ESR750 Three Months Later.

[gilgsn]

I bought an ESR 750 three months ago, and thought some might be interested in my experience. First, let me say that I am 40, and did not get it for fun, but for transportation. I have been riding it practically every day ever since.

The day I received the box, I was happy to see that it was fully assembled and ready to go. There was enough battery charge for a quick test ride. The scooter is well built and feels very solid. I was surprised by the acceleration and speed for my weight (210Lbs). After a couple of hours charging, I took it for a ride to my favorite coffee shop. U.S. 41 has some bad sidewalks, but the big tires do absorb shocks pretty well. Keep your knees slightly bent, and your legs will do the rest. I went over some unexpected bumps that I thought would have me flying, but I was able to keep control. One thing that definitely helps is to relax while riding. When I go over speed bumps, I lift my heels slightly for more shock absorbing.

When I plugged-in at the coffee shop, the lights started blinking, indicating a charge, but later stopped. The built-in charger had fried! I got a replacement quickly from Patmont, but it was frustrating to have to wait. No problem since then, other than a flat tire, which was easy to fix. Keep a spare tube handy, it will save you some annoyances.

I get maybe 6 miles out of a charge, but I am heavy and carry a 20Lbs backpack most of the time with my laptop and other work items. Usually I ride 3-4 miles to my destination, plug it in there, then go back. Most of my riding is in econo mode, probably 70% to 30% in turbo. 20mph is quite fast on a small board like this; I have no need for more speed.

In three months of use, on roads and sidewalks, I never heard anyone complain, even in busy downtown with lots of cars and pedestrians. I have passed many police officers in their cars or on foot, without ever being stopped. I get curious looks, sometimes questions, but it is always positive. This is due I believe to the absence of noise, and because I do slow down to a walking pace when approaching people. Some have tried to catch-up with me on bicycles, for fun, but they get tired way before I do ;-) I also have LED blinking lights, back and front for night riding.

The ESR750 has been a great tool for my daily in-town commutes. If it was stolen, I would buy another one that same day. A few factory upgrades I would suggest would be to replace the three LEDs with an LCD, which would show the remaining charge in percents. Also a more secure way to attach the folded handle, and a spring loaded chain tension. What a bout a 12v outlet to recharge my cell phone, ipod, laptop from the Goped batteries? The board could be a solar panel instead of wood, that could be an option (wood looks great).. I wonder if it would be enough to get a useable boost in a few hours. In my opinion, the electronics could be better protected against moisture (closed box?).

My best advise: Relax. Do not turn the handlebars briskly, rather lean to turn.
Practice looking back without changing course. When you lift your Goped, make sure the strap won't slide off the hook, and keep your back straight.
Buy spares, an extra tube, maybe a tire, and a chain. Lube the chain often.
It is a very low maintenance machine; no oil to mix with gas, no trouble, well worth the price.

One question: Does the extended range kit raise the deck?

Sincerely,

Gil.

[bigfoot_cruzr]

yes

[bigfoot 617]

Hey you live ver close to me, gilgsn, I live in northwest bradenton, good luck with your esr:iroc:

[gilgsn]

yes
How much? I'm 6'2'', too much raising would put the handles too low...
Arent's there lead batteries of the same size as the original ESR, but with a little bit more capacity?

Gil.

[Mojo]

Great review Gil!

[TimPatmont]

How much? I'm 6'2'', too much raising would put the handles too low...
Arent's there lead batteries of the same size as the original ESR, but with a little bit more capacity?

Gil.

The extended range kit will raise the deck by 1" (equilavent of shortening the handlebars by 1"). It will give you about 50% more range which is substantial. You should definitely consider this upgrade, especially when the time comes when you need new batteries (about 200 cycles or so, depending on how hard they are used).

I love my ESRs, no noise and all the fun of conventional Go-Pedding! It's a great feeling riding them around knowing you are not pissing anybody off and are doing your part to help the environment (no, I'm not a tree hugger, but do care).

