|
|
|
|
|
Riders Drool Over This One! Roth Motor Sends 2000XR Into The Wild!The vehicle inflicts minimal harm on the environment |
By Roxana Deduleasa, Gadget News Editor
22nd of October 2007, 08:13 GMT
Adjust text size:  
|
| |
Eco-friendly mania continues with this new item to serve the urban transportation for adults, possible sooner than you might think. The next company to introduce the 100% green vehicle is Roth Motor. Gizmag found out that these fellows have released a nice upgrade to their cool looking and extremely portable 2000X MotorBoard.
The best part, the new 2000XR is a motorized scooter, but looks like a ferocious two-wheeled beast. However, the vehicle is not as ferocious as expected,
as it works with a safety-limited speed of 15mph. But hey, it boasts to have improved torque, range and hill climbing capabilities over its predecessor, as Gizmag emphasizes.
Moreover, the main improvements on the scooter are definitely in their new battery technology. To get the clear picture, you should have in mind the fact that the 2000X model has a standard NiMH battery, the other one, 2000XR gets juice from a safer, lighter and apparently even more powerful next generation lithium-ion battery, developed by A123 Systems a while ago. And boy, it used material initially developed at MIT. How extra terrestrial is that, huh?
The batteries can be recharged in 90 minutes with the included Intelligent Quick Charger. Not to mention they are 4 pounds lighter than their NiMH cousins in the 2000X.
For a smoother and more comfortable ride, Roth has designed the 2000XR version with an Ensolite rubber padding system under the wood deck. For extra specs details, you should know the vehicle weighs 16.5lbs, it's fully portable and foldable. The manufacturers claim it's actually foldable enough to be carried on the subway, train, bus, or into work where it can be unobtrusively stored away. There is also an integrated power saving Kick-to-Go extra feature. This spec was designed to increase efficiency and battery life with the low deck height of the unit encouraging the rider to kick to accelerate and help with low speed handling.
According to Gizmag, the eco vehicle was recently shown at Santa Monica's Alternative Car and Transportation (AltCar Expo). Maybe this is one of the reasons the 2000XR retails for about $799.
David Roth, Co-Founder and Chief Engineer for Roth Motors has also posted his opinion on the electric scooter forum: "I wanted to build a truly portable device that could be easily carried and yet was still powerful enough to pull an adult up a modest grade. Most importantly, it had to be easy to ride. In order for electric transportation to have a significant environmental, social, and economic impact, vehicles must become accessibly priced. Motorboards are a relatively inexpensive alternative for green-minded consumers who may be hesitant or unable to spend tens of thousands of dollars for a hybrid".
I don't know how cheap 800 bucks sound to you, but I am looking forward to that Segway I saw last week. Hopefully, it won't rain!
|
|
| Rating: |
|
Fair (2.1/5) |
7 vote(s) so far |
|
|
|
|
User opinions: |
| Comment #1 by: BeachBall on 06 Nov 2007, 21:59 GMT |  reply to this comment | I wouldn't even consider this $800 over priced toy. I consider it a toy as it is useless as a serious transport system. First this vehicle cannot be used under wet weather condition. The electrical system will be damaged if you do. It also cannot climb steep hills beside the consumables eg. batteries and wheels are very expensive to be replaced beside the motorboard uses small low profile rubber wheels which can cause bumpy,uncomforatble and dangerous ride on uneven road surfaces. |
| Comment #2 by: michael cummings on 18 May 2008, 18:25 GMT | reply to this comment | Fun, good design, but VERY unreliable--my 2000r lasted only two weeks! And for no apparent reason: battery is shows full charge, so is either likely either PCB/controller or motors have failed with safe, normal use.
The hard tail design certainly could be made for smoother ride.
Mostly it is just a pisser that the maker, Roth Motors, won't service or warrantee it! I notice too they provide no mailing address or phone number on their site (or domain reg.). What, or why, are they trying to hide!?
I hope the xr proves more reliable, but this is a common problem with new products: great design never reaches market success because the venture buys manufacturing that is too cheap, so the products fail in the users hands, and the brand never takes hold.
David Roth: nice design. Manufacturing company: you s**k. |
| Comment #3 by: Luciano on 15 Sep 2008, 00:51 GMT | reply to this comment | I agree. This scooter is horribly made. I went through two months of hell with these people. For my story, please check out:
http://strobersmeanderings.blogspot.com/2008/08/roth-motors-sucks.html
Don't buy this without reading the above first. |
|
|
|
