Pulled some performance numbers for the motor kit on this bike. The 48v "heavy duty" kit from E-Bikekit. 6x9 motor. Works ok, but honestly, this bike needs 2000w, not 1000. The kit has 5 power levels, but level 1 is stupidly low power and near useless. Ranges are given for a theoretical 500wh battery. Test rides were 3 miles, slightly up and down hill light pedaling, I can't pedal hard.
The numbers are higher than I expected, no doubt due to the big saddlebags catching the wind. It was breezy during the test, but the route went both up and down wind. The bike is heavy too, 90 pounds with one battery. So total weight was about 275.
Full speed and power on level 5. 21 mph, 34.5 wh/mi, 14 miles range.
Minimal pedaling in level 5, bike geared too low for comfortable pedaling except on the uphills.
Level 4. 17 mph, 25.3 wh/mi, 19 miles range
Level 3. 13 mph, 17.8 wh/mi, 28 miles range
Level 2. 8 mph, 8 wh/mi, 62 miles range.
Really? 62 miles from 500wh? Sounds like the Storm bike claim.
Well, level 2 gives you about 50-70 watts. So it's pretty much no assist at all. It would be easier to just ride a much lighter bike 62 miles. But a guy like me can't pedal, and I could limp home a long ways on level 2 if I had to. Without pedaling, about 5 mph, and range would be more like 30 miles. Honestly, pedaling 62 miles in level 2 would be a nightmare.
But the butter zone, levels 3 and 4 are very nice with this setup, on this bike. Decent range in level 3, and pedaling is easy. Level 2 pedaling is pretty hard work.
As far as the bike holding up, no creaks or tweaks so far, after about 30 miles of riding. I think it will be strong enough now for sure.