Gio Electric ITALIA-MK User manual

PLEASE INSPECT YOUR GIO ELECTRIC ITALIA-MK E-SCOOTER
UPON ARRIVAL AND REPORT ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY HAVE
OCCURRED DURING SHIPPING
⚠
Before operating, please read this manual carefully and familiarize
yourself with GIO Electric scooter components and how they function
1. Please observe all local traffic laws. Remember: ignorance of the law is no excuse.
2. Please check both front and rear brakes before operating and adjust if necessary.
Always allow distance for braking especially in wet, slippery conditions
3. Check often for loose fasteners, especially the wheel nuts, handlebars and saddle
fasteners.
4. Twist the right side handle grip to go, and combine both front and rear brake levers to
stop.
5. For safety when charging please have both the charger and bike in a well-ventilated
area.
6. Avoid disassembling the entire bike or wiring without proper knowledge.
7. Please be responsible and dispose of all old batteries through a local battery recycler.
8. Illustrations/images in this manual may differ from the final product.
9. If you have any concerns or questions in regards to you e-Scooter please contact
GIO Electric Customer Service
1

Table of Contents
Safe Operation Guide 3
Operating your scooter
- Handlebar Layout 4
- Turning your scooter on 5
- Accelerating 5
- Braking 6
- Lights and turn signals 6
- LCD Display 6
- Charging your scooter 7
- Kickstands 8
- Security Locks 8
Scooter Component Information
- Motor 9
- Controller 9
Maintenance and Care
- Pre-ride Checklist 9
- Schedule 9
- Cleaning 10
- Lubrication 10
- Adjustments
- Brakes 10
- Tires 11
- Shocks 11
- Battery 12
- Storage 13
Troubleshooting 15
Wiring schematic 16
VIN / Serial number location 16
Warranty 17
2

Safe Operation Guide
Do not ride while using headphones/cell phones as they mask traffic sounds and
emergency vehicle sirens, and cause distracted driving which can lead to accidents.
Never consume drugs or alcohol before or while operating your GIO electric scooter,
they can impair your judgment and reaction time.
Never stand on a scooter whether moving or not.
Always keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footrest during
operation.
Always be alert to your surroundings.
Do not turn at excessive speeds or make sudden or sharp turns.
Never operate your GIO electric scooter without wearing an approved helmet that fits
properly.
Before riding your GIO electric scooter, check throttle control and brakes for proper
operation.
Always inspect your GIO scooter before each use to make sure it is in safe operating
condition. Check for loose screws, nuts, bolts, parts, brakes, drive chain, etc.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance procedures described in this manual.
Always maintain proper tire pressure as described in this manual. Type of tire and
inflation can affect scooter handling.
Do not operate near flammable liquids or materials.
Never attempt to repair when power is ON.
⚠
DO NOT MAKE ANY ALTERATIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS GIO
E-SCOOTER OR ADD ANY PARTS NOT AUTHORIZED BY GIO EXCEPT THOSE
DISCUSSED IN THIS MANUAL OR THOSE REQUIRED BY LAW. DO NOT REMOVE
ANY REFLECTORS, LIGHTS OR OTHER STANDARD EQUIPMENT. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW THESE OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY
OR DEATH OR COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND OR FIRE.
⚠
GIO ELECTRIC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE
TO COMPLY WITH STATE AND LOCAL REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE USE OF
THIS ELECTRIC SCOOTER!
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Operating your scooter
Handlebar Layout
a
Front brake lever (front side)
h
Light switch
b
High/low beam switch
i
Horn button - right
c
Turn signal switch
j
Twist grip throttle
d
Horn button - left
k
On/Off switch
e
LCD display
l
Speed button
f
Bag hook
m
Rear brake lever (front side)
g
Ignition switch
4

