Here is our 8 step guide to a basic mobility scooter service you can perform at home. Please note, scooter services should only be attempted by approved mobility engineers.

1. Fully charge the batteries
The first thing to check when servicing a mobility scooter are the batteries, these are probably the most important element on a scooter and were most problems stem from. All mobility scooters run on two 12v batteries, occasionally these can be housed in a removable battery pack. Batteries are tested using specialist equipment designed to discharge the battery under load, a pass is considered anything above 65%. If one battery fails, both require replacing. A much easier way, but also less accurate way to test a battery is by using a basic Volt Meter. Batteries should read somewhere between 12.00v and 13.00v.

2. Check scooter maneuverability
Perform three lots of 20 minute test runs. Make sure you:

1. stop and start the machine
2. run at different levels
3. ensure safe stopping distance
4. listen for any unusual noises
5. movement in the seat or tiller
6. any other general signs of wear and tear on the machine.

3. Electrical connections
Check and clean all electrical connections, with time and use many of the connectors can get a build up of dirt which may effect the performance of your scooter. Many machines, especially modern portable scooters now use “touch connectors” for easy connection. Touch connections can build up what is known as “arcing” over a period of time. Arcing creates corrosion of the connecting plates, however it is generally easily to spot by a visual examination and can easily be cleaned away using a light abrasive material. Please not this should always be done while all batteries are completely disconnected to avoid a short circuit.

4. Carbon brushes
Please note this should always be done while the batteries are disconnected. Most mobility scooter motors have carbon brushes that act as conductive connectors, bridging the gap between stationary wires and a moving part – in this instance the spinning shaft of the motor. Carbon brushes are usually housed on one end of the motor, depending on the motor their maybe two carbon brushed or four.

They should be removed from the motor carefully, ensure they come in and out easily and do not jam. Carbon brushes wear down and some carbon dust may be visible, brush this aside, wipe the carbon brushes with a dry cloth and insert back into the motor. If the carbon brushes appear to be excessively worn down then they should be taken to a professional mobility scooter shop and replaced.

5. Tyre Pressures
Scooter tyres vary in shape and size, many (but not all) 4mph pavement scooters use a 3.00 x 4.00 tyre and many (but again, not all) 8mph scooters use a 4.00 x 5.00 tyre size. The recommended pressures for any size tyre are usually found on the tyre wall and/or in your scooters manual this should always be consulted as pressures vary model to model however as a guide, most mobility scooter tyres will take a pressure between 25 psi and 40 psi (do not exceed the recommended pressure on the tyre wall).

A lower pressure will allow for a more comfortable ride and provide more grip in wet and slippery conditions. A harder tyre pressure will allow the scooter to run with less effort thus conserving more battery life.

Tyre tread should also be checked, there are no official minimum requirements of a scooter tyre tread at this time moment in time. However common sense should prevail, a scooter tyre should offer tread in excess of approx 5mm and never be bald.

6. Potent-ion meter
In most cases a mobility scooters forward motion, reverse motion and breaks are operated by a finger or thumb lever, these are attached to a potent-ion meter. To test to ensure this is correctly aligned the break should click on into the locked position as soon as these levers are released and should should release when the leavers are pressed. The more you press one of the lever the faster the machine should go.

When held fully in at a cruising speed if very slight movement of the finger/thumb causes the machine to pull back and change speed significantly there may be a problem with your potent ion meter. These can be replaced or possibly re-aligned by a qualified mobility centre.

7. Magnetic brake
The magnetic break an electromagnetic brake which usually attaches directly onto the motor, this is a very effective and safe braking system. The electro-magnetic brakes natural position is locked, when a current is passed through the brake the brake releases. This means if there is ever a power cut the brake will be locked for safety. These brakes are very sensitive and highly calibrated, occasionally a build up of dirt can prevent them from working correctly. Magnetic brakes are usually attached by 3 -4 screws when these are undone, the brake can be removed, and cleaned. do not use water to clean the brake.

8. Clean and shine
Finally, giving the machine a good clean over removing any excess dirt, especially in the battery compartment. Sand, grit and a build up of salt (often in seaside areas) can all contribute to problems long term.

There are many more maintenance steps that a professional can perform this is purely an informative guide for information purposes and should not be performed by an untrained individual as a replacement to your yearly service plan from an authorized mobility centre.
A service undertaken by a non-approved service centre recognized by your scooter brand may void your warranty and create more problems if performed incorrectly and is therefore done at your own risk, Mobility experts can not be held responsible for this.

Kymco produce 6 main models as part of their Kymco For-U range

The two portable models are the Kymco Micro ForU and the Kymco Mini S ForU. These are both folding portable 4mph mobility scooters ideal for easy transportation in the car yet stable enough to get around local footpaths etc. The next two models the Kymco Midi ForU and the Kymco Midi X ForU are medium sized road/pavement scooters with a 5mph top speed and a comfortable, sturdy design ideal for use around town.

