Frequently asked Questions
1. What is the range of fully charged
MOTORINO™ scooter?The range is affected
by the load on the bike, the type of terrain
and the skill of the rider. The scooters can
hold two battery packs:
a) With the basic battery pack the range
is 70 km up to 120 km on duel batteries on flat pavement with a load of 170lbs;
b) Effective use of the regenerative braking system can extend the range by 15%
2. What is the top speed of a MOTORINO™ scooter?
Most MOTORINO scooters are classified as bicycles in Canada and as such we must use an electronic governor to limit the speed to 32kph
3. How is riding a MOTORINO™ electric scooter different from riding a gas bike?
We believe an electric scooter is immensely more comfortable than a gas bike:
a) It is absolutely quiet;
b) It has no clutch, power comes on smoothly and quickly – 0 to 30km/hr in 4 seconds; c) It has no exhaust, electric vehicles reduce and centralize carbon emissions;
d) It has a lower center of gravity, the heaviest components- batteries and motor- are mounted very low in the frame, making the bike easier to manage than a regular bicycle;
4. What inclines can the MOTORINO™ scooter handle?
The MOTORINO™ electric scooters with 500W CCT™ driving system can handle hills of 21-25 degrees with the same load.
5. What are the pedals for? Do I need to start the scooter by pedaling?
You don’t need to start the scooter by pedaling. The MOTORINO™ motor is powerful enough to accelerate the bike, even on steep terrain. The pedals are necessary to qualify the scooter as a bicycle; freeing it from licensing restriction and insurance and parking fees.
6. What maintenance is required?
The MOTORINO™ electric scooter is designed to be maintenance free. Consider the fact that this scooter has no combustion engine, no transmission, no belts, no clutch, no spark plugs, no carburetor, and uses no gasoline and no lubricants- it requires almost no maintenance; however we recommend lubing the chain every 2-3 weeks depending on usage. The diligent owner will ensure the tires are properly inflated, the battery is kept charged, the brakes are well tensioned, and that the nuts securing the rear axle are tight. Modular components are maintenance free. Our new motors and controllers are more robust than previous MOTORINO generations, and are supremely more durable than other LEV drive systems. The most common technical problem are flat tires; easily repaired with the tubeless repair kit included with the bike or dealer can install.
7. How do I get parts for my MOTORINO™ scooter?
Expendable parts like tires, tubes, bulbs, etc. can be found in just about any regular bike store. For components specific to our machines you will find a detailed parts list on our website. We carry all parts to service our new models, and can order parts for older bikes. MOTORINO® scooters are covered by a one year warranty, two years for the motor and six months for the battery (warranty policy may vary, please check with your local supplier). You can buy extended warranty at E-ride/Playhard Niagara (Ask How)
8. How do I charge the battery?
The battery charges when it is plugged into any common 110V wall
outlet. The battery can be left in the bike, and the charger connected to a plug below the seat (Some Models)- or the battery can be removed from the bike, brought indoors and charged directly. The battery doesn’t suffer from memory and can be charged from any state. For longer battery life it must be plugged in after every ride. You can charge the battery overnight as there is almost no danger of overcharging. When the battery is at capacity the charger switches off.
9. How long will the batteries last? What is the battery life cycle? What is the battery replacement price?
The battery is a series of four lead acid cells and is good for 300-400 charge cycles. This will last the regular rider for 1.5-2 years. However if you do not deep cycle the battery and employ a desulphator you can double the number of cycles and extend the battery life to 2-3 years or more (Must be used from time of purchase). The replacement cost of the basic 20AH battery pack is $300.00 and the second 14AH battery is $200.00.
10. How can I know my consumption, battery condition and energy level?
The MOTORINO® scooters dashboard has an indicator showing at any time the consumption current and the current you are generating while breaking. Another indicator shows the percentage of the energy left in the battery.
11. How much power does the bike consume? How much will it increase my utility bill?
Charging the dual battery setup consumes 1.2 Kilowatt-hours; electricity costs $0.06 per KWH which means that fully charging the bike from empty costs on average 12-15 cents.
12. If I have two batteries do I need to carry them all the time?
Sometimes storage space takes priority over range. The second battery can be easily removed to clear space for cargo. However, before plugging the second battery back in; make sure both battery packs are fully charged. Using two batteries increases range, prolongs battery life and reduces power sagging on steep hills under heavy load.
13. If one of the batteries has a problem do I need to replace them all?
Not necessarily. If the batteries are relatively new it is most likely a single defective cell. Simply ask your dealer to load test the cells and only replace the ones which are underperforming.
14. Can I use the scooter in rain? Can I clean it with water without any concern?
The electric system is insulated and the motor is completely sealed. Riding any vehicle in poor weather carries risk but the unique drive system on our bikes do not make them any more susceptible to rain. In fact MOTORINO™ scooters are operated in a rain simulation cell to test for water resistance.
15. What are the advantages of having an electric scooter?
a) Freedom- it is classified as a bicycle, it can be ridden on roads or bike paths and can be parked on sidewalks, eminently practical for commuting downtown;
b) Economical – you don’t pay for parking, insurance, driver’s license, gas, maintenance, costs only pennies to charge. As a replacement for your car it pays for itself in 4 months;
c) Safer than a bike – built on a motorcycle frame the scooters have all safety features of a gas motorcycle. From our customer’s experience car drivers give scooter riders more respect and space than regular bicycles, scooters are also more visible;
d) Quiet – no engine or transmission noise. It is completely silent;
e) Environmental – it is more environmental than using the bus. Charging the bike overnight uses idle nighttime energy. Harmful materials in the batteries are recycled and there are no emissions;
f) It is a lot of fun – you will believe it when you try it.
16. Who would benefit from an electric scooter?
a) People who want to avoid heavy traffic. Our scooters are classified as power assisted bicycles and can cut through congestion and advance to the intersection at red lights;
b) People who commute downtown. All MOTORINO™ scooters can be legally parked on the sidewalk, many people waste thousands of dollars and hours of their lives looking for parking or stuck in rush hour traffic;
c) People who can’t hold drivers licenses. Just because the government sees fit to deny your license, doesn’t mean you don’t have places to go;
d) People who want to affect positive environmental change. Carbon emissions are the primary driver of global warming, every 25 kilometers ridden on an LEV is another gallon of gas left unburned.
e) Anyone whose daily commute is less than 70km. Admittedly our LEVs are not for everyone, they can only meet the needs of 95% of the urban public
