Every "normal" sized machine so far, even the BMW, has suffered from the limitation of a range not much greater than 100 real world miles and for me that's just not enough to replace a maxi-scooter. So I very reluctantly turned to machines designed and manufactured in China which are more advanced although chaotically mass produced and marketed. The best so far in my view is the machine usually known as the Puma 9000W. This can be equipped with a 150 Amp.Hour battery set and has a limited top speed of 75 mph. With a claimed range of about 120 miles or perhaps a little more. This is now being imported by a London company who have jumped through most of the official hoops to get it on the road with proper recognition. Although being manufactured by Xiamen-EFUN it seems to have been exported via a Hongkong company called ZAP. Here is the UK importer/agent:-
https://zride.co.uk/project/puma/

So this is the first real contender for me and in normal circumstances I would have been up to Hammersmith for a test ride. This could eventually be the machine that replaces my Kymco but my present thinking is that I might risk overlapping the electric and the petrol until I am sure that it is viable. Expensive strategy but still a lot cheaper than swapping for a BMW C evolution since the Chinese machine is about half the price of the BMW.

This era is frighteningly reminiscent of the 1960s when most people dismissed Japanese technology. Now we ignore Chinese innovation at our peril.

That looks rather tiny for a machine capable of 80mph!!! There again, the SH300 is even smaller and goes even faster!
However, as with cars, it comes back to the same issue - an elec vehicle will be great for 99% of your journeys, but there is always the 1% that they won't do. Either for holidays, family visits, leisure - every now and again, most people need to do a long journey. So you always need to have a non-elec vehicle to supplement your elec vehicle. No, I'm not going to stop at a M-way service area for at least half an hour to recharge it - assuming you can find a working charging station!

Had a look at the website but no prices and no dealers outside London.

since the Chinese machine is about half the price of the BMW.

I can't see any prices on the website....?



Edit . Sorry didn't see post above whilst I was looking at the Puma website !

riders in the storm wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:54 pm since the Chinese machine is about half the price of the BMW.

I can't see any prices on the website....?



Edit . Sorry didn't see post above whilst I was looking at the Puma website !

I have a ball-park price of about £7000 for the long range version after the government grant.

Another London importer/dealer has popped up selling the Puma 9000 as described above but in a debadged version he calls the Firefly Domino. It appears to be identical apart from battery options. Might suit someone looking for available stock right now.
https://www.fireflymotorcycles.co.uk/domino

also selling via Ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Firefly-Domi ... 4486973470

Maybe good value so I suppose it depends on how much trust you are willing to place in Chinese engineering. They do seem to be in significant mass production.

I have no problem with Chinese engineering BUT I would like to see an importer with 100% spares backup, not just a couple of bulbs and a set of disc pads, ie spare wheels if you damage one, replacement batteries, bodywork etc.

At last this well tried and tested model is going to be available in the UK. Apparently the first models to be imported are now in the country. Initial location is Solihull, so fairly central. Hopefully the next few weeks should reveal all, Covid permitting.

Here is an excellent review on youtube

comment further down
OMOS
3 months ago
I´m a owner of a Silence S01 and i´m very disappointed with it. Poor materials (pieces broken in 3 weeks, 7 moths waiting the replacement), non-existent support, batteries issues (noticed from Ministerio del Interior in Spain). You can´t drive at max speed much time under risk of overheating, inverter to use the battery at home is selled apart... Too many problems with no support

Dogsbody wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:21 pm comment further down
OMOS
3 months ago
I´m a owner of a Silence S01 and i´m very disappointed with it. Poor materials (pieces broken in 3 weeks, 7 moths waiting the replacement), non-existent support, batteries issues (noticed from Ministerio del Interior in Spain). You can´t drive at max speed much time under risk of overheating, inverter to use the battery at home is selled apart... Too many problems with no support

I'm not in a position to defend or promote. Its up to importers and dealers to show that they can provide back-up for the product. I would caution against re-quoting a comment from an unknown source, this is how the internet has gone bad. It is much the same if you look at any ratings on Amazon or elsewhere, good or bad they are hopelessly unreliable unless facts can be verified. The exception for me would be youtube reviews from actual owners or long-term evaluations, I look forward to seeing some of those.