Motion Healthcare Xcursion
PIP weekly cost: from £46.10*
This all-weather rover delivers for winter
Using a scooter is a crucial way for many disabled people to have an independent life, be visible and be involved with the wider community. Djed Khan-Warsop and his mother Loretta made the trip to Motability Scheme Live, Birmingham on the train from south west London to research a pair of replacement scooters for them to use for errands, meetings, hospital visits and family excursions.
Djed was impressed with the Motion Healthcare Xcursion road scooter, featuring a full canopy for privacy and protection against the elements. "While I'm not used to a cabin scooter, it felt safe and private. I was enclosed in my own little pocket of freedom, which felt comforting. I didn't feel at risk of being toppled over," he says.
With a 30-mile range and a top speed of 8mph, the Xcursion has a modern design with LED headlights. Its all-round suspension delivered a smooth ride on the test track, while Djed praised the padded adjustable captain's seat. The Xcursion features a clever contactless start system - simply hold the key fob nearby to power on. The modern digital display is easy to read, keeping the key information - speed, battery level, time and indicators - clearly visible.
All-season comfort
The canopy on the test model is an option, with or without vinyl sides, offering extra protection from the elements while maintaining visibility during your journey. Djed, who has multiple health conditions including complex PTSD and severe congenital heart disease, passionately believes that disabled people should have a voice. He is involved in various campaigns and has won a number of awards. The Xcursion makes a bold statement, which is the impact Djed was looking for. "I've always said that if another disabled person can see themselves in me, then I've inspired one person to feel that they've been represented. Then I feel I've done my job," he says.
Motion Healthcare Nitron Carbon
PIP Weekly cost: from £28.53*
An ultra compact cruiser that has a clever folding design
The Motion Healthcare Nitron Carbon is a wheelchair, but not as we know it. Weighing in at just 12.8kg, it combines the agility of a scooter with the control and comfort of a powered wheelchair.
Derek Tonks from Solihull had severe pancreatitis as well as mobility issues, and currently gets around on a small scooter. However, his wife Wendy is now finding it increasingly hard to load it into the boot. Although they were not initially looking for a powered wheelchair, first impressions of the Nitron Carbon were positive, with the carbon-fibre frame being easy to lift, while offering exceptional strength. The Nitron's clever inward-folding design allows it to pack down in seconds, making it simple to store at home or pop into a car boot. The lithium battery gives a range of up to 7.5 miles and has a weight limit of 120kg. "It's wonderful and nippy," says Derek. "I don't think I'd want to sit in it for more than a few hours, but for going out for shorter periods, it's brilliant."
One Rehab KRS800
PIP weekly cost: £44.86*
This lightweight scooter can be disassembled easily
Bob Hawkins has been searching for a go-anywhere scooter to fit inside the boot of his Toyota C-HR. Most road-legal scooters are fairly heavy to load, so he was eager to try the lightweight One Rehab KRS800. This stylish newcomer is one of the few road scooters that can be easily disassembled to go in the car, with the heaviest part weighing less than 10kg equivalent to a bag of shopping - and takes around 30 seconds to reassemble.
Bob has never let his spina bifida dampen his wanderlust, enjoying safaris in Africa. Now he and his wife are looking for some adventures closer to home in Nottinghamshire.
Manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminium, the scooter has a choice of 24Ah or 34Ah lithium batteries. The KRS800 can travel up to 28 miles at speeds of up to 8mph on the road. Bob found the advanced suspension soaked up all the bumps on the test track. "It's a good option for taking in the car to explore, or on walks, which I haven't been able to do for eight years," says Bob.
*The PIP weekly cost is subject to change.
Photos: Carl Rodgerson
