Choosing a Motorized Scooter
Motorized scooters return to individuals, who have trouble walking, their freedom and independence. Still many people hesitate to buy one because they think the process is too confusing. The good news is that it is easier than you think.
Find, Compare, and Buy a Mobility Scooter
You don't have to be a mechanic to shop for motorized scooters. They are surprisingly simple vehicles, and well prepared retailers have the answers to all your questions. It is indeed the informative and uncomplicated process that it should be. Here are a few tips to help you when shopping for motorized scooters.
The first thing you will need to do in order to select the right motorized scooter for you is to decide which scooter meets your driving needs. There are three basic types of scooters: Indoor, Outdoor, and Indoor-Outdoor.
Indoor Mobility Scooters
Indoor scooters are the smallest of the three and have 3 wheels. Manufacturers designed them to work best indoors or on paved, level ground. They are a smaller and lighter scooter (generally less than 130 pounds) and their tires won't mark your floors. They are front-wheel drive vehicles where the front-wheels pull the scooter forward. Because it's a smaller, lighter vehicle, an indoor scooter can maneuver the tight corners in your home without bumping into molding or walls. However, they also travel shorter distances on an electric charge, and at slower speeds. But they do cost less then an outdoor or indoor-outdoor scooter.
Outdoor Mobility Scooters
Outdoor scooters, on the other hand, can weigh as much as 100 pounds more than their indoor counterparts. They are rear-wheel drive vehicles, meaning that the rear wheels push you forward. Almost all outdoor scooters have four wheels for stability on rough terrain, and sit higher off the ground for better ground clearance. With their larger size, and more powerful motor, outdoor scooters can climb hills, maneuver up curbs, and travel over open ground. Outdoor motorized scooters are faster, can travel farther on a battery charge, and can be used in all kinds of weather.However, outdoor mobility scooters can not comfortably transition to indoor driving. They can't make sharp turns and often don't fit through narrow doorways. Subsequently, you'll bump into walls driving indoors and the tires may mark up your floors.
Indoor-Outdoor Mobility Scooters
Indoor-outdoor mobility scooters are a mixture of the best features from indoor and outdoor scooters. Most are 3 wheeled with rear-wheel drive and soft tires. A typical indoor-outdoor unit weighs between 80 and 150 pounds. It can be easily disassembled for transport in your car's trunk or by way of scooter lifts and carriers.
An indoor-outdoor scooter can be comfortably maneuvered in your home. They are slightly harder to maneuver indoors than a strictly indoor scooter, but they are much easier to than outdoor scooters. Although you can use indoor-outdoor scooters outdoors, they can't climb curbs and hills with the power and stability of the heavier outdoor models. In fact, it is advisable to avoid uneven ground or steep hills.Now that you know the basics, choosing the mobility scooter for your needs should be easy. As you shop around, be sure to read reviews so that you can properly compare brand and styles. And also ask about batteries, battery chargers and scooter lifts, they are accessories you will need to know about.
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