As promised, this Saturday the boys at Elecscoot the electric scooter shop delivered me an Elecscoot 2.
However, due to a technical issue testing could not go ahead. The guys have been excellent and the problem is currently being rectified. I will keep you all posted about testing when it resumes.
My first impressions of the scooter were good. It looked very cool in it’s retro styling and had a couple of excellent safety features. Due to the quietness of the ride, a beeper was able to be fitted to beep in time with the indicators. As most motorcyclists know, the indicators can be left on easily on a motorcycle as they don’t self cancel. This can cause other road users to mis-interpret your signal, with dangerous consequences. The addition of this feature meant that when the Elecscoot 2 is ridden, you can hear your indicator flashing just like in a car. It also incorporated a “kill” switch in the luggage compartment. This makes it easy to disconnect the battery safely for parking and eliminates any discharging effect.
As mentioned, this weekend I have not had a chance to put it through it’s paces fully. You will have to watch this space and I will keep you all updated. In the meantime I will be riding “the flying grandma” my commuter / polluter.
Eagerly awaiting your review here. I’m looking to go seriously green this year by running an electric scooter (undecided between the Vectrix and the Elecscoot 4) plus signing up to the Ecotricity New Energy Plus tarrif.
Hope all goes well for a successful ride test!
Chris
Apart from price, a deciding factor (before any testing is done) will be the licence required. The Elecscoot 4 (and all other Elecscoot machines) is classed as 50cc. According to the Elecscoot website, this can be ridden on a pre 2001 car licence (although they and I recommend all riders have a CBT as a minimum). The Vectrix is classed as 125cc, so you will have to have a bike licence / CBT. Otherwise, I hope to have an answer for you soon. The Elecscoot 4 is marketed as a Vectrix beater, and the new version looks very good on paper.
Agreed, the E4 looks superior for the lone rider and this why I am seriously considering it, but it would be nice to able to carry Mrs Chris from time to time too. Not viable on the E4 as I seem to have taken up most of the 130Kg carrying capacity, theorectically possible on the VX1. This would also necessitate a full riding qualification which isn’t an issue for us.
Looking forward to your impressions of both bikes, especially if you are able to test the Vectrix 2-up!
I was speaking with an AA patrolman at the weekend (my ICE Scooter let me down) and he says their Vectrix fleet (used to jump-start cars in central London) is in good shape, despite initial problems. However the bad news on the Vectrix front is that the electric scooter firm may be up for sale. and with the E4′s technology being updated in the latest model, the choice my be made for you. I will endevour to get both bikes out for a test though.
This is all good stuff
Just like to comment on the E4 as I bought an ex demonstrator from Elecscoot, and this might put Chris’ mind at rest.
I regurlarly pillion my partner and we go about 57kg over the 130kg limit on paper. It does this with ease, I have lost about 5 miles on the total distance( or there abouts) achieved but its still not bad. We do a 38 mile round trip (hilly) everyday to work and up to now (had the scooter 2 months) had no problems. I was advised to run the batteries down completely, or close to, at least once in a while which I have done, but even on 34 miles I still re charge on an evening as I wouldnt want to be caught out. I got good advice and after sales service from the guys at Elecscoot. No Complaints and highly recomended to date. Will be watching and listening for your comments and reviews eco. Great Stuff.
That’s good news,
I am definitley looking forward to the E4. With regard to pillion passengers the law can be vague. However I must point out that carrying a passenger over the machine’s weight capability can be dangerous. It will probably invalidate your insurance if you have an accident and could get you in trouble with the law as <a href=”http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=14750″ This article from Cornwall Council’s road safety pages points out. A pillion passenger upsets the bikes dynamics and centre of gravity making a motorcycle less stable at the best of times. Especially in adverse weather conditions.
I’m glad you enjoy the E4 but do advise against exceeding the weight limits.
We have travelled together on our bikes for quite a number of years and I do understand your concern. Rest assured I am an experienced rider.
Re breaking the law, I did check this out and the weight recommended on the specification is correct to achieve the speed and distances quoted.
However if you pillon then you will reduce the figures quoted which I pointed out and I was aware of that. So in a nutshell, all is well, legal and above board, but thank you for pointing it out. Personally I think the E4 would still give good figures with more weight than I carry. Will contact Elecscoot and ask the question. Look forward to reading your views on the other scooters.
It’s good to hear that you are an experienced rider. Many of the folk interested in these reviews will be train commuters so it is important that they get the correct training (at least a CBT) and ride safely. The Elecscoot 2 is next and will be here later in the week. With a higher top speed and slightly better acceleration, I hope the E2 will be able appeal to current scooter riders and those with longer commutes. As usual, watch this space for the results as it goes through its paces.
[...] the Elecscoot 2 (more about this another time). Regular readers of the blog will know I had a brief spin on an Elecscoot 2 but was not able to complete a full Elecscoot 2 [...]