Wisper 906 Alpino questions

[MGR1]

Hi all.

I am new to this forum, and consider to buy a 2011 Wisper 906 Alpino. I have never owned or even tried an electric bicycle before, and would very much appreciate some info about the Wisper 906. I have a few questions, and hope that someone with first hand experience could be so kind to reply :

* Are there differences between the 2011 906 Alpino and last years model? I see that the older models are on discount from some shops. If there are differences, what are they?

* About the throttle; is this a simple on/off device, or does it increase the power proportionally to the throttle "opening"?

* I see that some ads say that the throttle cuts off at 6 kph, some at 25 kph. On a 6kph model, could this restriction be removed so the throttle powers the bike up to 25 kph? If it is possible to remove the 6 kph throttle restriction, how is this done, and can it be done on the older (2010) models as well?

* When using the throttle only from standstill, is the speed increase smooth, or is it abrupt?

* When coasting downhill at more than 25 kph, is there noticeable drag in the motor?

* I read in some early tests that the motor has an annoying whine. Has this been fixed on later models?

* What about the general build quality of the Wisper 906 Alpino?

* Would you recommend the bike ?


Thanks in advance and regards from Norway,

Michael

 

[Mussels]

I have last years model, I'll try and answer the questions below:

* Are there differences between the 2011 906 Alpino and last years model? I see that the older models are on discount from some shops. If there are differences, what are they? No idea.

* About the throttle; is this a simple on/off device, or does it increase the power proportionally to the throttle "opening"? Gradual power.

* I see that some ads say that the throttle cuts off at 6 kph, some at 25 kph. On a 6kph model, could this restriction be removed so the throttle powers the bike up to 25 kph? If it is possible to remove the 6 kph throttle restriction, how is this done, and can it be done on the older (2010) models as well? The restriction is controlled by a lead that usually hangs below the controller housing, pull the connector apart to disable it.

* When using the throttle only from standstill, is the speed increase smooth, or is it abrupt? If you apply full power from stationary without pedalling it will probably error and reset itself, it's no motorbike but noticably faster than a normal pushbike with steady acceleration.

* When coasting downhill at more than 25 kph, is there noticeable drag in the motor? Not that I notice and I'm able to ride it over the max motor speed on the flat.

* I read in some early tests that the motor has an annoying whine. Has this been fixed on later models? Dunno if it's been fixed, I don't really notice the whine as it only happens at certain speeds under load.

* What about the general build quality of the Wisper 906 Alpino? I find it good with few problems after a few thousand miles and some very bumpy roads. I had problems with the rear wheel, better than previous versions but mine still failed after a few hundred miles. Wisper were looking at new rims but I don't know what the result was, I replaced my rim and have had very little trouble since.

* Would you recommend the bike ? Yes.

 

[windycycle]

hi one of my bikes is a wisper i have done over 2000 miles on it with very few problems a broken spoke, although i did over load it, ive got a trailer now ive used in through winter and summer up here in scotland and its still fun an the commute to work 26 miles so yes i would recomend one,just regular tightening of bolts and stuff hope this helps all the best windycycle.

 

[dmcgoldrick]

2011 upgrade on battery, handlebar connection box for wiring simplified...not sure if anything else changed.
i have 706 alpino....well made (heavy), good components, great gear system (alfine 8 speed).
never use throttle, easy to peddle on flat above assist level and runs very smooth coasting downhill, so dont think drag is a problem. my battery does about 30 miles before giving up on hills (its very hilly where i am) but will continue on the flat for much further.
good on road and track ,but not very good 'off road' due to the front wheel drive in my opinion......
technology moving fast so would expect to see more lighter bikes of high quality on the market in the short term, possibly at higher price than the wisper.
as a first ebike you will find it very good if you are using on road and good tracks.
if going on rougher ground then suggest you look for something lighter with rear wheel motor like the new storck raddar, of a full sus mountain bike with a fitted kit such as bionx.

regards

 

[MGR1]

Thanks for the feedback all, I appreciate.

Regards,
Michael

 

[MGR1]

Well, I ordered a new Wisper 906 Alpino today , the only one available in Norway. Looking forward to it .

 

[eddieo]

Enjoy! and welcome to the Wisper clan.... They are great bikes!

 

[MGR1]

Thanks. My first pedelec, hopefully it will be up to expectations .

 

[Martin Hassett]

2011 upgrade on battery, handlebar connection box for wiring simplified...not sure if anything else changed.
i have 706 alpino....well made (heavy), good components, great gear system (alfine 8 speed).
never use throttle, easy to peddle on flat above assist level and runs very smooth coasting downhill, so dont think drag is a problem. my battery does about 30 miles before giving up on hills (its very hilly where i am) but will continue on the flat for much further.
good on road and track ,but not very good 'off road' due to the front wheel drive in my opinion......
technology moving fast so would expect to see more lighter bikes of high quality on the market in the short term, possibly at higher price than the wisper.
as a first ebike you will find it very good if you are using on road and good tracks.
if going on rougher ground then suggest you look for something lighter with rear wheel motor like the new storck raddar, of a full sus mountain bike with a fitted kit such as bionx.

regards

Hi, I know it is some time since this you wrote this post but I'm hoping you can help me with my 906 Alpino. My bike was manufactured in July 2011 and has the larger battery and wheels, so it sounds like the same model as yours. Can you tell me if your bike has a label next to a pair of purple wires from the controller saying disconnect purple wires for pure power mode ? If so, do you know what is meant by pure power ? I did have a manual which came with the bike that I have unfortunately lost, I think I remember reading " dis- connect the purple wires to test the motor for raw power ". Could you confirm any of this please ?

 

[jackhandy]

You mean you've had your bike all this time & never been tempted to separate those 2 wires?
Most of us would have tried it the day the warranty ran out - If not before

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Why wait for the warranty to expire? It won't affect it in any way. I'd have done it as soon as I got home, or better still, I could have asked the shop to do it before I took delivery. IIRC that was an option offered by Wisper.

 

[Martin Hassett]

I have only had the bike 3 weeks, I bought it from an auto jumble for my wife to use. I've never had an electric bike before so forgive my lack of knowledge. I just want to make sure that the bike is not de-restricted before I let her ride it. Are you saying that pure power mode on the label means de-restricted and I should therefore connect the purple wires to restrict it to the legal limit ?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

If I have it right, the purple wires invoke the 4mph limit for the throttle. There's no need for that in this country.

 

[Martin Hassett]

Precisely. I'm pretty sure the model I have is one that was brought out specifically for the British market in June 2011. In addition to the larger wheels and battery, this particular model was a short lived version that came with full independent throttle control and pedelec. Unlike previous and subsequent models, I believe the white link wire that normally restricts the bike was removed and restriction was dependent on the purple wires, hence the label
" Disconnect purple wires for pure power mode " . Are there any other Wisper Alpino 706 or 906's out there that have a similar label ?
Does anyone have an original owners manual ( not the one currently downloadable from Wisper ) which states in the introduction " Not suitable for disabled riders," and " Disconnect purple wires to test motor for raw power " in the fault finding section. There would be a substantial reward if anyone can supply me with a copy.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Martin, drop me a line at david@freegowisper.com and I will send you the wiring diagram.

All the best

David