# Damn Segway! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 4, 2001, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876 "2001-12-04T18:55:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/21 "2001-12-04T22:27:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Leap &the net will appear \* > \*\*OK, I give. What’s a Segway? \*\* About 80 pounds. Ba dum DUM. (Man, I can’t believe y’all left that one hanging for so long!) ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@Jet\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Black)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/22 "2001-12-04T22:36:49Z")
Ogre has some valid points. As an ex-skateboarder, myself. I can see how the youth would improvise new applications in regard to the Segway. I can imagine gangs of urban Segway punks tearing up the sidewalk in a streetstyle session. Ollie over fire hydrants, across bus benches, 50-50 grinds down handrails, 180 to fakie switch-stance, tail-grab, one-footed, gay twist into transistion, over the car hood, in freestyle mode. It’ll be TONY HAWK PRO SEGWAY 3. I’m down for it. Sign me up for the Segway X-Games! Jet Black ---
**Author:** ![\_Uigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/e9a140/32.png) [@\_Uigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Uigi)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/23 "2001-12-04T22:48:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Leap &the net will appear \* > \*\*OK, I give. What’s a Segway? \*\* Uhh… try the dictionary; I think the name MAY be related to “segue”. Smooth transition? To what from what? I dunno. I can certainly see applications for the thing (and would love to test drive one) in mobility for the aged and handicapped; hopefully with a programmed “governor” on the thing. Grannie Blue-Hair at 12mph can cause a fair amount of damage, but not near as much as she could cause in her '87 Fleetwood at 24mph. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/24 "2001-12-04T22:52:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by saepiroth \* > **not to mention, bluepony, it’s already designed for all-terrain capability. it supposed to be good for snow, sand, stairs, curbs, gravel, slightly rocky or loose terrain…** I think you’re getting the Segway confused with the bicycle. Seriously, though, the only demonstrations I’ve seen on TV so far have only shown the Segway handling moderate hills; the only terrains it was used on were asphalt, concrete, and grass. Now if they jacked it up a bit and added some good tires… ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/25 "2001-12-04T22:58:40Z")
12.5 mph? Are we sure that isn’t meters per hour? > [@](#): > > Smooth transition? To what from what? Pedestrian to litigant. Pre-emptive ranting is the more interesting concept… How long until someone starts a “Those Damn Interstellar Pirates” thread? ---
**Author:** ![Rogue1stclass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rogue1stclass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rogue1stclass)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/26 "2001-12-04T23:25:21Z")
It has potential…scale it up a bit, put a gasoline engine in it, enclose the passenger area, but put some glass around head level so you can see…add some seats (no one wants to stand all the time)…Maybe a cargo area…of course, all this might throw off the balance of it, so go ahead and put an extra set of wheels for safety’s sake… There ya go, a vehicle that will change the world… ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2001, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/27 "2001-12-04T23:37:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 'Uigi \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Leap &the net will appear \* > > \*\*OK, I give. What’s a Segway? \*\* > > Uhh… try the dictionary; I think the name MAY be related to “segue”. > \*\* Dude… what kind of cool-ass dictionary do you have that incorporates brand names released just 2 days ago? Do they sell them at book superstores, or do you have to find a little hidden away shop with a quiet, unassuming old shopkeeper with a certain glint in his eye to sell you one? If so, the store has been replaced by now by a blank brick wall and I’ve missed my chance… Sigh… Tenebras ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/28 "2001-12-05T01:02:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jeep’s Phoenix \* > **Seriously, though, the only demonstrations I’ve seen on TV so far have only shown the Segway handling moderate hills; the only terrains it was used on were asphalt, concrete, and grass.** And gravel. **mrblue92** , yup, 12.5mph, or, more accurately, 20kph. “…Pedestrian to litigant…” HAW HAW HAW! ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/29 "2001-12-05T01:47:41Z")
12.5 mph? None of the pictures I’ve seen show the rider wearing a helmet. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![MFS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MFS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MFS)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/30 "2001-12-05T01:52:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ogre \* > **It rather amazes me that everyone rants about how lame the actual scooter is, but nobody acknowledges that the technology it’s based on is enormously cool, and probably a giant step forward.** actually, I did acknowledge that the technology is cool, as I stated that the Segway seems to be such a lame waste of a cool technology. If you think in just terms of stupid fads, however, I’ve already seen those stupid “Razor” scooters in the trash left and right. But at least they didn’t cost upwards around $3k. ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/31 "2001-12-05T02:15:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tranquilis \* > **mrblue92** , yup, 12.5mph, or, more accurately, 20kph. > \*\* Yea, I know. I was thinking of those toys I had as a kid that didn’t quite perform like what was on the outside of the box… Which reminds me… if it doesn’t come with a place to mount a machine gun, how do they ever plan on selling it to the military? Wise up people. ---
