With rising gas prices, many people are turning to electric transportation. There’s a huge demand for electric bikes, electric scooters, and hoverboards. I attended a Best Buy in-store experience to test out new products from Segway. This gives people an opportunity to test an electric rideable, right in the store.
In this blog, I’ll discuss the different Segway products I saw, and my experience trying them out in the store. If you’re interested in electric transportation, this should help you understand the different options available for kids and adults. Finally, I’ll end by discussing the coolest electric rideable I’ve ever seen, an electric go-kart.
Segway Ninebot Max
The Ninebot Max is Segway’s top-of-the-line kick scooter. I had the opportunity to review it last Summer. In my opinion, it’s the Cadillac of kick scooters. With a top speed of 30 km/h and a range of 65 km, this is designed to go long distances. This makes it a good choice for people looking for commuter rideable.
It has a large slip-proof rubberized platform to stand on. There is plenty of room for your feet, which is important during a long ride. You can easily switch up your position, even during use. Also, the large 10-inch pneumatic tires absorb shock from bumpy roads. In all, it provides a smooth, comfortable ride.
Based on my personal experience, this is a good choice for people who need to travel larger distances. It could very well replace a commuter vehicle for work or school. At 41 lbs, it is on the heavier side.
My advice is to figure out a plan for locking and storing it when you’re out and about. It’s easy to fold down and small enough to fit in the back of a car trunk. But it’s definitely something you don’t want to be carrying around for a long period of time. I speak from experience.
Segway Ninebot S Black
A lot of people are familiar with hoverboards. I’ve tried many but nothing like the Segway Ninebot S. This is a smart self balancing transporter. It features a knee-control bar in the middle. This allows riders to change the direction using their knees. I tried this for the first time in the store. It does take some time to get used to. I did get the hang of it after a couple of minutes. By adjusting my weight, I could go forward and backward. Using my knees, I could turn left and right. The top of the knee-control bar has a handle so you can carry it when not in use.
While it may look like a toy, it’s definitely not. The Ninebot S features large 10.5” pneumatic tires. This means riders can travel on all different types of terrain. It has a max speed of 16km per hour and a distance of 22km.
To be honest, I think this will appeal to young, tech-savvy men. Once you get the hang of it, this is a fun and different way to travel. Still, I don’t think this would be good as a commuter vehicle alternative. It’s more geared for recreational fun.
Ninebot F40
The Ninebot F40 looks like the little brother to the Ninebot Max. It incorporates a lot of the same design elements but comes at a mid-range price point. It has a max speed of 30 km/h and a top range of 40 km. This makes it a good choice for people who don’t need the longer range of the Ninebot Max. You still get 10-inch pneumatic tires, electronic brake and disc brakes, and a quick folding system.
My one recommendation is to purchase the optional Segway smartphone holder. Kick scooters require two-hand use so it’s better to have it docked upfront. That way you can monitor your text messages and listen to music with wireless earbuds.
Ninebot Zing C8
It goes without saying that kids love electric kick scooters. Parents looking for a safe, reliable option should definitely consider the Ninebot Zing C8. It features an ergonomic design for kids ranging from 6 to 12 years old. The handbrake has a smaller gripping distance making it easier to brake. It also features a curved body with no angles.
It has a max speed of 16 km/h and a max range of 10km. The Ninebot Zing C8 comes with three riding modes: Safe Mode, Turbo Mode, and Cruise Mode. Kids will enjoy riding it and parents will appreciate all the safety features.
Segway Ninebot Gokart PRO
As a kid, I used to beg my dad to build me a go-kart. That’s all I ever wanted and the Segway Ninebot Gokart Pro is exactly what I envisioned it would look like. I guess you could say it’s my childhood dream, just 30 years too late.
It’s designed with an adjustable frame and steering wheel to fit riders between 4’5” to 6’3” and carry up to 200lbs. This makes it suitable for kids and adults. At 5’9”, it was super comfortable for me to sit in. The overall racecar design is absolutely amazing. It’s by far the coolest rideable I’ve seen.
The Ninebot Gokart PRO has a max speed of 37 km/h. That means you cannot use it on the street or in bike lanes. The max speed limit for electric bikes and scooters is 30 km/h. Basically, this is designed for dedicated racing tracks. It even comes with a Bluetooth speaker that mimics a racing engine.
I sat in it, but I wasn’t able to drive it in-store. Hopefully, in the future, I’ll get a chance to review it. It is by far, the coolest rideable I’ve ever seen. This would be so fun to test out on a track.
The future of transportation is electric
I’m glad I attended the Segway in-store experience at Best Buy. A lot of people, myself included, are considering electric transportation. There are a lot of options to choose from, so people need to be educated on the pros and cons of each. These kinds of in-store experiences give people a chance to see them up close. This will help them figure out which one is right for their needs.
Segway has done a fantastic job of creating products that are safe, reliable, and fun. Seeing their product line-up in-store gives people an opportunity to test them out. I love that there are dedicated kid and adult options available. That means everyone in the family can have a rideable.
If you are interested in electric transportation, this buying guide is a great first start. It discusses the benefits of electric transportation, the different types available, and even maintenance considerations.
Whatever you choose, know that Best Buy has everything you need to make the switch to electric transportation.
