Good Housekeeping Tests Hot Scooters, Minibikes

Aug. 10, 2004 -- Riders of motorized scooters, minibikes and Go Karts went to the emergency room over 550 times last year. Yet these speedy vehicles are a hot trend, especially among kids and teenagers, often riding them without helmets and in streets where they are illegal to ride.

More than 530,000 of these motorized transporters have been sold in the United States since late 2003 for anywhere between $100 to $500 each.

Some cities have banned these mini-vehicles on city streets and sidewalks, while others have adopted strict safety rules. For instance, California requires riders of motorized scooters be at least 16 years old and wear helmets, and the state does not allow riding after sunset.

As a result of some of the apparent dangers involved in riding motorized scooters, minbikes and Go Karts, the Good Housekeeping Institute engineers evaluated scooters, Fun Karts and motorized bikes in a laboratory.

The engineers had six volunteers who rode some of the scooters during the evalutation. Four of the volunteers were between the ages of 13 and 15. The other two were between the ages of 26 and 27. The engineers measured braking time, speed and braking distance when testers rode them.

Motorized Minibikes:

The Good Housekeeping Institute tested two motorized minibikes, the Razor Pocket Rocket and the Honda Minimoto.

Razor Pocket Rocket: The minibike averaged a top speed of 11.1 mph in three Good Housekeeping Institute tests The test showed an average braking distance of 31 feet 11 inches (3.9-second braking time). Testers said their posture felt awkward and they felt uncomfortable riding at fast speeds. The bike costs $229.99 and is meant for riders of 12 years of age and older. Its maximum speed is 15 mph and it has a maximum weight limit of 220 pounds.

Honda Minimoto: The test showed the minibike averaged a top speed of 8.3 mph in two Good Housekeeping Institute tests. Tests showed it had a braking distance of 9 feet 4 inches (1.9-second braking time). Testers said their posture felt awkward and they felt uncomfortable riding at fast speeds.

The bike costs $199.99 and it's meant for riders 8 years old and older. Its maximum speed is 10 mph and it has a maximum weight limit of 150 pounds.

Electric Fun Karts

The Good Housekeeping Institute tested the Razor Ground Force Fun Kart. Similar to a Go Kart, the Razor Ground Force Fun Kart is designed for flat, paved surfaces in areas free of pedestrians and traffic. The Razor Ground Force had a 10.4-mph average maximum speed in two Good Housekeeping Institute tests. It had a braking distance of 11 feet 11 inches (2.2-second average braking time). Testers said the Fun Kart was fun to ride. The Razor Ground Force Fun Kart costs $249.99 and it's meant for riders at 10 years of age and older. It has a top speed of 12 mph and a weight limit of 120 pounds.

Motorized Scooters:

Good Morning America filmed the Good Housekeeping Institute's testing of the Razor E100 and the Schwinn S350.

Razor E100: This scooter showed an average top speed of 9.5 mph in five Good Housekeeping Institute tests. The Razor E100 costs $100 and is meant for riders of 8 years of age and older. Its maximum speed speed is 10 mph. Its maximum weight capacity is 120 pounds.

Schwinn S350: This scooter had an average top speed of 12.9 mph in five Good Housekeeping Institute tests. It revealed an average braking distance of 30 feet 2 inches (3.6-second average braking time). Testers said they liked the ride on this vehicle and said braking felt smooth. The scooter costs $199.99 and it has a maximum speed of 15 mph and a weight limit of 240 pounds. Age guidelines were not specified.

Company Responses

Good Morning America contacted Razor USA about the Good Housekeeping Institute's findings and the company sent the following response:

While obvious precautions need to be taken when using any moving object, we believe that these products may be enjoyed by responsible riders in the proper environments.

We are proud that Razor's E100 electric scooter has received the 2004 Parents' Choice Approved Award. The Parents' Choice Awards are given to products that meet and exceed standards set by educators, scientists, performing artists, librarians, parents, and kids themselves. The Parents' Choice Approved seals are given on the basis of the production, entertainment and human values they exemplify. A Parents' Choice Approved seal indicates a wholesome product that helps children enjoy developing physical, emotional, social or academic skills.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission standards for bicycles state that a bike traveling at approximately 15 mph should come to a complete stop within 15 feet of applying the brake. Our tests show that the E100 electric scooter, when traveling at 10 mph, stops within 12 feet of applying the brake. With properly adjusted brakes, the E100 has proven effective braking. It is the rider's responsibility to follow the owner's manuals cautions and warnings regarding proper brake adjustment.

These Razor products are for use only in controlled riding environments and are not intended for use as transportation on public streets or anywhere cars are traveling. Razor USA always advocates safety and recommends riders wear the proper safety gear, use caution and common sense, and check and obey local laws regarding use on public property.

Good Morning America also contacted Currie Technologies Inc., the manufacturer and distributor of the Schwinn S-350 electric scooter, about Good Housekeeping's findings and the company sent the following response:

Regarding the findings of the braking distance tests conducted by the Good Housekeeping Institute.... If the scooter was ridden prior to the test, we speculate that the brake cable stretched and the brake casing compressed, causing the brake to go out of proper adjustment range. During the assembly process, we make every effort to insure correct adjustment and to pre stretch the cable however, part of the break-in of a new scooter (or bicycle for that matter) involves readjusting the brake because of the above. Because of this happening, we clearly state on the Pre-Ride Checklist, which is found on the back cover of the owners manual that; "You must perform each check on the list before each ride" and bullet point six reads "Pull the brake lever to make sure that: 1) The lever does not bottom out on the handlebar. 2) The brake holds the scooter from being pushed forward". We must conclude based on the average breaking time and distance, that the subject Schwinn S-350 test scooter would not have passed the pre-ride check and did require a minor brake adjustment to correct the problem. Note, in most instances, this adjustment can be made without tools, by turning the barrel adjuster on the brake lever and/or on the brake itself. We are confident that the standard equipped breaking system on the Schwinn S-350 scooter, will stop the scooter while carrying a rider of up to 240 Lbs, well within the proper criteria of no greater then 20'. This function specific, 90mm band brake has consistently performed well in both wet and dry conditions.

Currie Technologies has submitted electric scooters equipped with this exact brake to various testing labs including Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, in Buffalo, New York, many times with the same, stellar results. Bureau Veritas has a specific test specification, TS-HL-3032 with the criteria for stopping distance (wet and dry) that states "shall have stopping distance of no greater than 20 ft. from the actual test speed". Each time we have submitted this brake system, we have met and exceed the requirement.

Honda declined to comment on the Good Housekeeping Institute's test of the Honda Minimoto.