My New Ride

Actually, Honey’s new ride, I’m just the chauffeur

In Gallup, NM – getting ready to meet some new friends for Pokémon Go Zapdos raid day

Better batteries (lithium) make a big difference

She was annoyed we didn’t go for a ride when I had finished installing the new batteries! It was too hot out. SPOILED, she is!

My new wheels for short trips, especially when traveling in the RV

I started with a basic 36v electric Razor Ecosmart Metro scooter with 500w motor.

I did a lot of research before going with this one. The deciding factors were price, the easy upgrades that could be done (thank you, YouTube) and the fact that I can lift it into a vehicle and manage it alone on trips. I also needed something I could take Honey on and this already has a built in basket. It basically falls under the bike category in most areas and needs no registration – even in CALIFORNIA! It is street legal in all states I’ve checked on, on roads with speed limits under 25mph, (35mph in CA now!) as long as a licensed driver is operating it. It’s easily maneuverable and a perfect answer to shared pathways too. If I remove the scooter seat, I can even fit it in my Jetta.

This scooter is actually awesome the way it comes, I just wanted it to be a little more “adult” and functional with a bit more range.

A short stop in front of the Ferry Building on our 1st trip, testing it out.

Upgrade and Accessories after a week of riding and testing it out

1. Installed a new keyed full throttle with a digital battery voltage readout. It replaced the hand cramping half throttle that had a full/low dummy light that didn’t tell you anything until it was too late. Limping along at the slowest speed possible from Red’s Java House at Pier 30 to the Ferry Building (where I left the car) when the low light came on – just wasn’t that much fun.

2. Installed a new controller to accommodate the new throttle. The new controller allows for a bit more speed, but the real goal was being able to gauge the battery performance. The throttle and controller was a kit from EBay for under $70

3. Installed 3 12v 10ah lithium batteries to replace the 3 12v 7ah weights, I mean, SLA batteries it came with. I’m not sure yet how much more run time I’ll get, but one Youtuber says he gets about 3 hours now as opposed to 1 with the stock batteries. Wasn’t a cheap option. $300 on EBay. Added benefit was that it made the scooter much lighter, maybe 10lbs or so?

Update: It definitely gets over 3 hours of run time on a good charge. I typically let it charge overnight, but it’s usually good to go again in a few hours.

4. Bought an upgraded 2.5 amp charger. The original will still work, but the newer one will charge it a little bit faster. Plus, I can leave one at the house for overnight charging, and use one for travel. $33 Amazon

5. A quick release seat bolt clamp to allow for easy temporary removal  of the seat (and basket) for travel without using any tools. $8 Amazon

6. Battery operated headlight and taillights, for the just in case they are needed, I should have headed home sooner –  rides. $12 Amazon

7. Cup holder – which currently holds my taser and pepper spray. $5 Amazon

8. Bell – especially useful on shared pathways. $5 Amazon

9. Magnetic cell phone mount with security bands – everything a Pokémon Go player needs. $10 Amazon

10. Small detachable handlebar shoulder bag – it holds my wallet, tissues, battery pack for cell phone, doggy potty bags, garage door opener, and a few other things. $8 Amazon

Accessories are a tight fit on the short handlebar 

At the house, before the upgrades and new accessories, getting ready to go for a ride around Wheatland. I just used a small backpack hooked to the handlebars to hold my junk.

Useful things I already had which are now part of the scooter experience

1. Semi firm dog carrier that fits perfectly in the basket to carry Honey. It’s wedged in there pretty tight, but I added a bungee cord for peace of mind.

UPDATE: I removed the back basket and used the hardware to secure Honey’s carrier straight to the back bike rack. It lightens the load as well as puts her more level for the ride.

2. Helmet. (I don’t always wear it, especially if I’m riding around home and going really slow) Note: CA law no longer requires one for adults and I don’t wear one any more 

Things I purchased to make it better

3. Bike tire pump

4. Bike locks.

5. Front basket. Mostly for picking up small items at the store. The hardware that came with basket put it at an awkward angle, but without it, it banged around too much. Simple fix, bolts, sponge for cushion and a zip tie.

When the scooter was in its original state, I took it downtown and rode it around, from the Ferry Building to Chinatown to Pier 39 and a few other places – until the battery light went to low. I got about 8-9 miles of run time, which included a few hills.

According to my favorite You-tuber on the scooter, Alcee, the upgrades will allow for speeds up to 25 mph, or about 25 miles distance with about a 3 hour run time in lower speeds. I carry a lot more extras, resulting in more weight on my scooter than he does, so we shall see. At the current price of gas in California, I’m sure I’ll recoup the cost of the scooter in just a few days! 😂

After tax and with free shipping, it was about $380 from Amazon. Walmart has it for the same price. The upgrades came to $370, bringing the total price for the scooter to $750

The accessories I listed above ran around $80 total

I don’t have a price total for the things I already had and put to use for the scooter, but I’d imagine the total for all that stuff was less than $100

Update on upgrades

The upgrades did indeed increase the run time. (As well as access to higher speeds, but that was not my goal)

The voltage meter shows 40-41 when fully charged, and it kicks into low at about 33-34 volts

After a few rides of an hour or more, and doing the math, it appears I should be able to easily get 3+ hours of runtime on one complete charge.

I can’t picture a circumstance where I’d ride this scooter for 3 hours, non-stop, but it’s nice to know I can.

More Updates January 2019

As of January 1, in California – you can take these on roads that have speed limits up to 35 mph and a helmet is not required for an adult. They still do not have to be registered, however you still need a valid driver’s license to legally operate one on a public roadway. They are not to be ridden on sidewalks.

I have now ridden this scooter for over 3 consecutive hours playing Pokémon Go. How long the batteries last is directly related to the speed you are going and how level/hilly your route is.

Honey still loves it and prefers it over the car.

 

Just another Update –  May  2019

 

Strapped to the back of the RV for a recent cross country trip. I stored the seat that has Honey’s carrier attached to an outside closet to make it easier to strap down.

 

I also was worried about the wind and wear and tear on the seat and the carrier. With the bike seat clamp, it’s an easy off and easy on task.

Honey enjoying our ride in Little Rock, Arkansas. Perfect for short trips to the store, sightseeing, etc. – without having to unhook. 

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You will notice that I now carry one of the green bikes bags on the deck. It holds a charger, a tire pressure gauge, and a few tools – as well as the bike clamp when the seat is off – so I don’t lose it. I used Velcro on the bottom of the bag to keep it stable when riding.

I keep the seat all the way down because I’m only 5 feet tall, but it is easily raised for someone taller. I’d like to add that there was nothing wrong with this scooter as it arrived, I did the upgrades and added the accessories to make it more “mine”. Even tho it has a keyed start now, if I go into a store for a few minutes, I typically lock it with a bike lock. It’s lightweight enough for someone to just pick it up and chuck it into the back of a truck.

My Old Ride

Before this I tried a Honda Metropolitan 49cc gas scooter that I picked up in Arkansas and put on the back of our RV. I love it and it is cute, but in CA, it has to be licensed and registered and you even have to have a motorcycle license to operate it in CA. It is also much heavier and not as easy for me to manage by myself when loading it onto the RV. It hasn’t moved from the garage since I got the Razor. I see it going up for sale in the near future.

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