Scooter Features Archives - Scooter Country

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Mobility Scooter in 2023

by Rick Lococo | Dec 2, 2022 | Mobility Scooters

Choosing a mobility scooter can be a very lengthy process. There are so many options, sizes, colors, and other considerations that you need to make. Whether this is your first or your 100th mobility scooter, choosing the perfect one is still difficult. In this article, we have broken down some of the main things that you should consider prior to choosing.

Know Your Needs

Knowing what your needs are is the first step in choosing a mobility scooter that best suits your lifestyle. Your needs are aspects that you will not settle on, and often will help point you in the right direction. Here are some key factors that you should consider.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle choices are one of the most important things to consider if you are looking at purchasing a mobility scooter. Where and how you are going to use it will greatly impact what scooters you will be the happiest with. As an example, if you live in a State that is very hilly, a travel-sized mobility scooter might not be the best option as its safe climbing angle may not be satisfactory for that environment. You may be better off choosing a larger outdoor mobility scooter. On the other hand, if you only want to use your scooter when you take shopping trips, a portable scooter that can disassemble may be perfect. This is because it can easily fit in your car so you can take it with you on all of your errands.

Indoor or Outdoor

Finally, you’ll need to know if you want to use your scooter indoors or outdoors, or both. This can really help narrow down your selection if you are between a few.

Scooter Specifications

The next main category that we are going to talk about is scooter specifications. This includes stats, dimensions, and other numerical specifications. Certain specifications are very important to consider, as they may greatly narrow down your list of scooters that you will enjoy.

Weight Considerations

Weight is often one of the first questions that you may be asked when you are considering a mobility scooter. Of course, no one loves to answer this question, but it is necessary. All scooters have a maximum weight capacity. Weight capacities typically range from 250 to 500+ pounds, depending on the model of scooter. You will need to be under the weight capacity of a scooter in order to safely use it, as well as to get the best performance out of the scooter. In addition, if you are close to the weight capacity of a scooter, you’ll want to ensure that you aren’t carrying anything that might put you over the limit, like hanging grocery bags on it. If you want to learn more about heavy-duty scooters, check out this article.

Battery Size and Type

When you are purchasing a mobility scooter, you should know what size and type of battery it takes. If you have a cell phone, it can be helpful to snap a picture of the battery, as their names can get pretty lengthy and confusing. There are a variety of types and sizes of scooter batteries, so knowing what’s compatible with your scooter is helpful. If you want a further drive range, some scooters may offer battery upgrades. The larger the scooter, the larger the batteries have to be in order to get enough power, driving range, and speed to get the scooter moving.

Legroom

If you are tall, I’m sure you have run into legroom issues in the past. To avoid this issue with your scooter, it’s best to get a measurement of the legroom area. Small and travel-sized scooters may not be the best option for you if you have long legs, but larger scooters, like the Sunrunner or Sprinter, may be very comfortable. Looking for scooters that have an adjustable captain’s seat is another great idea.

Driving Range

A scooter’s driving range is another spec that you should consider in order to get the best scooter for your needs. If you are going on long drives every day, a scooter with a longer driving range is essential. Typically medium and large-sized mobility scooters are equipt with batteries that can take you a few hours. Keep in mind that scooters with a long driving range may take longer to charge up from empty, so plan your trips accordingly!

Speed

Speed often goes hand in hand with driving range. Mobility scooters with larger motors often have the best speed stats. But, if you are driving your scooter at full speed, it may not go as far as it would if you were to drive at a lower speed. We all know that it’s fun to drive at fast speeds, but make sure you are driving safely. It’s just like driving a car!

Key Features

Next, we are going to talk about key features that a scooter may offer. While key features may not make or break your decision, they’re still important. Here are a few features that we know our customers are always looking for.

Comfort

Comfort features are some of the most important to consider. Especially if you are going to be using your scooter for a few hours each and every day. Some noteworthy comfort features include a captain’s seat, adjustable tiller, and ergonomic controls. The more comfortable your scooter is, the more you are going to enjoy it. But, comfort features don’t stop with the seating. They also include suspension, the type of tire, and the size of the tires. The smaller the scooter, usually the fewer luxury comfort features they offer.

