Oops! Goodbye 2024 Posts
Well, all my 2024 posts are gone. C’est la vie. Something got lost in translation when I transferred servers. It’s time to refresh this site anyway. You can keep up with me on my Facebook and Instagram, but the real action these days is on my YouTube channel. I’ll get to work bringing this site forward. So much has changed since I started this site!
Thanks for stopping by!
https://www.youtube.com/@scootercowboy
https://www.instagram.com/scootercowboy
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555813246944
Fast Mobility Scooter – EWheels 48v EW-72
In this video I show the EWheels EW-72. This is a full-sized 48v scooter with 10″ wheels that reaches speeds of around 14 mph. Full comfort chair and fun to drive! I take you for a ride along and show you the features of this interesting mobility scooter. I don’t know the year of the manufacture of this scooter, but it’s older. I bought it used from the local classifieds. The seller had just replaced the batteries, of which there are four because it’s a 48v scooter. I bought it for under $500, the current model sells for $3000 at the time of this writing. In the video I list the price as $3700, but that is the model with electromagnetic brakes.
I didn’t really know what to expect. I knew it went faster than most mobility scooters, I knew it had rear suspension, but after that I didn’t know too much. It has taken me a while to come to understand what this scooter can and can’t do. This video shows me riding the scooter and showing the controls. I also use a GPS speedometer to get a true speed rating. You can get a feel for how fast this thing goes.
The things that have surprised me are 1) how comfortable it is, 2) how capable it is and 3) how much fun it is to ride! This is my new daily driver and it’s been great. I use it every day to take my dog for a run and he likes to run a little faster than a regular mobility scooter, he goes about 6 mph. This scooter can easily keep up with him and his occasional speed bursts.
I can ride it for 3 days of 3 miles a day, so about 9 miles. It can go farther, but I don’t want to run the batteries down too low. It seems to charge in about 4-5 hours.
With the big wheels and both rear wheels drive wheels, this scooter is really capable. Grass is no problem, it can handle dirt, bigger gravel and snow. I’m waiting for some deeper snow to really try it, but 2-3″ is no problem so far. It does drain the battery to drive on these surfaces.
It’s surprisingly fun to drive and the chair is really surprisingly comfortable. All-in-all, I like this more than I thought I would. Would I pay $3000 for a brand new one? I don’t know. They are probably better with front suspension. I’m excited I have this one and I intend to ride it and have fun!!!
#scootercowboy #ewheels #mobilityscooter
Summer Mountain Trail Ride – 20″ Fat Tire Folding Bike
#scootercowboy #ebikes #vitilan
I live in the American West and it gives me a variety of places to ride. This ride video is in the summer, riding a mountain trail. I love the views, the blue skies and the wildflowers. I had audio issues, so this has a soundtrack, you can turn it down if you like. I’m riding a 48v 16ah 750W Vitilan i7 Pro. Multiple companies sell this frame, so if you are looking at buying this type of ebike, be sure to check the specifications. These bikes can look the same and perform quite differently.
This is a folding 20″ fat tire bike. It is easy to put in the back of my vehicle and take it places. This bike weighs 80 lbs, 20 lbs less than my non-folding 20″ fat tire bike. The suspension is great, especially if you upgrade the rear shock. The seat height is adjustable so it can be set up for a variety of people to ride. I switched out the thumb throttle for a half-twist and the response has smoothed out and made it better to ride. There’s a lot to like about this bike. It’s great for a ride like this.
Vitilan recently update this bike to version 2.0 and it now comes with either a 16 ah or 20ah battery. https://www.vitilanebike.com/products/i7-pro-folding-full-suspension-electric-bike?variant=43319802888370
Ebike laws are changing now that so many people have ebikes. I’ve tried to be conscious about the bikes I’ve purchased and the trails I ride them on. I haven’t gone higher than a 750W motor because once you do you are no longer an “ebike” in some of the states that I ride in. I try to follow the markings for the trails. Because of my age and physical condition, I could never be out in the outdoors like this without the aid of an ebike. I’ve been scowled at, yelled at and had long discussions with other riders about what is and what isn’t legal to ride on trails.
