Thoughts of a new owner

[Tarkus]

It has now been 2 weeks since I picked up my I180 w/ li-ons and have a few observations.

I have wanted to buy one since they came out but for one reason or another it didn’t happen. I now am in a position where I NEED to have one so the time was right. It truly performs as billed and is an amazing machine. Looks like a machine, not a toy and seems rugged. I don’t know why I waited so long!

Things I don’t understand from a machine that was so well thought out:

Why the tires won’t hold air.

That kickstand (I’ve heard the safety thing) looks like an afterthought.

If it’s so important to keep the power inlet dry they could have done better than the rubber plug. There are many good marine connectors that would seal it when in use.

The new wheels are a pain to lock up or check air (see my first point) but do look good

Last, what is that sound the control shaft makes, kind of plastic against plastic, when a little pressure is put on them?

All that being said, all things have there pros and cons and the Segways pros far and away beats the cons.

Now I need to buy another for my wife.

[BarnyFife]

Do you mean the "creaking" sound when control shaft is stressed a little, mine did that until I started using a torque wrench, in fact I check it before every ride. AFter my power base went defective under warranty the replacment came with the control shaft base, after I replaced this the CS seems to fit tighter and I rarely hear the creaking.

My tires hold air fine but vary in pressure by a couple of pounds due to temp. fluctuations.

[mrleisure]

It's like the mystery of the pyramids. I don't think anyone on the outside truly knows the answer for the very minor, but seemingly obvious design deficiencies. More astonishing is that these annoyances haven't been corrected in later versions. For what it's worth, you apparently haven't yet noticed the sef-ejecting front bumper or the magically-disappearing mode button.

The end-user solutions seem to be:
Slime the tires
Remove the kickstand after it breaks (AKA immediately)
Keep duct tape handy to cover the charge port
Take the machine with you to avoid locking it
Never get to know the bumper, so you won't miss it when it leaves you.

It's like buying an Aston-Martin and then realizing the antenna is actually a straightened coat hanger. Makes no sense, but you still love the car.

Same thing with the Seg. We all love our machines, but there are some real puzzlers built into it. I keep hoping for better after-market solutions.

No, I'm not trying to start flame-war. It's possible to love the machine *and* point out what needs improvement.

http://www.wingnut.com/images/redkey-web-logo-100px.gif (http://theredkey.wingnut.com)

[Socrates]

You can stop the creaking sound of the control shaft by putting some grease on the metal-part before connecting it with the base. Just use very little grease to get a thin film on the metal.
The control shaft fits into the base every well, but there is still a gap, some free play, that causes friction and this noise when the control shaft is stressed.

Alexander

[drolsinatas]

I just tighten the hell out of my shaft (the height adjustment part) and try to avoid from putting alot of pressure on it. (you don't really need to hang on the handle bars)





This thing rules.

[Segway of St. Louis]

quote:Originally posted by drolsinatas

I just tighten the hell out of my shaft (the height adjustment part) and try to avoid from putting alot of pressure on it. (you don't really need to hang on the handle bars)





This thing rules.


If you tighten the adjusting nut too much it will sieze. Actually breaks on the inside too. Be careful!

Jeff Bach
Segway of St. Louis
636-754-4000