Looking For Ideas - May Give Up

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Boaty, I see a throttle on that bike. Are you sure you have the controller setup right? There's usually a pedal assist only mode and a power by throttle mode and you can also pedal assist while operating the throttle.

The Twist Power Assist is to help from standing start or quick boost of speed for overtaking or something however it does not mean you can stop pedalling.


This is the official blurb..
How the twist grip works

The twist grip (twist power assist) is located on the right side of the handlebar and can be used, with a twist of the grip, to propel the bike forward witout pedaling up to 6km/h.

The twist power assist is engaged by slowly and carefully rotating it toward the rider at different increments. The more you twist, the more powerful the twist power assist. Once the twist power assist is released or the brakes are applied, the power assistance from the motor is cut off and the twist power assist can no longer propel the bike forward. Always keep one hand on the brake lever and be prepared to squeeze the lever to disengage the twist power assist if needed, or turn off the bike to prevent accidentally engaging the twist grip.

[Sand crab]

Boaty, I think they set that up as a Class 1 bike which is a Euro thing. You might still be able to defeat that through the controller or a hack. FWIW Mine was set for 20 mph but you can reset the controller for 28 mph. My new setup will do 35 mph or maybe faster which is technically illegal for a bike in the US unless you license it as a motorcycle.
OK so back to Chotu and his issues.

[Buzzman]

The pedal-assist e-bikes (i.e can't get any assistance unless you pedal) was I think originally a Japanese invention/policy adoption that then got picked up in the EU, Australia, NZ and pretty much anywhere except America.

In Oz, the rules differ from State to State so, in NSW for example, electric scooters are illegal, but in QLD they are legal. Daft.


In NSW we have two different types of 'permitted' e-bikes. Motor size of 250W *must* be peddle-assist, without pedal-assist you are limited to 200W. Both are limited to 25km/h under electric assistance.

I live in a hilly area and even the 250W p-a is not enough to haul my lard arse up a couple of the steeper hills.

It would make much more sense to allow more powerful motors, but simply limit speed under electric only. But we got what we got.

Alas, we also don't get NEVs, which the US has mandated and which some US States have adopted. These are like the golf cart style thing that are limited to roads marked less than 35mph, but must have brakes, indicators and wipers..and I think seat belts, but don't quote me on that.

The NEV category could be a huge gamechanger for short and local commutes (shops, schools, old folks getting around) because they would take a gas-guzzler off the road and are CHEAP, so pretty much everyone could afford one. I mean cheap relative to a purpose built, on-highway EV.

In Oz, they start at AU$43K for the MG ZEV. The Nissan Leaf is about AU$50K.

It's no wonder people like me aren't interested, when a 15-yr-old Corolla is around $5K. You can buy a SHED load of offsets with the $40K difference....

For this reason, ICE cars will be around till well past the middle of the century, most probably, with a diminishing fleet over time, as older ICE vehicles are exchanged/purchased to replace them.

So my Corolla will well and truly see me out, and not replacing it will not generate waste, use finite raw materials, or create any more pollution than the already miniscule emissions, lubricants and tyres (which EVs still need anyway).

I have actually calculated that my emissions footprint will be lower if I keep the Corolla. It currently has 175K km on the clock, and the 4A FE engines are robust and unstressed, good for 500K km. So at my present rate of around 10K km p.a. it oughta be good for at least another 32 years....and by then, if I'm still around, I oughta be only thinking about driving a mobility scooter..!

The emissions savings from NOT buying a new car every ten years (as the majority of folks do) could mean my Corolla may end up being a negative carbon producer, via saved emissions. Arguably...

[JC Reefer]

Originally Posted by Buzzman

The pedal-assist e-bikes (i.e can't get any assistance unless you pedal) was I think originally a Japanese invention/policy adoption that then got picked up in the EU, Australia, NZ and pretty much anywhere except America.

In Oz, the rules differ from State to State so, in NSW for example, electric scooters are illegal, but in QLD they are legal. Daft.


In NSW we have two different types of 'permitted' e-bikes. Motor size of 250W *must* be peddle-assist, without pedal-assist you are limited to 200W. Both are limited to 25km/h under electric assistance.

I live in a hilly area and even the 250W p-a is not enough to haul my lard arse up a couple of the steeper hills.

It would make much more sense to allow more powerful motors, but simply limit speed under electric only. But we got what we got.

Alas, we also don't get NEVs, which the US has mandated and which some US States have adopted. These are like the golf cart style thing that are limited to roads marked less than 35mph, but must have brakes, indicators and wipers..and I think seat belts, but don't quote me on that.
..

Out here in the US I’m riding an ebike that is pedal assist and tops out at 29 mph… She has a range of 20 miles on a 500 watt hub motor.

Definitely feels like a scooter, but no insurance, lights or registration needed.

[Buzzman]

JC - going quietly green with envy. Pretty much exactly what I want but am 'not allowed' to have.


Am contemplating puttign a 500W hub motor on tjhe rear, and a 200W non-pedal-assist hub on the front, and having a 'lockable switch' that I can show the LEO's to 'prove' I'm only using the 200W on the road.

Apparently offroad I can do what I like!

Am trying to work out a devious electric override switch that would enable me to flick a switch and then 'appear' to be 'locked' in 200W mode.

Or rather, I'm hoping someone else, with some elctrical skills, will invent one....

[PirateFoxy]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Many casinos also offer free overnight parking for RVs.

