Beyond-Oil

Saving the Planet Two Wheels at a Time.

If you want to link to this web site you can use the following:

beyond-oil.com
Saving the Planet Two Wheels at a Time.
Electric Scooters and Electric Bicycles of high quality and performance.
Accessories and Electric Conversion Kits.
Serving Wholesale, Retail, Local, National, International.
Sapoty Brook sapoty@beyond-oil.com (+61) 0407 213 267 Mullumbimby, Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions for Purchasing [Terms & Conditions]

Please email us if anything is out of date or you have suggested questions for us to include here.

How do I get an electric scooter or electric bicycle from you?

How can I customise my order?

How can I make my investment?

What are the freight details?

How do I do the final assembly when it comes out of the box?

Can I see the User Manual?

What are your conditions for returns?

How do I get my bicycle repaired?

What warranty do you provide?

Disclaimer

Frequently Asked Questions for Electric Bicycles

Some preliminary words of warning about the market place:

Will I need a licence to ride my electric bicycle?

Will I need to register my electric bicycle?

How fast will my bike go?

Do I need to pedal?

What does it cost to run an electric bicycle?

Does the battery recharge when I pedal?

Can you tell me about your bikes?

Can Lithium batteries be recycled?

Where do I get a new battery when my lithium battery dies?

Is it best if I run the battery flat before I recharge it?

What are sensible precautions with lithium batteries?

Can I ride an electric bicycle in the rain?

Is an electric bicycle good for health?

Frequently Asked Questions for Electric Scooters

What is the power, range, and top speed of the scooter?

Are Lithium batteries available?

Does the scooter come with a charger?

Are there different models available?

Can I select the colour or accessories?

What is the quality of the scooters like?

Shouldn't we be aiming to use more biofuels?

How to ride a scooter (Just joking really.)

Frequently Asked Questions For Australian Buyers of Electric Scooters

Are there any "hidden" costs?

Is an electric scooter difficult to ride?

Why do the scooters have to be registered?

Can you provide an electric bicycle that I don't have to register or have a licence for?

Can the electric scooter be registered in any state in Australia?

How much does registration and insurance cost?

Where do I need a motorcycle licence to ride this scooter?

How do I get a motorcycle licence?

Where can I download the NSW RTA handbooks to prepare for the courses and tests?

How much does it cost to get a motorcycle licence?

Frequently Asked Questions for Purchasing

Terms & Conditions

By purchasing from Beyond-Oil (Regd. as Bodybubble International in NSW) the buyer agrees to the following Terms and Conditions. The buyer agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located within the State of New South Wales, Australia to resolve any legal matter arising from the Terms and Conditions.

How do I get an electric scooter, electric bicycle, or conversion kit from you?

1. Go to our Web Shop and choose quote or order, complete and send the form.
If you buy from another website you may require a buyers code or the link from that website may provide it. For bicycle conversion kits, please request a quote by email.

2. We will contact you to discuss your needs and finalise your order.

3. When you have made your investment for your vehicle we will prepare your order and send the vehicle to you. We deliver Worldwide.

If you intend to ride your bike on private land then you are welcome to order a special higher power bicycle through us.

How can I customise my order?
See our Web Shop for optional extras. Bicycles are available in a single colour unless by special order. Scooters are limited to a range of colours.

Conversion Kit options will be specified by email dialog and are available in voltages of 24V, 36V, 48V; power ranging from 200W to 1000W; and battery capacities from 10AH to 40AH.

Beyond-oil cannot provide bicycles in Australia that have motors greater than the legal limit of 200W unless you agree it is for use soley on private land and can wait up to 5 weeks for a special order. If you make a special order then you are agreeing to take all responsibility of ownership of the bicycle after we have dispatched it. If you want insurance please ask us for a quote. Our normal warranty also applies to special orders.

Note: If you are an Australian buyer you agree you will NOT BUY BOTH a high power electric bicycle conversion kit AND an electric bicycle from Beyond-Oil. It is illegal for me to knowingly do that.

How can I make my investment?
Payment links are provided on your order summary email sent from the Web Shop.

Paymate or Paypal with credit card transactions (a surcharge to cover transaction costs may be added and I may required that you send me a photo of yourself holding a signed note authorising the transaction).

Direct deposit in Bank account (Recommended for Australian buyers) (Account name: Bodybubble Intl.)

What are the freight details?

Depending on the circumstances we will quote you the delivery charge or it will be included in the total price quoted.

To Australia
Dispatch originates from one of our Capital City warehouses provided your ordered vehicle is in stock. Pickup of the vehicle sealed in its carton is possible if you are near enough to the relevant warehouse. Orders are generally shipped within 48 hours after full payment is received and cleared, though may take longer during busy periods. Delivery is only possible to street addresses and can generally be expected within 5 days of dispatch. If your ordered vehicle is not in stock it can be handled as a Special Customised Order.

To North America, Europe, and Special Customised Orders
Your customised order will take 1 to 30 days to prepare according to your requirements, and will be shipped direct from our factory. There is also up to 7 days required for local handling. We offer three shipping options: 10 days (no discount), 28 days (approx. US$112 discount), 45days (approx. US$280 discount). Your bike will arrive in 2 or sometimes 3 separate cartons.

We have been improving our packing, especially for international shipments. Here is a recent unpacking sequence taken by a customer.

If the carton is damaged in a manner which places the condition of the contents in question, then the delivery should be rejected by the buyer. Do not sign for the delivery until you have inspected the carton for damage.

Beyond-Oil.com (Beyond Oil Pty Ltd.) is not directly liable for any loss, theft or damage during delivery. Delivery insurance is optional, except with road delivery in Australia ($10).

How do I do the final assembly when it comes out of the box?
Regarding bicycles, you or your local bicycle expert can install the handle bar, front wheel, seat, pedals, and front light, and any uninstalled accessories. Some accessories may not be installed on the bicycle and you can choose to install them if you wish. If you are inexperienced in bicycle assembly, you may find this sequence of photos helpful showing the assembly process, but give the job to an expert if you have any difficulties or concerns. The tools provided with the bicycle should be sufficient to do the assembly.

For your safety, double check all nuts and screws are properly tightened before you ride the bicycle. This includes spokes, so check if any of them are loose too. You are responsible for ensuring your bike is safe to ride. We recommend you get your bike checked for roadworthiness by a bicycle mechanic.

When you open the box it is wise to find the battery keys and make sure they cannot be lost. If you loose the battery keys it will take several weeks to fix and you will be responsible for repair and all associated freight costs. Some models have an 'ignition' key and a battery-frame locking key, and other models have one key for both functions. If there are no spare copies then get the spare keys cut and labelled.

Can I see the User Manual?
Yes, you can browse it here.

What are your conditions for returns?
Beyond-Oil.com (Registered as Bodybubble Intl.) will either refund or exchange the item if we are notified by email within 7 days of the item being delivered to you. This applies to items that arrive “dead on arrival” (DOA) or have a manufacturers defect only. Exchange or Refund shall be decided at the discretion of the seller and will be decided within 7 days of item being received back from buyer.

Please email us immediately at sapoty@beyond-oil.com, state a specific reason as to why you want an exchange or refund. We do not accept returns when the customer simply decides they no longer want the item. We do not accept returns if we can have the item repaired in the locality of the customer.

The item must be returned in all the original packaging, including carton, bubble wrap and plastic protection and all accessories. Any additional costs of repair of damage to the returned item will be deducted from the refund. Also a 20% restocking fee of the total price including freight will be deducted from the refund.

The buyer is solely responsible for all shipping charges incurred during return and exchange of the item. An exchange item will not be sent until shipping costs are paid.

How do I get my bicycle repaired?
If the problem is mechanical then book your bicycle into your local bike shop. They may not like serving customers who don't buy a bike from them so you may have to have an explanation ready.

If the problem is electrical, you can talk to me about it. Often the problem is just a loose connection or similar. If it is not something really easy to fix then book your bicycle in for repairs at an electric bicycle shop near you. Otherwise you can find an electrical appliance repairer and give them my phone number or email. I can guide the repairer and I can supply any parts required, anywhere, within a one to three week time frame.

You can easily find an electric repairer in your city or region by doing an internet or Yellow Pages search for electrical appliance repairers. For example, in Sydney, Gordon Wright of Telford Electrical (Mobile: 0412 100 436) is available for repairs of electric bicycles and scooters.

What warranty do you provide?
Beyond-Oil.com (Registered as Bodybubble Intl.) offers a 2 year Guarantee to provide replacement parts at cost price.

We provide a 1 year Motor Warranty, and a 6 month Electrical Warranty on the battery, controller, and charger. We may require faulty items to be returned. Returned items are subject to inspection and must be found deemed faulty due to a manufacturing or electrical fault.

In the unlikely event that that you have a faulty product or part within the 3 month period from the date the item is delivered, we will provide any replacement parts necessary. Beyond-Oil reserves the right to require the buyer to return the faulty part, or require pictures or video of the malfunction.

Periods specified are from the date of delivery.

Exclusions: The warranty does not cover the following:
Consumable wearing parts, such as but not limited to, brake cables, levers and braking system, chains, tyres, lights, seats and bicycle accessories.
Damage that is caused by normal wear and tear.
Damage that is caused to the electrics by ingress of water.
Any item that the buyer modifies, repairs, re-works or alters the bicycle in any way without prior consent from Beyond-Oil.com voids the warranty.
Damage that is caused by misuse, or incorrect assembly.

Disclaimer

All products sold by Beyond-Oil.com (Registered as Bodybubble Intl.) must be assembled, checked, maintained, and used responsibly. The buyer assumes all risks with operation of our vehicles. The buyer will properly supervise all riders and will provide the proper safety gear to riders. Responsibility for any injuries to riders or damage to property will lie with the buyer.

The buyer may choose to purchase a bicycle or conversion kit that has a higher motor power than allowed in the buyer's juridiction. With such a purchase the buyer agrees with Beyond-Oil to use the over-powered motor only on their private land. The buyer also agrees to indemnify the seller against any penalties, legal trouble, or damages resulting from illegal use of the over-powered motor. The attention of Australian buyers is drawn to section 17 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 which requires that vehicles comply with national standards and non-compliance may be an offence.

Specifications and expected performance as described in this web site are indicative only and subject to change without notice. Claimed speed can vary depending on load and conditions. Changes to, and the availability of, colours and the styles shown in this website may regularly occur. Images are for illustration purposes only. Power costs to recharge an electric scooter or electric bicycle are indicative only and are subject to variation depending on power source provider, tariff scheme and other factors. No liability is accepted for any errors or currency contained in this web site. This website is not to be reproduced, in full or in part, without written permission from Bodybubble International. The scooter is best suited for local town and suburban travel on 40, 50, and 60 km/h speed limited roads and congested inner city areas. Use on other road types is not recommended and may be forbidden.

This webpage may be copied or printed by a buyer soley as their record of the warranty at the time of purchase.

End of Terms and Conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions for Electric Bicycles

Some preliminary words of warning about the market place:
There are people selling petrol motors for bicycles. Generally these motors are a lot more powerful than is allowed by the law. I know people riding bicycles fitted with these motors who have been fined for riding an unregistered motorcycle and riding a motorcycle without a licence. An electric motor does not have this risk and it is almost silent, more reliable, and much more economical to run.

There are people selling bicycles with lead acid batteries who are not upfront about them being lead and really heavy. They cost as much or more in the long run because the lead acid batteries die after about 250 charges.

There are people selling conversion kits that look cheap but they do not include the battery and charger which usually cost more than the rest of the components. A good conversion kit with a battery costs nearly as much as one of my bicycles and then there is the installation cost and hassle.

Will I need a licence to ride my electric bicycle?
No. The maximum allowable power is higher in some other countries. We can provide bicycles up to 500 Watts. In Australia, a licence is required to ride a vehicle on the road with a motor producing more than 200 Watts of power.

Will I need to register my electric bicycle?
No. The maximum allowable power is higher in some other countries. We can provide bicycles up to 500 Watts. In Australia, a bicycle with less than a 200 Watt motor is classed as an ordinary bicycle and does not require registration.

How fast will my bike go?
With a 200 Watt motor the bicycle will cruise on flat road at about 25 kph with minimal pedaling. With a 500 Watt motor you could expect to reach 35 kph with minimal pedaling and 32 kph with no pedaling on a flat road.

