Kick Scooter
QUICK START GUIDES
ELECTRIC KICK SCOOTER
With your new electric scooter purchase, you will be eager to get scooting. Before you venture into the busy streets of your city, take some time to acquaint yourself with your scooter and its' features, including safety precautions. This guide is a general electric kick scooter guide for getting to know and operate your new scooter.
If your bought your electric kick scooter locally, then your dealer probably explained most of the information you would need to know for operating your new scooter. However, as shopping online is now prevalent, included product brochures are usually our goto for literature on our new products. Online shops like Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, also have user feedback forums which is a great way to gain additional knowledge and tips about your purchased product. Additionally, many of e kick scooter brand websites have good articles on scooter features, maintenance, and tips.
UN-PACKING YOUR NEW E KICK SCOOTER
A new scooter sent to you usually has a brochure on everything you need to know about operating your new scooter.
Electric kick scooters are shipped in a fair sized box, and have the handlebar folded to compact the shipping size. Once you open your package, you have to remove all the packaging materials, and then open your brochure. You should have received your brochure, wrench, and screws for attaching the handlebar securely to the pole.(stem) You will also have a charging cable for your battery. Other items may be included depending on the brand and model you purchased.
Follow the included instructions to attach and secure the handlebar. If it makes it easier you can push or pull the wires from the bottom wire extending near the bottom of the pole, then once you attach the handlebar, you can gently pull or push that wire back to its position. This gives you some flexibility while attaching the handlebar to the pole stem.
If your scooter has an app available, you will be instructed to install the app on your cell phone and complete its' tutorial. This is a must-do tutorial, and it is very informative, covering all aspects of driving your scooter, including safety tips.
Some e scooter brands will also limit your scooter's speed to the lowest speed range until you complete the tutorial. Then, you simply follow the directions to activate the other speed modes. Once you've completed your tutorial, you can begin to drive your new e kick scooter.
LEARNING TO DRIVE YOUR E KICK SCOOTER
It takes little time to learn to ride your electric kick scooter, however, certain protocol should be followed to ensure your safety and those around you.
Firstly, turn on your electric scooter by initializing the display. Each model differs, but usally push and hold to power on.
Tip: Several brands have a scooter app, which includes a riding tutorial which must be completed before you can access all the speed modes. Slow mode is the default mode which is less than 10mph.
BEFORE YOU RIDE
Before riding, check the scooter tires, (especially air tires), your scooter manual will state the proper air to have in the tires. Typical air is 40-55psi depending on the tire. There are 2 types of air tires on your scooter, tubeless and tubed, and both require you to put air in the tires. Typical size tires of this type are 9 and 10 inch. If however, your new kick scooter has solid tires, then you do not have to put air in this type of tire. Typically, these type of tires are 8.5 size.
Both tire types have advantages and disadvantages. For air filled tires, a smoother ride is the best feature, and you can adjust the tire air to some degree to make for a smoother ride. Solid tire, have the distinction of no maintenance; you don't have to put air in them, and you don't worry about getting a flat or damage from road debris like nails and the like. Both types will eventually wear out, and need to be replaced, although, the solid tire usually has a longer life. (this would depend on total scooter miles traveled).
E KICK SCOOTER SUSPENSION
Often, e kick scooters without an included suspension will have air filled tires to complement the ride, while solid tires are more common on e kick scooters with suspension; be it front or back suspension, and sometimes both. And, some higher priced e kick scooters have air filled tires, and front and back suspensions. This is also common on off road scooters, which require bigger tires and a better suspension system.
Tip:If you have air tires, you should buy a portable tire inflator, as your tires should be checked frequently, at least once a week if you ride often.
WEAR A HELMET AND PROTECTIVE GEAR
Although still not required in some cities, many now have bylaws requiring you to wear a helmet for your commute. It protects your noggin in the chance you fall off your scooter or collide with something or someone. For lower kick scooter speeds(to 10mph), similar to pedalling a two wheel bike, you can use a bike helmet which are reasonably priced and easy to find at your local sports shop or online retailers. If you intend to ride at faster speeds and down a lot of hills you should consider buying a motorcycle helmet, in particular, a downhill motorcycle helmet, and this protects not only your head but also your chin and cheekbones. Wearing elbow and knee pads is also recommended, again, it depends on how fast and what type of commuting you plan to do on a regular basis.
HOW TO RIDE YOUR ELECTRIC KICK SCOOTER
To begin, put your foot on the pedal(aka - the deck or platform as it is known), then grab the handlebars with both hands, then use your other foot to give yourself a push. Make sure your scooter is pointing forward not to the side.
Tip: When placing your foot on the pedal deck make sure you put it moreso forward to leave room for your other foot once you get moving along. Not all kick scooters have wide decks, so you might have to put your feet one forward and one behind. If you do have one with a wide deck you can put both feet together side by side, but remember you have to make sure you are balanced on the scooter and the best way to do this is by having one foot slightly behind and one foot more front.
Once you get moving, you can then use the throttle (on the right side of handlebars usually) to engage your motor. Don't overdo the throttle, because this can jerk the scooter and you also, which can cause you to loose your balance, and fall from the scooter.
Slowly turn the throttle or throttle mechanism (scooters vary on throttle type), which will slowly move you and the scooter. Tip: Practice your scooting with no one around, no cars, and no people. Picture yourself in a large empty parking lot. Tip: To engage the scooter motor you must be moving at a speed of 1.8 to 2+ mph. There are some kick e scooter models that do not require a kick start but those are usually higher end priced.
PRACTICE BRAKING
Once your moving you'll want to practice braking. This is easy to do. Just use the brake lever on the front handlebar, usually on the opposite side of the throttle, and, some models have two brake levers. Move your scooter at a slow speed to practice braking, then increase your speed and practice. This way, you will have a good idea of how long it takes to stop your scooter based on the speed your traveling.
When you stop your scooter, turn it off from the display, and engage your kickstand. If your scooter has an app available, use that to lock your scooter. And, remember, safety first. Wear your helmet; elbow and knee protective pads are recommended, especially if your a new Electric Kick Scooter owner.
RIDE CHECKLIST
Before venturing out for your commute, do your checklist:
Did you charge your battery. Don't overcharge - follow instructions in your e kick scooter brochure.
Did you check the tires and tire pressure.
Did you check brake levers and make sure they are working proper.
Got your helmet and protective gear.
Night time commute - check the headlight
Raining? light rain, or downpour, Should you ride? check the IP of your scooter model. Typically ip4 is slight rain exposure, and ip5 light rain-little puddles, IP65, steady rain and big puddles.
Have Fun, Enjoy Your Ride!
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