Awkward...how do you tell them they exceed the weight limit?

blaze422 · 05-21-2006, 02:56 PM

My son's friend might be 300lbs. Is the 260 limit on a i-167 absolute, and what happens when you overload?

macgeek · 05-21-2006, 03:13 PM

the TRUTH is the seg can handle TWICE the weight limit, a demo ride to someone fat (I use fat, overweight is a fake term) is fine. But if your fat I would not suggest using a seg.

Jonathan
FFP (Formally fat Person)

bystander · 05-21-2006, 03:19 PM

The limit is not absolute, but the further one goes over it, there less stability and safety.

A quick demo glide is possible, but gliding at full speed (red key) is ill-advised unless the glider has many, many hours of experience.

Also, I've demoed a couple of people at the high end of the suggested limit and found they are more prone to get into a "bucking" situation, so keep your eye on them.

Quite some time ago, it was said that Shaquille O'Neal rides a HT around inside his house, and he's well over the suggested limit.

Georgem · 05-21-2006, 03:22 PM

I had a visitor to whom I offered a ride on my XT without thinking about his size (6'1", maybe 330 lbs). He climbed on, Mr. Redface started growling, and the tires bulged out until the batteries touched the floor. He got right back off without rolling anywhere and the machine forgave me, but it was an XT with big, soft tires.

Possibly, the tires are the limiters.

I take my P133 when I go to hospitals to see neurologists and pulmonologists, and I offer rides whenever feasible, but an amazing portion of the people there seem to weigh over 260. I tell them straight up that the machine can safely handle only about 250 lbs and let them decide. I haven't had anyone heavy volunteer to ride.

Stewbonz · 05-21-2006, 08:46 PM

.
I had 300 pounders come to take my tour.
Usually, I told them the Segways is fine but the batteries won't get them thru the trip.
That is the gentle way of saying, you are too fat!

KSagal · 05-21-2006, 10:10 PM

This is a tough one.

Why do people have difficulty in telling people the truth?

I cannot imagine a person that is too heavy to ride a segway being unaware that they are very large.

I used to run into this all the time as a skydive instructor. At my school, and it is an industry standard, that exit weight from the plane cannot exceed 250 pounds, since skydive gear (Parachutes (2), helmet, radios, etc) weigh about 25 pounds, we had to cap people at 225. I taught some 280 pound pro football players who were in great shape, and refused some flabby 230 pounders... There is far more involved than just the weight.

A healthy, nimble large person (Shaq) will have far less problem on a seg or any other device, than a sedate, poorly conditioned person of similiar weight. Being heavy brings up more challenges, and the very nature of being that heavy often brings with it the liklihood that the potential rider is not in good physical condition.

Each case needs to be handled individually.

Desert_Seg · 05-21-2006, 11:20 PM

The problem with exceeding the weight limit is that your stopping distance is much greater, your range is much lower, and your ability turn sharply AND safely decreases dramatically. I don't encourage exceeding the weight limit but I also don't put folks on a scale. If I think they are over the recommeneded weight, I tell them....

FYI, I have gone over the weight limit (me, two riders, and some cargo) with not problems.

My heaviest single person rider was over 350 lbs and 6'9". I've never seen a grown man turn so pale in such a short time. The machine wasn't happy when he got on (I swear it creaked!), he was petrified, and although the the ride last 5 seconds, there is no way he was going to ever get on again.

This leads me to another phenomenon that I've noticed....very tall people are uncomfortable on the Segway. Whilst I like the extra 8 inches, the are not happy at all.

Steven

KSagal · 05-22-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert_Seg

The problem with exceeding the weight limit is that your stopping distance is much greater, your range is much lower, and your ability turn sharply AND safely decreases dramatically. I don't encourage exceeding the weight limit but I also don't put folks on a scale. If I think they are over the recommeneded weight, I tell them....

FYI, I have gone over the weight limit (me, two riders, and some cargo) with not problems.

My heaviest single person rider was over 350 lbs and 6'9". I've never seen a grown man turn so pale in such a short time. The machine wasn't happy when he got on (I swear it creaked!), he was petrified, and although the the ride last 5 seconds, there is no way he was going to ever get on again.

This leads me to another phenomenon that I've noticed....very tall people are uncomfortable on the Segway. Whilst I like the extra 8 inches, the are not happy at all.

Steven

This is interesting to me... But first, I often overload my seg based on weight. I ride (210lbs) with my 6 year old (50lbs) son and 3 year old (35lb) daughter alll the time, and my right bag (with fancy lights) must weigh over 20 lbs, and we often have soccer gear and water and other items with us...