Will I need to pedal?
The PAS (Pedal Assist System) is designed for safety so the throttle does not work until the pedals are turned. You can just keep pedaling and leave the throttle alone ... or you can twist the throttle and then stop pedaling and the throttle will keep working without you having to pedal.

Our latest bicycles have buttons on the handlebar to select how much pedal assistance you want: LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH.

Also, our latest bicycles have a red button on the hand throttle which you can press to enable the throttle to work even when you are not pedaling. Some people prefer that. However you must take care that nobody twists the throttle when there is no rider on the bicycle. Warning: don't forget to raise the inside pedal when turning.

You can choose when and where you want extra exercise by turning off the battery.

The operation of the control panel on the handle bar is fairly straight forward:

1. [Default Mode at Turn ON]
When you turn the controller on it defaults to LOW assistance.

2. [PAS and Throttle Operation]
With the red button next to the throttle twist grip IN if you pedal OR twist the throttle then the motor provides assistance. Press "-" or "+" to change the level of assistance.

3. [PAS-only Operation]
With the red button OUT if you pedal the motor will provide assistance . Twisting the throttle has NO effect when the red button is in the OUT position.

4. [Throttle-only Operation]
If you press the "-" button until the LOW MED HIGH assistance LEDs go out, and with the red button IN you can operate in throttle-only mode. Twist the throttle to provide the motor assistance (also call TAG - Twist And Go mode). Peddling has no effect on the assistance provided by the motor in this mode.

Note: When using any of the Pedal Assistance (PAS) modes there is a DELAY in the operation of the motor when starting and stopping to pedal. There is no delay in the throttle-only mode.

What does it cost to run an electric bicycle?
Each time you charge it the electricity cost will be about 5 cents and about 50 cents towards future battery replacement.

Does the battery recharge when I pedal?
No, that option would make the bicycle significantly more expensive and only provide a small increase in range. It is important for general safety to charge only with the approved charger.

Can you tell me about your bikes?
Our bikes have excellent Lithium batteries which are the lightest type of battery commercially available (you can tell if a bike has lead acid batteries: "They weigh a tonne!"). The low weight means that you can ride up steeper hills and go further on a charge (30 km without pedaling, a lot more with pedaling. According to government motor power regulations the speed is limited to about 25 km per hour (or whatever your country allows).

The acceleration is also very good. The battery is rated at 800 charge cycles in normal use. The remaining charge is indicated on the handlebar and there is a warning light to warn you when the battery is getting too low in charge to use. However, as with most batteries, it is best to recharge it as often as convenient and keep it topped up. The battery does not have a "memory effect" and must not be discharged before recharging! That only applies to some NiCad batteries. If you keep the charger with you on longer trips, you can easily top up the battery if you stop for a while.

Can Lithium batteries be recycled?
Batteries have a bad name due to some containing lead or cadmium which are toxic. Lithium is rated as no to very low toxicity. So if a lithium battery ends up in landfill it is not the end of the world. Lithium batteries will be recyclable in the future because lithium is a valuable resource.

Where do I get a new battery when my lithium battery dies?
Your battery will last 800 charge cycles if it is kept topped up and not left without recharging for more than 2 months. That means if you discharge it everyday with a lot of riding it will last about 800 days or more. That is well over 2 years, 7 days a week! So don't expect to be replacing your battery in a hurry. When you do need a new battery I can deliver one to you within 2 weeks for a very low price... just like all our prices. If you are an intensive rider you could consider buying a spare battery when you order your bicycle.

Is it best if I run the battery flat before I recharge it?
No! That rule is for NiCad batteries only (for conditioning new computer batteries)! All other re-chargeable batteries can get a reduced life span if you run them flat. On our bikes, the motor controller cuts out when the battery charge gets low. Then you can pedal on without power until you get the chance to charge it.

What are sensible precautions with lithium batteries?
Treat lithium batteries like you would treat your fuel tank or a can of fuel... with great respect! Unlike fuel, lithium combusts with water, and can create a substantial flash fire if there is a short circuit, or if over-charged. Hence it is dangerous to use a charger other than the charger supplied with the bicycle. That charger is designed to stop charging when that battery is full. The case of the lithium battery is water resistant, but not water proof. If the case of the lithium battery becomes physically damaged you should stop using it and have it inspected by a battery technician. You wouldn't mess around with a can of fuel... so don't mess around with a lithium battery.

