This 3 wheeled scooter is well suited for use by teenagers, adults, and seniors. The Zappy 3 Pro Jr. electric scooter’s 3 wheeled setup provides an easy to ride on platform whether the scooter is turned or not. Just jump on and go with the Zappy 3 Pro Jr.

Tight spaces are easy to navigate with the Zappy 3 Pro Jr. This motorized scooter’s turning radius covers a full 360 degrees. Avoid dealing with belts, chains, or drive shafts with this 3 wheeled scooter, since its motor is encased in the hub of the front wheel. It’s much less expensive and simpler to use than this Zap Scooter’s two wheeled competition.

No automatic balancing mechanism or specialized training are required. Features like a front basket, electric horn, headlight and a seat come standard with this scooter

Zap Scooters Zappy 3 Pro Jr. Specifications:

• Speed: Up to 10 mph
• Range: 24 miles
• Motor: 350 watt hub motor is found in the center of the front wheel.
• Frame: High tensile strength steel frame with some durable ABS plastic body parts and a dimpled rubber deck mat.
• Drive System: The motor is directly connected to the hub of the front wheel. No chains or belts are necessary. Variable speed thumb lever. Keyed ignition with a kill switch on the throttle.

• Battery: Two 36 V, 9 Ah sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries.
• Charge Time: 4-6 hours.
• Brakes:Front drum braking system.
• Dimensions: Length 40″, Width at platform 27.25″, Height 47″
• Weight: 95 lbs.
• Carrying Capacity: 295 lbs.
• Tires: A single 16” x 2.5” pneumatic rubber front tire and two 2.8” x 2.5” pneumatic rubber rear tires.
• Zappy 3 Pro Jr Warranty: 90 day parts and labor manufacturer’s warranty.

Standard Features:

• Adjustable height handlebars.
• Horn.
• Headlight
• Smart battery charger.
• Tool kit.
• Adjustable height, removable seat.
• Keyed Ignition.
• Battery light indicator.
• Front basket

For additional info about the Zappy 3 Pro Jr, visit: Urban Scooters

Colin Furze, a British plumber, spent three months converting his machine to go nine times faster than the average mobility scooter, which is 13kph. The petrol-powered scooter has a 125cc motorbike engine, five gears and twin exhausts. He is now looking to formally enter the speedy scooter into the record books: “I was told by Guinness that I could modify the engine but I wasn’t allowed to change the appearance in any way, so I couldn’t give it bigger wheels or make it more stable.” Guinness told Furze he has to exceed 100kph.

via The National.

There were several questions that immediately came into my mind about this plan. Where can I buy a dependable, good quality scooter? Which brand names are the best? Are there any local places to purchase parts or get repairs if necessary? What safety concerns and laws should I take into account before I purchase an electric scooter? How fast will it go? What kind of mileage can I expect? How much do good quality transportation scooters cost?

I decided to take my search online first to learn as much as possible about electric and mobility scooters before spending any of my money and possibly making a bad decision. My goal was simple and obvious; get the best electric scooter available for the lowest possible price.

Here are a few tips I learned to avoid poorly manufactured electric and mobility scooters:
- Go with a brand name scooter. Avoid off-brands, no brands and clones.
- Avoid vendors who sell the off-brand scooters, no brand scooters and clones. Purchase from a reputable vendor.
- If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
- Buy an electric scooter that comes with at least a 90-day warranty.

I also learned there is a huge price range among the various brands of electric scooters. I found that most electric scooters for kids sell between $200 – $400 dollars, while an electric scooter built for adults will usually command $300 – $1,000 or more. Just like everything else, the better the specifications and the more bells and whistles the scooter includes will definitely effect the final price.

The type of electric scooter that’s best for you will depend mostly on how you plan on using it, along with your own personal preference. To help make your decision a little easier, be sure to check out some of the great websites online that specialize in providing information and details about scooters. I’ll follow this article up with another one later giving more of the technical details I learned during my search.

Part 2
After searching the Internet and going through my local telephone book to find local electric scooter vendors, I decided to visit a local scooter showroom to get an up-close and personal look at one.

The salesperson that greeted me (Bob) seemed to know quite a bit of technical information regarding transportation scooters. The first topic we discussed in great detail was that of speed. Bob explained to me that most of the low-end transportation and mobility scooters vary in speed from 8 mph to about 25 miles per hour. However, the higher-end, more expensive models can hit speeds 20 to about 55 miles per hour.

