECTRIC BIKES RECLASSIFIED AS CONSUMER PRODUCTS
In December, President Bush signed into law legislation introduced by Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) that transfers jurisdiction over low-speed electric bikes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which already regulates consumer products such as bicycles. The law (Public Law 107-319/HR 727) defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750
watts (1 horsepower) and a maximum speed of 20 mph when ridden by an operator weighing 170 lbs. Further, the law clarifies that a low speed electric bicycle shall not be considered a motor vehicle, and therefore is not subject to motor vehicle safety standards and enforcement, but shall be subject to CPSC regulations. Under the law, CPSC has authority to promulgate new or additional regulations for such products. Finally, the new law supercedes any existing State laws that may be more stringent than the federal guidelines for such products. If you have questions about this issue, contact EDTA at 202.508-5995.

JeromeLofton · 10-31-2008, 06:12 AM

hi,

Thank you very much for responding to me so quickly, Mr. Pizzi. I greatly appreciate the CEO of Currie Tech responding to my questions, especially within four hours of sending them. I have been posting my registration questions and an excerpt of the email I sent to <head of Tech Support> on a motored biking website. Would you mind if I posted your response so others in my situation can read it as well?

AaronDavison · 02-20-2009, 12:44 AM

HI

Thank you very much for responding to me so quickly, Mr. Pizzi. I greatly appreciate the CEO of Currie Tech responding to my questions, especially within four hours of sending them.....
thanks for ur useful info...
its rocking..

www.staffingpower.com

sentersoftech

Bicycle Bob · 02-20-2009, 02:41 AM

Riding a bike for all my errands is the only thing that has ever had me close to fit. It is the best way to get a workout with the minimum penalty in time and pain. I consider a bike better for spring and fall than for summer, due to the need for cooling, but with a booster, one can usually stay fresh. I'd definitely get a control that requires pedaling, not just a hand control. A separate switch makes it feel like a very feeble motorcycle, while the ones that amplify your pedal effort make you feel like Bionic Man. That, combined with the desire to stay with traffic, keep your mind off the workout.

If your legs get tired, shift down. If you run out of breath, shift up. If your butt gets sore, lean more on your hands, and get used to it, but don't neglect developing sores. Get a helmet with a mirror to keep track of traffic all around, and be as visible as you can, moving over to let traffic by after being seen, or riding in the "shadow" of a car close to the back fender. You might want to study bike handling and related traffic skills. There's a lot more to riding a bike well than balancing. I have a friend who broke her jaw and still does not know how dumb it was.