The largest two models of the Kymco range are both luxury 8mph scooters, namely the Kymco Midi XL ForU which is a compact 8mph machine, capable of both road and pavement use, whilst Kymco’s largest machine is the heavy duty Kymco L ForU. This is a large machine with an impressive 31stone weight capacity and approximately 35 mile range.

We believe this is one of the best ranges of scooters to hit the UK market in some time, and we feel they are very sensibly priced in the current climate. The entire Kymco mobility scooters range is available on the Mobility Experts website. If you require more information, please call one our friendly customer service number 01472 488 599 or fill out our contact form.

The safety course’s will involve navigating around everyday obstacles that an average mobility scooter user may encounter, also a theory test to make users aware of the dangers and possibilities.
PC Mick Hedges from the south yorkshire police said “The course would allow people with mobility issues to maintain their independence and increase their confidence riding the machines in public. Owners will also be told the legal requirements for using a mobility scooter.”

In the country, 28 incidents in total were reported over the last 5 years all being mobility scooter related, 17 of which lead to serious injury or death. Last year an incident took place in Bodmin involving a 79 year old man who was killed on his mobility scooter as it overturned and forced him against a wall.
Labour MP, Alison Seabeck of Plymoth Devonport has spoken on behalf of disabled users, quoting “With an increasing ageing population, some action has to be taken to ensure that standards are maintained in terms of the safety of these vehicles and that some basic training is undertaken by all users.’’

The scooter safe sessions will help reduce mobility scooter accidents by giving them guidance and knowledge of how to use a mobility scooter safely, and how to avoid accidents/ injuries.

If in interest, contact the South Yorkshire police on 01709 832455 or email scooter.safe@southyorks.pnn.police.uk.
or visit the South Yorkshire police website here.

In total, DisabledGo have over 100,000 venues across the UK and Ireland. This comprehensive information will help many disabled patients find new venues within their local communities. DisabledGo was founded by Chief Executive, Dr. Gregory Burke, after facing his own difficulties as a wheelchair user. The company’s main aim is simple; to collect information that disabled people need and only include venues they’ve assessed to ensure the information is detailed and consistent.

The development of the app is based on user feedback from over 100 events in conjunction with 20 of the London Boroughs.
Speaking about the App DisabledGo’s Chief Executive, Dr. Gregory Burke said:

“We are really excited to be launching this App; it has been developed completely in house using feedback from disabled people. People who use our website, www.disabledgo.com, told us it would be great to have the same comprehensive service on the move and that’s what we’ve delivered, it will be great to hear what people think.”

You can download the App free on the Apple iStore from today or you can visit the DisabledGo website at www.disabledgo.com for additional information.

We are happy to announce that we have recently became a Sunrise, Sterling, Coopers dealer.
Over the following months we will be inviting the Sunrise Medical range of high end wheelchairs onto our website including:

1. Sunrise Quickie
2. Sunrise Zippie
3. Sunrise Jay
4. Sunrise breezy.

Each of the Sunrise Medical wheelchairs will also be available with specialised pressure relieveing cushions. In addition, we are excited to announce Sunrise Medical’s sister company, Sterling Medical. Sterling Medical are the infamous designers and distributors of the Sterling mobility scooter ranges, including:

1. Sterling Little Star
2. Sterling Little Gem
3. Sterling Little Gem2
4. Sterling Pearl
5. Sterling Sapphire
6. Sterling Emerald
7. Sterling Diamond
8. Sterling Elite XS

The 3rd range of products we will be beginning to introduce are Coopers Medical disabled living aids.
Coopers consist of small aids categories such as walking aids (walking sticks to rollators), bathroom aids (raised toilet seats and bath lifts), incontinence products and many general mobility aids that are esetial to making a disabled persons life that much easier.

How Will This Affect You?
Originally, when buying a shopping trolley from us, the product to the basket as normal. When proceeding to the checkout form, the taxation option provided a tick box where the entire order could be classified as VAT exempt, however now each product will need to be ticked on the taxation screen if the product is VAT exempt. Shopping trolleys and any other products that require VAT to be paid will automatically have the VAT added to help avoid unnecessary confusion.

If you have any queries regarding the changes, please call us on 01472 488 599 and our customer service team will be happy to assist you.

They recommend you should always consult official dealers only, either a mobility website or in a mobility shop.
Cold callers have targeting users of recliner chairs, beds, mattresses, stair lifts, bath lifts, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Trading standards say misleading sales techniques are being used, many sales people claiming they are from local council or the health service, once inside they often use pressure sales techniques and often try their luck with hugely inflated prices! Telling the customer exactly what they want to hear.

Often appointments can be made over the phone with the person having no idea that its a sales appointment!

Our advice to you is always contact a mobility company via there website, over the phone or go into the shop.

However we must not forget the importance and relevance of the electric wheelchair and power chair. Although they are often dearer and may feel a little hard to drive at first they offer the user a freedom that scooters could only dream of.

Power chairs and electric wheelchairs operate on a totally different concept. A mobility scooter uses one electric motor which has a forward and reverse motion, whilst the steering is operated by a tiller and handlebars.