Turning your scooter on
Your Italia-MK features a keyed ignition and an on/off switch to control the power. The
ignition functions as the master switch with on/off switch functioning as an easy access
kill switch for the power. The ignition is located on the steering column (see diagram)
and has the following settings.
OFF - Scooter is off, key can be removed,
ON - Scooter is on, key cannot be removed, LCD display should activate
LOCK - Scooter is off and steering is locked for security. Turn steering all the way to the
left, push and turn counterclockwise to lock
The on/off switch located next to the throttle toggles the power between the On (I)
position and the Off (O) position. This switch only functions if the ignition switch is set to
on.
Accelerating
Acceleration for your scooter is controlled by the twist grip throttle on the right
handlebar. Rotate throttle towards you to accelerate and away from you to slow down.
It’s more efficient if you add power gradually when accelerating and coast as far as
possible before braking. The green speed button located below the on/off switch sets
the scooter between the low and high speed settings. Press and depress this button to
toggle between the 2 speeds.
Note: The scooter features cruise control that applies automatically when holding the
throttle at max high speed for approx. 10 seconds. In order to disengage cruise control,
slightly apply brakes.
⚠
Always keep your hands on the brake levers in order to control the speed and to
be able to disengage cruise control.
5

Braking
Brakes are applied by squeezing the levers that are located on both sides of the
handlebars. Please take extra care to balance between the brakes in slippery or wet
conditions. It is recommended to use rear brakes first while going down or uphill.
Brake cut out switches integrated into both brake levers will shut off the power to the
motor whenever either front or rear brakes applied
Lights and turn signal
The main headlight switch is located on the right handle grip. It has 3 labeled positions:
Left - labeled ( ☼ ) All lights including headlight ON
Center - labeled (>DⱭ<) Signal & rear lights only
Right - labeled ( ○ ) All lights OFF
Headlights also have a switch to set their strength, toggle the switch on the left
handlebar between the low and high beam settings.
Turn signals are operated with the 3 position switch on the left handlebar. Slide the
switch to the left or the right to activate the turn signals in that direction and return the
switch to the center position to deactivate the signal.
LCD Display
The LCD screen is set into the center of the handlebars and current speed, battery life
and distance traveled.
Please note that at this time the Italia-MK only has speeds/distances in metric and
the final version of the display may vary slightly
6

Charging
⚠
Your Italia MK e-Scooter ships with the battery packs disconnected please refer to the
instructions on page #11 to reconnect the batteries prior to your first charging!
To charge your scooter, first make sure the ignition key is switched to off, then plug the
output plug from the charger into the charging socket on the scooter below the seat.
Once connected plug the scooter plug the charger into a standard wall socket. The light
on the charger should turn red which indicates that it is charging and then turn green
when the battery is fully charged. Remove the charger from the wall outlet and then
from the scooter/battery as soon as charging is complete.
The charging time for the Italia-MK is 4-6 hours. If charging does not finish after 12
hours, it is likely a problem has developed, unplug the charger and contact GIO
Customer Service. It is normal for the charger to get warm, and always be sure it is well
ventilated, unobstructed and kept dry at all times.
Your Italia-MK comes included with a charger, do not use a charger not designed for
your specific scooter model. Unless the riding distance was very short, it is generally
advisable to fully recharge the battery after each ride. This will ensure the longest
possible battery life. If the battery is left in a low state of charge for long periods of time
the total battery life will be diminished. Avoid dropping the battery or charger. Never put
anything on top of the charger when charging and keep it dry at all times. Please keep
the charger out of reach of children.
NOTE: You should never recharge your batteries unattended. If at any time you notice
your batteries getting hot to the touch or if they emit any odor, immediately stop the
charging process and contact customer service.
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Kickstands
Your scooter includes 2 kickstands, a side kick stand used for parking on a flat road and
a main kickstand used for parking on hills or/and windy weather conditions and for rear
suspension maintenance.
The Side kickstand is located near the middle of the footboard on the left side od the
scooter. In order to apply this kickstand, push the kickstand down and tilt the scooter to
the left.
The main kickstand is located at the back of the scooter. Push the foot lever on the left
side down and raise the back end using the handle on the trunk rack.
Security Locks
Steering Lock (Please refer to ignition instructions on page #6)
Rear Wheel lock
On the left side of the rear wheel/motor you will find green cap that covers the
lock for the rear wheel. In order to lock the rear wheel, insert round key inside
the lock and rotate it 360° clockwise, the rear wheel is now locked. To unlock the wheel,
insert the round key inside the lock and rotate it 360° counter-clockwise, the rear wheel
is now unlocked.
Front Wheel Lock
Your scooter also includes a separate U lock for the front wheel. This is a free included
accessory to secure your front wheel.
8

