Community Forums

Beagle RC Air · 03-21-2011, 08:40 PM

Looking for feedback from owners of Segways.
We have been RVing for about 17 years and due to lung surgery my wife has not been able to enjoy getting out as much as she did in the past.
Thinking of getting a Segway for her for an upcoming birthday. She is able to get all the excercise she needs on her Wii, but lacks stamina to walk any distance.
Any experience either way will be appreciated.

beagle

ShabbyChic · 03-21-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle RC Air

Looking for feedback from owners of Segways.
We have been RVing for about 17 years and due to lung surgery my wife has not been able to enjoy getting out as much as she did in the past.
Thinking of getting a Segway for her for an upcoming birthday. She is able to get all the excercise she needs on her Wii, but lacks stamina to walk any distance.
Any experience either way will be appreciated.

beagle

Hi,
My husband and I have been running a Segway tour and rental shop on Anna Maria Island for the last year and half. We find people of all ages, shapes and sizes enjoy them. They are a blast for getting around and since they draw a lot of attention to themselves, you'll find yourself chatting with lots of people. The biggest thing I'd recommend is having your wife try one out first just to make sure she likes it. Even though the learning curve is usually fairly quick, some people with balance issues or other instabilities just can't adjust to it. Since she's familiar with the WII, that's great as we often refer to using the Wii balance board when training people. Also you'll find after "gliding" for a short time you can become over confident on them and forget to watch out for things that can slip or trip up the Segway. Always watch where you're going and the grounds around you. Take a tour of somewhere with her so that you don't give away the possible surprise gift. Good luck and if you're looking to purchase we recommend the Mrytle Beach Segway dealership out of SC, they ship all over the world and they'll give you a great deal. Happy gliding!

Frantz · 03-21-2011, 09:25 PM

LOVE THEM!!!!!
We have 2 i2's and love them. We gave up our toad for a couple of years when we were just doing shorter trips. My DH uses his as his commuter car year round. We got our first i180 in 2005; 2nd one a couple of months later; i2's about 1 year later. Actually traded the 2 i180's in on our MH

I have very bad knees so my i2 allows me to get around the camp ground, some trails, and do short sight seeing trips. I could never get out & enjoy places & folks without my Segway. The FMCA Rally in Redmond would have been almost impossible without it or at least MUCH less convenient/fun.
Be prepared to talk with a lot of people...Segways are not for the shy

Make sure you test glide both an i2 & i180 since some find the stationary shaft of the i180 handy for easier stepping on/off. We much prefer the i2 but it did take some getting used to since we had started with the original steering.
We also have had a trailer to pull behind & will get another that folds flat before we go full-time in July. We store/haul them in our HHR toad. We did have an electric hitch carrier when we went toadless.
Don't know where you are but can recommend Rick at Segway of Corvallis, Oregon. We haven't bought from him but most of our Segway friends have & he is the best...we will buy the next one from him.
Any questions, just ask.
Marilyn

RedneckExpress · 03-23-2011, 01:55 AM

They're really neat devices and for short trips around the RV Park or a short trail they're great. Their only major limitation is their battery capacity (I don't remember the miles, but its a small amount, but not underneath what someone might do during their normal activities).

Frantz · 03-23-2011, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedneckExpress

They're really neat devices and for short trips around the RV Park or a short trail they're great. Their only major limitation is their battery capacity (I don't remember the miles, but its a small amount, but not underneath what someone might do during their normal activities).

We get 20-24 miles per full charge. Our legs/feet usually give out before the batteries do. We did barely make it back to our car after being in the Portland Rose Parade last year....with all the fancy patterns etc. we rode a lot of miles

We also had waaay too much fun on the beach and Lewis & Clark trail at Long Beach, WA that we ended up dragging them back to the RV the last bit.

There is usually the option of charging them when you stop for coffee or lunch if you know you will have a full day.
When we are campground hosts in the Fall the Segways will make our job much easier in a hilly campground. We will have a trailer for cleaning supplies or selling firewood.

Marilyn

RedneckExpress · 03-23-2011, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frantz

We get 20-24 miles per full charge. Our legs/feet usually give out before the batteries do. We did barely make it back to our car after being in the Portland Rose Parade last year....with all the fancy patterns etc. we rode a lot of miles

We also had waaay too much fun on the beach and Lewis & Clark trail at Long Beach, WA that we ended up dragging them back to the RV the last bit.

There is usually the option of charging them when you stop for coffee or lunch if you know you will have a full day.
When we are campground hosts in the Fall the Segways will make our job much easier in a hilly campground. We will have a trailer for cleaning supplies or selling firewood.

Marilyn

Are you guys running the regular or offroad model? Odds are the battery capacity has improved since I first looked at them several years ago, but when I last looked at the offroad model, it had a listed range of 12 miles vs 20-24. Btw, Hi! from Sauvie Island

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bldrbob · 03-23-2011, 07:16 AM

Just avoid doing what the executive of Segway did when he backed off a cliff.