This makes creates a large turning circle, whilst power chairs have independent left and right motors which are controlled by a joystick. This means they can be driven in opposite directions allowing the chair to pivot on its own axis giving a much tighter turning circle. The independant motors make power chairs very maneuverable and allows the user to be extremely accurate with the controls.

The down side to independant motors is that manufacturing costs are considerably higher, thus making the products themselves more expensive to buy than a mobility scooter. The increase in electrically operated items also drains much more power from the batteries meaning a scooter running from the same size battery of a power chair will generally allow a greater travel distance (usually around 30%).

For this reason power chairs generally appeal to people who have little to no mobility and rely 100% on the machine in these cases they are definitely worth every extra penny.

Like all of our products, there is no right or wrong solution as everybody’s disability is unique, if you require any help weighing up the best products on the market to suit your requirements then please dont hesitate to contact our customer services on 01472 488599 for friendly expert advice.

1 – Keep you mobility scooter battery charged up over night

This may seem like an obvious first point but if you are not using your mobility scooter regularly through the winter then the battery power will eventually drain. The best way to prevent this from happening is to use a tricle charger. The leading mobility scooter brands such as Pride Mobility have a tricle feature built into the charger so you do not have to worry about leaving the mobility scooter on charge over night and damaging the battery.

2 – Keep warm and wrap up if you decide to go out

The weather can soon take a toll for the worse during winter so we highly recommend wrapping up warm even if it looks sunny outside. Mobility scooter users can keep themselves out of the cold by using our mobility scooter accessories. The covers help keep the wind and rain off your body so you can get back home safe and dry. The mobility accessories are also a great Christmas present for a loved one.

3 – Keep a mobile phone with you all the time

Everybody has a mobile phone these days. Whether you use it on a daily basis or just for emergencies it is a very handy communication device. Keep your mobile phone charged whenever you are in the house and take it with you when you go out. There is usually a battery icon on the screen so you will have a rough idea with the state of the battery.

We highly recommend you add your next of kin into your phone under the name of ICE. ICE stands for Incase of Emergency and this is usually what the emergency services will look for if you ever need them.

4 – Heating your home

To keep warm at home during the day:

* set your thermostat at around 21ºC (70ºF)
* heat all the rooms you use in the day
* if you can’t heat all your rooms, make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed
* set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed
* in very cold weather set the heating to come on earlier, rather than turn the thermostat up, so you won’t be cold while you wait for your home to heat up

To keep warm at home during the night you should:

* try to keep a temperature of above 18°C (65°F) in your bedroom overnight
* if you use a fire or heater in your bedroom during winter, open the window or door a little at night for ventilation
* never use an electric blanket or a hot water bottle together as you could electrocute yourself
* if you have an electric blanket, check what type it is – some are designed only to warm the bed before you get in and should not to be used throughout the night
* make sure your electric blanket is safe to use by getting it tested every three years (the Fire Brigade, Trading Standards and Age Concern can test your electric blanket for safety)

This tip was provided by the Direct Government Website

5 – Save money by purchasing online

Buying your mobility aids or general day to day shopping online can be much more cost effective than travelling to the local shops or town centre. If you are able to wait for the product to be delivered then you can usually save upto 30% on normal product retail prices. All of our web prices at Mobility Experts are competitively priced because we know how important it is to save your money for heating and other essential needs. Not only that you will minimise the risk of falling or suffering from the severe weather outside.

Edna is not afraid to weather the storm as last year she handed in her course work on time during the extreme big freeze (by taxi).

Edna left school at the age of 14 and always wanted to go into higher education. Nigel, her son encouraged her to take the course as a mature student. She now feels a great sense of pride as she gears up for the graduation ceremony on November 5th.

“It will feel like all the bonfire fireworks are for me,” Edna told the Mirror.

“I would have liked to go to university when I was younger but it just wasn’t possible,” she explained.

She even had to step in during lectures occasionally to set her tutors straight on a few issues.

“To me some of it doesn’t feel like history because I lived through it,” she told the Mirror.

It just goes to show that you are never too old to learn something new. If you have an inspiring story like Edna, please get in touch.

Mr Furze is now going to take the mobility scooter to Santa Pod Raceway, Northants and hoping to gain an official place in the Guinness Book of Records.

“I will be wearing full leathers and a crash helmet for the record attempt,” he said. “My aim is to hit 70mph – that would make me really happy.”

Unfortunately these will not be put into mass production so we will not be able to test drive one.

Picture taken by: GEOFF ROBINSON
Read the full article on the Telegraph.co.uk.

The new wheelchairs from days are the cheapest wheelchair prices we have seen in a long time for the quality of build. making them a very cost effective purchase. Available in a wide range of widths to suit users of a wide range of size and shapes. All chairs come with a comprehensive guarantee from Days Medical.

Mobility Scooter Shopping Bags

Most mobility scooters come with a front basket ideal for your daily shopping. Scooter baskets are often limited in space and we are regularly asked if we can supply large scooter baskets. In most circumstances we recommend a scooter user to invest in a mobility bag that fits onto the seat of the scooter.

