An electric scooter is a less-tiring and environmentally friendly alternative to vehicles that run on gasoline. It runs much faster than a bicycle and can be a more comfortable ride than a motorcycle. (Read our guide on learning how to ride a scooter.)
Some of the factors you will need to consider before splurging on an E-scooter are speed, range, weight, size among many others. You want to find the right fit for you, and what’s right for you might not be right for another.
Based on these factors and others that we will introduce, you can find the perfect one to match your lifestyle and needs.
What to Look for When Buying an Electric Scooter
Comfort
Although our list isn’t in a specific order, we thought we would put comfort first because that’s what we all look for in a vehicle, right? There is no point in spending thousands of dollars on an e-scooter than runs fast but splits your tailbone in two.
For comfort, there are a few things to consider:
Wheel Size
The size of the wheel is important when it comes to supporting your weight. Look for nothing less than 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
Air-Filled Tires
Air-filled tires give a smoother ride but are susceptible to punctures but there are ways around that, such as puncture prevention fluid.
Suspension
We cannot stress the importance of a robust suspension system. You will feel the vibration and the bumps of a ride less, but only if it’s paired with good-sized tires.
Brakes
We’d argue that this point goes hand in hand with the first one. Brakes are what can save your life on the road when sudden objects appear in front of you.
There are 2 main types of brakes:
Disk Brakes
This is quite commonly seen and is the best option. They have a tight grip on your wheel and are very sensitive. Remember to get them serviced from time to time.
Electric Brakes
Not much maintenance is needed with this option, but they are much less effective than the first option.
Range
This defines how far you can ride your e-scooter on a single full charge. The manufacturer should be able to give you an accurate quote.
Their estimates are usually based on an average person's weight riding on smooth ground with a new battery. Your battery life will slowly diminish over time, and if you are an extremely light person as opposed to a heavier set individual, chances are your range will be further.
Brand
People may have a stigma against products made from Asia, but in reality, factories in that region are responsible for producing products that you and I have come to deem as reliable, such as Apple products.
Even though an E scooter is a relatively new concept, many brands such as Gogoro (a Taiwanese brand), Vespa, Yamaha, and other trusted brands should be your first choice. They have a quality build and great warranties and customer service. Plus, these electric bikes cost way better.
Warranty
Speaking of the warranty, your purchase needs to be complete with product warranties and customer satisfaction guarantees. You don't want to be plunking down a few thousand dollars on a company that might not be in business a few years down the line.
Hopefully, the company has a branch close to your home so in case you do need to take it in for a fix-up, your E scooter doesn't need to be sent halfway across the world.
Don't buy cheap alternatives
In the world we live in today, copies and dupes are often seen in all industries. You might think saving a few hundred or a few thousand could be worth downgrading to a random model that resembles one from a top brand, but you will be sorry.
They are generally built from cheap materials (sometimes even plastic) and will not have the quality features bigger brands have.
If you're planning to buy a 50cc scooter, check if the 50cc scooter has a title.
Size
Electric scooters come in different sizes as well. Regular scooters are measured by cc (cubic centimeters), their engine volume. Regular scooters can range from 50 to 250cc and anything above that are considered maxi-scooters.
You can find the sizing equivalent in speed. For example, an E scooter speed of 30mph is roughly the equivalent of a 50cc. Determine the right size for you with the speed of the E scooter.
Aesthetics
One of the last things to consider when buying a vehicle is the outer appearance. Although we bet more than a lot of us put emphasis on this point. Most scooters come in a wide range of colors and styles, so you just need to find the right one for you.
Bear in mind that it's possible to customize and alter the appearance of your scooter years down the line. Get a new paint job, switch out the seats, put in a scooter mat, etc.
Storage
Similar to regular scooters, E scooters have storage under the seat. This is a good place to store a raincoat, umbrella, helmet or put your personal items. We don’t recommend putting anything of great value under the seat because it seems quite easy to get into.
Some E-scooters also have a hook right under the speedometer to hook your shopping bags and/or your purse.
Accessories
When you purchase your scooter, the manufacturer could potentially throw in certain accessories to sweeten the deal such as a seat cover or even a cell phone mount. These freebies are not as important as a helmet, which is the most important accessory of all.
Conclusion
Electric scooters are all the rage now with new releases from Yamaha and Kymco every year. You can bet that these trusted companies are perfecting the technology year by year, swearing to produce quality products for their clients.
If budget restrains you, you can also fins other options, just check how much an electric bike costs and see whether it it from a reputable brand. Uprising Chinese companies offer some models that are good enough for their cheap price.
Another thing to consider is how eco-friendly your city is. In Hong Kong, the people are avid fans of Tesla and charging ports can be found in most if not all parking lots. The same cannot yet be said of electric scooters, and charging could cost an arm and a leg, but nothing compares to protecting the environment.