It is simply retarded to think a $400.00 investment will be able to reliably take you 28 miles a day.
I agree.
They are simple toys and not designed for hard use.
In principle i agree with your assertion, but if installed with the right aftermarket components and treated with respect these engines can be surprisingly reliable.
They take a lot (A LOT) of care and maintenance and are as already mentioned, can be a F***ing nightmare to keep running.
I agree. but as i have listed above, they can be surprisingly reliable if assembled correctly - you just need to acquire the knowledge and the skills to assemble and maintain the engine and running gear in good working order.
Acquiring
"""the knowledge""" is the biggest obstacle in your way of ensuring that these bikes deliver dependable reliability.
Generally, the process of acquiring knowledge comes through hours and hours and hours and hours of research which involves a heck of a lot of reading and consequently, many months of tired eyes from all those hours of endless reading.
they are just that a toy, not a real alternative nor ever intended as cheap reliable transportation. And in the real world a $400.00 investment in a motorized bicycle is a joke.
I agree. completely. My bike (just my bike and nothing else) has around $5,000 invested in it; to give me the kind of dependable reliability that i demand, and then there's around another $6,000 invested in all of the accessories and bits and pieces that make up everything you see attached to the end of my bike; in many varied forms.
You really need to think this through, perhaps your spouse is a bit smarter than you think. Your $400.00 will soon grow into $2000.00 plus money pit and you'll still have a S**t bike.
My spouse's have been far, far smarter then 'i', because a truckload of money has been thrown at the hobby/transport to get my bike to a point where it gives dependable; long term reliability.
Having said that, i enjoy riding my bike far more than i have enjoyed riding my spouse's, considering that they only put on a good show with limited frequency - my bike has proven to be far more reliable than they ever were.