My earlier comments about weighty people was more aimed at healthy condition than just weight...

Steven's comments about height is what piqued my interest... Since I am just below 5'9", the added height does not bother me at all... A very tall person may have a different perspective...

Since the machine balances on the ground and on the bottom of the tires, and pivots from the axles, less than a foot up from the ground, a person's head (And balance sensors in the ears) will move a differing amound based on their height...

If the segway requires 2 degrees of rotation (pivot of the axle) and makes corrections based on that, a short person's head (Short arm on the inverted pendulum) will move far less than a tall person's head (Long pendulum) in the same time and that may lead to a different perception of falling...

S-Tip · 05-22-2006, 09:22 PM

My best friend is over the limit, (he won't tell me how much), and he learned to ride the segway quicker than I did. I saw a video of some really big guy rocking back and forward on a segway, until it finally fell forward. It was on ebay. The video looked like it was a guy on a tour, but I suspect it was set up and he was trying to make it fall. Surely a tour guide wouldn't let him ride the way he was riding and he would have gotten the shaking stick. Do all models have the shaking stick? I've gotten it once. I pushed the segway with my foot on it when it wasn't in balance mode. Guess it told me off. Ok, I'm rambling. I think a fat person in decent shape can ride. I won't let my mom or my friend's dad ride it because of knee and hip problems. S-Tip

hmintz · 05-23-2006, 12:48 PM

I was concerned about the "weight limit" when I bought my i167 (used), but I haven't had any problems at all. I'm 6'6", and weigh in at about 300 lbs.

My first ride was on a friends' machine (thanks, Steve - look what you started

), and I only had the "shakes" for a minute or so - until I realized that I didn't have to do anything about balancing (pretty much like everyone else, I expect). Since I've gotten my own, I've progressed to the Red key, and the only thing I notice is that the battery may not last long enough - I solved that by upgrading the software at Jaredfest, and getting a set of Li Ion batteries.

Last week, my wife Pat and I went to the big Springfield OH Antique show with our Segways (she has an i170), and ran around (slowly) for 7 hours without running out of anything except personal energy

(hey - even on comfort mats it takes something out of you to stand up for 7 hours).

We had a great time - even drove the Segs through the narrow aisles in the buildings. I went into any booth the had a wide enough opening for the wheels to get through. The only problem we experienced all day was a careless walker who tied to walk right through me from the right rear, and I managed to avoid her without damage (it's hard for me to believe she couldn't see something as large as me).

What slowed us down the most was all the people that just had to talk to us about the Segways! Only 2 of them were silly enough to ask about doing wheelies (I told the 2nd guy I was on a perpetual wheelie

).

And now my 5'5" wife knows what it's like to look down on peoples heads like I always do

.

05-21-2006, 02:56 PM	#1
blaze422 Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 17	Awkward...how do you tell them they exceed the weight limit? My son's friend might be 300lbs. Is the 260 limit on a i-167 absolute, and what happens when you overload?

05-21-2006, 03:13 PM	#2
macgeek Super Crazy Segway Geek Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,757	400 lbs the TRUTH is the seg can handle TWICE the weight limit, a demo ride to someone fat (I use fat, overweight is a fake term) is fine. But if your fat I would not suggest using a seg. Jonathan FFP (Formally fat Person) __________________ Supporter of Operation: Desert_Seg Segway "Let the good times, roll" YES! I AM! the Super Crazy - Segway Geek since 2004 Top 7th Poster - Top 8th Reputation, I must be doing something right™ Segway Chat Awards 2006: Most Outrageous Pimping Award - Winner Funniest Post - runner up Most Flamboyant Signature - runner up Most Original Avatar Award - runner up Segway Chat Awards 2007: Most Original And Impressive Re-Pimp of a Segway - I think thats done! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-21-2006, 08:46 PM	#5
Stewbonz Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,554	. I had 300 pounders come to take my tour. Usually, I told them the Segways is fine but the batteries won't get them thru the trip. That is the gentle way of saying, you are too fat! __________________ . Jeff To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. .

05-21-2006, 10:10 PM	#6
KSagal Glides a lot, talks more... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pelham, NH, USA. Posts: 10,356	This is a tough one. Why do people have difficulty in telling people the truth? I cannot imagine a person that is too heavy to ride a segway being unaware that they are very large. I used to run into this all the time as a skydive instructor. At my school, and it is an industry standard, that exit weight from the plane cannot exceed 250 pounds, since skydive gear (Parachutes (2), helmet, radios, etc) weigh about 25 pounds, we had to cap people at 225. I taught some 280 pound pro football players who were in great shape, and refused some flabby 230 pounders... There is far more involved than just the weight. A healthy, nimble large person (Shaq) will have far less problem on a seg or any other device, than a sedate, poorly conditioned person of similiar weight. Being heavy brings up more challenges, and the very nature of being that heavy often brings with it the liklihood that the potential rider is not in good physical condition. Each case needs to be handled individually. __________________ Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well.