Bob further informed me that the speed of an electric scooter is actually affected by several factors. For example, the weight of the rider can have a tremendous impact on the top-end speed. The heavier the rider is, the more drag that is created on the drive train. Another influence on speed is the level of charge in the battery. It seems that when the battery is fully charged, most electric scooters can be very sporty and quick off the line. However, once the battery drops below a half charged condition, the power is greatly reduced.

Here are a few other topics we discussed that can greatly affect the performance of an electric scooter:

- Tire Pressure: Soft, spongy tires provide for great traction. However, they are harder to get moving. Therefore, your scooter will not go as fast. Higher tire pressure will result in faster speeds and greater battery life; although the ride will be rougher since you will definitely feel every little bump.

- Carrying Capacity: This is the recommended amount of weight a scooter can safely carry. Keep in mind that the heavier the rider is, the slower the acceleration and top speed will be. Heavier riders will also reduce an electric scooters range and decrease its hill climbing ability. Riders fewer than 180 lbs. can typically ride just about any mobility scooter out there and expect to achieve the maximum performance.

- Inclines, hills and rough terrain can all influence an electric scooter’s speed. Typically the speed rating the manufacturer lists for an electric scooter is always its maximum speed under ideal conditions. In laymen’s terms, this means that the flatter the road, the faster and farther your scooter will go!

- RANGE: This is how far of a distance your electric scooter will take you on a single charge. Most electric scooters vary in range from 10 miles to about 40 miles per charge. There are some high-end scooters, however, that offer a range of more than 50 miles on a charge. These are usually the top-of-the-line units that are much more costly to purchase.

If you’re still paying attention at this point, then you must be serious about getting the best electric scooter possible for your money. I’ll continue in the next segment with some of the mechanical details I learned during my visit to a scooter dealer.

Part 3
My recent trip to a local electric scooter dealership turned out to be quite educational for me. I’ve always been the type of person that wants to know all of the facts before plunking down a large bit on my hard earned cash for any major purchase. I wanted to be certain that I understood exactly how a mobility scooter worked and how I would benefit from it.

My first set of questions to the dealer centered on how well the various electric scooters performed. I learned that there were many variables involved to determine the range and top speed that could be acquired with a scooter. I even learned that something as simple as tire pressure could make a huge difference in performance.

My next set of questions focused on the drive train specifications available for transportation scooters. The drive train is the part the makes actually the scooter go. In most cases, electric scooters are driven by a chain or belt drive system. The system consists of a chain-wheel sprocket that is mounted on the motor, along with another sprocket that is mounted on the real wheel. As the motor spins, it moves the chain or belt, which in-turn causes the wheel to rotate. In some rare cases, the drive-train system may even be direct drive. This means that the motor is actually attached to, or in contact with, the rear wheel. The speed of the motor is controlled with a hand throttle or thumb controller.

The braking system for an electric scooter will also vary with each different brand and model. Most of the high-end models are usually equipped with some variation of a disc brake system. However, the other types available include calipers, drum brakes, and hub brakes. In most cases, a new scooter will include both front and rear brakes. However, you should double-check this before you make your purchase. Some models may even include an automatic throttle shut-off safety system. This is a feature that stops the engine from becoming engaged while the brakes are being applied.

One thing that surprised me and really caught my attention at the dealership I visited — there were some items listed as an option for several of the scooters that I felt should be included and considered as basic components. It would definitely be in your best interest to double-check this before you make your purchase and then get surprised with extra, hidden costs. Here is a list of some of the other features and accessories you insure are included when looking for an electric scooter; key ignition, speed indicator gauge, battery indicator gauge, cargo box, adjustable seat, adjustable handlebars, reflectors, turn signals, brake lights, horn, and tool kit.

Part 4
If you have followed my articles so far, I hope this trip has been informative for you. More importantly, I hope they have helped you to understand and select the best scooter possible for your budget. My goal is to save you some exploration time and learn from my experience. In this issue we will explore details surrounding the electrical system of a typical electric mobility scooter.

The charging system on an electric scooter is made up of a battery and some sort of plug-in A/C adapter. The purpose of the adapter is simply to convert alternating current (A/C power) into direct current (D/C power) so that it can be used to charge the battery for your scooter. Most of these adapters have some sort of “smart” design that allows for a rapid battery charge, along with an “automatic off” feature that powers the unit off when the battery reaches its full capacity. You should try to avoid any charging units or electric scooters that do not include this feature. It is important that you understand that an over-charged condition could cause permanent damage to your scooter battery.

Most electric scooters run on a single sealed 12-volt rechargeable lead acid battery. However, depending on the brand and model, some scooters may have anywhere from one to three of these batteries installed. The power and quality rating of your scooter battery is crucial to the range of the scooter. In addition, low tire pressure, extreme temperatures, rough terrain, hills, high levels of speed, and the weight of the rider will put extra demand on the battery and drain its power much faster.

The average life span of a typical scooter battery is usually between 250 – 500 charges, but this can vary depending upon the brand and quality of the battery installed. A completely drained battery can take anywhere from two to eight hours to fully recharge — but again, this will depend on the brand and quality of the electric scooter, along with the quality of the charging unit being used. Some electric scooter models may also offer a quick change battery option that allows for you to swap out your depleted batteries for a fresh set whenever necessary. It is recommended that you always try to keep your lead acid batteries fully charged since they tend to have a much shorter life span if stored for a length of time in a depleted condition. For longer battery life, always remember to charge your electric scooter’s battery immediately after riding it.

Knowing how to properly care for your scooter and its electrical system can greatly improve the performance and life span of your electric mobility scooter. Keeping this system in a clean and fully charged state will provide many years of comfort in knowing that your scooter is ready to go whenever needed. Most importantly, you can have the confidence and peace of mind in knowing that it will not leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere at an inopportune time. Take care of your scooter and it will take care of you!

Part 5
There are a lot of items to consider when making the purchase of a new electric scooter. If you have followed my previous articles, then you already know what to look for in a reputable dealership, drive train, and electrical system on an electric mobility scooter. Now it is time to learn what to look for in a good scooter chassis.

The chassis, also known as the frame structure, is what makes up the overall body of a scooter. It is usually constructed of tubular steel and includes a deck area for you to stand upon. However, in some cases aluminum or plastic might also be used in the frame structure. When selecting your new electric scooter, it is best to avoid any models where plastic is used on the frame or decking area of the chassis since it is extremely susceptible to cracking, breaking, or warping. You will probably find that plastic is commonly used for the construction of the body panels — this is perfectly fine.

The frame structure will also include some sort of rear suspension system that is designed to increase the handling characteristics and also to cushion your ride on the scooter. Rear suspension models will usually show the type of suspension and the amount of travel the suspension features. This is usually measured in millimeters (mm) where 25.4mm is equal to about one inch. Therefore, a 50mm travel fork has just less than two inches of travel.

The system for holding the front wheel in place is known as “the forks”. Many transportation scooters include a solid front fork. However, some of the higher quality scooters also include some sort of suspension system built into the front forks similar to that of the rear. This suspension system uses a combination of either metal or rubber springs that provide for a softer, cushioned ride.

The wheel assembly of an electric scooter includes the axle, hub, spokes, and rim. The wheels are available in steel, aluminum, or reinforced plastic. Anyone seeking long term use of a scooter should avoid purchasing one that includes the plastic wheel option since those are more prone to cracking or breakage. The options available for wheels include a choice of wire spokes, solid spokes, or a solid spoke-less design.

The rim is the outside part of the wheel that holds the rubber tire in place. Aluminum rims offer a more superior quality in terms of look and wear. However, steel rims can be a cheaper alternative since they can be usually be found at lower prices, but typically they don’t last as long or look as nice. Steel rims are also more prone to paint chipping and rust. Many newer scooter models also offer an option for alloy rims.

Most electric scooter tires are made of rubber, foam rubber, or polyurethane. The tire styles can vary greatly in terms of the materials included. You will usually find a choice of tubeless pneumatic, pneumatic with an inner-tube, or solid tires. They are also available with either a smooth, semi-smooth, or knobby tread surface. The overall tire size will have an effect on the given performance of your scooter. Taller tires will generally increase the top speed but may lower your ability to climb hills. Taller tires will also serve to increase the ground clearance of an electric scooter. This increased ground clearance will allow the scooter to better handle speed bumps, pot holes, curbs, or any sort of off-road terrain. Short tires are known to increase the hill climbing ability of a scooter, but will lower the top speed. Shorter tires will also decrease ground clearance. The width of your tires can also have an effect on the scooters ability to grip the road. Wide tires are commonly known to increase traction while the skinny tires will have the opposite effect.

