Electric Scooters Veloteq Cougar Review
My recently purchased Veloteq Cougar XR7 electric scooter has given me more fun in a week than I ever thought possible. I own a Smartcar, but for doing errands in a small town within a 5 mile radius, I wanted something even better. I had seen the eBikes perform at a local event and decided at the time that I wanted one.They are zippy, they are nice to look at and best of all, they are silent.
The model I have is the smallest of the Scooterteq/Valuride lineup. It weighs 135 pounds, takes 6 hours to fully charge and can go 80 kilometers or 50 miles on a charge. Speed is dependent on your weight and on the incline, but around where I live there is a lot of flat with gentle inclines, so I have no problem doing 25 miles an hour.
I have traveled on the highway, but stayed on the shoulder, because this electric bike really cannot keep up with cars going 55 mph. It would have trouble doing long, steep hills, and you would have to pedal assist at that point. This would be awkward, as pedaling with your legs so far apart is not easy.
The other thing I would prefer is if the indicator lights made a noise. I am finding it hard to remember to turn the indicators off after I have made a turn as I am so accustomed to it automatically doing so in my car.
I took the precaution of purchasing a proper motorcycle helmet. I know I will not go the same speed as a motorcycle, but hitting pavement at 15 or 20 mph cannot be much fun and I want my head protected more than what a standard bike helmet can provide. I do have boots, and I will be purchasing a light weight jacket for the same reason.
Because of its lightness, it is easy to handle. You must manually push it backwards, as it only goes forward. There are no gears. To go, you twist the right handle toward yourself. There are front and rear break handles. If you hold the bike at a certain speed for 8 seconds it automatically goes into cruise control which will stop at the touch of either brake.
There are two storage compartments, one on the back which can easily hold a 6-pack (just kidding) and helmet storage and more under the seat. That is, if you have a small head you can store your helmet there.
This model is small, so for me at 5'3" it is perfect, my feet reach the ground easily and I feel I am in comfortable control. Because it is considered a bicycle, no motorcycle license or license plate is required. The price is within range of many people, so with the price of fuel being what it is, I can see these becoming wildly popular all over North America.
And as for me? Perhaps I will get used to it, but I am still finding every excuse I can to jump on and go somewhere. Who knew that in this middle aged body there lurked a biker's soul? I have to repress the urge to yell at pedestrians and make rude signals to police officers. As I said, more fun than I ever thought possible!
