Unlike the Segways PT , or other NVEIs like the electric scooter , hoverboards don’t have handles to hold on to when moving. This may seem confusing at first. Therefore, we have listed some tips below to teach you how to use a hoverboard and help you get started safely.
Before first use
Before using your hoverboard for the first time, be sure to fully charge the battery . On delivery, you cannot know exactly whether the battery is empty, half-full or full. Your hoverboard will only reach full power with a full battery. Moreover, if you are afraid of damaging your hoverboard, you can always buy a protective cover , which will prevent scratches and knocks and will allow you to keep your hoverboard in good condition for many years.
The best place for the first time
For your first attempts with your hoverboard, choose a suitable place. If you have enough space in your home, you can start indoors. Otherwise, we advise you to look for a flat place outside, even if you have a hoverboard cross .
If you’re starting indoors, be sure to secure all valuables and remove anything that might get in the way or hurt you. Also be careful not to roll on a carpet. It is best to choose a smooth floor covering such as tile or laminate. You can start near a wall so you can balance yourself the first time you step onto the hoverboard.
If you’ve opted for the outdoors, choose a location that provides a smooth surface. Smooth asphalt or even large smooth cobblestones without deep grooves are ideal. When you first get on the hoverboard it can be helpful to have a wall or railing to lean on or better ask a friend to help you.
For children in particular, be sure to provide adequate equipment (helmet, knee protector, etc.) to guarantee good safety.
How to use your hoverboard: start step by step
Get on the hoverboard
The fact that the hoverboard has no handlebars can be very confusing at first. Here are some tips on how to ride safely.
If your hoverboard has a beginner mode activate it now.
Stand behind the hoverboard.
If your hoverboard has LED lights, you may be wondering which way to place it? Some people say that the LED lights are meant to be a sort of “turn signal” for the people behind you, so they have to be in the back.
The truth is, there is no front and back. You can ride as you please. That said, most people ride their hoverboards with the LEDs on the front and some models specifically say the lights should be on the front.
Put your strong foot first on the board and immediately after, put your second foot.
Make sure you position your feet correctly
The board of the hoverboard has a non-slip coating which will make it difficult to replace your feet later, so it is important to position them correctly from the start. One mistake we made when we first started out was that our feet weren’t as far apart as possible, which makes riding the hoverboard MUCH more difficult.
At first you will have a hard time getting comfortable and finding your balance but after a while you will get used to the movement and it will become more and more fluid until you do it without thinking too much. The best thing you can do is look straight ahead not down, and relax. Don’t think about moving right away, try to relax first.
Accelerate and brake
The best way to describe getting around with a hoverboard is to “think” about where you want to go. The principle of use is the same as for the electric skateboard .
So, to move forward, you have to lean in the direction you want to go. Conversely, to brake, you have to lean back. If you lean back after the hoverboard has stopped, it will start to roll back.
A common mistake is leaning too far forward to move forward quickly. We then tend to try to recover and suddenly lean back. This is how you lose your balance and fall. Take it easy at first and make small moves with a friend holding you. Once you get the hang of it, you can pick up the pace.
Turn
Once you’ve mastered the forward motion, try making slight turns. It should come naturally. To tell the hoverboard that you want to turn left, simply shift your weight to the left. The weight transfer will tell the board which direction to go. For convenience, look in the direction you want to go. You will thus tend to naturally transmit your weight on this side.
When you’re an expert, you can literally spin in place like this:
stop
To get off the hoverboard, stop first. Then, quickly drop one foot behind the board and shift your weight completely onto that foot. Then remove your second foot from the board.
Now practice and keep in mind that “Repetition is the mother of mastery” . After a few successful attempts, all these movements will become natural, and you can move around without thinking about it. If you really can’t make it know that there are handlebars to attach to your hoverboard so that you can balance yourself more easily: