Shoprider 889 SL Scooter
Wheelie Long Points:
I bought my Shoprider 889 SL in September 2005 after admitting that I could no longer drive due to a worsening of my MS symptoms, particularly in my right leg. Despite a few little problems, I have been extremely happy with this scooter. 'Black Betty' (as I call her) is no travel scooter but she is perfect for getting me around my local neighbourhood which is largely devoid of footpaths. With her comfortable 'captain's seat', suspension, front basket, rear shopping bag, walking stick/umbrella holder and 'deluxe lighting features', she is a sight to behold and certainly made me stand out in my community when she first arrived. Perhaps the manual wasn't just trying to make me feel better about having to use a mobility scooter when it claimed that 'Shoprider owners are a distinguished, growing group of people who care about quality, performance and craftsmanship'! Six years on, I still use Black Betty almost every day. I transfer from my chair, unplug her from the charger and off we go. She gave me the freedom to take my son to playgroup, the park, preschool and now to school without having to rely on anyone else (except of course when it's raining). The suspension, pneumatic tyres and great seat mean that I am able to drive on the road in comfort and get in and around my local supermarket to do my shopping and other chores. I can even attend community meetings alone at night secure in the knowledge that Black Betty's headlights will see me home. If I do encounter problems, I can turn on the hazard lights to indicate that I need help (don't worry: I always take my mobile phone with me too!). I have had to replace the batteries twice in six years which is very reasonable. The Shoprider 889 SL is classed as a heavy duty scooter and would be suitable for anyone requiring something more substantial than a travel scooter. The manual includes instructions for dismantling the scooter to transport it in a car, but this is not something you would want to do often. I treat Black Betty like a car; she stays in the garage until I need her and when she requires servicing or batteries, my helpful scooter man picks her up from my home. A heavy duty scooter is a substantial purchase, costing thousands of dollars. Before you buy one, research as many as you can. It is a good idea to speak to people who service scooters as they will be able to tell you which ones are more reliable than others. I have been extremely happy with my Shoprider and would gladly recommend it. |
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