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Electric scooters provide people with a way to ride five times faster than walking, while being environmentally friendly, enjoyable and very inexpensive. Unlike a bicycle, when you arrive, you’re not sweaty!
Here we have compiled a comprehensive electric scooter guide which will give you an idea of what to look for when you are purchasing your first or next new e-scooter. You can learn about price classes, features to consider, riding tips, maintenance, safety, rules, component parts, and get some tools to help you with your purchasing research.
This guide is structured into a few sections. To skip straight to what you’re searching for, feel free to use the links below. If you’re completely new to electric scooters, then reading the whole guide is helpful.
It could feel like purchasing a car or even other larger purchases to select a scooter.
Fortunately, to support you with your next scooter purchase, we have developed this electric scooter guide.
Before you buy an e-scooter, speed, size , weight, range, reliability and cost are just a few of the considerations you need to take into account. We have tried to help you understand what’s relevant in this e-scooter guide to ensure you choose the right electric scooter for you.
When you want to get from A to B swiftly, effectively and with style, electric scooters are a great alternative. You don’t need much training, they’re easy to use and the onboard motor ensures they don’t take the same effort as a typical scooter or electric bike. Great for individuals who want to have fun every day without feeling the effects!
They’re also a green mode of transport, so while you enjoy your journey, you’ll be doing your bit to protect the world.
Electric scooters are perfect for people who need to get around with minimum expenses same of public transport or driving. The price is basically within the grasp of just about everyone for about $750; it is also one of the simplest to run personal electric vehicles, giving them a universal appeal.
A crucial consideration in your buying decision is the reliability of an electric scooter. E- scooters are not yet established enough and it is not as easy as a bicycle to have one repaired. Knowing what you are getting into, therefore, is the first step.
An analysis data for 702 months of records, 108 repairs, and 58,545 miles of travel by electric scooter is shown below.
The average distance per repair travelled is 542 miles or approximately every 6.5 months. This value is measured across all types of electric scooters. Others are more accurate, obviously, than others.
The three most frequent electric scooter repairs include tires and wheels (18 percent), fenders (18 percent) and brakes (14 percent). 50 percent of all repairs / maintenance were paid for by them.
Recorded repairs to “tires / wheels” are almost exclusively connected with tires or tubing. The tires are worn out. Tubes are going to get punctured. If you put a good number of miles on any e-scooter, expect this.
Complex and costly repairs such as motor (2%), battery (5%), controller (1%), and monitor (2%) are less common, accounting collectively for only 10% of all repairs.
The above data reflected all repair data pooled from different scooter models and brands together.
In the long run, the balance between what you are paying now and what it will cost you is an important decision.
The old adages of quality vs price and the disparity between ‘price’ and ‘value’ have all been heard. It’s no different buying an electric scooter well, in fact, in this case, it may be more critical of a decision than most things you purchase.
For anything but limited or light recreational use, most scooters that fall into the budget e-scooter class are not recommended. Expect under-powered engines, low capacity batteries, and poor brakes at this budget price point. In this group, however, there are some excellent and very practical electric scooters. If this fits your budget, it is worth taking a look at.
When you intend to rely on the scooter to get you all the way to work and appointments, commuting is very different from ‘last mile’ use. You need to be able to trust it.
Make sure you remember the hills and terrain that your particular commute entails. Not all scooters are identical and no two commutes are exactly the same. If you have an especially steep hill or rugged terrain to navigate on your journey, be particularly careful.
The electric scooter commuter class is the largest and, thus, divided into three groups. At these price points, in terms of features, quality , and performance, we generally find that scooters are reasonably balanced.
These scooters are excellent for riding shorter distances, have a reasonable range and are perfect for regular commuting. Expect sporadic repairs over the projected life cycle of a few years. Budget commuter scooters are best where there are relatively flat surfaces and not many steep hills for your commute. They are light enough that once in a while you can fold and take them up stairs.
For more range and probably more engine power than the budget commuter, a mid-range commuting electric scooter would have a significantly larger battery. You’re not going to see any dual-motor scooters at this price, but you’re going to see suspension being integrated into some models.
Scooters usually add suspension, larger engines, bigger batteries, and stronger braking to the budget and mid-range options in the luxury commuter class. Thanks to these improvements, the ride will be more comfortable, smoother, and will have a better range. There is, however, a tradeoff of added weight (around 20 kgs) that makes it harder to load into a car or carry upstairs.
Electric performance scooters are beginning to deliver either serious speed or ultra-long range. Dual motors and large battery packs are built into many of these scooters. Up to 50 miles of real-world range can be provided by the longest-ranging scooter in this class. You will also start to see some premium features at this price point, ranging from $1200 to $1600, including large pneumatic tubeless tires, semi-hydraulic or hydraulic brakes, powerful lights, and turn signals.
Extreme scooters such as these, except for portability, are the best performing in any category. They have huge, dual motors (some of which achieve speeds above 40 mph), extended extreme range battery life (> 70 KM), top-notch suspension, and hydraulically powered disc brakes for high speed stopping. While still ideal for everyday driving, the only ones constructed for off-roading are their larger tires. Such extreme performance scooters are also the heaviest (typically +30 kgs), so make sure you are comfortable with the weight if you need to fold and hold these scooters.
An e-scooter is an eco-friendly mode of transport that is as enjoyable as it is convenient. But with all the alternatives out there, how do you pick a scooter of high quality that puts your safety first? What more do you need to know before buying the right electric scooter for yourself?
Now that we have gone through some important factors to think about, let ‘s dive into some other subjects that will probably affect which scooter you want to buy, including price, range, weight, top speed, weight of the rider, and IP rating.
This is the first and foremost point to think about for any motor vehicle including an electric scooter. Your safety is more important than anything else.
We will show you in this section why this aspect is so important and what it consists.
This is the reason why speed comes after this segment-brakes are the most important. When we purchase something that can quickly catch up to speed, we also need to think about stopping capacity.
To stay safe and in charge when riding an electric scooter, a quality braking system is crucial. Brakes are what slow down the e-scooter, much like those on a car or bicycle. It is possible to classify electric scooter brakes into two categories: mechanical and electronic.
Mechanical braking systems are those that rely on a physical structure that includes foot, drum, and disc brakes to slow the scooter down. For mechanical systems, the average 15 mph stopping distance is 20 feet, with under 10 feet being the absolute best.
Electronic braking systems are based on the use of the engine itself for braking and include electric and regenerative braking systems exclusively. The worst ones are electric and regenerative brakes. If you fly at 15 + mph and you need to brake quickly, they can not do the job alone. 30 to 40 feet is the standard 15 mph stopping distance using an electronic brake alone.
Mechanical braking systems can provide braking systems that are much better than electronic systems. Electronic devices, however, benefit from not having any frequent updates or maintenance. Many scooters would have a mix of braking systems, both electronic and mechanical. We suggest scooters that have at least two braking systems in case one fails, for safety reasons.
The golden rule is that if you want proper braking, you can periodically change brake shoes and pads.
Hydraulic disc brakes provide the best choice. The second best is the electric disc brakes. The work can also be performed by guitars, bands, and V-brakes. We need to point out one important point, however.
Buy any brakes you like, and they’re going to break just fine. That will easily move in favor of hydraulic discs after a while. If well treated, they are the finest.
That means exactly when the manufacturer states that the WEIGHT LIMIT is 200 POUNDS.
A individual worth 250 pounds can stay on the deck and even give it a go. That doesn’t mean that if a 250-pound person stands on it at the moment, it would cause complete destruction of an electric scooter and turn the whole structure into ash.
No, it means that the braking system will also be overburdened in addition to performance that is destroyed.
At some point, you’re going to want to brake, and if you catch some speed on the slope section, there’ll be a problem. A Big Problem.
Read and respect what the producer says about the weight cap.
The golden rule is (at least I do that): if you are 170 pounds, take one who has 220 limits or more. The battery will take longer, performances will be better, and riding feel is far better.
The weight limit that can be carried by the electric scooter is the max load or max rider weight. This cap varies from 220 lbs to 270 lbs for most scooters. You’ll want to make sure you’re looking at scooters that can carry your weight if you weigh more than that.
Bear in mind that it will be slower and have less range compared to a lighter rider, even though the scooter is rated for your weight and you’re at the top of the limit. Consider if you’re going to wear a bag or something else that will add to the total weight that the scooter will wear. You can concentrate on electric scooters with at least a 500-watt motor for riders near or above 220 lbs.
We want to be seen on the lane, and that’s all right. But what do you check for?
Several options are available:
The rear light is low, which is a reality, and unless we put on a reflective vest, there is nothing we can do. It can be mounted on the rear fender and on a standing deck. It is related to the braking system in some situations, and when you hit a break, stronger light will be emitted.
You want a headlight that’s in a higher position. Other traffic participants can not catch sight of you as quickly as when you have a headlight on a vertical tube or handlebar when it is low.
Scooters may have a white front light and a red rear light, like bicycles. It is best to have both a front and a rear light if you ride after dark. They usually do not have very noticeable rear lights due to the nature of e-scooters. Consider attaching some blinking red rear lights to your helmet or backpack if you want to ride at night.
Once you are sure about the brakes and lights for your safety, the next step is to check if the dimensions of the electric scooter will fit your body type.
TWO SCENARIOS are there:
That’s so amazing in the first case.
Buy the scooter right away, just kidding, hold on a little.
In the second example, you can see if this electric scooter has a height change for the handlebars. If it has-that ‘s fine.
You can customize it the way you want it to. And that’s what you can buy well.
The main thing is to stop buying these, which are often Set (when it comes to height adjustment), with low handlebar height.
Consider this before buying
Look for slip prevent materials on the footboard. Check about materials before you buy.
Dimensions of the standing deck
All of us are different.
I may have smaller feet, but I like the fact that I have more space to shift around and accommodate on my deck as I want on an off-road trip.
I may have bigger feet, but I don’t care how much space I’ve got, as long as I’ve got room for my feet. It’s your choice.
Let ‘s assume you have parts for commuting that can be protected by using public transport. In this scenario, of course, to a degree, you would want your e-scooter to be foldable. If you intend to take it on the plane, it goes the same way-some airlines have stringent e-scooter regulations that do not allow larger or heavier e-scooters on board their aircraft.
While most e-scooters out there offer folding capabilities, some are simpler to pack, while others take more steps. Balance these variables and try to choose the version that works best for you, depending on where and when you will be using your e-scooter.
We are talking about business now. You’ve got to figure out how fast you can go.
Also, find out what range you can achieve with this sort of battery.
You need to know what kind of riding you’re going to want to do.
Are you commuting to work through a crowded town?
You don’t need too much power for that.
You will need 1000 Watts or so for off-road fun. There are machines with 5000 Watts engines on the market, as you would like, the sky is the limit for more …
And yes, if you want higher torque, you’ll need a chain-driver engine.
There are hub motors for adult electric scooters, which are brushless direct current (BLDC) electric motors mounted into the wheels’ hub. All electric kick scooters have at least one motor, though dual motors will be required for more powerful models.
Electric motors, expressed in units of watts (e.g. 600 watts), are rated based on their power consumption. There would be greater wattage for more powerful motors. In general, motor power starts at 200 watts and on the Dualtron X goes all the way up to 6270 watts.
An average budget commuter scooter has a 250-watt motor, like the Xiaomi Mi M365; a mid-range commuter scooter has a 500-watt motor, like the Fluid FreeRide Horizon; and an extreme performance scooter has dual 1200-watt motors (or 2400-watt motor power), like the Kaabo Wolf Warrior 11.
You want to get an agile, easy-to-manage electric scooter, right?
500 Watts is case-closed if this is a scenario. 250 Watts will, of course, get the job done, too. I prefer more power, but 250 watts is feasible for daily commuting, as long as your route is not too hilly.
Electric scooters are available that have speeds from 8 mph to 50 mph.
The wise step is to make a certain option right way:
Our suggestion, to go with an electric scooter with the ideal speed somewhere between 15-20 mph. If you want to drive longer distances or race off-road with your mates, it will be ideal.
You determine that you don’t need a 50 mph monster after making a list, and the case is closed. You are one step closer to choosing yourself, the right e-scooter for yourself.
Range refers to the distance until it runs out of battery power that a scooter will ride. Your e–scooter ‘s range will depend on different variables, including engine power, rider weight, scooter weight, weather, mode, and average speed. On both scooters, we carry out a real-world range test to determine a practical range assessment.
A prudent rule of thumb is to take something advertised by the retailer and divide it by two. Results from the 2020 electric scooter survey show that most producers overestimate their range claims by 30 per cent.
Tip
You can also carry your charger with you or purchase an additional charger at your destination to leave. Some high-performance e-scooters have dual charging ports when using two chargers, cutting charge time in half.
Like all batteries, the battery power (and scooter range) will diminish as time goes on. For at least 300 to 500 charging cycles, most batteries can retain their integrity, with the strongest batteries surviving up to 1000 charging cycles before starting to degrade. Think about your commute and how far on an average day you drive. Note that you can still kick and push it when your scooter runs out of fuel, no matter the size.
