Adventure Motorcycle Magazine Subscribe Now

Thread: Zongshen e-bike

Results 1 to 10 of 12

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1 Zongshen e-bike 
    C-Moto Regular Chinggis101's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Chongqing, Chongqing
    Posts
    97
    After 2 years with a 64v e.bike I decided to get a replacement. One of my colleagues at work has a 72v e.bike which leaves the rest of us way behind so I knew there was only one way to go - get a new 72v. I was expecting the standard shape that all e-bikes in Chongqing seem to have, until I saw photos of some new models on offer. Best of all, the one I wanted was made by Zongshen, rather than the no-name brands that seem to proliferate here.

    Was it worth the 5460 RMB? In my opinion, absolutely. Although heavier that the rest of the pack (it must be one of the 'big' e-bikes referred to in the Shanghai thread), and I'm heavier than the other riders, it still cleans up the other 72 as well as anything else on 2 wheels at work. Perhaps the best value aspect of this bike is the headlight/lamp. After nearly 3 years of e-bike riding I can now clearly see further than 5 meters ahead of me, and I have a 'bright' beam that is a real 'bright' beam. I can see it shining ahead of me when the street lights are out. Brilliant! It has disc brakes, front and back, so I feel safer at 50 kph and the fact that it can do a real 50 Kph is a pleasure. I'm not sure of the range but Chongqing is all hills so I'm not expecting to get the claimed 60km. However I live about 3.5 km from work so I only recharge every 4 days, although I could get at least another 2 days worth of commuting if I wanted to push it. It has a fairly wide seat but the two passengers I've carried both attest to it being more comfortable and spacious. I wouldn't mind a little more legroom up front, but that seems a problem with all e-bikes so I'm not complaining.

    The best aspect of this bike is the ride. The sound, the feel and the riding position, in my e-bike world and experience there's nothing to compare. I've posted a pic below to give you an idea of what it looks like. There will be more to follow once we've had some warm dry weather so I can clean it.
    Last edited by Chinggis101; 01-09-2012 at 09:12 AM.
    Chongqing
    '12 Lifan 250 P
    e-biker 48/64/72v
    '77 CB 750 F1
    '75 XL 250
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: Zongshen e-bike 
    C-Moto Regular Chinggis101's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Chongqing, Chongqing
    Posts
    97
    100_4747.jpg

    My new dream machine.

    I don't know why the photo is dated 2003, the bike is definitely not 8 or 9 years old. Someone didn't set the prefs on their camera.
    Chongqing
    '12 Lifan 250 P
    e-biker 48/64/72v
    '77 CB 750 F1
    '75 XL 250
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: Zongshen e-bike 
    Senior C-Moto Guru barnone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    SWFL WNC
    Posts
    2,154
    I'm surprised that the speed is only 30MPH. Not enough speed for around here. When I worked only 2 miles from my home I just rode a bicycle. Why fool with a scooter for such a short distance?
    Vince
    2021 Ural cT
    2022 Dong Fang DF250RTG
    2021 Ice Bear 150cc scooter
    2020 Ice Bear 150cc Scooter
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: Zongshen e-bike 
    C-Moto Regular Chinggis101's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Chongqing, Chongqing
    Posts
    97
    Ok, there's some history here - getting a car/bike licence legally in China is major, major adventure.
    If I had one, which I don't, I'd like to get a JH 600, but as no one is clear about whether you can register a bike over 250ccs in Chongqing I wouldn't be able to have that anyway.
    As I don't have a licence and walking the 3.5 kms to work and back everyday would be a drag and cycling in 40 degree temps before spending a day teaching is a non-starter, so the options are ... a taxi or a bus. These are not viable on a daily basis so an electric bike is the best solution. No licence needed and no sweat in summer.

    This thread is really for people in China who use electric bikes but find them underpowered, inadequate and poorly built. 30 mph is not a bad speed for an electric bike. Faster downhill. Besides, e-bikes here cost less than many mountain bikes.
    Chongqing
    '12 Lifan 250 P
    e-biker 48/64/72v
    '77 CB 750 F1
    '75 XL 250
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: Zongshen e-bike 
    Senior C-Moto Guru euphonius's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    mostly Shanghai, sometimes northern California
    Posts
    3,222
    Quote Originally Posted by Chinggis101 View Post
    Ok, there's some history here - getting a car/bike licence legally in China is major, major adventure.
    If I had one, which I don't, I'd like to get a JH 600, but as no one is clear about whether you can register a bike over 250ccs in Chongqing I wouldn't be able to have that anyway.
    As I don't have a licence and walking the 3.5 kms to work and back everyday would be a drag and cycling in 40 degree temps before spending a day teaching is a non-starter, so the options are ... a taxi or a bus. These are not viable on a daily basis so an electric bike is the best solution. No licence needed and no sweat in summer.

    This thread is really for people in China who use electric bikes but find them underpowered, inadequate and poorly built. 30 mph is not a bad speed for an electric bike. Faster downhill. Besides, e-bikes here cost less than many mountain bikes.

    Great post, and great find, Chinggis! Definitely looking forward to actual pix, and more details about its performance.

    Barnone, you have to know a bit about Chongqing to appreciate this. It's a very hilly city, flat almost nowhere, and the "40 degrees" that Chinggis mentioned is Celsius, or 104F. And that does not account for the humidity. Walking a single block in those conditions in summer is brutal; you'll be soaked head to toe. Same for cycling, especially if there are hills involved. Imagine the summer heat of Miami or worse, and the topography of San Francisco. An ebike like this is a great solution!

    cheers!
    jkp
    Shanghai
    2010 JH600 "Merkin Muffley" (in Shanghai)
    2000 KLR650 "Feezer Ablanalp" (in California)
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: Zongshen e-bike 
    C-Moto Regular Chinggis101's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Chongqing, Chongqing
    Posts
    97
    Thanks euphonius, yes, the temperature and hills here make cycling a challenge. The Miami comparison is a good one but I don't know about the topography of San Francisco except for what I've seen in movies.

    I've been pleasantly surprised at the number of threads on e-bikes and the range that are on the market. For example the bike in Felixs' review, which along with his panda is very good looking . I wonder if we aren't getting to a point where a separate forum on e.bikes would be justified, unless one exists that I haven't seen. There were two other good looking 72v e-bikes available when I bought mine and it was a hard choice. The headlight did it for me. I'll post a picture of those two a bit later.
    Chongqing
    '12 Lifan 250 P
    e-biker 48/64/72v
    '77 CB 750 F1
    '75 XL 250
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. Zongshen 250 gs
    By aohelsuks in forum Bike Market - Classifieds
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-30-2012, 12:38 PM
  2. Need help with Zongshen engine
    By wolfmangk in forum ATV's/Quads
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-24-2010, 03:19 AM
  3. Zongshen to buy Zongshen!?
    By CrazyCarl in forum Industry News and Moto Talk
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 01-28-2010, 03:16 AM
  4. AGB 30 - Zongshen
    By txm123 in forum South/Central America
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-20-2009, 04:44 PM
  5. zongshen 200
    By xs2 in forum Dirt n' Dual-Sport
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12-15-2008, 03:42 PM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •