More newbie questions

[TrepidAussie]

Hi all, great site.

I've never even seen a Segway but today I hope to be hiring one for a one or two hour ride in Vancouver. My questions may not be answered in time, but maybe they can be useful for other newbies. I've read just about all of the segway.com site and searched on the forum, but apologies anyway if these have been asked before.

1) Is it true that, as segway.com suggests, there are only 4 places to rent segways in the USA? Disappointed! I was hoping to rent one in Manhattan next month.

2) I've read the postings about the stolen segway and how people lock them, but haven't seen reference to something I would be worried about - that someone asks for a test ride and then takes off on it, or some musclehead simply pushes me off and rides off into the sunset.

3) How do you speed up, just by leaning forward? Or by turning the handle, like on a motorbike?

Keep on glidin'

Rick
"There are no such things as stupid questions, only stupid people"

[mattk]

The answer to #3 Is simple lean....

[PoloAk]

quote:Originally posted by TrepidAussie
1) Is it true that, as segway.com suggests, there are only 4 places to rent segways in the USA? Disappointed! I was hoping to rent one in Manhattan next month.

Segway's have really only been available for public use since March! So there are only a few companies that offer rentals. Right now, there are many who think this will be a passing fad. Give us a couple of years!!!

quote:2) I've read the postings about the stolen segway and how people lock them, but haven't seen reference to something I would be worried about - that someone asks for a test ride and then takes off on it, or some musclehead simply pushes me off and rides off into the sunset.

If you aren't comfortable with the person, don't give them a ride. It'll be your machine and completely up to you! However, since riding a segway means that you have to work against your natural intuition and LET the machine balance for you, most new riders have a devil of a time. Those that think they'll just hop on and glide off would be in for a spectacular surprise! Most likely you'll be able to chase them down easily.

Another safety feature is the key. If you don't have the key, you can't make it go. If it's already on, you can only go until the battery stops or you step off long enough for it to shut down.

Ever hear the saying "Walk softly and carry a big stick?" Think "Glide swiftly and carry a big stick," in this case. Sure, somebody could shove you off, but that it only moves at 12.5 mph and I'd be willing to bet that you (or someone nearby) could reclaim you property.

Kelsey

"A closed mouth gathers no foot."

[TrepidAussie]

Kelsey, thanks for the reply.

>If you aren't comfortable with the person, don't give them a ride. It'll be your machine and completely up to you! However, since riding a segway means that you have to work against your natural intuition and LET the machine balance for you, most new riders have a devil of a time. Those that think they'll just hop on and glide off would be in for a spectacular surprise! Most likely you'll be able to chase them down easily.

That's good to know, I only have to be worried about crooked Segway owners then!

>Another safety feature is the key. If you don't have the key, you can't make it go. If it's already on, you can only go until the battery stops or you step off long enough for it to shut down.

But that's the problem - they would indeed have the key.

>Ever hear the saying "Walk softly and carry a big stick?" Think "Glide swiftly and carry a big stick," in this case. Sure, somebody could shove you off, but that it only moves at 12.5 mph and I'd be willing to bet that you (or someone nearby) could reclaim you property.

I don't dare to ask what you mean by "a big stick", I'm a pacifist! I'm a runner, but 12.5 mph is not an easy speed to maintain, especially when the other person won't be getting tired out. But I get the point, there's basically very little chance of this happening, especially here in friendly Vancouver. But I'll ask the question when I get to the shop (it's on Fir Avenue (Street?) near the beach, if anyone is interested).

Can't wait to try it out, I think the Segway is a marvel of technology, but I really can't see (yet) what advantage it has over a brisk walk. Maybe, like the motor car, the max. speed will increase over the years, making it more and more useful.

cheers,
Rick

[SegwayUtah]

Rick,

You start a Segway HT with a key, but you remove it from the keyport as soon as it starts. You never, ever, ever give the key to someone on a demo.

Also, you can use the BLACK key to limit the rider to 4-6 MPH and slow turning. Since this will be your first time on a Segway, you will likely be using a BLACK or YELLOW (6-8 MPH) key anyway--that's easy to keep up with.

I also never leave the person who's riding my HT. Ever.

Chris

[q]

quote:Originally posted by TrepidAussie

Hi all, great site.