The ingress protection or IP rating informs you how resistant to dust and water an electric scooter is. The IP rating consists of two numbers, but because it tells you how water-resistant the scooter is, we concentrate on the second. The higher the amount is, the more water and moisture resistant it is.
Not all scooters have an IP designation. You would want to invest in one with at least IPx4 water resistance if you are planning on riding your scooter in all weather conditions.
| IP RATING | MEANING |
|---|---|
| IPx0 | No protection |
| IPx1 to IPx3 | Very limited water resistance |
| IPx4 to IPx6 | Ideal in the rain for riding |
| IPx7+ | Can be fully immersed in water |
Here, we will speak about three choices you can make to achieve greater comfort.
Ok, obviously, the seat will relax you. Some scooters have a seat, others have an installation option, and there is no seat at all in the third case.
There is no need for a seat for quick commutes. I don’t know what you think about standing, but because of the riding style, for me, an electric scooter is unique.
Perhaps you’ve got a permanent back problem. It is a fantastic feature either way. If you want some additional convenience, use it.
If your motor is able to deliver power to a wheel via a belt instead of a chain, your ride will be even quieter.
We should accept that you will be offered certain advantages by chain transmission:
There are some benefits that you get when you have a belt driven motor solution:
The only link point between us and the road is the tires. You’re going to pick inflatable tires, and that will be cool. You can, however, change your mind …
We’ve got a chance to pick different shapes and sizes. Different forms also. The measurement ranges from 5-12 inches.
Tires come in two types: solid (airless) tires and air-filled (pneumatic) tires.
Strong tires There are a few airless tire variants, including honeycomb, polymer-filled, and solid tires. In every way, solid tires are inferior to pneumatic, unless they have virtually no maintenance required. You’re more likely to notice every bump and even slip over lines of paint on the road while riding on sturdy tires.
Pneumatic tires are often recommended because they offer improved ride efficiency (with or without suspension) and their flexible rubber performs much better under adverse road conditions. There are inner tubes for certain air-filled tires that can be replaced if damaged; other air-filled tires are tubeless. The benefit of shock absorption and better handling (especially in bad weather) is that of pneumatic tires.
The downside to pneumatic tires is that more maintenance than the airless variety is required. Pneumatic tires are susceptible to punctures and, when they have low pressure, they need to be loaded with air. Tubes and tubeless pneumatic tires are common in all price ranges, with the exception of the budget category, where tires are almost entirely solid.
Do not underestimate the improved ride quality with pneumatic tires that you can get. When rolling over even minimally bumpy terrain, this can make a massive difference, where road vibration on your feet and legs can be very painful. Additionally, by following a few easy guidelines, you can stop flat tires.
In all price ranges, pneumatic tires are popular, except for the Budget range, where tires are almost exclusively airless (solid).
This video will show you all the instructions for first time users of E-Scooter. It’s not that hard.
And to see a real life experience of a first time rider, check this vlog video of Stephen Lu. He rides a Lime Scooter on rent and shares experience of his first time ride of an E-Scooter.
It is actually a good idea to ride and learn an electric scooter by renting it out. Most of the big cities have different e-scooter rental services. Drive it and feel the pleasure of urban mobility.
If you are in Dubai, UAE. Here is our blog of where to find and rent an electric scooter in Dubai.
Here is a video guide of how to setup your new Electric Scooter and adjust its settings.
So note at the end of the day that you’re going to spend a decent $1,200-3,000 on your electric scooter, even for an ‘adult’ who’s normally a big ticket item to buy.
So take your time, read reviews of the e-scooter, read electric scooter guide like this, check all the stats out. Check out Google Reviews, Facebook Pages and Reditt Groups for businesses-are they active? Have they got decent reviews?
Do some test drives, occasionally what the reviewers love will not be exactly what you are looking for in the video testimonials on YouTube.
Calling or at least emailing companies on the internet, do they sound like decent people? Are they well educated about their products? Do you think that they would be there to help you if you had a warranty issue?
Do your homework and with your purchase, you will end up being super happy!
Why Star Wheeler : We are a UAE-based scooter specialist that provides unbiased advice on a selection of what we think are the best electric scooters available and e-scooter guide. We can sell any type of electric scooter and don’t make our own, so we recommend only the top brands to ensure you get the right electric scooter for you! We hold stock and give delivery the next day, unlike some UAE-based retailers, so you won’t have to wait 30 days to receive your order. To help spread the cost of your order, we also offer a range of finance options in the UAE. We have a team of professionals from the industry committed to giving you the best guidance, the best goods, the best quality and the best value.
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