These bags can often hold more weight than a standard front basket. Simplanex is one of the leading manufacturers of mobility accessories they offer products including the Simplantex Scooter Bag, this is a strong, durable bag designed to fit to the back of a scooter with or without headrests. The Simplantex Scooter bag has very spacious storage compartments and a canvas zipped box lid. This bag also comes in a crutch/walking stick carrier version, this has two side holders which can accommodate your crutches or walking sticks.

Outdoor Mobility Scooter Covers

Mobility scooters generally needs cover from the elements to keep them in tip top condition, but leaving them indoors is not an option for many scooter users. An ideal solution for this problem is the Simplantex Scooter Storage Cover, it is a lightweight and fully waterproof scooter cover which secures with elasticated corners, perfect for protecting your scooter from rain and dust. A more heavy duty option is the Simplantex Deluxe Scooter Storage Cover, this cover has a shape tailored to that of a scooter and an easy but secure fastening system which make securing the cover easier. Although these covers are designed for outdoor scooter storage we always recommend storing your mobility scooter indoors, in a shed or in a garage.

For further advice on available mobility scooter accessories please contact our mobility experts on 01472 488599.

The VAT relief covers all of the mobility aids such as mobility scooters, shopping trolleys, electric wheelchairs, rise and recliner chairs and all small aids.

Products that are not VAT exempt include Grab Rails and Footstools.

If you are still unsure whether you can claim for VAT relief and wish to buy a product from our online store, give our friendly customer helpline a call on 01472 488 599.

Days Medical have recently redesigned there entire range of Strider mobility scooters. Introducing the Strider ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5 and ST6. Everything from ultra lightweight portable travel scooters to luxury heavy duty mobility scooters and everything in-between. The model we are reviewing today is the Days Strider ST1 Lightweight Travel Scooter, This is the Days Strider entry model which we have only just received (about 2 months behind the other striders in the range). The Strider ST1 was designed to be lightweight, easily transported, comfortable and competitively priced. Lets see how it does.

We have been eagerly awaiting this scooter after confident promises from Days Medical, especially after been very impressed with the rest of the range. The Days Strider ST1 did not disappoint us.
The Strider ST1 is a modern looking 4 wheel scooter, which comes complete with solid tyres all round, and impressive 18 stone weight capacity and an approximate range of about 10miles. The finger controls seem comfortable and responsive and the well padded seat swivels.

Dismantling the Strider ST1 Mobility Scooter

We are delighted to report that the Strider ST1 is one of the lightest most manageable mobility scooters we have ever come across, all this without compromising on stability and quality. The seat lifts off easily and is light weight, the battery pack is very light considering it houses 2 x 12v 12 Ah batteries, the front tiller folds down and the chassis can then easily be split in half for easy transportation,

Strider Comfort

Considering that this scooter is designed for the budget lightweight scooter sector it doesnt lack comfort, from the controls, the seating position and overall ride all seem of quite a good standard, nothing in comparison to that of machines such as the Pride Go-Go Elite Traveller Plus

(5 star rating)

Days Strider are fast becoming a household name across the UK for “Solutions for Independent Living”, offering a full range of quality mobility aids including quality mobility scooters.

Days have recently refreshed their Strider range of mobility scooters, replacing the old range with an all new line up including portable travel mobility scooters such as the Days Strider ST1, Strider ST2, Strider ST3, and luxury 8mph scooters including the Strider ST4, Days Strider ST5 and the Strider ST6. An impressive new range which we expect to become very popular this season.

Days Strider ST4 is a Luxury compact 8mph disabled scooter, this attractive machine from Days Healthcare comes with full suspension, is designed to be maneuverable and comfortable, offering a 25stone weight capacity and 2 x 12v 50ah batteries offer an impressive 25 mile range

Test Drive – Days Strider ST4 8mph Mobility Scooter

Now we have our hands on the all new strider 8mph scooter its time for us to let you know what we think!
The Days ST4 is a compact 8mph scooter, slightly smaller than the shoprider cadiz or the Rascal 850 mobility scooter but sitting in the same size class.

Sitting in the Strider scooter seat is comfortable and offers good back support, the arm rests may seem a little high but still very comfortable. The seat also swivels and can be moved backwards, forwards and reclined to suit the riders position. The tiller is easily adjusted meaning in seconds we were left in a comfortable driving position, despite its compact size the Strider ST4 is spacious and we feel can handle a user of any size. Leg room is not an issue, the front shroud has rubber foot matt allowing you to sit with your feet out in front of you, all in all a very comfortable experience.

The Days Strider ST4 has large wheels offering excellent ground clearance and the clever design means despite this you still have a low centre of gravity which is very noticeable when cornering at speed as it leaves the scooter feeling sturdy and stuck to the road which is pleasantly surprising for the size of the scooter. The controls are easy to use, perhaps lacking in quality slightly compared with machines such as the Pride Celebrity X-Sport 8mph Scooter However don’t let this put you off, the Strider ST4 8mph Scooter may lack some aesthetic quality but mechanically our engineers assure us its a quality built machine and we are expecting great things from the New Strider ST4 mobility scooter.

