[47Steve]

I've gone the moped route, because I love 2-cycle engines. Plus, you get a total package designed for powered transportation -- frame, suspension, brakes, drive components, all made to work together and more durable.

Check out a Tomos Sprint (about $1000)

[buckrogers007]

..I just checked those out. They are nice mopeds. This website had more details on the mopeds than official site does:
Tomos Mopeds

49cc is nice so no license or insurance. The parts were around $200+.
The basic is the Sprint for $1000 the sweet next model up was $1300 then to $1600+.

I like that 'if' you already have an old cruiser frame laying around, and get a good 48-50cc kit and a few upgraded parts and you may pay around $400 for a nice ride that you can pedal when want to or let out clutch and go.
Also, I do enjoy tinkering with my hands and building things probably helps my liking of motorbikes.

Peace!

[motorizedfun]

Industry Hack and you others that posted so much negativity about the Ezip, do any of you own one? Sadly, I'll have to rain on your parade as SteveM21 did. I've owned one for almost 2 years and drive it daily year round. I live in a very small town and we have paved streets that have been patched so much, they are a solid mass of patches. We have many dirt, sometimes muddy washboard roads and railroad track crossings that haven't been maintained in 30 years. We have plenty of moderate hills. I paid $150 brand new on clearance at Wal-Mart and it's a 2008 model. I bought it in the store, so I had no concerns with "shipping weight". As Steve said, it's heavy because this is the nature of SLA batteries. Sure, I could buy a lithium battery pack for $600 if I had the money, which I don't, but with battery technology still being in the stone ages, those expensive batteries have a threshold where, if they are discharged too much, they can be irreversibly damaged. I've heard many stories where the pack just quit working. And with the sellers we have to deal with, it's very unlikely any so-called warranty would be honored, especially if you bought it directly from China, as is the case with most ebay sellers I've seen that sell them. SLA batteries, while bulky and cumbersome, are still the tried and true and cheap power that we can depend on at least for now. My Ezip has never ever failed me getting to and from my destination. Not one nut or bolt has ever come loose. Not one spoke has ever come loose. I've never seen a hill I couldn't climb. I've never been given a second look by a cop and I've never had a problem parking it. I know that the low price tag has a psychological impact on some. I've seen ebikes that cost over $1000 that had no better range or dependability than this bike. But of course, anything sold by Wal-Mart couldn't possibly be any good.

[47Steve]

I think electric bikes will have a future. As with all things electric, it mostly depends on the battery technology. Look how much power you can get out of a battery-powered electric drill -- that amazes me.

[motorizedfun]

Originally Posted by 47Steve

I think electric bikes will have a future. As with all things electric, it mostly depends on the battery technology. Look how much power you can get out of a battery-powered electric drill -- that amazes me.

All electric vehicles have a future and yes, it all depends on battery technology. That new miracle battery is always "just around the corner" is what I've been hearing for many years. Until it happens, I just use what's available and reasonably priced. Some people do wire several drill batteries in series for ebikes. But I've never owned a Black and Decker or other drill battery that didn't poop out within 6 months, whether I left them on the charger or off.

[Industry_Hack]

I've never wished for a motor on my bicycle. When I want more power than I can apply myself, I will ride a motorcycle.

[lowbeauxxx]

I've seen a guy with one around here where I live. On flat land he was moving at a rate of about 20-25 miles per hour. I'm sure inclines are his bane. I've had experience with electric motors. To me they are overpriced and underpowered, but that guy that I saw was the envy of bicyclists around here. Hee, hee!

[Industry_Hack]

When I worked at a bike shop in Australia, a lady came in very red and covered in perspiration. She had just pushed her rather heavy "electric bike" to the bike shop, as it had a flat tire. (Or tyre ) The worst part was that she was refused service. Granted, it wasn't a simple bike with a motor bolted on, but that was a sad lesson for her.

[Will]

Steve, who lives in New Mexico bought one of these bikes two years ago. He owns no car and this is his main transportation. He tells me that he has had "0" problems. After two years the batteries seem to be getting weaker so he does not have the range as when they were new. I think he said his range was 10 miles at 15 mph.