Scooter Component Information
Motor
Your scooter features a high torque, high efficiency, permanent magnet (brushless)
motor. The motor is maintenance-free, but it is generally advisable to check all other
components for loose or corroded connections on a regular basis, and it is normal for
the motor to make some noise when activated. Scooters are not designed to be driven
in heavy rain or in water deeper than the height of the motor. This is likely to cause
severe damage to components resulting in costly repairs or total replacement.
Controller
The controller is the “brain” of your e-Scooter. The controller system consists of the
controller module itself, the throttle, and front and rear brake levers. Their functions are
to control the speed of the bicycle by regulating the power going to the motor, and to
protect it against either too much or too little voltage. This is also augmented by the
EABS (Electrically Assisted Braking System) which actually recharges the batteries
under braking.
Maintenance and Care
Pre-ride Checklist
Ensure horn, turn signals and headlight are in working condition
Ensure brakes are in proper working order and can be easily and comfortably
engaged when the levers are squeezed
Ensure all screws, nuts, bolts and parts are securely fastened and adjusted.
Make sure the tires are not excessively worn, do not have tears or cuts, are
properly seated on the rim and correctly inflated
Make sure the wheels spin straight and that the rims are not bent or damaged
Ensure you are wearing a well fitted helmet of the correct rating.
Ensure battery is fully charged
Ensure pedals are installed
Schedule
The frequency of maintenance and cleaning depends on how much you ride and under
which conditions. Recreational riders should need far less maintenance than daily
commuters. The harder you ride or harsher your riding conditions, the more you have to
take care of your scooter if you want it to last.There are various time intervals for proper
maintenance. Quick checks and maintenance should be done before & after every ride.
More in depth maintenance steps should be taken every couple of months or as issues
are identified.
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Cleaning
Cleaning is the number one thing you can do in order to ensure your GIO will serve you
for a long time. In the long run, it will save you money and a lot of time waiting for the
scooter to be repaired. Ideally, you should clean your GIO after each ride. But it really
depends on your riding style and on how much you ride. A good rule of thumb is that if
you ride more than 2 or 3 times a week, clean your scooter weekly.
Always clean the scooter with care, the electrical components don't take kindly to
increased pressure water streams. A strong enough water stream could breach the
waterproof seals of the electrical components and even force water into them and cause
premature failure. Therefore, don't use aggressive water sprays or power jets when
washing the scooter and keep water away from the battery/motor/brain module and
other electrical components as possible.
Clean gently removing any dirt, debris, sand, mud, and grit that got caught on the
scooter. Ensure the scooter is dry, after cleaning or after getting wet riding in wet
conditions. Always make sure the outer casings of electric parts are dry and do not
attempt to open them to clean inside. You will, most likely, not be able to properly reseal
the components which will lead to further exposure to water.
Lubrication
After cleaning, it is also advisable to lubricate the chain, levers, derailleur, cables, etc. A
clean, lubricated scooter will tend to be faster, smoother and quieter. A lubricant should
be applied on all moving and/or rubbing components such as: axles, bushings, free
wheels etc. approximately every 6 months (more often under heavy or bad weather use)
Apply the lubricant to the different parts and let it sit a few minutes and then wipe off the
excess lubricant with a rag. After a while, clean the different parts with a degreaser to
remove any excess dirt that has been collected on them and then relubricate.
Adjustments
Brakes
⚠
Due to normal use, the brake pads of your scooter will see regular wear requiring
regular or frequent adjustment to ensure the function correctly.
In order to adjust brakes, tighten or loosen the adjuster nut as necessary. Tightening the
nut will bring brake pads closer to the brake drum, loosening the nut will bring brake
pads further away from the brake drum.
10