Strider ST4 Review Summary

After closer inspection and a long test run we feel the Days Strider ST4 really does deserve the rating we have given it, A quality mobility scooter, that handles well and is extremely comfortable all for a price tag below that of the leading brand rivals within its class. If luxury quality finishing touches are important to you then perhaps consider the Rascal 850 instead, But other than that this scooter really does do it all at a brilliant price.

(4.5 star rating)

Bath Lifts

Electric operated bath lifts are the most accesible living aid to help you get in and out of a bath.
They are simple to use, with rechargeable batteries they allow easy access to your bath and lower the user deep into the water with the press of a button, we stock all main manufacturers including Minivator Bath Lifts and Drive Endres Bath Lifts.

Bath Seats & Boards

If you feel like an electric bath lift is too much to start with, then you could consider bath seats as an alternative. These seats allow you to step into a bath as normal, however the seat sits inside the bath so you do not have to lay down, making it easier to get out of the bath when your ready, obviously this means that bath seats do not allow you to be fully submerged in the water. Bath Boards sit across the bath, these make access to the bath much easier as the disabled user can sit on the bath board while stood outside the bath and then put their legs over and into the bath.

Shower Stools

If you prefer to take a shower instead of a bath then you can use a shower stool to help support you whilst showering. These stools are extremely ridgid so you can shower whilst resting on the seat. The shower stools are made from aluminium and plastic so they are easy to keep clean and lightweight making them easy to move in and out of the shower if needed. Some shower stools or shower seats have arm rests and back rest for additional support, many are height adjustable shower stools, their are even wall mounted shower stools.

Commodes and Toileting

Commode chairs look like a normal everyday chair, however they have a toilet built into them just incase you cannot make it to the bathroom in time. The commode chairs come in a range of designs so you can select the best one for your needs. some are height adjustable commodes others are folding commodes.

The raised toilet seat is another toileting aid that has proven to be useful for disabled people who have difficulty sitting down on low toilet seats. These raised seats are generally available in 2″ 4″ and 6″ seats. Using a raised toilet seat also has the benefits of being more stable on the toilet so you do not slip and fall off. The raised toilet seats are attached to the toilet using plastic wing nut bolts, some luxury raised toilet seats have arm rests for aid when sitting and standing.

Grab Rails – A Must Have Aid

Grab rails are an essential bathroom aid. They use fixing bolts that attach to the wall so they can help support you when you are moving around your bathroom. They are ideal when used with the electric bath seats and the raised toilet seats for extra stability.

Shoprider has been the name of mobility scooters since the very beginning, the shoprider sovereign right at there helm, the most popular scooter we have ever sold! Shoprider have continued to produce quality, industry leading machines one after another.

Now offering an extensive range of portable mobility scooters, 8mph scooters and a full range of other mobility equipment.

Our engineers agree, Shoprider is one of the most reliable scooter brands on the market, so lets see how they have done with their newest edition to the family, the Shoprider Valencia.

Who is the Shoprider Valencia for?

So first, lets address what the the Shoprider Valencia was designed for:
The Shoprider Valencia primarily is a comfortable, luxurious pavement scooter, with a little surprise… It is a fully portable, lightweight travel scooter! The Valencia is ideal for people who may only wish to dismantle their mobility scooter on a regular basis to put it in and out of vehicles.

Portability & Travelling Style of the Valencia

The seat of the Valencia lifts off easily using the swivel lever so it does not require much strength or effort. The scooter’s batteries are housed individually, this allows 2 x large 36 Ah batteries to be used, separately they maintain a manageable weight. The Valencia does not have cables attaching to the batteries so this makes the battery packs easy to remove, so they can be charged separately to the scooter.

The angle adjustable tiller folds down flat to maximise the additional storage space. The front wheels and chassis separate from the rear axel, rear wheels and motor very easily and using no cables so it is simple to dismantle.

All in all the Shoprider Valencia is a very simple to use on a day-to-day basis, The scooters components are slightly heavier than many rival machines, however the other machines do not offer the comfort or the range that the Shoprider Valencia does.

Shoprider Comfort and Style

The Shoprider Valencia sits firmly on four 10″ pneumatic tyres, these offer a comfortable ride even on uneven pavements and other small obstacles.

We found the Valencia had ample power and climbed steep inclines with noticeable ease, the impressive 21 stone weight capacity really opens this scooter up to a large range of users. The swivel seat is heavily padded and is contoured to offer a snug fit and maximum support and is height adjustable. The fully adjustable speed takes it from crawling pace to a walking stride.

The Shoprider Valencia is one of the only fully portable travel scooters that comes with full lights and indicators and the tiller is adjustable and has easy to use thumb controls.