Well, that about wraps it up for the basic information you need to arm yourself with before making the purchase of a new electric scooter. Be sure to review my previous articles covering the other major systems that make up a typical electric mobility scooter. Understanding how these systems work together will give you the confidence needed to make a smart purchase of a new scooter, along with its day-to-day operation and maintenance.

Author Resource:-> James Stockton is a scooter enthusiast that likes to share information about electric scooters with others throughout the world. To learn more about electric and mobility scooters, be sure to visit: http://www.ElectricScooterOutlet.com.

Article From ElectricText Article Directory

The keys to the scooter were handed over by the John Force team by the event’s biggest sponsor, Castrol, at its 25th anniversary celebration.

Even prizes:
Prize(s): One (1) GRAND PRIZE: John Force’s Personal Yamaha Zuma Scooter autographed and presented to you by John Force at the MAC Tools US Nationals from September 3, 2010 thru Sept 7, 2010 in Indianapolis, IN. Prize includes roundtrip airfare for (2) from airport closest to winners home, car rental, selected meals and tickets to the race. An autographed John Force Racing jacket signed by all the John Force Racing drivers and an autographed John Force replica helmet. ARV: $5,600.

(1) First Prize: 50” Flat Screen Television from BrandSource. ARV: $1,000.

(5) Second Prize: Blu-Ray Players from BrandSource. ARV: $200 each.

(8) Third Prize: John Force Race Station $25 Gift Certificate. ARV. $25 each.

The 2011 Yamaha Zuma

The 2011 Yamaha Zuma scooter.

Coleman realized that his research yielded vital information, which consumers of mobility scooters needed to have. So Coleman used his research data to create three eBooks on mobility scooters, along with two free checklists: a scooter buyer’s checklist for how to purchase a mobility scooter and a scooter traveler’s checklist to help scooter riders with transit bus and air travel.

One of Coleman’s eBooks,”Know Your Mobility Scooter Danger Zones!,” is a mobility scooter defensive driving safety guide. He freely shares the eBook’s tips through a 10-part email series.

Coleman received an email from recent mobility scooter consumers Michele and Tom Bass. “My husband and I are taking our first road trip with his mobility scooter from San Diego to San Francisco and we are leaving very early Thursday morning,” wrote Mrs. Bass.

“He just received his mobility scooter and this past Sunday while taking a ‘stroll’ after lunch in La Jolla, California, we were crossing the street and when he went to go over the curb ramp on the other side, which was under construction and bumpy, both he and the scooter tipped over and he landed in the street (not a pretty picture),” she continued.

“We obviously need driving tips before we venture out again on Thursday morning. I feel very fortunate to have found your website tonight. Thank you so very much for all your help,” concluded Mrs. Bass.

Terry Flower, secretary of a disability action group in Australia says “It seems that people only start investigating what is available after they have been persuaded to buy units too small for their needs”.

Coleman advises consumers to consider some fundamental uses and features of a mobility scooter before they buy:

• Some scooters are primarily for indoor use
• Other scooters are primarily for outdoor use
• Some scooters are very comfortable to ride
• Other scooters are downright uncomfortable
• Some scooters can easily fold to fit into the trunk of a car
• Other scooters may have pieces that are too heavy to lift into the trunk of a car
• Some scooters are easy to take on a bus or an airplane
• Some scooters are so big, they won’t fit through the doors of a bus, home or an apartment
• Medicare or private insurance may cover the cost of a scooter, but only if it is for indoor use
• And the list goes on…

Any one of these factors may have a big impact on WHERE riders of mobility scooters can and can’t go and how COMFORTABLE and SAFE a ride they’ll have getting there. In too many cases, consumers get stuck with a mobility scooter that’s just not right for them simply because they didn’t have the right information beforehand.

Consumers who don’t prepare well before they purchase a scooter may run the risk of any of the following problems:

• Can’t leave home because the scooter isn’t meant for outdoor use and it may get stuck on every sidewalk cut-out
• Can’t travel too far from home because the scooter has a short battery charge life that may leave the rider stranded
• Can’t climb hills to get home because the scooter is underpowered
• Can’t easily get on or off the mobility scooter due to poor seat design
• Can’t easily control the scooter because it is too large, small, narrow, or it has the wrong steering control appropriate for the rider’s medical condition
• And that is just the beginning.