LiFePO4 batteries have a higher charge voltage (43.8V) than Li ion or Li polymer (LiMn2O4) batteries (42V). So it is not safe to charge a Lithium battery with an unmatched battery charger.

The electrical system operates at 36 Volts. That is very low and cannot create any dangerous electric shock (even phone lines are higher at 50 Volts). However people wearing medical electronics should take appropriate precautions.

Can I ride an electric bicycle in the rain?
The electronics are not completely sealed - they must NOT be submersed in water. The battery, controller, motor, and throttle are water resistant but not water proof. That includes the hub motor, and the controller which is just above the pedal axle. Never ride through puddles deeper than 10 cm.

If you live in a high rainfall are you can reduce the risk of battery damage due to water ingress during rain by running plastic tape along the seam of the battery case. However, we advise against riding in worse than light rain. Having a large raincoat or poncho to cover both you and the bike is a good solution if you live in a wet region. We provide a specially designed rider's raincoat free with each bike. While taking great care that it cannot tangle in the wheels, Isadora Duncan, you can use it to cover the battery and handlebar.

Is an electric bicycle good for health?
I stumbled upon this comment on the web and thoroughly agree with it:
An Australian, or New Zealand, study some years ago compared cardiovascular activity of a car, regular pedal bike and an electric bike over the same public road course that had some tough hills. Of course the car was null on cardio help, the pedal only bike rider had abnormally high heart rate (not recommended at that level) on the big hills, and the electric bike rider had a higher, but acceptable, heart our. So an EB is TRULY good for your health. So the EB is the winner in the helpful cardio category. On safety--have you ever tried to pull away from a dangerous situation on a pedal bike when you were in harms way--I have, and it is hard and dangerous at times. On an EB, you just instantly accelerate with the flick of the accelerator switch or by pedaling hard on a Pedelec that kicks in the motor for a quick start. I rest my case.

Frequently Asked Questions for Electric Scooters

What is the power, range, and top speed of the scooter?
The power is 1500 Watts which is about 2 Horsepower.
The range is 45-60 Km depending on hills, riding style, and your depth of discharge of the battery.
The top speed of the scooter is 50 kph.

Are Lithium batteries available?
Our bicycles are fitted with Lithium batteries. Our scooters are fitted with advanced sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries. Bicycles benefit greatly from the lightness of lithium batteries. With the higher price of the larger lithium batteries required in scooters, the advanced and significantly less expensive SLA batteries do a great job.

Does the scooter come with a charger?
Yes, it is a high quality Greensaver charger. The patented batteries are also made by Greensaver and are considered to be the best sealed lead-acid batteries available for this purpose.

Are there different models available?
See the Shop for details.

Can I select the colour or accessories?
There are several basic colours to choose from. We can provide helmets, gloves, locks, covers, RJ jackets and accessories, armoured pads, saddle bags as extras.

What is the quality of these scooters like?
Our supplier is very experienced in the electric scooter business and is able to ensure that very high quality components are installed. Besides the usual disposable parts like tyres and brake pads, we expect your scooter's non-wearing and electrical parts to need a similar amount of servicing as your refrigerator... zilch.

Shouldn't we be aiming to use more biofuels?
Going All-Electric
August 7, 2008
By Martin Roscheisen, CEO - Nanosolar.
The following is one of my favorite charts: How far a car can drive based on either of the following forms of energy, each produced from 100m x 100m (2.5 acres) of land:

How come that biofuel does not really cut it? Electric cars are about four times more energy efficient than fuel based cars. This is because fuel engines mostly creates heat and thus wastes the majority of the energy units available. Combine this with biofuel plants not being very efficient solar energy harvesters relative to semiconductor based solar electricity, and the result is this huge difference.

In other words, it is clear that if the goal is to maximize energy efficiency, the end point to go after is all-electric cars everywhere. Moving all of transportation to all-electric would essentially cut in half our overall energy consumption without compromising on distance to go.

