Ongoing reliability of Kalkhoff/Focus Impulse 2 motors

[nemesis]

While you have all been moaning I have been out for another 40 miles. I have nothing to do with 50cycles but I don't like bullies who tell me what to think! 400,000 sold and a few moaning minnies who never stop complaining. I spoke to a lady on a Kalkhoff the other day and asked her what she thought. She had only done 1500 miles but said it was great value. The problem is people are happy with them until they are told otherwise by scaremongers. Find problems on google other that this site is difficult. I stand by my words. Like it or lump it. Happy riding. I also notice the rats are deserting the sinking ship.

When i bought my first Kalkhoff in 2011 i thought it was fantastic as it was reliable and never failed after thousands of miles.I then bought another in 2012 and had that for three enjoyable years covering over 30,000 miles on the same PANASONIC motor.

Then in 2015 i bought a Kalkhoff/Focus with the impulse motor and it could not stop going wrong,two motor replacements and i would never have another bike from Kalkhoff for free.

 

[Cold Water]

I had the same experience with the Kalkhoff Include model 2016, fitted with Impulse Evo. I didn't have the same patience as Will. My engine failed within first 10km. I demanded full bike replacement or full refund. They offered a new replacement motor. I didn't want that and suggested we resolve our differences before the consumer tribunal. After the dealer consulted with Derby Cycles in Australia, they agreed to take the bike back and I got the full refund.

These are expensive bikes and if 400,000 customers are really happy as opposed to unlucky few (as claimed), then it would be peanuts to pay them out, in full, out of those high margins they get on each bike, and maintain high reputation not just of reliability but also the level of customer service that matches such a brand.

Something doesn't add up...

 

[soundwave]

Something doesn't add up...

{Mod: Please stick to facts}

 

[Ted B.]

(Removed by admin: Can we please stick to the facts)

 

[Ted B.]

Quite a lot of censorship done recently on this forum, when talking about 50 Cycles.

I guess they must have threatened the forum owners, in their usual aggressive style.

Anyway, quite a few more people reporting motor failings on other forums (Germany, France etc.), usually following a loud crack noise (probably some gear breaking). Some of those are Impulse Evo motors, so looks like the issue reported here is not just limited to Impulse 2 motors...

 

[LEBC Tom]

Of course there is, they throw money at this forum!

 

[HelenJ]

We have certain responsibilities as a forum operator - those are the same whether posts involve advertisers on Pedelecs or not.

To correct you on your statement Tom, or at least what I assume you mean by ‘throw money at this forum,’ 50cycles have not advertised on this site for a little while now.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

50cycles have not advertised on this site for a little while now.

Is it because it's too embarrassing having a presence on the forum at the moment? I guess I feel sort of sorry for them because the problem isn't really their fault.

 

[soundwave]

Is it because it's too embarrassing having a presence on the forum at the moment? I guess I feel sort of sorry for them because the problem isn't really their fault.

problem is they keep selling them with a known fault with the motors not like these things are 200 quid.

if they told there customers all the problems with them they would never buy one in the first place.

felt bikes done a recall just for internal cable problems let alone motors going at the rate they do there not fit for purpose it will never last 2 years let alone 5.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Good point - well presented.

 

[Osho]

My motor problems seem to have stopped after I took it to Bristol and had the software updated. There is a very knowledgeable electronic's student who works there at weekends called Harry Gyurgyak who knows his stuff and is very helpful.

 

[IR772]

Is it because it's too embarrassing having a presence on the forum at the moment? I guess I feel sort of sorry for them because the problem isn't really their fault.

As the seller it is.

Every business has problems, the way you deal with these problems is the golden key.

When the going gets tough the tough get going.

Gone are the days of poor service and head in sand mentality being taken as the normal.

Internet, forums, very easy for a good reputation to turn bad quickly.

To fix problems is expensive but what cost your reputation, I would imagine 50 cycles have had some very difficult meetings with Derby cycles about who pays for what.