**Author:** ![Pedro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/919ad9/32.png) [@Pedro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pedro)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/32 "2001-12-05T02:23:09Z")
I just thought you might like to read [How Segways Work](http://www.howstuffworks.com/ginger.htm). Personaly I think it’s just another really cool, expensive and dorky gadget. Cool from am engineering viewpoint. ---
**Author:** ![Rogue1stclass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rogue1stclass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rogue1stclass)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/33 "2001-12-05T02:35:41Z")
Okay, so what we have here is a device that is expensive, silly-looking, potentially dangerous and completely impractical, and yet its going to change the world… Hell, I’m still waiting for the internet to change the world like it was supposed to… ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/34 "2001-12-05T03:13:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mrblue92 \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Tranquilis \* > > **mrblue92** , yup, 12.5mph, or, more accurately, 20kph. > > \*\* > > Yea, I know. I was thinking of those toys I had as a kid that didn’t quite perform like what was on the outside of the box… > > Which reminds me… if it doesn’t come with a place to mount a machine gun, how do they ever plan on selling it to the military? Wise up people. \*\* Nonono… You’re missing the _point_: At 20kph, when you wipeout on the gravel, you’re going to get God’s Own Case of Road-Rash! C’mon, it’s FUN! As for the machine guns… Dude! They’ve got a version with _three_ saddlebags! Just think of the explosives you could put in there! Suicide-bombers delight! [sub]What, didja think they were selling it to the US military…?[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/35 "2001-12-05T03:27:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cartooniverse \* > Then, there’s the sub-culture issue: _Overheard as spoken by **Geobabe** _ (:D) > > > [@](#): > > > > Steve came on like a full-bore **SegHead** but the truth is that he just scams data off the 'Net and lays out a good line to ensnare **SegWenches** like me. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Syzygy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Syzygy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syzygy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/36 "2001-12-05T17:36:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > \*\*12.5 mph? None of the pictures I’ve seen show the rider wearing a helmet. :mad: \*\* Of course not! The Segway’s auto-balance system ensures that the rider will never fall off. And in the case of an inconsiderate non-Seg driver causing a collision, the SegBag[sup]TM[/sup] will inflate all around the SegRider, cushioning his/her fall. Helmets indeed! What an antiquated safety mechanism. Why, that’s almost as ridiculous an idea as using groundbreaking technology to create the next Razor scooter! Feh. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2001, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/37 "2001-12-05T22:54:11Z")
k. Os: > [@](#): > > Interesting… Pre-emptive rant? You get high marks for originality on this one, for sure! JetBlack: > [@](#): > > Interesting pre-rant. I like it. Or, did you just get off your time traveling Segway from a distant future where everyone rides them? It must be a bitch just trying to walk to the gorcery store in your time. Mr. Blue: > [@](#): > > Pre-emptive ranting is the more interesting concept… Thanks! For once, I’m a board trendsetter. It’s a sure way to be the first to post on a given topic, instead of delivering one of those old derivative rants. Chaim Mattis Keller ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2001, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/38 "2001-12-06T02:34:03Z")
Oh _hells_ no! A future where these things roam freely…no! I already have to restrain myself from kicking the crap out of these assholes with the rollerwheel backpacks. Oh were those your toes? Sorry, did you actually want to get through this aisle/hallway/into this elevator/use this stairwell [pick the goddamn thing up, weenie!] BTW On THE DAILY SHOW last night, Jon Stewart did a great impersonation of a famous morning show personality who happened to be wearing a helmet. Geeky laughs galore. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_The\_Bold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@Dale\_The\_Bold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_The_Bold)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2001, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/39 "2001-12-06T03:16:46Z")
It’ll stop being a dorky geek thing once they build the upper part as a killer robot that can finally balance itself. Or give the robot a feather duster and it’s time to meet George Jetson. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2001, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876/40 "2001-12-06T03:49:16Z")
If I were a golf-cart manufacturer, I’d be PISSED. This is a natural application for the thing. Hang the golf bags on the front, and rig an umbrella off the handlebars, and you’ve got a way-cool miniature golf cart for one person. And at $3000, that’s about 1/4 the price of a regular golf cart. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-segway/96876.md?page=3)