Riding the Storm

This story first appeared in the February issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

The name “Storm Rides” conjures up some thundering beast of a motorbike.

But the machine with the company name on it we tried is a quiet electric “mobility scooter” known as the Storm Cruiser – although it does look like the Harley Davidson of that world.

It’s got some juice too, clocking up to 40kmh on a limited run, although it doesn’t have a speedo.

Reportedly, it can do 45kmh. There are three speed modes; the first is limited to 25kmh, two is the medium cruise speed at 35kmh and three top speed at about 45kmh.

A high-powered 1200W electric motor is tucked safely away in the wheel hub and the electronics are also hidden from the elements, so no worries about riding in the rain.

A right handlebar throttle provides the power, and plenty of it, while handlebar brake levers link to electronic ABS hydraulic disc brakes front and rear to ensure a rapid but easy stop.

“You know it’s illegal on cycleways,” a cyclist says while overtaking me on Auckland’s Northwestern Cycleway as I kept to a slow pace.

“No, it’s not,” I replied. “It’s a mobility scooter and as such can be used on cycleways or shared pathways, footpaths and even on the road so long as you stick hard left and wear a helmet.”

I’d already checked the rules.
Although the Storm Cruiser complies with current rules, the whole classification around such e-mobility devices (including e-bikes) has yet to be determined.

Storm Rides says the Cruiser’s classification is unusual and a symptom of new forms of personal transport running ahead of the legislation. It is seeking a more formal classification.

Glares from a few oncoming riders, gave every indication I wasn’t welcome on their cycleways.
Perhaps it was the wide handlebars that made them feel nervous on the occasionally narrow dual cycleways, prompting me to keep the speed down – recommended where there’s more people around. You must ride carefully and be considerate of others when on pathways.
Stormrides publicity material states: “This ain’t your grandma’s mobility scooter”.

I agree. It would be handy to use, though, if you have a bad knee or foot or are recovering from minor injury.
You need some fitness to handle the Storm Cruiser. While it’s super stable and has a low centre of gravity and seat height, plus an easy step-through deck, it requires a bit of balance at low speed (despite the fat wheels).

It weighs 58kg and can be tricky to manoeuvre at times. The Storm Cruiser took several goes to get in a lift, for example, but it did fit, and you can drag it a little with the rear bar.
Once you learn the technique, it’s easy to get it on and off its spring-loaded foot stand.

I charged the Cruiser at EVTalk’s Quay St office and did the 23km to Swanson in West Auckland (about an hour’s ride) with power to spare.
The centre console has three green battery power lights and I’d only used one, with the second flickering as I powered home.

Recharging took a couple of hours.
I forgot to recharge fully for the 23km ride back to the office. About quarter of the way the green lights started going out or flickering.

Nursing it along and switching off the bright LED headlight with daytime running light might have helped but I made it all the way with the last green battery power light still on.
But it was rapidly running out of juice on the last steeper bits and literally needed a leg up a couple of hills while remaining in the saddle.

The real-world range is probably close to 30km or 40km, depending on the rider’s weight, the hills, how much you crank the throttle and even a head wind.

Hydraulic shock absorbers provide a smooth, comfortable ride. However, the Storm Cruiser’s long wheelbase (the mini version has a shorter wheelbase and lower handlebars) did see the deck bottom out a few times on some bad parts of the road, footpath and cycleway.

I did like being able to get both feet on the ground at stopping points.
You can fit accessories such as a cup holder, a lockable box, a luggage rack and even a second seat.
There’s also a conversion kit to carry golf gear to get around the course and a car rack is available too.
A rear light with indicators is helpful but the handlebar indicator switch doesn’t automatically click back to neutral so you must remember to do it manually.

Overall, it’s a fun, zero-emissions way of getting about to the shops or work (you can use a backpack or carry stuff home on it) and is especially suitable for those with a slight injury.
Storm Rides NZ says it’s been receiving considerable interest from people aged from 30 to their late 70s who have some disability that makes other forms of transport tricky.

Many of them dislike the idea of the conventional mobility scooter as these are considered slow and make them look older than they are.
The Storm Electric Cruiser is priced around $2395 but you’ll be saving a heap on fuel and other costs. For golfers, the conversion makes the total cost about $2794.

“We have been riding and testing these for over 18 months on the road and footpath and have had no issues,” the firm says.

Storm Rides also market the Storm Cruiser to golf courses, large event venues, security patrols, beach towns, caretakers and city dwellers who don’t want to operate a car.

With an exclusive licence for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, the company is exporting the Cruisers to Rarotonga and surrounding islands after working with the government there.
Visit stormrides.nz

for more information.