Go Scooter Review
So far I would say that my experience with the Go scooter is mixed. It’s my first one, and I’ve only had it for a few weeks (and gotten to drive it even less), but here goes.
First Experience
Riding around with your girl behind you hugging you is just the best experience ever. (Fig 1)
Purchase
I bought mine used for a pretty good price – apparently the only place to buy it here in Boston is at the Scooters Go Green people, who advertise a $600 offer or something like that, but by the time you walk out of the door with it, it is almost $1,400. So I’d advise buying used, but still in a new condition.
Handling
It doesn’t handle like a bicycle or even a motorcycle as far as I can tell — it is quite bottomheavy and feels unstable. minute variations in your own weight positioning, or in the steering can produce wildly different trajectories. It could just be because I’m a beginner relatively, but as a beginner, it is something to be very aware of, especially as you will be sharing the road/sidewalk/bike path with other traffic. So if you are on the bike path/sidewalk, it is very easy to run into people if you are aware and being careful. On the road, it’s easy to run off the road, or into other cars, and bumps make it worse.
Similarly, the engine/clutch seems to have two states — no power to the wheels, and ALL power to the wheels, and the transition between them is not entirely deterministic. That is, plenty of times I will turn the accelerator to full on, and absolutely nothing will happen. The engine sounds like it’s thinking about going, or stalling, or who knows what, and like 10-30 seconds later, it will suddenly engage and propel you full speed into whatever you’re facing. This seems worse when it is very cold/sub 30 degrees. But it means that driving on the street is a bit scary concerning.
Traffic
Cars do not see you. Bicyclists yell at you. Drivers will pull over into your lane, pass you, park in a parallel parking spot, and open their doors right into you. Even when you aren’t going fast. It is very dangerous. I’m not saying that in a parenty type of way, like my parents are wont to do to me, just boston drivers are notoriously unaware. ESPECIALLY during rush hour/nighttime. I get quite uncomfortable driving back at night. They also don’t watch when coming out of driveways, side streets, or anywhere else. Sometimes I just want to drive with a shotgun in my arms, chk-chk, POW! I feel that way when driving my car too.