Why do you need or want an electric kick scooter? What is the purpose?
Are you looking for a last-mile solution only, or do you want a combination of fun sporty activity as well as a daily commuter?
The type of scooter you need will vary depending on your specific needs in performance as well as price.
For an inner city last mile solution, you typically don’t need a very advanced e-scooter. One motor with solid tires and low weight with maximum portability is probably the best choice.
In this range there are a lot of choices and you will have quite a few options to put on your short list.
If higher top speed and longer range is on that list, then you will want to look at dual engine options with a higher wattage and air-filled tires with good brakes as part of the overall package as well as a bigger battery.
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It is possible to get a budget e-scooter for under 300 USD. Needless to say, in this price bracket, one should not expect top-end quality or performance.
Expect underpowered motors, low capacity batteries, and weak brakes as part of the package.
That doesn’t mean that they are all bad choices and are not for you though. There are some out there that are still good value for money. If you can live with the modest performance figures.
Between 300- USD is where you will find most commuter scooters. The budget category will be from 300-600 USD.
If your daily commute is not too challenging with a lot of steep hills and/or rough surfaces, these scooters can be a perfect choice.
600-900 USD will place you in the typical midrange category where you can expect a longer range and maybe a bit more motor power.
900- USD is where the whole package delivers more of everything. Bigger battery capacity, dual motors or a stronger single motor, better suspension and brakes and a more comfortable ride.
But all this also adds weight and you will now find yourself in the 39+ lbs (18+ kg) area.
USD - USD (and beyond), will place you in the ”performance scooter world”.
This is the big boys league and is reflected in more of everything.
Top speed, power, range, quality, brakes, suspension and usually proper info displays and….more overall weight.
You can find scooters with a real-world range of 50 miles (80 km) and top speeds of 60 mph (96 kph).
Most adults scooters on offer today will reach around 15+ mph (24+ kph) which is fast enough for a lot of city commuters.
If you’re keen on faster electric scooters make sure to consider that small wheels, quick acceleration as well as standing up make the experience of riding a kick scooter different from f.e. a bike.
There is a wide selection of scooters from “low” 15+mph to high-speed 60+MPH and most speeds in between - the difficult part for scooter manufacturers is not to make the scooter go fast but to be as safe as possible at any stage of the ride from start to finish.
If you find “cheaper” models that claim high top speeds our recommendation is to stay away or be very careful. You do not want to be going 30+mph and experience heavy stem wobble or find out that the brakes have not been dimensioned properly to handle those high speeds.
If you have little to no riding experience we recommend getting comfortable in the 15-25mph speed bracket of scooters.
And ALWAYS wear protective gear, even if you are riding small scooter, falling at just 15mph can still cause serious injury. Always wear at least a helmet, other protective gear is also recommended, gloves are really great to avoid bruises on the hands and fingers in case of falling over.
Honestly, top speed should not be a huge factor in deciding what scooter to choose. Most commuter scooters on offer today will reach around 15+ mph (24+ kph) and that should be fast enough for anyone.
When learning and researching about electric kick scooters, you will see the word hub motor all the time.
That is because all e-scooters have the motor in the hub of the wheel, so-called BLDC hub motors, which is short for; Brushless Direct Current Motors.
They are rated and based on units of watts which is a measurement of their power consumption.
The more powerful the motor, the greater the wattage. It generally starts from 200 watts and goes up to + watts.
Most average low-priced commuter scooters will have a 250-watt motor. This is OK if you are an average-weight person and only ride in areas that are not too challenging with many steep hills or undulations.
We generally recommend opting for a 500-watt motor at minimum, not only is it a lot more enjoyable to ride but can also handle hills that are not too steep.
For anything above 500watt you’ll find that the combination of battery and motor plays a big role, meaning that two scooters with the same wattage (for example 2 x watt motors giving a total output of w) can have different performance depending on the battery size and the Ah-output. This is why its common to see the same scooter come in variants where the main difference is the size of the battery. Usually the top speed is the same but the peak output of the motors can vary and acceleration will be faster on the scooters with the stronger battery.