Shoprider Valencia Review Summary

The Valencia is another great machine from Shoprider, suitable for the people of the slightest frame, all the way up to 21 stone. The machine is powerful and comfortable with solid build quality giving the user great confidence.

All this in a travel scooter really is amazing, but please note all of these added luxuries do add to the weight of the machine, so if its light weight scooters your after you should possibly consider the Rascal Liteway 4 plus or the Days Strider ST3

Overall another brilliant scooter from shoprider! you wont be disappointed! If your unsure if this scooter is suitable for you, give our Mobility Experts a call for some friendly free advice on 01472 488599

(4.5 star rating)

Shoprider has been in the industry from day one, one of the original scooter manufacturers. Following the success of the smaller, lighter scooter the Shoprider Cameo and the years of success of shopriders flagship 4mph pavement scooter the Shoprider Sovereign Shoprider have developed the new Shoprider Paris, Aimed to offer users a portable lightweight scooter with a large range and an impressive 21stone weight capacity.

The Shoprider Paris is certainly attractive and comes in a choice of grey and red.

Portability

The Shoprider Paris dismantles almost identically to the shoprider cameo. The swivel seat removes easily, it is very comfortable and robust but a little heavier than similar specification models. The basket clips off easily.

The shoprider paris comes as standard with 2x 12v 18ah batteries, these are in an ingenious splitting battery pack, allowing you to lift the batteries separately, massively reducing their weight, this is an excellent idea and works well, however, slightly pointless as when you proceed to lower the tiller and split the back end from the front chassis, the rear end (trans-axel / motor) is alot heavier than both batteries put together. All of the splitting mechanisms are very smooth, easy to use and cable free.

At this fully dismantled point we found the 5 components would fit into most average sized cars, a heavy seat and rear end are the only obvious drawbacks if you was planning on dismantling the scooter regularly, however if dismantling the scooter is going to be more occasional, the added weight makes the scooter feel sturdy and stable.

Comfort

The Shoprider Paris has a mighty weight capacity of 21 stone, this makes a sturdy ride and a low centre of gravity, the user will feel very stable with no risk of tipping, the down side is that people with longer legs may find leg room is limited, taller people may struggle and should possibly consider a Rascal Liteway plus or the Pride GoGo plus

The Shoprider Paris is comfortable and drives well, quiet running and steady accelerating and stopping, has a quality reliable build as expected from shoprider

Solid tyres all round make this machines puncture proof and are a welcome feature

Summary

The Shoprider Paris is a well built mobility scooter, stable and comfortable, a obvious choice for anybody looking for a larger alternative to the shoprider cameo.

However i would say, taller users, or for people who value light weighted components then there may be more suitable machines out there. If it is only going to be dismantled 50% of its usage then its as comfy and reliable as your going to get. For more advice ring one of our Mobility Experts on 01472 488599

(4 star rating)

The commodes have a powder coated frame so they are easy to wipe down and clean. The containers are also easy to clean for daily use.

Folding Commode Chair

The folding commode chair is most suitable for users who have a small living space in the home. These chairs fold away neatly yet they are easy to assemble incase of an emergency. The light weight aluminium frame is easy to setup allowing you to have simple assembly.

The folding commode chairs start from just £56.00 (RRP: £89.50) when you claim for VAT relief. The folding chairs come pre assembled in packaging to give you the peace of mind when you have the chair delivered to your door.

Height Adjustable Commode

This height adjustable chair allows people who are tall, or struggle to sit down on lower seats to be raised up. The height adjustable legs allow you to set the position at a comfortable height for your needs.

The height adjustable commode chairs start from just £69.95 (RRP: £99.50) when you claim for VAT relief. The adjustable chairs come pre assembled in packaging to give you the peace of mind when you have the chair delivered to your door.

Heavy Duty Bariatric Commodes

If you require one of the larger commodes then the bariatric range will be most suitable for you. If you require a commode chair that requires a weight capacity of more than 21 stone please call us on 01472 488 599 and we can send you a bariatric commode.

All new mobility scooters should come with a 1 year manufacturers warranty, the dealer should provide 1 year call out and labour on all warranty issues and should be able to provide any further aftercare at an additional cost.
When buying a mobility scooter or any mobility aid you should be weary that the retailer has a good history of aftercare, and has the facilities and know how to keep up with any maintenance or repairs.
Some manufacturers such as Pride Mobility offer longer warranties on certain parts of the machine, usually things like the frame and sometimes the motor or trans axel this information can usually be found in your user manual.

It is possible to extend your warranty, if you would like to do so then ring our Mobility Experts on 01472 488599.

If you’d like to ring our customer service team they can advise you based on your usage of your scooter or wheelchair which would be the most suitable tyre type for you.
Solid tyres offer protection against punctures but have a slightly harder ride, mobility scooters and wheelchairs with pneumatic tyres are at risk of getting punctures but offer a softer, more comfortable ride and last longer.

you need to consider, where are you using your mobility scooter or wheelchair? (is it likely to get punctures in these places?), in the event of a puncture how capable are you with dealing with it, also how much of an issue is comfort>

This is just 1 of the questions we regularly get asked here at mobility experts, are team are happy to answer as many of your questions as possible, simply contact our mobility help-line for more details.

