Is it really hilly where you live? If its not then you should take two volt meters and tape them to your handlbars and monitor each 36 volt pack as you ride to see whats really going on if you want to run at this voltage. I know you said you load tested the batts but was it at 40 amps? You should get more range out of it if its flat and you're easy on the throttle. Problem is, with 72 volts, trying to parallel sla's gets too heavy. Be easier with 48 volts or 60 volt as diver did.