Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days. But what are some common electric scooter mistakes?
In this article, we will break down 5 of the most common mistakes that electric scooter riders make!
Mistake #1: Improper charging of the battery
The first mistake that a lot of new riders make is simply not charging the scooter often enough or charging it too often!
It’s a classic misconception that because your scooter has ‘X’ amount of mileage or speed advertised, then it should be reaching that amount no matter what. As your battery capacity depletes, so does your performance. There is a limited amount o power that your battery can hold, and as the battery drains, there’s less power to power your scooter.
New riders will often charge their scooter too much or leave it plugged in long-term. As we mentioned, it likes to be kept between 20-90%. But that doesn’t mean you should be charging it every time it dips below 90!
It is safe to plug your scooter in overnight, so you have a fresh, fully charged battery waiting for you in the morning, but be sure to unplug it when you wake up, or as soon as the charger light turns green.
Mistake #2: Not managing battery range
We covered two basic tips for making sure your battery is charged often enough, but not too much. When it comes time for actual battery management while riding, this is the important part.
How can you manage your battery like a pro? Well, always be mindful of how far your commute is, and if there is somewhere to charge your scooter when you arrive.
Mistake #3: Treating the scooter like a stunt-bike
The third mistake a lot of riders make is a pretty tempting one, especially when buying higher-end scooters like the Ghost or Phantom.
While these scooters do have robust suspension systems meant to handle any bumps on the road, they are not meant for doing stunts and repeated hard impacts.
A real scooter pro knows to take good care of their scooter and use it only for its intended purposes.
Remember, these aren’t motocross or mountain bikes with 6” of travel in the suspension, built to take off big jumps and drops. Leave the tricks and the X-games to the real Pros!
Mistake #4: Riding in the rain
While it can be tempting to pull off your best Gene Kelly impersonation and go singing in the rain, it’s best to avoid riding your scooter in the rain as much as you can.
Most scooters are around IP54 water-resistant on average, but no scooter is protected from water damage under their warranty.
Therefore, short rides in the rain or wet conditions can be ok, but still not recommended, as it only takes one big splash or excessive moisture to seep into the deck and battery compartment and ruin your scooter.
If you do have to ride in the rain, it’s best to make it as quick as possible, clean your scooter afterward and let it dry out before charging it!
Mistake #5: Not maintaining the scooter
The last mistake that we’ll be covering, is simply not maintaining the scooter regularly.
Regularly cleaning your scooter, maintaining your brakes, and lubricating the different moving parts of your scooter can ensure it continues to run smoothly for many years, and can prevent expensive repair costs.