Compatible Accessories

One of the best ways to personalize your mobility scooter is to use compatible accessories. There are dozens and dozens of scooter accessories on the market, so it may be difficult for you to narrow it down! A few of our most common accessories include cup holders, phone holders, and canopies. If you’re not sure what accessories you’d like, it can be helpful to test out your scooter for a few weeks or months, and then go back and order. But, I always recommend a cup holder!

Looks & Aesthetics

While how your scooter looks may not be important to you, it is definitely important to some. This is why scooters often come in a red and a neutral color, as not everyone loves red. If how a scooter looks is important to you, ensure you get what you want. You are the one driving it after all!

Cost

Last, but certainly not least, we have cost. Cost is often one of the main factors that people consider prior to purchasing a mobility scooter. Mobility scooters can range greatly based on their features, specifications, brand, where they are made, size, and more. Small mobility scooters can start around $1,300. While large mobility scooters can go upwards of $10,000, but most are around $5,000.

Final Words

This wraps up our article discussing the most important things that you should consider before purchasing a mobility scooter. There are a lot of things that you should consider before making your final decision. Taking the time to learn about multiple different scooter models can help ensure that you are 100% happy with your choice. If you need any help choosing a mobility scooter that will best fit your lifestyle, do not hesitate to reach out to our team at Scooter Country.

How Much Does a Scooter Weigh?

by Rick Lococo | Nov 25, 2022 | Mobility Scooters

One of the most common questions that we hear in the industry is “How much does a scooter weigh?”. And, that’s a great question. However, there is no one size fits all answer. It really depends on the type of scooter, and what the scooter is made for. If you have a scooter that is travel-friendly, it is going to weigh much less than a scooter that is a heavy-duty outdoor scooter. To understand this question, let’s go over the various types of scooters.

Types of Mobility Scooters

As I touched on before, the type of scooter plays a vital part in its weight. Scooters can weigh anywhere from 50 pounds and upwards of 400 pounds. So, if unit weight is important to you, you’ll want to be familiar with the following types of mobility scooters.

Folding Scooters

Folding scooters, sometimes called travel scooters, are able to fold in half. This makes them much easier to lift up, and put into your car. Typically, folding scooters weigh under 60 pounds, including our Echo Folding Scooter. Folding scooters are ideal for indoor use and travelling, as they are a very minimal type of scooter. This is what makes them so lightweight.

Disassembling Scooters

If you are looking for something a little larger and more durable, a disassembling scooter may be the best option for you. As the name implies, a disassembling scooter will come apart into three to six pieces, depending on the model. This makes lifting the scooter into your trunk or storing it more manageable. With quick snaps, the scooter can be ready to ride in just a few minutes. As an example, our Dasher 4-Wheel Scooter has a total unit weight of 94 pounds, which is quite heavy. But, it can be disassembled into three pieces, the heaviest being 26 pounds. This makes it a lot easier to manage for most people.

Outdoor & Heavy-Duty Scooters

Outdoor and heavy-duty scooters weigh the most. This is because they are much larger than the previous models mentioned, with luxury finishes, full suspensions, reinforced chassis, and other features that add to the weight. While these scooters are a great option for outdoor use, it’s difficult to transport them in a vehicle without having a specialty van. Outdoor and heavy-duty scooters typically weigh anywhere between 150 and 400 pounds, depending on the model. Our own Enduro XL has a 500-pound carrying capacity, and its unit weight is 240 pounds.

Choosing Your Mobility Scooter

There is a lot that goes into purchasing a mobility scooter. If how much a mobility scooters weigh is important to you, you should think about how and where you want to use your scooter. If you are planning to use your scooter indoors, like grocery shopping and trips to the mall, a disassembling scooter may be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you want to use your scooter strictly outdoors with a lot of slopes, over gravel or grass, then an outdoor scooter may be ideal. If you have any questions about how to choose the best mobility scooters and how much a scooter weighs, don’t hesitate to reach out!