There are so many different types of bikes now, and so many more people riding them, that places traditional bicyclists had to themselves are now impacted. And after someone stays in good shape and works hard to climb up a mountain trail, I can can see how they would get a bit miffed when an ebike goes cruising by. But people are crawling all over everything. It’s not just ebikes that are disruptive. UTV’s didn’t exist a few decades ago, now they are driving over everything and having a far bigger impact on the available space to recreate than ebikes. People who don’t ride ebikes don’t know which bike is what, so the confusion is quick and real. We are having to adjust to each other.
So I’ve learned to take it on the chin, but sometimes I don’t. Just depends on the situation. But when I have a talk with most people they don’t have a problem with someone like me riding an ebike on mountain trails.
Juiced Bikes Scorpion – Small Town Ride
Took my Juiced Bikes Scorpion out for a ride in a small town. For this ride I turn on my helmet microphone for some commentary. It’s a ride with some adventure mixed in! You’ll see as it goes along.
This is my 4th summer riding the Scorpion, and I’ve got over 2000 miles on it. Juiced Bike is re-releasing this bike with a larger 1000W motor, bigger 15ah battery, and knobbies. One of the first things I did was switch out the tires for knobbies. My bike has a 750W motor (which makes it legal for more trails) and an off-road controller. So I can ride my bike in Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3.
This is one of my favorite ebikes to ride. Super comfortable, easy step-thru frame and passenger seat, upgrade option.
Vitilani7 Pro Spring Campus Ride
Here’s a ride video from this spring, took my Vitilan i7 Pro up to the university and rode around campus. I don’t like reviews where someone just goes through the specs. It’s good ti know the specs, but what I really want to know is how it performs. And not just hopping on an ebike and taking it for a spin, but how does it perform over time and in different situations.
That’s why I make these ride videos, so people can see the machine in the situation. What’s it really like to ride? How does it respond to different conditions? How do people react to it? You can’t know these things without putting in some miles.
I was able to switch out the thumb throttle for a half-twist throttle and it makes the riding experience much more enjoyable. It is easier to control the speed at slow speeds and accelerates smoother. I also replaced the lower shock with a air shock and that has greatly improved the ride as well. It gives a softer feeling, feels like it should, rather than how it did.
My kickstand broke off and I contacted Vitilan. They tried to get me to take a plastic clamp-on kickstand to fix it, but that didn’t sound fair after I just bought the bike a short time ago. I held out and they send me a new swingarm, but they won’t pay for the repair. So I have to find time to switch it out. Ugh.
I’ve been working on my audio/video setup and I’ve made some improvements. They don’t start for a few videos, but it has taken some time to find a good setup and get comfortable with it. More coming.
Also, I’ve made a recent purchase of an amazing mobility scooter, the Afikim S4, more to come on that.
I ride every day, rain or shine. Sharing my experiences with other mobility users.
#mobilityusers #vitilan #vitilani7pro #ebikes
Vitilan i7 Pro – Urban Ride
The snow has melted and it’s time to hit the streets! You can see what it is like to drive this bike in traffic. Vitilan i7 Pro urban ride. See the bike in traffic. I ride throttle only, top speed around 26-27 m.p.h. Used to get top speed of 28 m.p.h. until I added Flat Out and the bag. The acceleration is good off the line and the top speed is good. Can handle a hill too. I am wearing my full-faced motorcycle helmet, felt appropriate on the street. Also helps keep my head warm when it’s cold out.
I’ve put around 80 miles on the bike up to this point. It’s great. It’s easy to load into my SUV, I don’t fold the bike, just the handlebars. I strap it down and it is easy in and out. I’ve taken it on the train, no problem. I’ve been using it on a work shoot this week where parking is extremely limited. I park a little bit away, then pop out my bike and head to the site. I work as a photographer, so I use the bike to move around the site that I’m shooting and it was fantastic.
Still wish it had a twist throttle, my first attempt failed, but I’ll find one. I’m going to replace the shock and see if I can’t get a better ride.
Be careful out there. Stop talkin’ and ride!
