The time has come where you have finally decided to buy an electric scooter. You have thought about this thoroughly, weighed the pros and cons, seen the gas prices, and decided an electric scooter is the best way to go, now you just have to find the right one for your lifestyle. Let us help you make the decision easier for you, here’s some stats and facts about different types of adult electric scooters to make your choice easier.
Check the laws
When buying a street legal electric scooter, it’s important to check the laws in your state. It’s worth learning about this before you buy because it may affect what features you are willing to pay for. Some states have a minimum age. Most states do not require you to have a driving license.
Most states do not allow you to ride on high-speed roads. This is defined as a speed limit over 35mph. Some states allow you to ride on the footpath, but many do not. Most states have a speed limit, and this limit varies.
You’re not legally required to wear a helmet (provided you are over 18), but you should wear one regardless.
Motor Size
First thing you need to know is electric scooters motors are measured in watts. They start at 200 watts and increase to over 5000 watts. The size of a scooter’s motor is important because it basically dictates how much power the scooter has, and how it will impact your daily commute. This affects its ability to accelerate and climb up hills. For example, 250 watts is usually sufficient for traveling over flat ground, so if you have no hills in your area, that’s the perfect amount of wattage, but you should aim for a more powerful motor if you plan on going up hills regularly or off road.
Range
Another thing you should investigate is Range. All scooters have an advertised range. This is the distance that a scooter can cover on a single charge. The further you plan on riding, the higher the range you will need. You should also aim for a higher range than you expect to use. A scooter’s range is based on distance traveled over flat ground. It also assumes that the battery is holding a full charge. Many electric scooters start to hold less power the longer you own them. So, make sure to calculate how far you have to travel back and forth on your daily commute, and any side trips you may need to take as well. You can always bring a charger with you and charge your motor scooter while you are working or other destination.
Maximum Speed
You should check with your local laws on adult electric scooters and choose a motor scooter with the appropriate speed capability. All scooters have a maximum speed, this is typically around 15 mph and is fast enough for most purposes. If you are traveling in a city, you will probably spend a lot of time driving slower than that. It’s possible to spend more money and get a scooter that goes up to 60 mph. But higher speeds usually aren’t practical. Most areas have a speed limit for scooters, and the faster you go, the easier it is to fall off. That being said, regardless of the speed, you should always wear safety gear and a helmet.
Waterproofing
No matter where you are, it rains on your area, puddles form for various reasons, many people are surprised to learn that scooters aren’t automatically waterproof. If you want a scooter for riding in the rain and/or over wet roads, it’s important to buy a scooter that has been specifically designed for this purpose. Standard electric scooters can be damaged by water, and the warranty won’t cover you if this happens.
Load capacity
Not many people think about this, but electric scooters only support a certain weight. This is typically between 100 and 120 kg. If you weigh more than this, or expecting to carry a heavy load, choosing a scooter with a higher limit is important. It’s possible to ride a scooter regardless of what you weigh but going over the limit is not recommended as it can cause damage to your adult electric scooter. An overloaded scooter won’t reach the highest speeds, won’t accelerate properly, and may have difficulty braking.
Tires
Something you should investigate is the type of tires your electric scooter should have, scooters have either solid or pneumatic tires. Pneumatic or air-filled tires are superior because they offer better shock absorption against the ground. This makes the scooter more comfortable to ride and easier to control. It’s important to note that pneumatic tires require regular maintenance, and some versions are easy to puncture. Solid (or airless tires) don’t require as much maintenance and are popular with people who want a scooter that’s always ready to use. The problem with solid tires is that they offer no shock absorption and are therefore not comfortable to ride on uneven surfaces. You should also make sure your tires are good for off roading as well, if it’s in your daily commute. You don’t have to worry so much about that if you live in a big city with no backroads, but if you plan to travel on any type of dirt, or rugged path, make sure your tires are meant for it.
Brakes
Something people overlook is the type of brakes your vehicle has. When buying a car, you usually don’t worry about the braking system, as long as it works that’s all that matters. In an electric scooter we suggest looking into what braking system it has, there are many different types, but disk brakes are usually the most effective option. Disk brakes consist of a metal disk attached to the tire. To activate the brake, you simply press a hand lever on the handlebars. Disk brakes are recommended because they are reliable and allow you to stop quickly, great for city life and pedestrians popping out of the woodworks.