⚠
If your brakes are not working properly and you are not able to remedy this by using the
above adjustment, please contact GIO customer service.
Tires
Make sure that the air pressure for all tires is between 30-40 PSI. If the tires have less
than the recommended amount of pressure, it may result in a decrease in battery usage
time, poor handling, and damage to the tires and rims.
Shocks
Your scooter includes detents on the lower coil spring retainer that can be rotated to
either stiffen or soften the suspension. This is to allow for the most appropriate spring
rate, based on how much weight the suspension is to support.
To adjust the spring rate preload, simply insert a round dowel of the correct diameter
into the hole on the side of the lower spring retainer and rotate it to the desired detent,
making sure that both sides are set to the same setting.
This may also be done with large piers, but you should be careful not to scratch the
coil spring retainer as you rotate it. If in doubt, consult GIO customer service.
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Battery
As mentioned before the batteries of your scooter ship disconnected. You will need to
connect the batteries correctly before your first use and after any time they are
removed. Begin by opening the seat and removing the strap that holds the top battery
pack in place (a). Carefully remove the upper battery pack to allow access to the lower
battery pack. Connect the wire that directly extends from the upper pack and plug it into
the bottom pack (b).
Once BOTH batteries are connected together, connect the installed charging
connection wire (d), installed in the underseat compartment, into the input on the upper
battery pack (c). Ensure all connections are fully inserted, close the seat compartment
and connect the charger to the charging port to charge your scooter as previously
instructed.
⚠
Do not connect the charger until BOTH battery packs are connected to each other.
Connecting the charger to a single battery pack will overload and damage the battery
pack.
A video of the installation can also be found online at https://youtu.be/oHeXxIp05C8.
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All batteries are sealed and SHOULD NOT be taken apart without proper knowledge.
Battery life varies based on environment, usage and maintenance. Average battery life
for SLA (sealed lead acid battery) is 2-3 years / 250-350 charge cycles. To maximize
battery lifetime and prevent premature diminishment, store at 50% to 100% charge
capacity, and recharge the battery every 4-6 weeks.
The recommended temperature for the battery is between 0 and 35°C. Temperature
below -10°C may result in permanent damage to the battery. Keep the battery away
from fire, heat, direct sunlight and caustic substances. Do not break or damage the
battery. The battery acid contained inside is highly corrosive, flammable and may cause
severe injuries or explosion. If this should occur, rinse with plenty of water and call
emergency services immediately.
Your Gio Italia-Mk, its batteries and charger are specifically designed for each other, and
are not interchangeable with other models of scooters. There are many chargers in the
market that look similar, use of any other chargers may result in serious damage to all
components. The polarity, as well as the input and output voltages of the charger
supplied with your scooter is of the correct rating and type for your Italia-MK. This
information should be located on a label on the bottom of the charger.
♻
Always dispose of old batteries through an approved battery recycler, and keep children
and pets away from batteries.
Storage
When storing your GIO Italia-MK for extended periods such as during winter, we
suggest removing the batteries and storing them separately, inside a temperature
controlled space.
To charge the batteries separately from the scooter, they must first be disconnected and
removed. Disconnect and remove the gray L-shaped plug from the upper battery pack
and release the battery strap holding it in place. Carefully lift the upper battery out to
gain access to the lower battery then shift and pull the lower pack out as well. Ensure
the lead from the upper battery remains connected to the lower battery or reconnect it if
it comes loose during removal.
Once the battery packs are both removed they can be set up for off scooter charging as
per instructions on the next page.
13

