I've got no objections to you using the North Sea, that would make the Moon your electric supplier
It would confuse the hell out of cold callers.

I enjoyed this story about the guy who got himself a premium rate phone number and earned money from cold callers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23869462" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

New test of the prototypes on Scooter Station. The need for traction control on production models is noted - they describe the acceleration as a catapault effect and that the motor has serious wattage. http://www.scooter-station.com/BMW-C-Ev ... art-2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In advance of the announcement of the cost of buying and running one of these, I've done a simplistic bit of working out what I spend now on my 250 over 3 years. I've ignored insurance and tyres as these will be different simply down to the size and performance of the BMW. Some may argue about servicing costs but the fact is that I like my bikes to properly maintained by a proper mechanic so that number stays in. My conclusion is that if the BMW costs over 3 years are less than £7k then that's fine. Much more than that and the argument to get one depends on emotion not logic.

250cc scooter.
Purchase price 4000, Annual mileage 12000, Mpg 80, Services every 3000 miles, Tax negligible, Insurance variable, Tyres ignored

Re-sale price after 3 years ~1500 = lose 2500
Fuel @135ppl = 2758
Services = est 1800
Total cost to run = £7058

Public transport, for comparison
Tube annual ticket £6672
Bus to tube stn £6000
Daily journey time goes from 2 hours up to 4.5hours.
Total £12672 and a lot of my time!

You might want to revise those costs, currently a 250(ish) scooter costs £4500 and only needs a service every 8,000 miles

What makes me laugh (ironically) with electric scoots is that they say servicing is so much less than a petrol scooter as there are only tyres & brakes to worry about - but its tyres and brakes that give me more hassle than anything else!! Engines are easy - just change the oil and spark plug, and they soldier on for years!

You can bet if the leccy scoot you have is a BMW they will have at least a 12month CHECK that HAS tobe done @ £280 a shot they will never loose out on the service money, you may but they will not

gn2 wrote:You might want to revise those costs, currently a 250(ish) scooter costs £4500 and only needs a service every 8,000 miles

That depends on the machine. I'm just going by my current bike.

MrGrumpy wrote:What makes me laugh (ironically) with electric scoots is that they say servicing is so much less than a petrol scooter as there are only tyres & brakes to worry about - but its tyres and brakes that give me more hassle than anything else!! Engines are easy - just change the oil and spark plug, and they soldier on for years!

As it happens, brakes will last much longer due to the regenerative braking.

kayz1 wrote:You can bet if the leccy scoot you have is a BMW they will have at least a 12month CHECK that HAS tobe done @ £280 a shot they will never loose out on the service money, you may but they will not

I suspect you're right

StephenC wrote:

gn2 wrote:You might want to revise those costs, currently a 250(ish) scooter costs £4500 and only needs a service every 8,000 miles

That depends on the machine. I'm just going by my current bike.

Any word on a new Satelis 250/300 for the UK yet?
Maybe you'll just have to get a Honda next...