//

...definitely. the "powers
that be" do a great job.

//

quote:

<snip>

2) I've read the postings about the stolen segway and how people lock them, but haven't seen reference to something I would be worried about - that someone asks for a test ride and then takes off on it, or some musclehead simply pushes me off and rides off into the sunset.

<snip>

Keep on glidin'

Rick
"There are no such things as stupid questions, only stupid people"


//

_if_ "musclehead" pushes you
off and the seg, in "balance
mode," is untethered, (i.e.,
no one is holding on to it),
it'll shutoff after a couple
seconds (because of the "elec-
tronic leash" feature).

screaming, "fire," runaway
with the key.

"game over" for "musclehead."

kthxbye.

q.

//

[JaneJetson]

Welcome to the site! :)

"But that's the problem - they would indeed have the key."

Well, no, not unless you hand them the key at the same time they get on the machine. You only use the key to start the Segway; unlike a car, the key does not have to be "in the ignition" for the Segway to operate. (Unless you use superglue -- it can't be "in the ignition"!)

And, they'll only be able to go 12.5 mph if you let them demo on the red key. Most people here will strongly recommend for safety's sake that you only let people demo on the black key, which has less sensitive steering, and allows a maximum of 6 mph.

Hope your first ride goes well! :)

JaneJetson

[opti6600]

A few of us have had encounters with random Bubbas on the street, and so far, so well. Just takes a bit of aggressive maneuvering, that's all.

Segway keys are only intended to provide a startup code, and are not required (and in fact are not supposed) to be in the keyport during operation.

Good luck with your first ride!
Jordan

---------
Let's just take the safety labels off of everything and let America's problem sort itself out.

[TrepidAussie]

Thanks everyone, never realized that about the key.

Rick

[BruceWright]

And neither will any theives. Folks really don't know how it works. Anyone trying to get on without any instruction is almost guaranteed to face-plant, because they usually try to pull themselves on and actively balance.

-Bruce Wright

Segway: Vehicle of Dream

[opti6600]

I wouldn't go that far, Bruce, but I would definitely say that if somebody -jumped- onto a Segway, and not stepped (gingerly, if you will) onto the platform, they'll certainly careen all over the place. The thing I've seen happen once is that if somebody starts to go back and forth (or just gets pushed by somebody) without instruction, they'll unknowingly slam the turning grip over, and usually flop right over on their side.

moral of the story - don't worry about theft while you're riding. just be a defensive segger and don't get yourself into a situation you can't handle. the segway isn't a tank, it's a human transporter.

---------
Let's just take the safety labels off of everything and let America's problem sort itself out.

[TrepidAussie]

Thanks people, the ride was great fun!

The shop is near the bottom of Fir St, which is parallel
to Granville St. The intro video was a hoot, nothing but
worst-case scenarios. They charge C$30 an hour for rental.

My feet got a bit tired, even after just an hour. Maybe
something to lean on would be a good idea?

cheers,
Rick

[pam]

It just takes a little time to get used to it. My feet hurt when I first got mine, too. Not badly, but I was aware that they were "in use" - now that doesn't happen at all. Also, Wayne Kemp has devised a aftermarket rubber pad that can be used to "soften" the platform. Look for one of his posts in the forum that features things for sale, and from there you can get a link to his website.
Pam

quote:Originally posted by TrepidAussie

Thanks people, the ride was great fun!

The shop is near the bottom of Fir St, which is parallel
to Granville St. The intro video was a hoot, nothing but
worst-case scenarios. They charge C$30 an hour for rental.

My feet got a bit tired, even after just an hour. Maybe
something to lean on would be a good idea?

cheers,
Rick

[plesset]

The pad that Wayne sells really does help for extended rides. I went about 10 miles yesterday with it and my feet were not as sore. Before I got it I used Nike Shox shoes which also helped a bit.

[GyroGo]

quote:Originally posted by TrepidAussie



1) Is it true that, as segway.com suggests, there are only 4 places to rent segways in the USA? Disappointed! I was hoping to rent one in Manhattan next month.


Segway.com lists companies that have been authorized through Segway LLC's rental program. Other companies and individuals are also legally renting out Segways.

SegCenter.com is the only Segway classified ad website and has the most complete list of rentals available both in the classifieds and in the "links" section.



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