So all mobility scooters have 12v batteries, theses are the heart of the mobility scooter, without them, nothing else on your disabled mobility scooter or power-chair will work! The average life of mobility batteries is 2 years to 4 years! however it can be much shorter or much longer, the lifespan of these batteries depends on a couple of factors:

• How you charge your mobility scooter
• How you use your mobility scooter

How should i charge my mobility scooter

Mobility scooters need regular charging at least once a week, if they need to be left then they should be disconnected and stored in a dry place, if you use your mobility scooter daily then it is advisable to charge it daily or alternate days depends on how much you use it, as it is good for the batteries to get ran down as much as possible to increase there cycle.

How should i use my mobility scooter

The best running scooters are often the scooters that are used regularly, and the mobility batteries are ran down and charged back up in a regular cycle, problems often occur when the mobility scooter is only used for very short distances or not regularly enough, so try and use your scooter a couple of times a week or more and use the batteries to their full potential.

We regularly get asked if you can take mobility scooters on a plane? in most cases the answer is yes!

This obviously depends on a couple of factors, weather or not the airline allow you to store mobility scooters within there hold. If you simply contact your chosen airline they will be able to let you know

They may request a few things from you, dimensions of your mobility scooter, Overall weight of your mobility scooter, and battery type, sealed lead acid batteries (SLA battery) and gel batteries are both sealed, this means there is no risk of them leaking and they can be stored upside down or at any angle, these batteries are allowed on planes. If you have “wet batteries” the type of batteries that require topping up and are often found in cars, then these are not allowed on planes.

Taking your mobility scooter on holiday with you is usually fairly easy and well worth the effort, offering you freedom and independence at your destination and saving you costly scooter rental fee’s abroad

If you are looking at taking your mobility scooter on a plane, or buying a new mobility scooter that will go on a plane, the contact our team, they can advise if your current model is safe to use, and offer you portable mobility scooters and unbeatable prices, all that are aircraft friendly.

can you take mobility scooters on aircrafts?

Recently we have had more and more people asking us, “Does my mobility scooter need tax?”

and “where do i get a tax disc for my mobility scooter”

If your scooter is a pavement scooter e.g. it only travels at a maximum speed of 4 mph, or it does not have lights and indicators then it should not be on the road (pavement only, unless crossing) then this type of mobility scooter does not need a tax disc.

If you have a 6 mph mobility scooter or a 8 mph mobility scooter it should be on the road, but only if it has lights and indicators. If your scooter qualifies as a road legal scooter then you need to display a tax disc on it.

please note, road scooters can be used on the pavement however they should have there speed set to a maximum of 4 mph.

To tax your scooter you are required to fill in a form and send it to the DVLA, these are usually available from the post office or a mobility shop, if you are 1 of our customers you can contact us and we will send you a form

there are 2 forms available:

• Declaration of registration for a USED motor vehicle, which is known as a -V55/5 form
• Declaration of registration for a NEW motor vehicle, (many manufacturers supply these with the scooter, along with a declaration of vehicle newness

Under the 1983 VAT act, if the user is chronically sick or disabled then the Tax disc is free of charge.

For more tax information feel free to Contact our Expert Team
Feel free to browse our extensive range of pavement scooters and road mobility scooters.

Recently we have had more and more people asking us, “Does my mobility scooter need insurance?”

The simple answer is NO, mobility scooters and power-chairs do not require insurance.
Road legal scooters (most 6-mph and 8-mph scooters) are now required by law to display a tax disc, this step indicates that restrictions on mobility scooters and power-chairs are increasing, and mobility insurance may soon become compulsive.

Altho mobility scooter insurance and power-chair insurance isn’t compulsive, it is still available and in our opinion highly recommended. If you would like to take out a Mobility Insurance CLICK HERE to contact our customer services for more information, prices and policy information

Mobility insurance’s vary, you can choose disabled insurance policies that cover mobility scooter insurance, power-chair insurance and even stair-lift insurance. Costs of disabled mobility insurance vary company to company and you must always ensure the company you are using has been approved by the FSA (the financial services authority) the independent watchdog that regulates financial services.
A typical mobility policy includes:

• Accidental mobility scooter damage,
• mobility scooter fire damage,

flood damage to your scooter,

• loss or damages caused by the theft or attempted theft of your mobility scooter,
• storm damage,
• Public liability insurance for your mobility scooter,
• temporary cover to loan a mobility scooter of similar value,
• Nil excess,
• No claims bonus
• Any driver

These types of insurance’s cover all types of mobility scooters including portable mobility scooters, pavement scooters and fully road legal mobility scooters.
For more general disabled scooter information visit our mobility scooters section.



