Turns out that Gio maintains an online forum which otta provide a good education about watt ownership entails:
http://gioebike.phpbb...

Looks like the early "500W" Gios were only 350W w/500W burst, and newer "500W" Gios labeled "800" are true 500W continuous w/burst to 800W...

Post subject: Re: Is the 800 a piece of junk?
Posted: 2009-11-16, 12:15:02 am
I like it too but they should come with a roll of duct tape and a pack of bubble gum.

Lock

Joshua,

Please see here http://www.mto.gov.on... MTO has classified both styles as ebikes. Anything above 600W must be registered and insured. There's a member of the group that has a real escooter. Eric Simpson check his profile That's a REAL escooter. Which had to be registered. Also I don't believe any dealer is really confused as most of them have the respective laws posted on their web pages I'm going to use Blue Avenue as an example here http://blueavenue.ca/... It's actuall pretty detailed so I suggest everyone read that one.

Here are the specs for Eric's ride http://soundspeedscoo...

-Vic

Since I have a registered e-scooter (EVT168, 30ah Lithium pack, 1500 W motor) I clearly know the intent of the MTO. It is my understanding that any bicycle/scooter with an electric motor greater than 500W and less than 1600W is classified as an LSM (Limited Speed Motorcycle) which is the same classification as a gas powered moped or 50cc motorcycle/scooter. Believe me that registering the EVT168 in Ontario was not an easy process when I first got mine. Also any bicycle/scooter with a electric motor greater than 1500W is classified as a motorcycle.

Now I would just like to comment about some of the debate in regards to e-bikes and scooter style e-bikes. First I clearly understand the attraction to people about not having to register, get plates, insurance and have a motorcycle license, but from my experience I would NEVER go back to a 32khr speed vehicle. Our roads are simply not designed to be bicycle friendly, they are designed for automobiles (cars, SUV's, & trucks). Until we are committed to creating proper and safe bike lanes and exclusive bike routes it is simply to dangerous. There is a big difference between riding a motorcycle/scooter, where the rider has had proper safety training, is licensed and insured and is wearing proper riding gear (Helmet, Riding Gloves, Armored Riding Jacket, Protective Riding Pants, and riding boots). I would also have to agree with Joshua's comment about what is going to happen to the publics impression of e-bike riders (note that I said e-bike riders not just scooter style e-bikes) once there is a larger number of e-bikes on our roads. We all know how many pedal powered bicycle riders behave, with a TOTAL disregard for the rules of the road. Once you have a large number of incidents with e-bikes, they will begin to re-think how e-bikes should be classified.

By the way I love the EVT168 it is a great quality scooter.

And the Gio's are just flying out the door:


...one sold every 98 minutes at this rate. Average selling price for the 350W $265 and the 500W $625 (if this were a representative sampling, which it isn't.) 5,363 new Gios out the door in a year at this rate...

Looks like I'm going into the ebike repair business

Lock

Say hello to Dave Mezzi...


That's Dave with his new Gio! Oh, wait... Dave only *sells* Gios (his PARNUS Holdings Ltd. company operates online as giobikes.com.) He'll also sell you metal luggage as mezzi.com... and parts for your gas ATV as All_Star_Salez at http://myworld.ebay.c...

Hopefully Dave will be throwing a party at his place for all of his happy new Gio owners:


I love Daves favourite quote:

"Rivers, like people, are often crooked because they follow the path of least resistance."

Lock

Found another Gio seller..

Message posted on the NOW Magazine web site April 19 titled "$700, GIio 500W Scooter E Bike":
http://toronto.nowtor...

Short snip from that ad illustrates the usual double-speak and half truths:

Engine
Displacement

(cc) 350w/500w

Transmission Auto

Engine Type 500w, Brushless, Electric, Double speeds

Min/Max. torque 32-55 Nm

Starting System Electric Start

Chassis
Max Speed 22-32Km/H (13.6-19.8mph), Double speeds

and at the bottom of the ad:

We are currently building website to supply parts,service information and a troubleshooting forum for our customers and general public at http://www.GoGio.ca...

The owners of the GoGio site are a little coy about their names, but the 1-800 number they list is also used by these folks:
http://www.toolclerk....

... and ToolClerk is:
288 Oshawa Blvd S Oshawa
L1H 5S1
1-905-5764877
Fax: 1-905-5764877
Grant Dupuis (manager)
Mobile: 1-800-805-2910

HEY! No "gizibo" in Grants back yard either!!!


Where do these guys store all those Gios they sell???

Then on the other hand ya have Zack... who's been lovin' his Gio since he got it...about three weeks ago:
http://giointo.com/...



l0K

Hehe... Joshua, yer not factoring in rider reaction times... The motorcyclist apparently "rev'ed" his engine... mighta hammered their accelerator. The ebiker mighta been contemplating the meaning of life as the light went green. And any good ebiker otta know a gentle acceleration is easier on the batts

And, Zack might have one of the cheapie/cheapiest Gios that is really only 350W/500W peak...
Lock

I hear you
Rapid acceleration has always been a key selling feature for electric vehicles (e-cars/e-bikes/e-scooters)
First time my wife tried her Hot Pink Daymak E-Scooter she drove it into a wall and the scooter tried to climb the wall---> that is Torque.

Hehe... yah yah... can't tell you how many times I have felt eyes on me at a red light from a motorcyclist beside me. Light goes green then motorcycle guy catches up and overtakes while looking earnestly in the other direction...

lLoC

You guys missed the 500 Volts part! That would have to be one heck of a high wattage motor for that voltage Ebike warp speed?