Just Hop on and Away We Will Go!

Whether looking for yourself or as a gift for someone else, there is a wide choice of self-balancing electric Hoverboards and automatic two-wheeled scooters on the market today.

The challenge for any shopper is to select the best and most reliable self-balancing electric Hoverboard or two-wheeled scooter from the crowd. Doing research before deciding will guide you to the model which suits your requirements.

Going by the name hoverboard or self-balancing scooter, this two-wheeled device is a personal transporter. The standard design consists two motorized wheels, 6.5 to 8,5 inches in diameter, connected to a pair of articulated pads on which a rider places their feet. The ability for the hoverboard to self-balance comes from the built-in gyroscopic device and a sensor pad.

Some hoverboards are great off-road, while most are best on smooth city surfaces. For the wheels, most are made using hard rubber, but there are a few models which are filled with air, giving a smoother riding experience. 

To control the speed of the device, the rider leans forward or backwards, and to control the travel direction, the driver twists the pads. The speed of travel ranges from between 6 miles per hour and 14 miles per hour. The average range of a hoverboard when fully powered up is up to 12 miles, with this number impacted depending on the model, terrain traveled, the rider’s weight along with other factors.

When shopping for a hoverboard or self-balancing scooter, there are few things to consider, such as the speed of the self balancing scooter, the ease of use, how well it climbs uphill and how long lasting are the batteries. Then there are the must haves and the desired extras.

– UL 2272 certification ensuring maximum satisfaction and security with battery
– Built-in Bluetooth speakers to play music
– Front LED headlights and rear brake lights to keep you visible
– Two 300-watt to 400-watt motors for power, giving smooth acceleration

Most individuals getting their first hoverboard or self-balancing scooter will only need a little practice before being able to comfortably ride and direct these devices. Expect it to take one to two hours, and be patient as you get the feel. When getting on one of these scooters, the suggestion is to hover over one side with your left foot and hop on it with your right. The idea is to have both feet hitting the sensors simultaneously.

Because the movements of your body and your feet control the self balancing scooter, the seamless response can be errie, almost like the machine knows what you are thinking. The hoverboard responds to your commands quite easily and it doesn’t take long to master it.

These scooters are a lot of fun to ride on a flat surface, traveling at jogging or running speed at best. If you decide to cross a stretch of gravel, uneven or broken pavement, cobblestones or a brick pathway, be careful and travel at a slow speed, staying safe.

Starting with at least a helmet for protection, there is other safety gear you should consider wearing when using a hoverboard or self-balancing scooter.

knee pads
wrist guards (also learm how to fall so you do not risk breaking a wrist)
elbow pads

If you are prepared for the possibility of falls, chances are you will not fall often from your self balancing scooter. You can safely break your fall if needed, just remember to always to fall away from the hoverboard since it is heavy and likely will still have some momentum. For that reason, always step backwards off the self balancing scooter, not forwards, to avoid suffering any ankle injuries.

With a name taken from the personal transporter shown in the movie franchise, “Back to the Future”, this totally earthbound two-wheel scooter is still a great way to travel. 

Ready to have some fun while getting exercise? Hop on and away we go!