Comments on: Stranger in a Strange Market

By: andar909

andar909 — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:17:36 +0000

hi, andar here, i just read your post. i like very much. agree to you, sir.

By: Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Early Morning Group Ride

Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Early Morning Group Ride — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:41:22 +0000

[...] Run Before I move on to the next part of the story, I want to say thanks to everyone who offered help and guidance on picking out a scooter. Especially Rusty Church — a Fat Cyclist reader who owns a medical supply store in Arizona. [...]

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:18:45 +0000

Sorry for the late response to this blog, but I just started reading your blog recently and have not been keeping up as much as I should have.

I used to be a wheelchair/scooter salesperson.

Everyone mentions battery life, which is important, but the life of the battery is dependent on both the size of the battery and the size/power of the motors on the scooter.

The first thing you will want to do is determine what type of use you want out of the scooter. If you want to use the scooter to go outside over long distances and over hilly terrain, you will probably want one with a bigger motor and larger batteries. I don’t remember exactly, but I think you can setup the electronics so that the motor can produce more torque (for hills and rough terrain) or more speed, but you usually have a trade off between the two.

I would not recommend the 3-wheel type as they have stability issues. If you get a scooter, get the 4-wheel.

Most scooters are difficult to use indoors due to their long wheelbase (compared to wheelchairs). Usually the larger the motor and batteries, the bigger and less maneuverable it will be indoors.

There are wheelchairs that come with plastic shrouds that many people mistake for scooters because they are more aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, a motorized wheelchair will probably cost more (in general) than a scooter, but it is probably more flexible in terms of its use (indoor and outdoor).

One of the biggest companies is Invacare. When I left the industry in 2004, they dominated the market. They were at the forefront of the technology in wheelchair electronics. Their electronics were pretty reliable. If you buy an Invacare wheelchair or scooter, check if your dealer has received training directly from Invacare and check that they have a lot of experience with power wheelchairs.

A scooter is easier to fix than some of the specialty wheelchairs, so check if your dealer has experience in doing power wheelchairs for quadriplegics and maybe pediatrics as those are some of the most complex setups. I worked in a small market, so we had to know a little of everything, but in a larger market, it may be better to find someone who specializes in scooters (vs. wheelchairs), but I’m not sure.

Speaking to a physical therapist may help, but my experience has been that you’d be lucky to find one that has much experience in the vast array of scooters and wheelchairs and has kept up with the latest stuff (even since I’d left, I’m sure things have changed such that I’m out of touch). If you can, it’d be good to talk to other users who will give you recommendations.

If you have any specific questions, let me know and I’ll try to help.

By: Bitter (formerly known as Lissee)

Bitter (formerly known as Lissee) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:31:25 +0000

Sounds like you’ve gotten some great advice so far :) I don’t know anything about scooters, but here in the City you’ll see that some of them can move FAST!

I suggest that you find one that goes fast, with an option of putting it into a slower gear (for safety). That way if you take the kids on a bike ride, she come too. :)

oh and I’m LMAO @ this comment….

Comment by Bander | 07.23.2008 | 7:39 am

Just get Harlan over at soveryalone to steal one of those scooters they use at Walmart for you.

Only problem I foresee with this, is that they don’t go fast enough…

By: Andrew Nickels

Andrew Nickels — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:59:04 +0000

My father has been using Amigo wheelchairs (he doesn’t use the term ’scooter’ even though that’s what it is) for the past 25 years and swears by them. He’s been through at least 5 or 6 not because they wear out but because he likes to upgrade and because his disability has changed his needs over the years.

I don’t ever recall him being stranded anywhere because of a dead battery but his chairs all have onboard chargers so in a pinch he just needs a wall outlet to recharge.

He uses the high-end of their model range since he uses it full time and needs the durability. Check out their lineup and see what you think. I don’t know if they have retailers where you can see them in person. To my knowledge they don’t sell through the major scooter store type places.

He would be more than happy to discuss it with you on the phone if you would like – let me know and I can set it up.

http://www.myamigo.com/

Good luck in the search.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:32:59 +0000

Well, since we’re all cyclists….

da bomb in this field is Dean Kamen’s ibot, which can negotiate uneven terrain, allow the person to look others in the eye, and even do stairs. It shares a bunch of technology with the Segway, and I remember reading somewhere that a big reason for the Segway was to get production costs for the Ibot lower…

By: Lucky Cyclist

Lucky Cyclist — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:12:43 +0000

Sure are a lot of Corolla’s in the major tours. Contrastingly few boutique brands.

By: co

co — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:05:47 +0000

re: Tim | 07.24.2008 | 6:36 am

I agree with Tim, Segues (aka Segways) are great. Took a few seconds to figure out the balance thing, but great fun and no work! Doesn’t invalidate the 3-wheeler for those who can’t stand up, though. Segways are for folks who can stand up. Zippy 3-wheelers are for folks who need (or want!) to sit down. :-)

By: Unicycle Tom

Unicycle Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:36:34 +0000

I had to go through the scooter-buying experience for my Dad, and learned a few things.
1) Don’t talk to a scooter salesperson until you have done some homework. They’re sales sharks like any other industry, but they have a better disguise because it’s all about helping you improve your lifestyle. Danger.
2) Don’t believe a scooter salesperson when they say they have an ironclad returns policy. But do pay attention to the warranty and repair elements. Do they come fix, and how quickly? How long have they been in business, etc.
3) It is important to get one that meets Susan’s needs, but it is REALLY easy to over-spend on these. The sales strategy is to pump up the bills with features. Example in your model photo above: scooters do NOT need dual side mirrors. She will not be passing semis with it.
4) Important feature: easy in and out. What equals easy may VARY depending on the mobility limitations of the user. Example…someone with crutches has a different problem to solve getting into a scooter than someone moving from a wheelchair into a scooter. Test for that once you narrow down to a small set of models that meet your other requirements. And keep a small eye on likely challenges if her mobility decreases. From past posts, I know Susan has had some ups and downs in this area. Think about a time when she was more limited, and how would that situation work with getting in and out of the scooter.
5) Maneuverability and storability. If using it indoors, what size are doors, how narrow are hallways. Some scooters turn much tighter, easier than others. Is it easy to park flush against a wall so it’s out of the way, etc.
6) Battery life important, but also how easy is it to get the thing plugged in? Look at every model from the user’s perspective. Some models look cool, but they’re actually not designed well for someone with limited mobility.
7) Good Feature: Front storage rack or basket. Someplace to put that sweater when the Utah sun pops from behind a cloud and things heat up.
8) Appropriateness to terrain. You mention she wants to use it for trips through neighborhood, walks with kids, etc. Three wheelers tend to be more maneuverable, but I’ve heard they also can tip easier. Does your neighborhood have any streets with funky angles, or are there places where she would need to make turns while also going down a hill?

Good luck, and WIN SUSAN.

By: Rocky

Rocky — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:53:29 +0000

George’s “ride” on Seinfeld was the Rascal. I would go with that as it was faster than the geriatric rides that were trying to chase him down.
Apparently its got some juice.