I just picked up an ecoreco scooter M5 based, in part, on this forum post. While other scooters looked interesting, they seemed to be just coming out, and as a previous owner of a go motorboards 1500x, I didn't want to go through that horrible experience again. Not sure if I should start a new topic, but I thought I'd give my initial thoughts.
I had an invitation code, which gave me $50 off a scooter. But it didn't work when I chose a package. So I called and talked to Jay and he personally assured me that if I noted it in the order, it would be applied on the package deal. This was last friday. I thought it over and actually went to a local shop who carried these, but they only had them on display, locked down to the display shelf. Not much help there. So I ended up placing my order on saturday. It shipped on Monday and arrive today (tuesday). I didn't receive any confirmation of the code being applied, so will follow up if I don't see it by week's end.
The double box the scooter came in was a bit hefty, so I was afraid it might have gotten banged around by UPS. But no, Ecoreco had packaged it pretty well with padding and lock ties in all the right places. No damage out of the box. A second box contained the other package item deals which were just placed in the box.
My first impression was that this thing is built like a tank. Even so, I had a roll of non-slip grip which I added to the bottom and the deck. Just the week before I had been trying out a Xootr for my 2 mile post commuter train commute, and there we scratches on the sides and bottom, and I wanted to put off these cosmetic flaws as long as possible. When putting on the grip, I found that the kick stand and the rubber bumper under the front of the deck would probably stop a lot of these types of scratches, which occurred when I was setting up and breaking down the Xootr outside the train station on the concrete.
I thought Xooter construction was nice, but the Ecoreco M5 feels like the Mercedes Benz of scooters (or should that be a BMW?). At first I only rode it on the sidewalk which was so smooth compared to the Xooter with padded weight gloves on. Then I though, "What the heck, try to road", something I'd never do with the Xooter. No gloves, it was such a pleasant ride, I am VERY glad I went with the M5 with the extra suspension in the rear. If anyone says an Ecoreco scooter is a rough ride, it must be because the are on a M3 and haven't tried an M5. (I was weary after watching some youtube video comparing the too, but the M5 is very easy to ride on the road or sidewalk, unlike a Xootr).
I am liking my grip strips on the deck of the M5 as it makes it feel really stable when I push the scooter. To be honest, since I've never ridden on without the grips, I guess this isn't an informed opinion. Since work shoes are often smooth soles and not as grippy as sneaker, I do think this will be a good "mod". I am waiting to see how these hold up to daily use, especially when I break it down and reassemble - I hope I don't scrape my knuckles or hands on them while working the breakdown levers.
Although the gauge went to 25mph, I was mainly cruising at 15mph and pushed it up to close to 20mph before I chickened out and stopped looking. I went about 1.6 miles and stopped my test. We'll see how it fares during tomorrow's commute of 2 miles. I don't plan to charge it tonight, but will charge it after the morning commute.
So that's it for now. Recap: I took the plunge based on all the reviews and youtube videos I could find. Having had a go motorboards 1500x, and a Xootr, I think I've found the perfect solution, but ONLY if it last at least 3 years before needed a battery change. Based on my usage, I'm thinking it should go 5 years. So I'll try to keep updating this until it dies a premature and horrible death (like my 1500x), or until the first battery change.
-J