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Home About Products XM-3000 XM-3500 Order Contact |
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Revolution EV, LLC (734) 649-8356 |
BACK ORDERED - NEXT SHIPMENT EXPECTED LATE SEPTEMBER
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long do the batteries last?The batteries should last anywhere between 1000 and 2000 cycles. That's a large range - but see the information about BMS below.How much does it cost to replace the batteries?Current price, as of August 2008, is $68 per cell - for 20 cells that's $1,360.What does "unconfirmed" mean?As of this writing I do not yet have an independent verification of top speed. The indicated top speed is 55mph, however the speedo is innacurate, the question is by how much? The same applies to range. I have personally ridden my XM-3500Li for an indicated 77 kilometers (48 miles) cruising at indicated speeds of 50+ mph. When I get independently verified top speed and range info I will post them.What no BMS?Like it's little brother, the XM-3000, this bike does not have a Battery Management System. This means that the cells are not performing to their fullest capacity and won't last as long. However, LiFePO4 batteries will still last a lot longer than their lead acid counterparts. There are several BMS systems on the market - we're currently working on finding one that we think represents good value for money. The cells are still covered by the 2 year warranty.What no Regen?Also like the XM-3000 this bike doesn't have regnerative braking (regen). The main purpose of regen is to extend range by using the motor as a generator during braking. However, when implementing regen on a bike the size of the XM range the amount of energy recovered is insignificant and does not extend range by a noticable amount.What is the quality / reliability of these bikes?These bikes have, what I would call, adequate quality. They are entry level bikes manufactured in China. These are not Japanese quality bikes like Honda or Yamaha - but Honda et al. don't make an all electric bike. An all electric bike is fundamentally simpler than a gas powered bike - there are less moving parts, and thus less to go wrong. You're most likely to find issues in the first couple of hundred kilometers, but once those issues are addressed the bikes should require very little maintenance compared to their gas counterparts. These bikes make good commuters and the quality is comparable to the competition. I have over 500 kilometers on my XM-3500Li (in a little over 2 weeks of use) What is the ownership experience like?The first thing to bear in mind is that you are buying these bikes direct, not through a typical bricks and mortar operation. This means that you will be the first person to see the bike since it was packed in the factory. At the very least you will need to uncrate the bike, charge the batteries and do a pre-ride inspection. There's no asssembly required (aside from afixing rearview mirrors). You might also need to replace panels damaged during shipping - these are provided under warranty, however, you need to arrange to have them delivered and also to fit them. Another aspect to consider is that by buying an EV (any EV) at this point in time you're an "early adopter" of this relatively new technology (OK, it's old technology, but packaged in a new way). Are you ready and prepared to deal with some unexpected issues that may arise? Are you ready to do some hands on changing parts (with provided instructions)? If not, you may want to wait a while. How do I get this bike licensed and insured?After your bike arrives you need to contact the importer (X-Treme Scooters) and tell them the VIN of your bike. They will then issue a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin (MCO). With a VIN you can contact your insurance agent and ask for a cycle policy. Some will want to know the CC, at this point explain it's an electric bike with a power output approximately equivalent to a 150cc motor scooter. I had no trouble insuring my bike with State Farm, others have mentioned Geiko and Progressive as possibilities. When you have insurance and the MCO take these documents along with your bill of sale to your local DMV or Secretary of State office. You will need to apply for a motorcycle license plate and title. They will keep the MCO and issue you a title. Again, they may want to know the CC - the best approach I've found is to explain it's electric but equivalent to about a 150cc motor scooter. I had no problem getting title and a plate in Michigan. | ||||