ShabbyChic · 03-23-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedneckExpress

Are you guys running the regular or offroad model? Odds are the battery capacity has improved since I first looked at them several years ago, but when I last looked at the offroad model, it had a listed range of 12 miles vs 20-24. Btw, Hi! from Sauvie Island

.

The offroad model which is the x2 gets around 15-18 miles, the i2 model gets about 18-23, alot dependes on who fast your going and weight. The x2 model I think is alittle nicer ride.

Beagle RC Air · 03-23-2011, 09:33 AM

quote:
Are you guys running the regular or offroad model? Odds are the battery capacity has improved since I first looked at them several years ago, but when I last looked at the offroad model, it had a listed range of 12 miles vs 20-24. Btw, Hi! from Sauvie Island

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Sauvie Island in the Columbia River? What a neat place to live!

Sold a Jayco 5th wheel to a young couple that lived there about 12 years ago.

MSRP with a few extras thrown in seems to be standard pricing for Segways. I guess when you have the market to yourself and can keep the dealers in line then the prices remain pretty firm. Not a bad way to do business.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

beagle

RedneckExpress · 03-23-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle RC Air

quote:
Are you guys running the regular or offroad model? Odds are the battery capacity has improved since I first looked at them several years ago, but when I last looked at the offroad model, it had a listed range of 12 miles vs 20-24. Btw, Hi! from Sauvie Island

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sauvie Island in the Columbia River? What a neat place to live!

Sold a Jayco 5th wheel to a young couple that lived there about 12 years ago.

MSRP with a few extras thrown in seems to be standard pricing for Segways. I guess when you have the market to yourself and can keep the dealers in line then the prices remain pretty firm. Not a bad way to do business.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

beagle

Yup, up north in the Columbia County end where you can still do monthly RV Sites at the second RV park.

Been here for a little over a year now.

Frantz · 03-24-2011, 12:54 PM

[QUOTE=Beagle RC Air;815417]quote:
Are you guys running the regular or offroad model? Odds are the battery capacity has improved since I first looked at them several years ago, but when I last looked at the offroad model, it had a listed range of 12 miles vs 20-24. Btw, Hi! from Sauvie Island

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Hi from SE Portland, Reed College area. Rose City Gliders get together a couple of times a year & have been in the Rose Parade for 3 years.

We have the first models of i2's with Lithium Ion batteries. Distance does depend on rider style, terrain, age of batteries, and battery upkeep. The batteries do regenerate when you go downhill so if you plan your route carefully you can sneak a bit more distance in. With non-marking tires & small footprint we are welcomed into most of our local stores & restaurants.
We did have the first models i180 which also had LiON batteries which didn't get the same distance as the new versions. The early P133, i167 & some i180's had NiMH batteries which got way less miles but you could put them on a plane to travel...not possible with LiON...yet.
The X2 is the off-road model and runs much larger, softer, and aggressive tread tires so you sacrifice distance. There is also a golf model with turf tires. The glide is a bit softer but you sacrifice the "social skills" of riding into a store, using sidewalks, and easily being in crowds since your footprint is larger. However if you plan on being on trails or the beach the X2 is awesome.

If you are close to any place that offers tours this is a great way to really get the feel of a Segway.
Here are a couple of sites to check:
SegwayChat
Segway – The leader in personal, green transportation
Most dealers will offer a discount from MSRP, give you free shipping, and maybe throw in some accessories. Check around for the best $$$. We have bought 2 from Ohio & 2 used from SegwayChat. If you get to that point e-mail me about what accessories are really needed...the dealer will probably have a different opinion.
Sorry for the length, we are HUGE fans of our Segways

Marilyn

savitbound · 03-24-2011, 02:02 PM

I have a rough time walking myself Iam a older guy and I bought a GO GO scooter that breaks down in 4 pieces ,goes 10-12 miles on charge,great everywhere but deep grass ,3 wheels turns on a dime heaviest part 28 lbs
I love it goes in trunk of car,took it on cruise,might be something for you!it has a comfotable seat with armrests,turns on a dime!

doc · 03-24-2011, 07:08 PM

Just being the devil's advocate here. You want her to build stamina so she can walk so you buy a Segway so she can ride??? just sayin......

They are pretty neat machines. A couple had two of them when we were in Big Thompson Canyon Colorado last year and offered to let me try, but don't figure I would be coordinated enough to make it work.

1ciderdog · 03-24-2011, 07:27 PM

I think operating one is easier than it looks. My wife and I were visiting a friend two years ago and he had one. We both were able to operate it without problem and we ain't youngsters by a real long shot! Our coordination & balance are not what they used to be! We have considered getting one or two but we live off grid and recharging could/would be a concern.
Bob