Warning thread drift!!!!!! I mentioned my ebike early on in this thread. I decided that it's not quite right for me because it's just too big and they only make one size in that model so have decided to sell it. I will convert bicylcle to an ebike with a more powerful motor and battery. It will go faster and further than my current one and it's also lighter. The goods will be here Thursday. The OP might want to look at these.

Are there kits to do the conversion or are you putting it together yourself?

[goboatingnow]

I can think of nothing more depressing then overnighting in the car park of a supermarket or a casino , OMG.

I go on holiday to get away from supermarkets not stay at them !!

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

I can think of nothing more depressing then overnighting in the car park of a supermarket or a casino , OMG.

I go on holiday to get away from supermarkets not stay at them !!

No worries mate...we don't have "car parks" in the USA.

Actually, I agree with it in regards to Walmart camping. OK for just crashing for the night while trying to get quickly from A to B but not somewhere I want to hang out for the ambiance. Then again, I don't think we are talking about a weeks trip over the Christmas Holiday. When you are talking about months, eating out at restaurants all the time sounds better than it is, so you probably will hit the supermarket most weeks...just maybe not stay there overnight. (Do you never go to the supermarket when cruising on your boat for a few months?)

Casinos can be fun and we don't even gamble much. Likewise, we stayed in a marina in NYC (that had camping also) The RV side was basically a parking lot with power but it gave great access to the city for a fraction of the price of a hotel room and you get a kitchen & living room in addition to bedroom. This is pretty consistent to what we see in Europe near cities. Each country has different names for them but they are basically a place to park on the outskirts of the city but linked to transit.

[Chotu]

Just got back from nearly a week outside of cellular service.

Thank you for continuing the thread and thank you for all of the responses.

I’m out here thinking through it all.

[JPA Cate]

Take your time to feel your way along, Chotu. You'll be on an emotional roller coaster for a while, still.

Ann

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

No worries mate...we don't have "car parks" in the USA.



Actually, I agree with it in regards to Walmart camping. OK for just crashing for the night while trying to get quickly from A to B but not somewhere I want to hang out for the ambiance. Then again, I don't think we are talking about a weeks trip over the Christmas Holiday. When you are talking about months, eating out at restaurants all the time sounds better than it is, so you probably will hit the supermarket most weeks...just maybe not stay there overnight. (Do you never go to the supermarket when cruising on your boat for a few months?)



Casinos can be fun and we don't even gamble much. Likewise, we stayed in a marina in NYC (that had camping also) The RV side was basically a parking lot with power but it gave great access to the city for a fraction of the price of a hotel room and you get a kitchen & living room in addition to bedroom. This is pretty consistent to what we see in Europe near cities. Each country has different names for them but they are basically a place to park on the outskirts of the city but linked to transit.

As yes a car park disguised as a parking lot

Sure sure I go to supermarkets while cruising , typically in and out as quickly as possible , mostly I try to avoid them and use local stores, markets and green grocers etc

Mind you on some small islands a “ supermarket “ is a somewhat amusing concept.

Oh and anywhere I know where rigs can park up on the outskirts of a major city connected by transit system tend to sell everything by the hour !!

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Take your time to feel your way along, Chotu. You'll be on an emotional roller coaster for a while, still.

Ann

Wise words. Thank you.

I wanted to share one thing about the RV stuff that may be a misunderstanding. I’m not trying to see a lot of places quickly when thinking of the RV stuff.

I’m trying to have more time to spend in places. The 3 weeks it takes to cross the Atlantic on a boat is 3 weeks I could spend in the destination.

That’s what’s eating at me.

[Chotu]

Still flip flopping around.

I have determined I really can’t be tied to the shoreline only. One benefit of being out west in the Rockies right now is the absolute lack of mold. Wow!

Anyone care to thread drift a moment about getting a 300lbs motorcycle on/off a catamaran when it’s anchored?

Boat Ramps come to mind. But I don’t have a complete idea. Picturing a crane and a pontoon type thing to get it to the ramp to drive up.


Also picturing a never used motorcycle because that all sounds like a PITA

Maybe the ebikes are better for this, but that gets you about 30 miles from the boat? Still basically shoreside.


I’m also wondering what happens if they start really clamping down on emissions and I have a big RV.

All good for thought.

I think internationally, flying out is looking better and better.

[rslifkin]

Getting the motorcycle on and off would be easy enough anywhere with a concrete wall you could dock the boat at. You'd just be able to plop it down next to the boat and be good to go.

That doesn't cover going everywhere, but still quite a few places. And maybe also have something lighter for shorter range exploring in places where there's no spot to put the big bike ashore?

[JPA Cate]

The 3 weeks it takes to cross the Atlantic on a boat is 3 weeks I could spend in the destination.

This is so personal. Me, I love sunrise at sea. It begins with Venus rising, and all is still dark. Then, very gradually, it begins to lighten. Eventually it is light enough to discriminate colors in the cockpit, and within about a half hour after that, it is light. If it is clear, you'll get a rainbow of pre-dawn light. Within 200 n. mi. of shore, you may see land birds. Another day out, you'll see only sea birds. You can just take a deep breath and ease into the natural rhythm of the days. On our boat, pretty soon after sunrise, Jim gets up and has a morning coffee. And soon after that, my night watch is over and I go to sleep. If we're lucky enough to catch a fish, that will wake me, but mostly I sleep well. I just LOVE watching the earth come alive. If it's not your sort of thing, you wouldn't miss it. But if you've never done it, you don't know what you're missing, because it can be a sort of almost mystical pleasure. Not as high as coming unexpected upon the Southern Lights, but pretty darn good, at least for me.

And, of course, it is totally different from the many pleasures of land exploration.

Ann