]]> http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/does-my-mobility-scooter-need-insurance/feed/ 0 http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/mobility-experts-review-drive-folding-commode/ http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/mobility-experts-review-drive-folding-commode/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:17:58 +0000 admin http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/?p=50 (5 star rating)


Drive medical have recently undergone a huge takeover, with it they have set competitive goals to expand their range of products, increase quality and innovation

The Drive Folding Commode is a lightweight folding commode thats convenient for travel or can easily be folded for space effective storage, the simple design means it has an extremely competitive price tag.

Folding Commode Portability

The Folding mechanism on the Drive Folding Commode is easy to use and effect, the end product is very light in weight especially considering it has an impressive 19-stone weight capacity.

Folding Commode Comfort

Armrests make getting up and lowering yourself onto the commode considerably easier. The seat is simple but comfortable with strap like backrest

Summary

The Drive folding commode does what it was designed to do very well, it is lightweight, portable and functional all at an excellent price. It is not the comfiest commode, and it isnt the most attractive commode, however this would undo all the key points this commode was designed for, a great all rounder ideal for occasional to moderate use. If you are looking for a more permanent, sturdy comfortable commode instead of a folding commode, then also consider the Days Deluxe Height Adjustable Commode.

]]> http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/mobility-experts-review-drive-folding-commode/feed/ 0 http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/new-product-days-whirl-and-link-wheelchair/ http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/new-product-days-whirl-and-link-wheelchair/#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:43:44 +0000 admin http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/?p=49 We are happy to announce some new wheelchairs launched from Days Medical (healthcare), they are now all in stock in a variety of sizes, available for immediate dispatch.
Days Medical have launched 2 new wheelchairs, the Days Whirl Wheelchair, which is a steel wheelchair available as both a transit and self propelled wheel type, in a variety of seat widths from 15″ to 19″ at 1″ intervals, the Whirl has exceptional build quality and is excellent value for money, A full Mobility Experts Review will follow shortly.
Days Medical other new wheelchair is the Days Link wheelchair, the aluminium lightweight wheelchair is available in sizes ranging from 14″ to 19″ at 1″ intervals, they are attractive stylish machines that combine excellent comfort, build quality and value for money all into 1.

]]> http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/new-product-days-whirl-and-link-wheelchair/feed/ 0 http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/mobility-experts-review-shoprider-sovereign-4/ http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/mobility-experts-review-shoprider-sovereign-4/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:25:48 +0000 admin http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/?p=48 (5 star rating)

Shoprider have been around from the start, one of the original scooter manufacturers they have built their reputation with simple and reliable designs. Shopriders best selling scooter of all time has been the sovereign 4.

The Shoprider Sovereign 4 is a well rounded 4 mph pavement scooter, Pneumatic tyres and a well padded seat result in a comfortable ride. Light steering and an excellent turning circle make this scooter a pleasure to ride. The thumb controls are comfortable to use.

We tested the sovereign on a variety of terrains and found for a machine with no suspension it handled very well. The ground clearance is excellent.

The shoprider sovereign offers an impressive 21 stone weight capacity.

Shoprider Sovereign Review Summary

The key to this mobility scooters success has been in its simplicity, it does exactly what it says on the tin, a comfortable 4mph pavement scooter, arguably the most reliable machine ever built, easy to use, all for an excellent price. Other machines to consider include the Pride Colt Nine which comes with solid tyres as standard

(5 star rating)



]]> http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/mobility-experts-review-shoprider-sovereign-4/feed/ 0 http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/mobility-experts-review-drive-enigma-lightweight-travel-chair/ http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/mobility-experts-review-drive-enigma-lightweight-travel-chair/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:32:31 +0000 admin http://www.mobilityexperts.co.uk/mobility-blog/?p=47 (5 star rating)

Here we have a lightweight portable wheelchair from Drive medical designed for travel! The Enigma range has always been a sign of good quality and reliability, this wheelchair is no exception. The wheelchair is easy to push considering how small the wheels are, folds very easily and is very light weight.

Compared to other wheelchairs in its class it is very comfortable, with a wide seat, and a supportive back rest, height adjustable footrests allow you to find a comfortable position for your feet and relieves pressure on your knees/ hips.

The Enigma Travel Wheelchair is easy to push thanks to good handle height and compared to other chairs with wheels this small, if you are looking for a portable wheelchair that is easier to push you should consider the Drive Travel Wheelchair Plus As it has larger wheels although it doesn’t fold into a travel bag.

The Enigma Travel Wheelchair folds easily into its travel bag which appears to be fairly good quality, very handy if you are taking your wheelchair on planes or coaches.

Summary

All in all if you are looking for a wheelchair that is extremely compact and lightweight with an 18stone capacity, then you wont find anything lighter for the price. This wheelchair represents excellent value for money at only £199.00 the build quality is nothing less than brilliant, and it has an attractive and stylish finish! Ideally suited for people who only need to cover shorter distance, and are using on relatively smooth surfaces e.g. shopping centres / promenades. If you can afford to sacrifice some of the portability and are looking for a more comfortable ride then you may wish to consider the Drive Enigma Transit Aluminium Wheelchair.

(5 star rating)



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