[gilgsn]

Ah, 1'' is too much for me... I guess I'll just wait for better, smaller affordable batteries. The range is good enough for 80% of my use. Only once in a while I need the EX range. I once stopped at a pizza place for a quick charge and a slice.. I asked if I could plug-in, the guy first said no, but then acepted "just 5 mins" he said, but I took my sweet time and later just made it to my destination. By the way, the ESR gets a lot of attention when I go see my friends at the general aviation terminal, where pilots wish they had one they could take in their plane to go eat outside the airport. I don't think the FAA woud approve of a gas powered goped in a small jet or piston aircraft. Maybe Goped should advertise in an aviation magazine. Or on planenews.com (hey, that's my site! ;-). A faster charge time would be nice.. Oh, and I forgot, some kind of a key ot electronic switch. If someone took-off with my ESR, and it only takes a few seconds, there is no way I'd catch up on foot!
Gil.

[TimPatmont]

Ah, 1'' is too much for me... I guess I'll just wait for better, smaller affordable batteries. The range is good enough for 80% of my use. Only once in a while I need the EX range. I once stopped at a pizza place for a quick charge and a slice.. I asked if I could plug-in, the guy first said no, but then acepted "just 5 mins" he said, but I took my sweet time and later just made it to my destination. By the way, the ESR gets a lot of attention when I go see my friends at the general aviation terminal, where pilots wish they had one they could take in their plane to go eat outside the airport. I don't think the FAA woud approve of a gas powered goped in a small jet or piston aircraft. Maybe Goped should advertise in an aviation magazine. Or on planenews.com (hey, that's my site! ;-). A faster charge time would be nice.. Oh, and I forgot, some kind of a key ot electronic switch. If someone took-off with my ESR, and it only takes a few seconds, there is no way I'd catch up on foot!
Gil.

That's all excellent feedback Gil, thank you and Happy Pedding!

:flagwave:

[Chumlee]

. I don't think the FAA woud approve of a gas powered goped in a small jet or piston aircraft. Maybe Goped should advertise in an aviation magazine. Or on planenews.com (hey, that's my site! ;-).

They use to advertise in the Robb Report and I believe du Pont registery. It might not have been PMW but it was someone who sold gopeds back when there was just the red and blue G2D sport.

[gilgsn]

They use to advertise in the Robb Report and I believe du Pont registery. It might not have been PMW but it was someone who sold gopeds back when there was just the red and blue G2D sport.
Hey, maybe I should be a dealer...

[Chumlee]

Hey, maybe I should be a dealer...

Maybe.......

[Sheriff Jon]

Oh, and I forgot, some kind of a key ot electronic switch. If someone took-off with my ESR, and it only takes a few seconds, there is no way I'd catch up on foot!
Gil.

I have often thought the same thing, as any Schmuck could easily just ride away with an ESR.

I had this keyed switch installed on one of my scooters along with the kill switch, and it worked great. I was going to try and figure a way to mount it to my ESR, but I am kind of a klutz when it comes to electrical stuff. But something like it shouldn't be too hard to incorporate into the next gen ESR ;) ;) (hint hint)

[Chumlee]

SJ, that would be cake to install.

Cut the ignition wire, wire it up, drill a hole in the deck for that key switch to go into.

[Sheriff Jon]

SJ, that would be cake to install.

Cut the ignition wire, wire it up, drill a hole in the deck for that key switch to go into.

Thanks for the suggestion Fast40, but a deck install is not really my style. I was going to incorporate it into the stock 2ed gen Combo switch for a clean look, but unfortunatly I have a 1st gen ESR and the Combo switches are not interchangable. Then I was going to just try and put it into the separate ON/OFF switch, but I lost the key. I have since made a new key, but have never gotten around to trying to install it.

[Chumlee]

Thanks for the suggestion Fast40, but a deck install is not really my style. I was going to incorporate it into the stock 2ed gen Combo switch for a clean look, but unfortunatly I have a 1st gen ESR and the Combo switches are not interchangable. Then I was going to just try and put it into the separate ON/OFF switch, but I lost the key. I have since made a new key, but have never gotten around to trying to install it.

But think how dumb someone would feel if they tried to steal it and got fumbled up by the switch that was on the deck. That would be quite funny.

Or you could mount it to the side of the frame/box for a cool flush mount.

[ILOVEJENNY]

Sheriff thats a pretty good idea about the Key, I dont know why PMW doesnt come up with something similiar, since this is one of there main commuter Peds.

[Sheriff Jon]

Sheriff thats a pretty good idea about the Key, I dont know why PMW doesnt come up with something similiar, since this is one of there main commuter Peds.


;) That is why I put up the pic ;) I paid about $10 for the switch, and that was retail, so it wouldn't add too much at all to the initial cost if GoPed included it or something like it in the....next design.

