X-Treme Electric Motorcycle - XM 3500 LI
How cool is this? It's an electric motorcycle (souped up moped) that we bought in answer to the high price of gas on Maui. It has a lithium battery which means you don't have to completely discharge it each time for maximum performance. It has a nifty little battery charger that just plugs into any outlet to top up the battery.
You might ask, what's the point, if your utility bill goes up instead? Not so in our case. Being off-grid, our electric is generated from the sun and wind and we often have excess power when our battery bank is fully charged. Why not charge up a vehicle too? You mainland people should be able to charge one up for pretty cheap and it might be worthwhile to think about. Even if your gas is cheap, it's nice to know you're not burning fossil fuels and stinking up the air. That's the best part - this thing emits no fumes.
It's very quiet, which means you have to be extra careful driving, as kids and pets don't hear you coming. I took it for a test drive on the property and it was easy to handle but I was a little heavy on the throttle and almost dumped it... hee hee. I need to work on that. Two people can ride, it will carry 400 pounds. There's a compartment under the seat that holds a bag of groceries, (or the battery charger for long trips).
They are made in China - so don't chew on the body parts if you know what's good for you. The shipping to Maui was about $500, which made the cost about $4,500 delivered.
My hubby drives it. We haven't yet tested the full range of distance and speed, as we're waiting to get it road worthy - you know all that legal stuff. But for short trips around home it works great. Also for just getting around the property, it beats having to take the pickup truck everywhere. Since we don't have freeways here, and there aren't many roads where you can actually drive 55 mph, it could be a practical alternative to a gas powered car or truck. More updates to come, if I survive.
Aloha from Haiku Maui - Georgina M. Hunter R(S) e-Pro - 808 283-0635 - www.EastMaui.com
How cool is that! I am scared to death of riding on a motorcycle or moped, so afraid I am going to tip it over! It looks great! I love the independance feeling of self sufficiency and I think it is really cool that you are off the grid. WOW, I want to move in.
Georgina - You look good on your hubby's new ride... Can't wait to hear about your adventures.
Georgina - that is awesome, and what a great way to travel around. I have thought about getting an electric car (it is kind of like a souped up golf cart - all open - but street legal) but there is a lot of traffic here.
That looks great! Not sure it would work around here with all the traffic. I would be too intimidated to drive, but hubby would love it.
Hunter-You look like a regular hells angel.
Katerina - I'm a little nervous about taking it on the road too.
Debbie - I love your flamingo!
Sharon - an electric car would be cool, as long as you don't have to go really fast or far.
Heather - I think there would be good places to use one, especially if you lived in a city.
Pete - yeah I'm tuff, so watch out!
Georgina, Driving your electric motorcycle or just a motorcycle is too cool! It doesn't look as though you can get the traditional motorcycle burn on your inner calf. I can't wait to get to Maui to meet you and let you take me for a ride, OK?
a. I would love one of those, and b. I would really love to live in Hawaii!!
Put a helmet on :-)
Leolinda - right! there's no hot exhaust pipe - no stink and no noise
Allen - so what are you waiting for?
Billy - I will, especially after the latest traffic fatality news here on Maui
Georgina, you look GREAT on there. What a fabulous idea and when the street gets backed up like we know it does, you can just zoom along. Very smart investment! Where's your helmet?????
Gena - we only just got the thing street legal yesterday... that's how long it took dealing with the DMV at Maui County!
I had heard about these when Castro handed power over to his brother. They are apparently a hot little item in Cuba now.
I guess it would be the perfect mode of transport for an island but I am going to have to admire this one from afar. I would be frozen solid before I even made it to a paved road.
It suits you well.
Sabrina - I have to admit I have not driven it much - too busy running the roads in my Honda.