I was NOT considering overvolted X5 motors in my statement and I have no personal experience with them. I thought this thread was basically asking about the C9 or Conhismotor and I do operate that motor.

How many of you have direct experience with the C9? Nearly silent - nothing like those vids. Which btw - the lower one - buzzing noise is actually the camera mic vibrating against something that it's mounted too IMO.

There are practically silent chain systems such as the Panasonic of which I'm personally familiar. But my neighbor rides a rear wheel mounted Currie and I can hear that churning thing coming for blocks. If you have serious hills, you need to consider chain drive but I wouldn't go there unless absolutely necessary.

My years of experience with the ESR750 1:5 chain sprocket combination and 300k miles of motorcycle experience have taught me that I don't want anything to do with chain drives.

It's my opinion they're inferior 100+ year old technology and I think there's better ways to go if you want a simple, clean, quiet commuting machine. Attack me or my comments if you must but I speak the truth as I see it from probably a LOT more experience with this stuff than many of you who wish to continually attack me will ever have.