Where most scooter riders start.
← Back to HomeOne of the biggest problems in the scooter marketing world is that they never have accurate range. Usually, you’ll see a manufacturer saying range is over 40 miles with a small 20Ah battery. This range is calculated on perfect flat ground, lowest speed setting, quarter throttle, rarely stopping, 68 degrees, and perfect weather with a 120–160 lb rider. This is never realistic.
Rule of thumb is: if the manufacturer says 40 miles, then expect 40–50% of that. Usually, you can take the capacity (Ah) of the battery and you’ll probably get about 1 mile per Ah, assuming casual to light-aggressive riding. So, if the battery says 14Ah, then it's likely you would get around ~14 miles from 100–0%. Also, think of detours or if you forgot to charge at work; always try to have at least 35% battery left in the tank.
We all want to go fast but do consider where you will be riding. If it's a few city blocks or on sidewalks, a 15–20 MPH scooter is more than fine. If you are on side streets with cars, look for 20–25 MPH. If you are on 35+ MPH roads, consider something that goes 40+ MPH to keep up with the flow of traffic.
If you have a very hilly commute, lots of starts and stops, or dirt paths, a dual motor is a must. On hot days, a single motor on a hilly route will get strained and overheat. For short, flat commutes, a single motor is more than fine.
Think about the charge time. Most commuter scooters come with a 2A charger. A 40Ah battery mathematically will take 20 hours to charge back up with a 2A charger. Check if the manufacturer allows a fast charger and what the max amp rate they recommend is. Do not always use a fast charger, as it can cause the battery to prematurely age.
One important part of commuting is being able to fold the stem easily and carry the scooter. A 75+ lbs scooter where the stem does not securely latch to the deck is worthless. If you are jumping on and off trains, try to find the lightest, easiest-to-fold scooter.
Always look for tubeless tires and try to get ones that have anti-puncture. DO NOT USE SLIME; these can destroy the motor when you do get a puncture and the slime seeps into the motor. Also, stay away from airless tires as the vibration is unbearable at times.
If you are 6'2" with size 13 shoes like me, the bigger the deck the better. Long rides (5+ miles) without enough deck space to move your feet can take a toll on your legs. For stop-and-go city streets, you want a deck closer to the ground to avoid getting tired from mounting and dismounting.