Electric scooters?

Bill Douglas · 10-30-2022, 08:06 PM

Those annoying things that rip past on the footpath.

I'm thinking of buying one. I don't want to be one of those enthusiast types driving with the traffic or spending many thousands...

I'm getting a workshop a few hundred meters from my house and I think I'll going there and back multiple times a day. So instead of a five minutes walk it could be one minute on an electric scooter.

There are lots of brands out there and I was thinking of Segway. Only because I know the name and the others are new to me. I'm not too into bells and whistles and don't need cellphone connectivity. But I would like to have reasonably fast and/or a good sized battery. And for it to be able to be fixed and parts available.

Does anyone know anything about them LOL Thanks.

sc_rufctr · 10-30-2022, 09:07 PM

I have no first hand experience but they look like a lot of fun.

We have these in the city of Adelaide (paid for via a smart phone app) and yes there have been lots of accidents.

https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/transport-parking/public-transport/e-scooters/

Bill Douglas · 10-30-2022, 10:27 PM

Oh, so it's your fault!

Yes we have Beam scooters all over our footpaths too. Beam and a purple coloured other company too. Ha, I've never actually ridden a Beam or the other (LOL Australian) company one. I had a quick blast on the neighbours friend's one. I'm just trying to cut down on walking.

You know how Wellington is just a whole lot of hills stuck together; there was a guy who rode a fairly plain Jane electric scooter from one side of downtown to the other most days for two years and it still was in going order.

jyl · jyl's Garage

I think not being able to easily carry anything (box, tools, cup of coffee) will be a pain.

What about a bike with a basket?

sc_rufctr · 10-30-2022, 11:59 PM

I know a lady who uses hers to go from her home in Findon to Bunnings Port Adelaide to shop for craft supplies (8 kilometers). She's rather nice but a little overweight... Imagine a middle aged Aussie gal cruising on the footpath wearing bibs & brace with a purple helmet and Hello Kitty back pack.

Bill Douglas · 10-31-2022, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyl

I think not being able to easily carry anything (box, tools, cup of coffee) will be a pain.

What about a bike with a basket?

I won't be going far, and if I carry anything I can walk the distance. But good thinking, it hadn't occurred to me that may be a problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I know a lady who uses hers to go from her home in Findon to Bunnings Port Adelaide to shop for craft supplies (8 kilometers). She's rather nice but a little overweight... Imagine a middle aged Aussie gal cruising on the footpath wearing bibs & brace with a purple helmet and Hello Kitty back pack.

Good on her I say LOL. Socond thoughts, 8 kilometers - poor scooter.

sc_rufctr · 10-31-2022, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

...

Good on her I say LOL. Socond thoughts, 8 kilometers - poor scooter.

She told me it takes her about 35 minutes to travel 8 kilometers & the battery is about one third gone.

nota · 10-31-2022, 07:29 AM

a buddy died after a bad month in and out of hospital

he hit his head on a scooter

KFC911 · 10-31-2022, 07:33 AM

A bicycle perhaps... call it a Billycycle .... or a Billysickle?

Ya lazee bum

McLovin · 10-31-2022, 07:42 AM

I’ve been looking at them too.
And, I have some experience with importing Lithium battery powered Chinese goods (having them manufactured and imported).
Of course, all of the scooters are made in China. So, in that regard, they have a lot of similarities.
The thing is, you’re never really sure about the nature and quality of the battery or the motors on a Chinese scooter. As a buyer you can’t, and even the companies that are selling them probably don’t really always know for sure. It’s the Wild West.
Because of this, there’s not a ton of long term or reliable data to research.
Anyways, bottom line for a scooter is I’m going to look for one with good battery and motor size, but the least frills and lower cost. Because I’m going to assume when something goes wrong with it, it’s a paperweight.
The other strategy might be to buy from a big box store that has a generous return policy, like Costco (but even those seem to not go past 90 days on electronics).

McLovin · 10-31-2022, 07:46 AM

The Segway Ninebot Max does look pretty good.
But at just under $1000 all in, too much.

McLovin · 10-31-2022, 07:49 AM

https://fluidfreeride.com/products/horizon-practical-allround-electric-scooter-for-commute

Ive ridden this one and it was nice. It was around a year old with 300 miles on it and still going strong. Has a 500w motor, while most everything else under $900 has a 350w.

McLovin · 08:04 AM

https://gotrax.com/collections/electric-scooters/products/g4-electric-scooter-for-adults

But I’m going with that one. I’ve ridden it and it’s also nice, and the owner said it’s been no problem for him.

Also on sale, they don’t charge sales tax (again, the wild west), free shipping, so it’s $550 to the door.

Bill Douglas · 10-31-2022, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

A bicycle perhaps... call it a Billycycle .... or a Billysickle?

Ya lazee bum

I have a bike but I don't like it. You're right, it's too much work

The idea is something small I can leave near the front door, then on it and go. A bike I'd have to put it somewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

https://fluidfreeride.com/products/horizon-practical-allround-electric-scooter-for-commute

Ive ridden this one and it was nice. It was around a year old with 300 miles on it and still going strong. Has a 500w motor, while most everything else under $900 has a 350w.

Thanks McLovin, I like the idea of a 500w motor, or more. Yes, those are the sort of thing. I may wait until a deal (I'm a bit Scottish) comes along too good to say no too. Either that or the Segway F40.