Although Coleman’s eBooks and checklists are available online, the information is still not reaching many seniors who don’t have access to the Internet. For this reason, Coleman created his scooter checklists in a handy brochure format that can easily be printed and displayed where seniors trek in libraries, community centers, mobility stores, medical offices and home-care facilities.

Copies of the buyer’s and traveler’s checklists and driving tips from Coleman’s ebook “Know Your Mobility Scooter Danger Zones!” are free by email. And Coleman says he can customize the checklists for any organization’s specific needs, whether the changes involve particular organizational policies or policies that differ in other countries.

We spoke with Amnon Haviv, Manager of Afikim’s Engineering department with more than 15 years of experience in developing mobility scooters, about the testing process.


Q: Why the lengthy field testing process before product launch?

With every scooter, there is a learning curve that necessitates uncompromising focus on the smallest details. After years of development and laboratory testing, the vehicles also need to be tested in the field. The testing is required to finetune the vehicle and make precise adjustments based on tester feedback- ensuring that the Breeze C mobility will deliver perfect results and perform to customer expectations, every time. It’s a long complex, and costly process which significantly improves performance.

Q: Is it true that Breeze C underwent five years of testing when calculated in km?

The scooters were driven for 8-10 hours each day, over a six-month period, in order to simulate their average lifespan. 1000-1500 km is equivalent to about five years of customer usage. The weight and load were comparable to the maximum weight and load the vehicle can carry. As such, Breeze C had to stand up to the toughest conditions with every aspect monitored and recorded in detail, enabling the engineers to constantly refine the vehicle based on up-to-date field data. Reengineered parts were incorporated into the vehicle to undergo further testing, until we were 100% satisfied with performance.

Q: How was Breeze C put to the test?

The mobility scooter is made up of a number of parts including chassis, pistons, shock absorbers, potentiometers, power unit, electronic control, and more. First, each part is tested separately. Next, the scooter is assembled to check and monitor its performance as a total unit. Finally, we test Breeze C under the conditions that various drivers in different locations and situations are likely to experience. We enlisted the assistance of a group of students for field testing, keeping a close eye on every aspect of the scooter’s performance. The scooter was put through rigorous tests to monitor its performance uphill, downhill, and on flat and bumpy surfaces to assess where the vehicle could undergo improvements before market launch. This process shakes out the bugs found during every new product release, eliminating many of the malfunctions that occur subsequent to the launch of a new model. It is the first time such extensive field testing has been undertaken on a new vehicle.

Q: What were testers looking for?

Breeze C was checked for a wide array of parameters including load bearing capability on ascent and descent, performance and durability on rough terrain, as well as crowded urban environments, tire wear, and operation under various weights, angles, and field conditions.
After the scooter had undergone extensive testing, including extreme driving tests by students, we called on the serviced of experienced mobility scooter drivers (from the kibbutz) to test the vehicle. The presence of numerous scooter drivers living in close proximity to the factory enabled us to closely follow their progress and obtain informative and in-depth feedback on the scooter performance. This real-life testing by long-time drivers under a variety of conditions gave us further insight into the scooter’s performance, handling, operation, and comfort.

Q: Do you have 100% confidence in Breeze C?

I have total confidence in the scooter and believe it is ready for market launch. Years of development have gone into an outstanding vehicle that the market has been eagerly anticipating. This user friendly scooter provides the perfect balance between size and performance. There is no doubt in my mind that we’ve developed a world class vehicle which answers the demand for a high-quality, yet affordable mobility scooter.

Source: Afikim Electric Vehicles

Previous laws allowed riders with a regular drivers license to operate scooters and mopeds. The written test law went into effect in November, 2005 and the road test began in the Spring of 2006.

Limited Edition Vespa PX 150 in vintage green.

Piaggio relaunched this classic beauty in the United States, starting in November, 2005. There were only 500 of these Limited Edition PX 150 Series America scooters, brushed in the vintage green Vespa color–each one individually numbered, including a stamped metal plaque, a commemorative letter, and an illustrated history of the PX.

Unfortunately, due to emission restrictions, the scooter will not be available in California.