I for one have vowed that the Prius I bought six years ago will have been the last fuel powered car I’d buy in my life. (Given that I may very well own the highest-mileage Prius on the planet, this presumably reflects my confidence in the quality of this vehicle and the near-term readiness of electric car technology…) Presently, it is baking in the sun all day while I’m at work. My future all-electric car would charge up while under a solar carport.

Frequently Asked Questions For Australian Buyers of Electric Scooters

Are there any "hidden" costs?
Since the scooter is an electric vehicle it is subject to a reduced stamp duty of 2 or 3% of the sale price payable at the time of registration. Since stamp duty is a State based tax it probably varies with the State, so check with your registration authority. If you live in Australia the scooters must be transported by road. (For example we can freight a scooter to Sydney for about $300 (Ferguson Ph 0397471666, Fax 0397471655, email: fergusonracing@bigpond.com, Web www.motorcycleexpress.com.au).

Is an electric scooter difficult to ride?
An electric scooter is very easy to ride. Just twist the handle to go, and squeeze the brakes to stop. There are no gears because electric motors have good torque (acceleration) at a very wide range of speeds. It is easier to ride than a pushbike because you don't have to be concerned with pedaling. It feels as if you are sitting on a magic carpet swishing almost silently through the air. It is a very pleasurable experience to plug into.

Why do the scooters have to be registered?
Under Australian law an electric vehicle does not have to be registered if it has no more than 3 wheels, pedals, and an electric motor not exceeding 200 Watts rated power. Our scooters have a 1500 W motor, so they must be registered in Australia.

Can you provide an electric bicycle that I don't have to register or have a licence for?
Electric bicycles are limited to 200 Watt motors in Australia unless you get one for off-road purposes. Their top speed without pedaling is about 25 kph. However they are great for shorter journeys and when you don't need the speed. We can provide an electric bicycle and deliver it to your door. They cost about half as much as a scooter. We have several models: see our electric bicycles page.

Can the electric scooter be registered in any state in Australia?
Yes, it has been approved by the Federal Department of Transport as an LA category vehicle.

How much does registration and insurance cost?
The cost of registration in NSW is listed here:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/otherinformation/registrationfees.html

Compulsory Third Party Insurance costs about $90 to $130 for a year (2009 quote). See for example:
https://www.nrma.com.au/NewBusiness/ctpnbintro

Where do I need a motorcycle licence to ride this scooter?
Licence Requirements: In NSW, ACT, Vic., and possibly Tas. you will need a motorcycle permit / licence. The first step of getting a learner's permit is not difficult. In all other states, you only need a car licence to ride a registerable electric scooter.

How do I get a motorcycle licence?
In NSW you can do a pre-learner course to learn the basic skills for safe riding. Once you have successfully completed the course, you will be issued with a pre-learner Certificate of Competence. Then to get a learner rider licence, you must go within three months to your nearest motor registry and take a knowledge test. You are then issued with a learner rider licence which is valid for 12 months. You will then need to pass the pre-provisional course within this time to get your provisional rider licence.

Here is the link to the relevant RTA (NSW) information. http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/gettingalicence/motorcycle/index.html

In other states, please go to your transport authority website.

Where can I download the NSW RTA handbooks to prepare for the courses and tests?
Before doing the courses and tests you should read the Motorcycle Riders' Handbook and Road User's Handbook (see fee at top) These are available online as downloads via this page:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/index.html
You can also practice the tests online via that page.

How much does it cost to get a motorcycle licence?
Here is the link to the fees in NSW:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/licensingfees.html

See the Pre-learner Course fee at the bottom of that page. Courses are available via the RTA.

Next you take the Rider (Driver) Knowledge Test (see fee) to get your Learner Rider Licence (see fee). The Rider Knowledge Test is different to the Driver Knowledge Test.

If you are a "mature age" rider (over 30 years old with a good 5+ year old driver's licence) you can claim exemption from the 3 month minimum as a Learner Rider and proceed immediately with the "Pre-provisional Course" (see fee) takes 8hrs

Next you take the "Riding (Skills) Test" (see fee) to get your Provisional Licence (see fee).

Finally you can get an Unrestricted Rider's Licence after 12mths (depending on your age).