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Post by javarod on Feb 8, 2015 10:19:26 GMT -5
Ok y'all, figured i'd finally write a thread about the scooter and how its going, so lets introduce you to The Scooter of War:  A 2015 Bintelli Havoc 50cc that i bought at  on 21 Jan after my truck died. Looks good, can't say i looked all that closely, but then who does when buying a new anything? Looked, left, researched, returned, checked the plastics (fit, finish and sound). $1909 out the door with tax, prep and all that. A little steep, but that price also includes three Bintelli cable locks, two small combination and one thicker keyed one, along with two helmets, a 3/4 for me (black with a big dragonfly because its a weird helmet) and a brain bucket for my Were. Financed it as i'm flat broke as always, and road it home, first time on two wheels in over five years. Stopped at Cycle Gear for gloves, then it was off for home. Took a few days before weather and my ability to get up on time allowed me to ride to work, but it all went pretty well, all things considered. Considering that i was wearing my regular winter coat which isn't all that great against wind, gloves that weren't thick enough, and a helmet without a face shield or goggles. Hmm, is it me, or is the instrument panel slightly crooked to the left? And wasn't i supposed to get some kind of road service card with the bike? Then it rained that night, which made for a fun ride home. Speaking of the ride home, a couple miles from work, and i hear a clunk... My Bintelli keychain broke, i hope that isn't a sign... Well, home, got time for some easy reading, where's that manual. Ok, decent enough looking, though it would've been nice to see a Havoc on the cover, but that's minor. Where to find your VIN... Ummm, that pic is just a black box... Heck, black and white pics, in this day and age? Well, onwards, a specifications chart... that doesn't have a Havoc 50cc listed. Also the next page continues the charts, but without headers, that's not real helpful. Decently thorough manual at least, though it suffers a bit from Engrish (y'all need an editor/writer, i've experience in both, plus a bit in magazine distribution/publishing knowledge). Not as good as the Kymco i had way back when, but not bad, and i get the impression, its better than you typically see with a Chinese built scooter. A couple runs after that related to the scooter tag, and then nothing until last night. Oh, did pick up a better set of gloves, all leather, no mesh and longer, that'll keep my hands warm. Also got a face shield, wish it flipped up, but that's no big deal. Also got a really good coat, Charles River Apparel Men's Signal Hi-Vis Waterproof Jacket in blue.
To work we go today (well, last night) with about a quarter tank of gas. Two miles out from work i stopped and filled up. According to Fuelly my go to site for tracking fuel mileage, i got 82.2 MPG so far. One thing of note is how its behaving. Low on fuel, starts easily, but struggles to make even 35MPH. Full tank, hard to start (have to give it some gas), but will hit 40MPH on flat ground. Only problem i have right now is traffic lights, has anyone figured out how to trigger sensor based lights on a scooter? Well, we'll see what the future holds. |
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Post by ramblinman on Feb 8, 2015 10:37:13 GMT -5
Only problem i have right now is traffic lights, has anyone figured out how to trigger sensor based lights on a scooter? this site was very helpful for me: modernvespa.com/forum/wiki-trafficsignalsoccasionally i can't find the correct spot to trigger a light and if thier isn't another vehicle around then i will do a michigan left (either turn right or go straight and then do a U-turn). |
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Post by JerryScript on Feb 8, 2015 10:51:34 GMT -5
Nice looking scooter! I hope you have as much fun as I do riding it to work every day! Check your local laws, in some places it's ok to drive through a red light if your scooter doesn't trigger the signal after a certain amount of time (varies place to place).
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Post by javarod on Feb 8, 2015 11:00:44 GMT -5
Only problem i have right now is traffic lights, has anyone figured out how to trigger sensor based lights on a scooter? this site was very helpful for me: modernvespa.com/forum/wiki-trafficsignalsoccasionally i can't find the correct spot to trigger a light and if there isn't another vehicle around then i will do a michigan left (either turn right or go straight and then do a U-turn). I wait a reasonable time, make sure its clear, and then go. Or in the case of the light on the way home, i use the bicycle exit, and slide down to a surface street without a traffic light. Still, i would like a better solution. Hmmm, need to find out how these things work, i do have training in house wiring, industrial motor controls and even a little electronics training, i can prolly make something assuming its possible. |
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Post by JerryScript on Feb 8, 2015 12:49:45 GMT -5
Some systems work on magnetism, some based on weight, new systems work on motion detection. Some older systems also have a strobe light detector that can be activated by flashing your high-beams, but I think those are pretty rare now days due to public abuse. Some people have strapped magnets to the bottom of their scooters and reported success.
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Post by JoeyBee on Feb 8, 2015 13:31:29 GMT -5
In my part of Texas we have the motion detection / big brother state cameras at intersections. Never had a problem. But I also goto at midnight, so there is typically no cars around always.