05-22-2006, 09:22 PM	#9
S-Tip Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: clearwater, florida, USA. Posts: 15	Awkward...how do you tell them they exceed the weight limit My best friend is over the limit, (he won't tell me how much), and he learned to ride the segway quicker than I did. I saw a video of some really big guy rocking back and forward on a segway, until it finally fell forward. It was on ebay. The video looked like it was a guy on a tour, but I suspect it was set up and he was trying to make it fall. Surely a tour guide wouldn't let him ride the way he was riding and he would have gotten the shaking stick. Do all models have the shaking stick? I've gotten it once. I pushed the segway with my foot on it when it wasn't in balance mode. Guess it told me off. Ok, I'm rambling. I think a fat person in decent shape can ride. I won't let my mom or my friend's dad ride it because of knee and hip problems. S-Tip

05-21-2006, 03:19 PM	#3
bystander Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Southern California, USA. Posts: 1,921	The limit is not absolute, but the further one goes over it, there less stability and safety. A quick demo glide is possible, but gliding at full speed (red key) is ill-advised unless the glider has many, many hours of experience. Also, I've demoed a couple of people at the high end of the suggested limit and found they are more prone to get into a "bucking" situation, so keep your eye on them. Quite some time ago, it was said that Shaquille O'Neal rides a HT around inside his house, and he's well over the suggested limit.

05-21-2006, 03:22 PM	#4
Georgem Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA. Posts: 37	I had a visitor to whom I offered a ride on my XT without thinking about his size (6'1", maybe 330 lbs). He climbed on, Mr. Redface started growling, and the tires bulged out until the batteries touched the floor. He got right back off without rolling anywhere and the machine forgave me, but it was an XT with big, soft tires. Possibly, the tires are the limiters. I take my P133 when I go to hospitals to see neurologists and pulmonologists, and I offer rides whenever feasible, but an amazing portion of the people there seem to weigh over 260. I tell them straight up that the machine can safely handle only about 250 lbs and let them decide. I haven't had anyone heavy volunteer to ride.

05-21-2006, 11:20 PM	#7
Desert_Seg Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Posts: 2,533	The problem with exceeding the weight limit is that your stopping distance is much greater, your range is much lower, and your ability turn sharply AND safely decreases dramatically. I don't encourage exceeding the weight limit but I also don't put folks on a scale. If I think they are over the recommeneded weight, I tell them.... FYI, I have gone over the weight limit (me, two riders, and some cargo) with not problems. My heaviest single person rider was over 350 lbs and 6'9". I've never seen a grown man turn so pale in such a short time. The machine wasn't happy when he got on (I swear it creaked!), he was petrified, and although the the ride last 5 seconds, there is no way he was going to ever get on again. This leads me to another phenomenon that I've noticed....very tall people are uncomfortable on the Segway. Whilst I like the extra 8 inches, the are not happy at all. Steven

05-23-2006, 12:48 PM	#10
hmintz Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 31	I was concerned about the "weight limit" when I bought my i167 (used), but I haven't had any problems at all. I'm 6'6", and weigh in at about 300 lbs. My first ride was on a friends' machine (thanks, Steve - look what you started ), and I only had the "shakes" for a minute or so - until I realized that I didn't have to do anything about balancing (pretty much like everyone else, I expect). Since I've gotten my own, I've progressed to the Red key, and the only thing I notice is that the battery may not last long enough - I solved that by upgrading the software at Jaredfest, and getting a set of Li Ion batteries. Last week, my wife Pat and I went to the big Springfield OH Antique show with our Segways (she has an i170), and ran around (slowly) for 7 hours without running out of anything except personal energy (hey - even on comfort mats it takes something out of you to stand up for 7 hours). We had a great time - even drove the Segs through the narrow aisles in the buildings. I went into any booth the had a wide enough opening for the wheels to get through. The only problem we experienced all day was a careless walker who tied to walk right through me from the right rear, and I managed to avoid her without damage (it's hard for me to believe she couldn't see something as large as me). What slowed us down the most was all the people that just had to talk to us about the Segways! Only 2 of them were silly enough to ask about doing wheelies (I told the 2nd guy I was on a perpetual wheelie ). And now my 5'5" wife knows what it's like to look down on peoples heads like I always do .

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