top speed for tour???

[hotpink]

Hi All,

We run a tour using the X2. I am wondering what other tour operators are setting both their "turtle" and top speed at for their tours? The terrain is nice and flat so we do not need to set up the speed to do any hill climbing, but we do have some heavy people join us.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!

[MagiMike]

The tour in Galveston, TX uses 12.5 MPH as top speed.

[Halffro777]

We stopped using turtle mode after our first year in business. Everyone hated it and it caused more accidents than it prevented due to the delayed steering.

[Lily Kerns]

Originally Posted by Halffro777

We stopped using turtle mode after our first year in business. Everyone hated it and it caused more accidents than it prevented due to the delayed steering.

This is one of my big concerns when Segways are restricted to a 3 mph speed for the use by the disabled. Do you have any statistics I can quote?

[gbrandwood]

Originally Posted by hotpink

Hi All,

We run a tour using the X2. I am wondering what other tour operators are setting both their "turtle" and top speed at for their tours? The terrain is nice and flat so we do not need to set up the speed to do any hill climbing, but we do have some heavy people join us.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!

We use 6mph for our beginners tour and our faster tour. But half way around our faster tour we remove the turtle and can travel up to top speed. At a guess, we average between 7 and 10. We use x2s and hardly ever reach 12.5. Speed varies throughout and is carefully controlled by the guide.

[KSagal]

I have nothing constructive to add to this thread, but I will offer the speed of 46.5 mph anyway.

Have a good day. Keep smiling. Keep gliding, and all will work out fine.

[gbrandwood]

Originally Posted by KSagal

I have nothing constructive to add to this thread, but I will offer the speed of 46.5 mph anyway.

Have a good day. Keep smiling. Keep gliding, and all will work out fine.

What?

Originally Posted by hotpink

but we do have some heavy people join us.

We find heavier people are harder for the machine to accelerate with, more difficult to slow down/brake quickly and much harder to cope with up and down hills, especially if doing a standing start on a hill or when braking on a hill.

It's all obvious really as the heavier the payload, the harder the machine needs to work, and tbe safe limits are clearly documented by Inc.

Lighter people have similar issues but for the opposite reason, i.e. in extreme cases, they are not heavy enough to effect their desired change. Again, the limits are there to be followed. The limits are particularly important for tour operators as not sticking to the limits could be a safety and therefore a liability issue.

With riders on the fringe, you just need to give them attention. Be aware of these issues, and rider abilities in general, and adjust your behaviours appropriately. One size does not fit all.

[gbrandwood]

Originally Posted by Halffro777

We stopped using turtle mode after our first year in business. Everyone hated it and it caused more accidents than it prevented due to the delayed steering.

Turtle mode should not cause riders to hate it if rider expectations are managed effectively. If the speed of the group does not hover around 6mph all of the time then you don't get the limiter. Turning rate in turtle mode is fine for turtle mode speeds. If they cannot turn quick enough to avoid something, unless that 'something' is moving and came upon them, then I would suggest the riders are not gliding effectively. They need to identify hazards in advance which do not require lightning fast reactions.

If people are struggling in turtle mode, I will not turn it off.

These are my thoughts at least.

[paneinglass]

We always start in turtle, and make sure they are comfortable . I mainly want them to feel the speed limiter and get used to that feeling at 6mph, so they don't panic at 12.5. But I try to keep my speed at 10mph max, so they don't have to experience the limite, as a nice smooth ride is what we try to promote/

[Florida Ever-Glides]

I don't believe it is ever necessary go have a tour exceed 8mph. Any faster and it is no longer about the tour and worthwhile content, the focus is shifted to the limits of the Segway. Usually it then is a guided ride at best, and not a true tour experience. I think on a worldwide basis, its probably 50/50.