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Post by scootdude on Feb 8, 2015 14:10:22 GMT -5
Twelve states (Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin) have laws that allow for a motorcycle/scooter to run the red light. In all of these states you must come to a COMPLETE STOP! Some states require a minimum waiting period of up to 3 minutes. If the motorcycle is unable to trigger the stoplight to cycle, then you may proceed when safe to do so. My personal rule of thumb is NO COP, NO STOP. That's my theory anyway. Look carefully all around making sure there are no cops lurking. If there's no cop then don't stop. Simple.  |
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Post by dmartin95 on Feb 8, 2015 14:45:40 GMT -5
And wasn't i supposed to get some kind of road service card with the bike? Yes. Mine came with paper work when I bought my scooter. You should contact your dealer. If they can't (or will not) help you, you can always try bintelliscooters.com/ ... They have a live chat right on their main page. Nice looking scoot BTW! I like the blue! |
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Post by scooter on Feb 8, 2015 15:56:44 GMT -5
javarod, ramblinman, JerryScript, JoeyBee, scootdude, dmartin95, scooter For the red lights, try this. It's practically free and the worse thing that will happen is it won't work: "Loop sensitivity to a conductive object can be tested with a 12 inches (30 cm) long wire formed into a circle whose diameter is approximately 4 inches (10 cm). The circular loop forms an open electrical circuit when the wire ends are held such that they do not touch one another. No actuation should occur when the open circular loop is rapidly moved horizontally over the in-roadway inductive loop. When the ends of the circular loop are made to touch, forming a closed circuit before being thrust over the in-roadway loop, an actuation will occur because of the flow of eddy currents. This demonstrates that it is the shorted turn, and not the wire or vehicle mass, which is important in producing the actuation." www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/operations/its/06108/02.cfmTo recap: Take a 12" piece of wire, form it into a circle, tie the metal ends together so it makes one conductor. Place as low to the ground on the scooter as possible, in the same orientation it would be if it were lying on the ground. Tape it on, tie wrap it on, whatever. Then try it out and tell us if it works.  I don't know if it needs to be solid or braided. I get the impression it may not matter.
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Post by scootdude on Feb 8, 2015 16:43:49 GMT -5
To recap: Take a 12" piece of wire, form it into a circle, tie the metal ends together so it makes one conductor. Place as low to the ground on the scooter as possible, in the same orientation it would be if it were lying on the ground. Tape it on, tie wrap it on, whatever. Then try it out and tell us if it works. No way! Are you serious? All these years I thought for sure there were weight sensors at the intersections. At most intersections you can even see the "cut out" section where the sensors lie beneath. Who knew it was as simple as a wire loop? LOL! I'm going to try it out! Thanks for the info! |
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Post by scooter on Feb 8, 2015 16:55:29 GMT -5
To recap: Take a 12" piece of wire, form it into a circle, tie the metal ends together so it makes one conductor. Place as low to the ground on the scooter as possible, in the same orientation it would be if it were lying on the ground. Tape it on, tie wrap it on, whatever. Then try it out and tell us if it works. No way! Are you serious? All these years I thought for sure there were weight sensors at the intersections. At most intersections you can even see the "cut out" section where the sensors lie beneath. Who knew it was as simple as a wire loop? LOL! I'm going to try it out! Thanks for the info! You're welcome. It also says that bikes should drive right onto one of the strips, as opposed to being between them. |
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Post by jerseyboy on Feb 8, 2015 20:34:55 GMT -5
In jersey I just walk it through the light..lol
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Post by javarod on Feb 8, 2015 22:17:18 GMT -5
Some systems work on magnetism, some based on weight, new systems work on motion detection. Some older systems also have a strobe light detector that can be activated by flashing your high-beams, but I think those are pretty rare now days due to public abuse. Some people have strapped magnets to the bottom of their scooters and reported success. I have heavy doubts that magnets will work, even if an induction loop can be effected by a magnet, i doubt you'd find one strong enough. An electromagnet might work, and it would definitely effect the older magnetism systems, but those and weight ones i think are mostly gone. Actually at the light where its the biggest issue, even triggering the light would only help so much as the lights are purely sensor activated, and very hyperactive. I used to work in that area which is mostly industrial, and semis typically wound up running the lights because they switched so quickly. javarod, ramblinman, JerryScript, JoeyBee, scootdude, dmartin95, scooter For the red lights, try this. It's practically free and the worse thing that will happen is it won't work: To recap: Take a 12" piece of wire, form it into a circle, tie the metal ends together so it makes one conductor. Place as low to the ground on the scooter as possible, in the same orientation it would be if it were lying on the ground. Tape it on, tie wrap it on, whatever. Then try it out and tell us if it works. I don't know if it needs to be solid or braided. I get the impression it may not matter. Interesting, i'm figuring some study is in order. |
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Post by JerryScript on Feb 9, 2015 1:10:20 GMT -5
Some systems work on magnetism, some based on weight, new systems work on motion detection. Some older systems also have a strobe light detector that can be activated by flashing your high-beams, but I think those are pretty rare now days due to public abuse. Some people have strapped magnets to the bottom of their scooters and reported success. I have heavy doubts that magnets will work, even if an induction loop can be effected by a magnet, i doubt you'd find one strong enough. An electromagnet might work, and it would definitely effect the older magnetism systems, but those and weight ones i think are mostly gone. Actually at the light where its the biggest issue, even triggering the light would only help so much as the lights are purely sensor activated, and very hyperactive. I used to work in that area which is mostly industrial, and semis typically wound up running the lights because they switched so quickly. I have not tried using magnets, but one of our other moderators has, earlwb might be able to give you more insight. Even he said the old induction loops are all being replaced in a thread a couple of years ago, so it's probably a moot point. itistheride.boards.net/thread/1722/using-magnets-change-traffic-lights |
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Post by javarod on Feb 9, 2015 9:49:29 GMT -5
Hmmm, getting back to the original topic, i did forget one thing, gotta do something about this seat. The scooter stops, but i don't, which isn't good, and i keep forgetting to do something about it between rides. Any suggestions out there?
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