One of the most important components of the vehicle, not to be ignored or taken for granted.
Many scooters today have two types of braking systems, mechanical and electronic. Some scooters are equipped with both systems and some are mechanical only.
Mechanical brakes come in three versions and rely on a physical mechanism to slow down. Foot brake, drum brake, disc brake.
Foot brake works by pressing down the rear fender against the rear tire to create friction and stop. Not as effective as the drum or disc brake but will slow you down.
Drum brakes. Enclosed system in the hub of the wheel and good in wet circumstances.
Disc brakes. The best option by far. Lighter and more effective than the drum brakes.
Electric braking is when the motor itself is generating a stopping power and sometimes regenerative braking as well.
Not to be relied on too heavily as the stopping power is the weakest of them all. But in combination with drum or disc brakes it can be a great benefit and add extra security by way of having in effect, two braking systems.
IP is short for Ingress Protection and lets you know how protected the scooter is from water and other elements such as dust.
The e-scooter market is fast developing and as such not everything is fully explained or even established. So for instance, IP rating is sometimes classified on the scooter and sometimes it isn’t. But that doesn’t mean there is no water protection. Most new scooters are water-resistant to a certain degree even though they might not have an IP rating.
If you can find a scooter that fits your needs and it has an official IP rating we would say that's a big plus but don't be put off from a scooter if it ticks all the boxes and doesn't have an official IP rating.
There are quite a few options where to get a scooter and this can be as crucial as which one you get for your scooter experience.
The availability of scooters is constantly increasing but unfortunately a lot of places where you can find an electric scooter lack industry knowledge and might be able to help you make the best-informed decision.
More importantly, far too many retailers and consumers still view scooters as “gadgets”, and treat the purchase similar to buying a laptop or a TV, and expect it to work like clockwork day in and day out. The fact is that electric scooters are vehicles, and as with any vehicle there will be wear and tear and potential damages as well.
Depending on where you buy your scooter from, actually owning the scooter can be heaven or hell depending on where you get the scooter from in the first place.
Spare parts, as well as repairs, are something you most likely will need help with at some point. Opting for a distributor or vendor who can provide some sort of guarantee is a good bet. Otherwise, you might find it can be tricky to get spare parts.
Fluidfreeride offers a lifetime service program for all customers as well as a 12-month warranty.
Not all people are comfortable with a spanner in hand and find fixing a problem might be tricky.
Fluidfreeride has service partners all over the USA to make sure you need not worry in case of any issues.
If you are lucky enough to have a local dealer nearby you can go and touch and maybe try out the scooter of your choice. Again, maybe not the cheapest option but you will have a point of contact where you can get help should you need it.
The cheapest would be to get one direct from China. But be aware. Don’t expect customer support to be on high alert for you, if you can reach them at all for that matter.
Shipping times are usually quite long as well, and your scooter might look like what you ordered but on closer examination, you will find it is a clone of the brand you expected.
And that's why this is the cheap option.
Electric scooters for adults are cheaper than a car or motorcycle. However, buying the wrong one will be a waste of time and money. After all, an e-scooter is also an investment. Treat buying an e-scooter like buying a car since this is also a big purchase. To find the right e-scooter for you, you should not only know what to do but also what NOT to do. Before you buy an electric scooter online, read these five common mistakes to avoid when buying an e-scooter.
Before buying an electric scooter, make sure to read about various electric scooter guides. Know the function and purpose of an electric scooter and learn about the different kinds of electric scooters available.
Moreover, don’t think that there is an e-scooter that offers everything that you need. Electric scooters are categorised according to budget and function. Electric scooters that cost less offer less performance and features. Similarly, more expensive e-scooters provide higher specs and more features.
In addition, some electric scooters are built for portable, providing a lightweight and compact e-scooter but with fewer specs. On the other hand, some offer powerful batteries and motors but with the expense of heavier e-scooters.
