So my big day had finally come. My motorcycles road test at the RMV in Watertown, MA. Due to the economy, the state closed more of the RMVs so only a few survive. This means the closest one to me was 16.8 miles away. Did someone say, "range anxiety"?

I carefully planned out the trip and accounted for speed, temperature, traffic - the works. I figured I could make it there an back. I was wrong.

Just about 3 miles from home on the return trip I had 6 bars - about 1/4 of a "tank". I was feeling confident. Then, without warning, the battery light comes on and it kicks in to conservation mode (top speed 35mph - people behind me were pissed!) I figured, "Ok, I was expecting this, just not so soon. I only have 3 miles to go." But to my surprise, about 2 minutes later, I went from 6 bars to ZERO and started putting along -- still with over 2 miles to go.

I pulled into a country club and rode up to the golf cart shack (which was nicer than my house, by the way). The kind folks there allowed me to plug in.

I plugged in for exactly 30 minutes, which gave me 3 bars back. I made it home just fine and surprisingly, with those 3 bars the scooter rode in regular mode - at full speed! No conservation mode.

The Vectrix dealer did tell me this might happen -- the scooter has to "learn" what zero is before it can accurately display the battery status. I really hope this is a one time thing, because displaying 14 miles left then dropping to 0 a second later really sucks big time!

(In case any of you are wondering, I did pass the state test and I can now legally give people rides and ride after dark. I feel like a grown up!)

Do you have any Vectrix stories? Do share!

Bo,

WOW Someone else is also having range and or battery issues...I feel for you, I really do...You may want to take a look at this blog on V is for voltage forums, it is clear that We are not the only ones in a quagmire with this product.

http://visforvoltage.org/forum/3462-vectrix-warranty-voided

I hope this may shed some more wisdom for those Potential buyers and exhisting customers on what to expect from Vectrix

that range is the normal range of a normal conditions vectrix.

is the equivalent to 50 kilometers or little more in normal use and is what my brother normally do. my brother is owner of a Vx-1 from one year and is quite sactified of the performance...a little less of the range bc the company declare 100 km at cunstant speed but is really impossible to do... maybe if u go down from a hill after gain the top with an helicopter. i guess the just one way for increase the range by now is one methanol fuel cell bag called EFOY . but for the most powerful of it need to calculate to add 4800 euro for buy it. but the range will be more than 300 km with 10 liter of fuel

R-Martin Scooter:

Have we seen this one?

http://www.electricbikedistributor.com/evd-electric-motorcycle.html

Looks smaller than the Vectrix, but similar in many ways.

$1999 for lead acid

$4999 for Li-Ion.

i already seen this chinese product with other 15 marks here in europe. is derivated by a gasoline product of 150 c.c. and is totally made in china except probably the battery and the bms because every company fit one different. the level of the product is absolutely not paragonable to a vectrix. i seen that with my eyes... fork , brake , weight distribution and engine tecnology is totally different. this product is not BORN electric.

HI

Also a newbie.

Much the same thing happened to me the day after I bought a 2nd user Vectrix with 320 miles on the clock (30 Jul 2010). Said it had about 24 miles left on the charge, but it suddenly dropped to 3 then Zero with the red battery light showing. I was about 8 miles from home with lots of hills in between. It seemed to go on OK with no real problems until I got to about 2 miles from home & then went into "slow mode" But I made it OK. It's lost some of my trust!   

Anyone know what the figure is on the speedometer when charging "CP 152" & what the figures on the left hand side LED when charging? Also what is the speedometer doing when you put the bike into engine cut out switch on & pull the left break lever.

Also any figured how to turn the headlights off. Light sensor has no effect!

Thanks

DesG