[ifishcat]

Oh, and I forgot, some kind of a key ot electronic switch. If someone took-off with my ESR, and it only takes a few seconds, there is no way I'd catch up on foot!
Gil.

Like you, I'm a new owner of the esr750 (cept that its the sport model) and read with interest your observations. In my appication/usage, I use the esr to building hop on the college campus I work at, delivering documents. One of the luxuries is that I get to roll directly into the building and the ped is rarely left unattended.

In addition to the possibility of a hidden on/off and/or key switch, I would very much like to have a loop welded onto the ped's frame, where I could thread a padlock through, allowing me to bolt to a nearby railing.

nice review, thank you for sharing,
-j

[Dragonfire]

they had keys on the hoverboard and stil have the "go-key" as reserved somethang... it would also help in the sales as you could hand over keys withthe vehicle- makes an impression to teenagers as i believe and adds on use in general

[mr. bits]

The extended range kit will raise the deck by 1" (equilavent of shortening the handlebars by 1"). It will give you about 50% more range which is substantial. You should definitely consider this upgrade, especially when the time comes when you need new batteries (about 200 cycles or so, depending on how hard they are used).

I love my ESRs, no noise and all the fun of conventional Go-Pedding! It's a great feeling riding them around knowing you are not pissing anybody off and are doing your part to help the environment (no, I'm not a tree hugger, but do care).

I completely agree Tim. that is why i should be seeing a beautiful black ESR 750 EX at my door step, here in Ardmore PA. any day now! (my brother in law scott ordered it from GetaPed, last wednesday, and they said it would ship direct from you guys.)

I can't wait!!! one of the best things about the ESR for me, is the fact that i only weigh about 130lbs! this means i can decrease slightly the size of my rear sprocket, and still have great acceleration, but a little more top end, should i decide it ever needs it. i have to say, that picture sheriff put up of his friends black ESR, recently, is probably one of the most classy rides i have ever seen. (and that includes ANY form or transportation, existing)

[mr. bits]

The extended range kit will raise the deck by 1" (equilavent of shortening the handlebars by 1"). It will give you about 50% more range which is substantial. You should definitely consider this upgrade, especially when the time comes when you need new batteries (about 200 cycles or so, depending on how hard they are used).

I love my ESRs, no noise and all the fun of conventional Go-Pedding! It's a great feeling riding them around knowing you are not pissing anybody off and are doing your part to help the environment (no, I'm not a tree hugger, but do care).

I completely agree Tim. that is why i should be seeing a beautiful black ESR 750 EX at my door step, here in Ardmore PA. any day now! (my brother in law scott ordered it from GetaPed, last wednesday, and they said it would ship direct from you guys.)

I can't wait!!! one of the best things about the ESR for me, is the fact that i only weigh about 130lbs! this means i can decrease slightly the size of my rear sprocket, and still have great acceleration, but a little more top end, should i decide it ever needs it. i have to say, that picture sheriff put up of his friends black ESR, recently, is probably one of the most classy rides i have ever seen. (and that includes ANY form or transportation, existing)

I believe electricity is our future. the sooner we prepare, the better.

mr. bits

[TimPatmont]

I completely agree Tim. that is why i should be seeing a beautiful black ESR 750 EX at my door step, here in Ardmore PA. any day now! (my brother in law scott ordered it from GetaPed, last wednesday, and they said it would ship direct from you guys.)

I can't wait!!! one of the best things about the ESR for me, is the fact that i only weigh about 130lbs! this means i can decrease slightly the size of my rear sprocket, and still have great acceleration, but a little more top end, should i decide it ever needs it. i have to say, that picture sheriff put up of his friends black ESR, recently, is probably one of the most classy rides i have ever seen. (and that includes ANY form or transportation, existing)

I believe electricity is our future. the sooner we prepare, the better.

mr. bits

Yes, with your weight you should easily be able to gear it up taller by doing what you said. The ESR is geared for optimal efficiency, so if you don't mind sacrificing a little range, gear it taller. The motor will pull it and you will go faster!

[mr. bits]

Yes, with your weight you should easily be able to gear it up taller by doing what you said. The ESR is geared for optimal efficiency, so if you don't mind sacrificing a little range, gear it taller. The motor will pull it and you will go faster!


awsome mr. Patmont, i was figuring it was the way to go. lets see when i get the ped here, and have a couple rides.

thanks for the feedback man!