Consider the range, motor power, battery capacity, durability, safety, and design of an e-scooter to help you learn more about e-scooters and narrow down your choices. In addition, determine the specs and features that you need when riding an e-scooter. Knowing if you prefer a performance-driven e-scooter or a lightweight e-scooter will help you find a more suitable ride.
Remember that the market is saturated with different e-scooter models. Here are 5 things to look for when buying your first electric scooter.
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Since the rise of electric scooters, many governing authorities have studied and implemented rules and regulations to keep e-scooter riders safe. Unfortunately, since e-scooters are relatively new, some have yet to finalise their guidelines. Moreover, e-scooter laws globally are still changing since these devices continue to develop.
Knowing your city’s electric scooter laws is crucial before buying an electric scooter. Most states in Australia allow electric scooters in public. However, most states limit the specs for those who will ride private e-scooters in public. ACT and Queensland are the only states that allow private e-scooters without any specs limit.
If you buy an e-scooter without checking if your city allows private e-scooters in public paths, you might waste your money if your city prohibits riding them in public. If your city requires e-scooters to have specific specs, consider this when buying an e-scooter. Overall, make sure to learn your city’s e-scooter law to know the requirements for riding them, the speed limit, and the corresponding penalties. Read the electric scooter laws in Australia per state.
When buying an electric scooter, keep in mind that the electric scooter info and specs that manufacturers claim don’t reflect the actual performance of the e-scooter. For example, most manufacturers place a fine print when stating the maximum range of an electric scooter. If an e-scooter claims to reach a maximum range of 25 km, expect it to do less in reality.
These figures are often based on tests done under ideal conditions. It means the e-scooters were riding at a constant speed on a flat and smooth path with no obstructions. In real riding conditions, these factors are difficult to come by. Therefore, it is almost impossible to get the exact max range. However, does this mean that the advertised max range is false? No. It is the highest range possible if you meet all the conditions as the lab test. When checking for e-scooter models, always read the fine print.
As mentioned, treat buying an e-scooter like buying a car. It may just be an e-scooter, but taking an e-scooter for a test ride will allow you to see if it delivers the performance and ride quality that you need. Plus, you get to see if you can maneuver it properly and if the speed is right for you.
If you don’t test an e-scooter, you might find the e-scooter too slow or too weak and vice versa. Also, you might find that some e-scooters have weirdly-spaced handlebars, less grip, or narrow decks when you try it. Seeing the e-scooter up close and taking it for a ride will allow you to notice nuances that might make your ride less convenient.
Many e-scooter retailers offer test rides, so don’t miss the chance to test an e-scooter. If you want to test ride any of our Mearth electric scooters, schedule a test drive at our Sydney office for free. Select your preferred date, time, and e-scooter model and drop by our office at Unit 1 Workit Spaces, Unit B1/13 21 Mandible St., Alexandria, New South Wales.
Lastly, the final mistake to avoid when buying an e-scooter is not asking for a warranty or local service. A reliable and legitimate electric scooter retailer always offers a warranty or repair service in case of factory defects or damages to your e-scooter. The warranty protects you in case you receive a faulty unit. If a retailer or brand doesn’t offer a warranty, avoid buying from them.
Moreover, choose e-scooter warranties wisely. Most retailers offer up to a year of warranty, while a few stores offer up to two years of warranty for the e-scooter parts. For example, Mearth offers up to two years of warranty for the e-scooter frame and one year of warranty for the battery, motor, main body, and controller of any Mearth e-scooter. Read more about our Warranty Policy.
In addition, know if the retailer offers repair services in case you damage your e-scooter. If you encounter a flat tyre or a damaged battery, you can easily get it repaired by them. Overall, consider the warranty and after-sales service when buying an electric scooter.
Those are five mistakes to avoid when buying an e-scooter. Don’t make these common mistakes to avoid wasting your time and money on the wrong e-scooter. Choose an electric scooter carefully, and find the one that gives the best value for your money.