 

[Ted B.]

I guess I feel sort of sorry for them because the problem isn't really their fault.

I am not: while the motor issues are not their fault, their track record of after sales service is horrible, and they are also very aggressive and threatening to their customers.

50 Cycles don't seem to have many spare motors in stock, despite knowing there is an issue, and replacements take days or weeks. Nothing "premium" about that, and they should do whatever they can to minimise the impact of their flawed products on their customers.

They denied there was an issue with Kalkhoff Impulse II motors, until they were forced to admit there was indeed an issue. They then stated the issue had been fixed by Derby Cycle, when it was clearly not the case (and still not the case).

Lots of people are still coming forward with issues with Impulse 2 or Evo motors, including on recent replacement motors...

They don't seem to have taken any pro-active measures, and for instance contacted their existing customers to advise that there was an issue, and a software update was indeed available to possibly prevent it from happening (by reducing the torque applied).

 

[Artstu]

My motor problems seem to have stopped after I took it to Bristol and had the software updated. There is a very knowledgeable electronic's student who works there at weekends called Harry Gyurgyak who knows his stuff and is very helpful.

I've read that the update turns everything down, a soft start, lower power, in the hope of not breaking whatever it is that breaks.

I've seen a photo of a broken freewheel assembly from inside the motor, but I don't know if that's the only thing that breaks inside these motors.

 

[nemesis]

I've read that the update turns everything down, a soft start, lower power, in the hope of not breaking whatever it is that breaks.

I've seen a photo of a broken freewheel assembly from inside the motor, but I don't know if that's the only thing that breaks inside these motors.

I have had a new motor fitted with the latest software and it was awful compared to the original.Slow start off and unresponsive with a muted feeling also it was cutting out on realy sharp bumps probably to stop the motor surging because of the shock through the crank arms.
I sold it on at a loss to get rid but i know i will miss the 17ah battery because nobody else offers that.

 

[Osho]

I've read that the update turns everything down, a soft start, lower power, in the hope of not breaking whatever it is that breaks.

I've seen a photo of a broken freewheel assembly from inside the motor, but I don't know if that's the only thing that breaks inside these motors.

I've not noticed lower power, everything seems to be a lot smoother than before. Harry also fitted a new chain as mine had stretched after just 500 miles but I don't know if this played a part in the clanking noise I was experiencing. Altogether the bike is now fine but it certainly had not received a pre delivery service and I feel this reflects badly on the company.

 

[Ted B.]

it certainly had not received a pre delivery service and I feel this reflects badly on the company.

So 50 Cycles hadn't prepared the bike when you collected it?

 

[Osho]

So 50 Cycles hadn't prepared the bike when you collected it?

Correct: lots of small niggling things like a missing nut from the rear mudguard which I only realised when out on a ride and heard a rubbing sound.Somehow my bike had slipped through its pre-delivery inspection and I suspect , no evidence of course, that having asked for a larger sprocket to give me slightly higher gear, that was carried out but in doing so the normal preparation was missed.My cousin and wife who live in Germany both have the same model and not experienced any problems at all. I am about to buy my wife an eb but will do so from a local dealer because living so far from 50Cycles has been the cause of much of my frustration.

 

[Ted B.]

I don't get it. How could you have had no pre-delivery inspection on your bike?

From the 50 Cycles website:

=======================
First Class Service

We specialise in providing the best electric bikes and the smartest cycling accessories in the UK. We also offer the most responsive and knowledgeable after sales service.
========================

How could this happen from the self-proclaimed best in the UK???

 

[LEBC Tom]

In defence of 50 cycles or any dealer for that matter a nut can work itself loose and fall off, a bike being used in/on rough terrain will shake quite a bit....and it is only a nut and washer.

For the record and for balance, I'm not a fan of owners of 50 cycles at all, I and other local companies in Hampton Wick found them bullish, arrogant and down right rude to deal with.