Falconev.com and Scooters 2006-7

(Updated 10-29-06)

I tested the scooter below in Tallahassee, FL, as invited by FalconEV.com. Basic testing results below, and are accurate to the degree the GPS unit used was accurate. My "comments" at the end of this report contain my over all opinion about the ERATO scooters. Enjoy!

J.B

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The 1600 watt Scooter performed very similar to the EMAX sport without using the turbo.It doesn't accelerate that well with a heavy 237 lb rider. It has a little better top end than the EVT and Oxygen (Lepton), but doesn't accelerate nearly as well as the Oxygen and perhaps a tad slower than a EVT (Hard to say without side-by-side testing).

 

 Stock Speed: 30 mph (GPS)

I rode the 1600 watt scooter as hard as was possible around Tallahassee, Fl. I carried a camera and other gear which brought my rider weight up to 237 lbs! I jack rabbit started at every stop. I rode full throttle at all times. I went up dozens of long winding hills, as the local terrain had very few flat spots.

I wouldn't be surprise if riders weighing under 200 lbs on average terrain get 35+ miles range.

 Stock Range: 25 miles
   

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I did a GPS speed test on a 1.5 mile flat session of road and the scooter clearly could hold 36 mph with a loaded down me on it. The speedometer was off by about 10% high. On the 25/30 mph streets I had no problem at all. I got passed on the 35 and 45 mph streets, but I didn't feel too uncomfortable.

Acceleration wasn't good with my heavy weight, about equal to the E-MAX Sport "without" using the turbo.

 

 Stock Speed (237 lb Rider): 36 mph

The lighter rider almost reached 40 mph on the GPS. The scooter held its own on a 35 mph street in the right lane. Most cars were doing 45 mph.

 

 Stock Speed (180 lb Rider): 39 mph

The range of 2200 watt scooter was about the same as the 1600 watt scooter. The 2200 watt scooter achieved the same range with higher speed because of its larger 60v 38 ah battery pack. (Correction 10-19-06)

Stock Range (237 lb Rider): 25 miles
 

Comments:

I was a little surprise about the construction and fit-and-finish of the ERATO scooters. They "seemed" to be closer to Taiwan quality, in terms of frame, wheels, brakes. I did not see a stripped down model, and I didn't really scrutinized the quality of the forks, suspension, etc. The scooters are more solid looking and feeling than the E-MAX Sport.

The scooters handled well and took bumps better than the E-MAX. I haven't ridden an EVT in a couple of years, but the model I tested then bottomed on bad bumps (235 lb rider), the ERATOS did not.

The 1600 watt model does do an honest 30 mph (with 235 lb rider), and therefore is a tad faster than the EVT I tested and the Oxygens. The 2200 watt model does and honest 36 mph (GPS) with a 235 lb rider and 39+ mph with a 180 lb rider on the flat. Sounds good, right? We all thought the E-MAX Sport initially had that type of speed.

The 2200 watt model ERATOs have a 60V 38ah silicon battery pack. The 1600 watt models have a 48v 38ah silicon battery pack. Both battery packs work better (based on very limited testing) than the 48v 50ah sla battery packs in EVTs. The range may even be a tad better than the E-MAX, because there is no "true" turbo mode to suck up the amps.

Now for the bad news! I don't think the ERATO motors are anything but the standard 1500 watt and 2000 watt Chinese brushless hub motors. I think the extra 1-2 hundred watts is an advertising "one up-man ship" ploy. The speed for the 2200 watt model is obtained by sacrificing acceleration big time!

The turbo button on the ERATOs is not in the same galaxy as the one on the E-MAX Sport! It does not furnish the motor with more amps and increase acceleration accordingly. To be honest, I am not sure how the turbo works, but I do know the results! It lowers either the gearing or ??? so the scooter has more torque for climbing hills at <= 10 mph speeds. The turbo button offers very minor aid in accelerating.

I feel pretty uncomfortable sometimes with the E-MAX in turbo mode accelerating when there is traffic behind me. I was down right terrified with the ERATO scooters! I would never drive one in traffic in Philadelphia, unless I could accelerate in a bike lane. Once you get up to speed, the scooter rolls very well and can keep up with traffic on 30 mph and some 35 mph streets.

If your commute is flat and does not involved much stop-n-go or traffic; the ERATO 2200 watt model might fill the bill. It can't climb anything other than mild hills and maintain decent speed. The hill climb "turbo" will get you up pretty steep hills, but at <= 10 mph.

If the 2200 watt models cost $1995, it might be worth consideration for many. It cost more like $3000, which is not good value from my point of view.

I also tested the "FORSEN" mini-electric scooter while in FL, that had a Li-ON battery pack. I will have a report next time, but I will say that I would take it, performance and construction wise, over the ERATOs.

A closing note. The ERATO scooters speedometers read about 10% high. The odometer is in KM. Dealers may not be intentionally lying when they say the 2200 watt model goes 42 mph and has 50 miles range. It goes 38-39 mph (once you get there!) with medium weight riders on the flat and has -25-35 miles range, depending on rider and riding conditions.

Tthe "Phoenix" system bike conversion setup seems a better choice than current full-size electrics right now. Going 30+ mph on a bike is more than adequate versus being a traffic nuisance on a slow accelerating 36 mph scooter.

J.B.

Edited 1-2-07

The above scooters have made appeared, with various brand names, in the states during 2006-2007. If they have improved in recent times (improved acceleration while maintaining or increasing top-end speed), they are worth consideration (assuming a stable dealer and parts are available).