Once the battery packs are removed place them in a dry temperature regulated space.
First ensure that the wire lead from the upper battery pack is connected to the lower
battery pack. Once both batteries are connected only then can the charger be plugged
directly into the upper battery pack and then into the wall outlet.
⚠
Both battery packs must be charged together at the same time, and be connected
together first before plugging in the charger . Only with the packs connected together
can the charger be plugged directly into the upper battery pack.
Connecting the charger directly to a single battery pack will damage it!
If the batteries are not removed, we recommend keeping them unplugged from the
scooter during storage (Disconnect the gray plug from the top battery pack). You should
always store and recharge your batteries in a well-ventilated, cool and dry location.
Recharge your batteries fully prior to putting them in storage for any period of time and
then recharge them once every 4-6 weeks when they’re not in use. Recharging your
e-bike batteries on a monthly basis should take no longer than a few hours (until the
charger light turns green). Always use the specific charger for your scooter. Never store
or recharge your batteries in an area where the batteries are exposed to high heat
sources.
NOTE: You should never recharge your batteries unattended. If at any time you notice
your batteries getting hot to the touch or if they emit any odor, immediately stop the
charging process and contact customer service.
14

Troubleshooting
Issue
Possible Cause
Solution
No power / no lights
Ignition Key “OFF”
Turn to “ON”
On/Off Switch “OFF”
Turn to “ON”
Fuse
Check Fuse
Battery not connected
Ensure battery properly
connected
Battery needs charging
Charge battery
Loose or damaged wiring
Check connections between
ignition, battery etc.
Power ON but scooter doesn’t
run
Brakes safety switch is engaged
Check that brake levers are
released/not applied.
Throttle connection
Check throttle wires for proper
connection
Battery not connected properly
Check and connect both battery
packs, fuse, etc.
Battery low
Charge battery
Wires to controller loose
Check and reconnect wires
Wires to motor loose
Check and reconnect wires
Defective controller
Replace controller
Defective motor
Replace motor
Charger not working
No voltage in power outlet
Check wall outlet, use an
alternate outlet
Charger damaged/defective
Replace charger
Battery not charging
Charger damaged/defective
Replace charger
Battery not connected properly
Check and connect both battery
packs, fuse, etc.
Reduced running distance
Battery not fully charged
Charge battery
Brakes making contact when not
applied
Adjust brakes
Tire pressure low
Inflate to correct pressure
Battery at end of lifetime
Replace battery
Scooter doesn’t stop when
applying brakes
Brakes not correctly adjusted
Adjust brakes
Brake cable loose
Place brake cable in proper
position
In the event that you are having difficulty with your scooter outside of these issues or
these solutions are not correcting your issue please contact a technician at GIO
customer service.
15

Wiring Schematic
Serial/VIN # Location
VIN number stamped on the steering column and hidden underneath the plastic column
panel. To view the number simply remove the rectangular cap located just above the
footboard to expose its location.
16

Warranty
The limited warranty as contained herein is exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties
expressed or implied. There are no warranties that extend beyond the description in this
limited warranty. GIO Electric guarantees this product, including charger, motor,
controller, to be free of manufacturing defects for a period of 12 months. All warranty
periods commence from the date of shipment. This limited warranty covers the
replacement of defective parts, it does not include their installation or costs related to
doing so. It does not cover normal wear and tear items/parts (tires, brake pads, cables,
etc). It does not cover product issues due to misuse, neglect, or accident. Nor any
damage, failure, or loss caused by improper assembly, set up, storage, maintenance, or
improper servicing.
For any request regarding warranty, spare parts, or technical support do not hesitate to
contact us by phone or e-mail. Have your order number ready before contacting us.
E-Mail: [email protected] - Tel: [phone]
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