#vitilan #vitilani7pro #insta360
Bike: Vitilan i7 Pro https://www.vitilanebike.com/products…
Flat Out: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6JSXB8?…
Camera: Insta 360 https://www.insta360.com/product/inst…
Bag: Rock Bros 35L https://tinyurl.com/4rdep7ea
Bag on Aliexpress tinyurl.com/4k3nt2fc
Hafny E13 Mirror https://tinyurl.com/uh9d8bun
Schwinn Comfort Bike Seat https://tinyurl.com/aw7wdu25
Vitilan i7 Pro Desert Trail Ride
Vitilan i7 Pro on a single track dirt trail ride in the desert foothills. This is a stock Vitilan i7 Pro out of the box.
I found the bike capable and ready-to-go out of the box.This bike has more than enough speed and power for any casual rider. It’s potent. I took it out and rode it hard in tough conditions and it came through. I didn’t crash and it didn’t break! I wouldn’t recommend a ride like this for an inexperienced rider, but if you know how to ride, this bike is good fun off-road.
I lowered the tire air pressure to around 8 PSI and put on a Schwinn comfort seat (big improvement). I changed the settings to allow full throttle all the time and moved the throttle control to the right side. Also added Rock Bros bag which stayed secure throughout the ride. You can see my GoPro on my helmet, had to improvise because the handlebars are too thin for my mount. You can also see the shadow of my 360 camera that I used to shoot this video.
As an over 60 rider, my joints aren’t good, and as you can see in the video, stepping over the frame on this bike is right at my limit. I’ve found some tricks to getting on and off, but it’s a bit of a challenge. I have an ebike with a step-thru frame and it’s much easier to get on and off. Aside from that, I do pay a substantial price in pain after a ride like this. I can only ride like this occasionally, not every day. I got an ebike with suspension because I want a softer ride. But when I’m feeling it, I can also put that suspension to work on the trail.
The Vitilan or Rock Bros 35L bag is a perfect fit for this bike. I got the Rock Bros version because I liked the muted logo, but it’s essentially the same bag. Very convenient for taking things along on the ride. It can be removed quickly and easily.
Be careful out there.
#vitilan #vitilanebike #vitilani7pro
Vitilan i7 Pro: https://www.vitilanebike.com/products…
Schwinn Comfort Seat: https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Comfor…
Vitilan Bike Bag: https://www.vitilanebike.com/products…
Rock Bros Bike Bag: https://www.amazon.com/RockBros-Water…
HafnyE13 Mirror: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJDYCXG?…
Vitilan i7 Pro Snow Ride
Got a new ebike, the Vitilan i7 Pro. It’s 48v 750W 16aH, which keeps it legal on the trails and as a bike in my state and many others. It has an impressive set of features for an entry-level bike. But calling this entry-level isn’t fair. This ebike will get a lot done. I’ve only had it for a short time, and this is one of the first rides I took. It has been snowing and I got tired of waiting so I took it out for a ride in the snow to see what it could do. Overall, I was impressed. It seemed to be able to handle the snow without much trouble. When you combine snow, ice and mud it gets sketchy, but it’s sketchy for any two-wheeled vehicle. The first part is just snow on a grass field, the second part is trail riding. This is the ride I took to the place where I took this photograph.
I’ve since ridden it off-road on dirt trails, I’ve got another video coming with that, but thumbs up for the Vitilan i7 Pro off-road! More later.
EXTREME 36V Glion SNAPnGO Snow Ride
EXTREME 36V GLION SNAPnGO mobility scooter snow ride! What happens when you turn a SNAPnGO loose in the snow? EXTREME mobility scootering! Do you ride in the snow? I thought so. You want to know what it’s like to ride one of these in the snow? Watch this video and feel the thunder.
I started this YouTube channel a while ago for ride videos. I had 1 subscriber for a while, but they left.
Snow Ride : 48V500W Lyric (eBikeboard) Scooter
In this video I take my 48V500W Lyric (eBikeboard) out for a ride in the snow. For added difficulty, I bring the dog. I ride every day, and when the weather turns bad I don’t stop. Riding this trike gives me the stability I need, but it’s still a challenging ride. Front wheel drive can get pretty slippery. But with the suspension and larger tire size I can roll right over obstacles.
Probably not a lot of people trying to ride scooters in the snow, but if you want to, you can!