Newbie questions

[Bill Keil]

Took my Segway I-series on a test run to the office and back home and noticed that when I got some speed on her she started to do a little shimmy side to side. Slowing down ended the Segway shimmy, is this the stick shake they refer to in the video and manual? Also there was one part of the sidewalk without the ramp at the curb, this part had an actual squared off curb. Wasn't sure how to handle curbs so I got off, put in power assist mode, got up the curb, then back into balance mode, and off again. There has to be a quicker way, by the time I got it back into balance mode and mounted, I started to attract a crowd. So how does everyone else handle curbs?
Thanks,
Bill

[Sid Viscous]

Side to side shimmy is the lack of of suspension. Stick shake is front to back.

As to curbs, there are quicker ways, but stick with that method until you get more experience.

[stevew]

Hi Bill,
On the side to side shimmy, try loosening your grasp on the handlebars if its tight and bend the knees a little. This works pretty well for me, also check your tire pressure: too high or too low causes the shimmy for me.
On curbs you can leave it in balance mode (if curb say 6" or less) and push up the curb while standing behind the ht and lifting slightly while pushing forward and upward on the bars. This takes some practice. If the wheels start to spin, back off and resort to power assist mode, you can also lower the ht down a curb using the same technique.
Steve W

[Neelix]

For going down a curb, I recommend this technique:

Square up to the curb, step off with one foot, and slowly tilt the HT forward to it rolls off the edge. As its going over the edge, give it a tiny bit of reverse power to keep it from crashing down, and then glide away.

After some practice, it'll be natural.

-------------------------
Fear not, for even though I come from the Forbidden City, I surely do not agree with the rules.
Chris Knight

[Brooster]

When I hear people talk about side-to-side shimmy, I often wonder if they're talking about untrue wheels or loose wheels ... which I've never experienced. Slight side-to-side contol shaft movement is normal over uneven surfaces, but the word "shimmy" always alarms me a bit. :)

Brooster

[fathertime]

Dear Bill,
Welcome to the wonderful world of the HT. We would like to add your name to our growing list of SEG Chicago and get together with you for a glide. Our local guys will have lots of advice for you that may come in handy. Feel free to contact me offline.[^]:D:);)[:P]

JR

[defenbaugh]

quote:Originally posted by Brooster

When I hear people talk about side-to-side shimmy, I often wonder if they're talking about untrue wheels or loose wheels ... which I've never experienced. Slight side-to-side control shaft movement is normal over uneven surfaces, but the word "shimmy" always alarms me a bit. :)

We have two HTi's. One has this shimmy and I, like Brooster, think it has to do with an untrue wheel. I have checked for wheel nut torque, battery looseness and other items. It still has a shake under the conditions Bill describes. It is not unbearable, but I know it is not normal.

Ron
"Literacy requires reading, change requires effort and enlightenment requires courage."

[defenbaugh]

Bill Keil-See my post titled "Wheel Wobble Cure." Is this what you are referencing>

Ron
"Literacy requires reading, change requires effort and enlightenment requires courage."

[mzokc]

Too much weight in the front handlebar bag will cause the handlebars to move side to side when you hit a bump. I only use the 12.0 bag when necessary.

Mark

[jefrose]

It is interesting that a newbie doesn't know exactly what stick shake is. When I had the orientation class, over a year ago, the instructor made sure we all experienced stick shake, emergency shut down, etc. The old policy was you couldn't take delivery of the Segway until you took the orientation class. I thought currently they come to you for orientation....how long after purchase?

Jeff

[PD1]

Decision One techs are supposed to schedule an orientation within 5 days of receiving a call from a new owner. The person receiving the orientation is supposed to sign off on a report indicating that certain points, like stick shake and emergency shutdown were covered. Perhaps this wasn't a new purchase.

PD1

[Mr_Laurenzano]

1)untrue wheels- Factory ballanced -Possibly too much air (Over 15-20 psi)
2) or loose wheels, you will know when your wheel is loose, It feels like the drive has a 6" gap in it delivery of power, Kind of like if you were to wear one shoe two sizes too big and try to walk back and forth.
3) Its the pavement and surface you are driving on. The HT isnt about suspension thats what you have legs for and belive it or not the rougher the terrian the better the exercise.

http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6906
As far as the curbs~~~Someday this may be the way you do it.


Find the way. Everything comes full circle.