I’ve also added an option of multiplying the TS by a price coefficient (PC) to come up with a score representing value the relative (RV) of each scooter compared to the others in the group. With P being price rounded up to the nearest $100, PC = (P - 1500) \ 100, resulting in RV = TS - PC. So a $1,400 Cruiser’s full TS is used to determine RV, while a $3,000+ Wolf King or Phantom Ludo are penalized 15 or so points in RV.
Here are the category descriptions:
Ride Comfort
Without ride comfort, how much does the rest really matter? It’s determined by suspension, tires, deck size and grip, handlebar shape and position, stem solidness, throttle type(thumb, twist are best), throttle response linearity, braking performance, as well as overall scooter handling. The Oxo should take this category with its adjustable rubber suspension great braking and handling. But it’s plastic deck can be slippery, it’s handlebar angle and throttle response are less than optimal, and the poor fender design can prove to be an irritation. Although the Phantom’s quad-spring suspension doesn’t measure up to that of the Oxo, and it rides higher, and overall it isn’t as nimble as the Oxo, it has a firmer stem, more comfortable deck and handlebars, smoother throttle response, and wider tires.
Build Quality
Determined by not only the quality of the components and the overall scooter design, but the way in which the components are assembled. The scooter should have the look, feel and ride of a single unit, rather than a collection of assembled parts. Wires should not be protruding, bolts should not need constant tightening, the stem and handlebars should be firm and solid, and fenders should not rattle when riding. The Oxo scores highest, despite it’s fenders.
Range
No one should buy a scooter without first carefully deciding the minimum range that will be needed. To some of us this is a crucial consideration, and to others it’s down the list. By far the most important and expensive single component in these scooters here is the battery. To take it to the extreme, one way to choose a scooter is to shop for the highest quality and most appropriate battery within one’s battery price range, and then find the best and most appropriate scooter to go with it within one’s price range. The Wolf and Cruiser tie for the top spot.
Power
I don’t personally find much value in the ability to produce excessive top end speed. However, I do see considerable value in having the high grade components, such as battery, motors and controllers, that are needed to produce high end power, even if only half of that power is ever used or needed. These components affect nearly aspect of the overall scooter rating, not just the obvious ones like speed, acceleration, and range. Stressing them less means greater durability and safety, perhaps even better ride comfort, and they offer greater upgradability. And there just may be times when that extra power is actually needed. The Wolf takes this category.
Handling
Some scooters ride low to the road, are quick, nimble, and a sheer joy to ride. Others, like the Wolf, are superior off road but ride high and take a fair amount of effort to manage, proving a bit cumbersome to some riders. Balance, platform height, turning ability, stopping ease and distance, personal body type, size, and weight, it all figures in to this category. The Ox and Oxo score high here.
Features
Things like included accessories, options, warranties, and innovative technologies all might be considered features, and a great many superior features add up, and can make a big difference in overall scooter quality. Some of them, like the Cruiser’s IPx7 rating, I see as a plus quality but question just how well advised it would really be to drive an electric scooter in anything more than a light rain. The Phantom has some slick new gadgetry and lighting. Even though it’s “computer” pales in comparison to what my phone can do, it’s a step in the right direction. More important to me is their thumb throttles, that each of them can accommodate a seat and rear carrier. And the Phantom’s impressive upgrades like a silicone deck surface, greatly reinforced stem, split rims, and 3 ¼ inch wide on/off road tires.
Versatility
There are many roles that scooters can fill. Transportation to/from work, or for short trips or errands, a portable vehicle that can be folded up and easily carried or loaded for transport, a delivery vehicle for work, a comfortable ride for longer trips/excursions, a recreation vehicle, or one for light trail or heavy off-road riding, a toy or fancy gadget to be tinkered with, or just something that looks good to be admired or shown off. All these scooters check most of the boxes here, none check them all. The Cruiser comes close, the Wolf comes close.
Repairability/Upgradeability
Just the discouraging thought of dealing with a flat tire is enough to give the Ox, Phantom, and Oxo scooters the highest scores in this category. They all incorporate technology that facilitates ease of removing the tire from the wheel, changing the tube, and replacing the tire. And this can be done along the road or trail, at the site of the flat. Otherwise the name of this category is self-explanatory, with strength in other categories such as Features and Build Quality/Durability indicating a higher score here.
Safety
Falling from a moving scooter is even more discouraging a though than dealing with a flat tire. It would be easy to say the faster the scooter, the more unsafe it is. But the more powerful scooters also tend to be better able to handle road imperfections and maintain stability under trying circumstances. The Wolf scores high here due to it’s double stem, high deck, 11 inch tires, overall solidarity of build, and impressive lighting. The Cruiser not so much, due to it’s being overall a bit less solid in build than the others. And due to it’s less than nimble handling, the other scooters are better able to avoid potential hazards or other vehicles than the Wolf. The Phantom scores high due to it’s solid stem, silicone deck, wide tires, excellent lighting and handling, and large brake rotors.
Aesthetics
I’ll admit it, if a scooter doesn’t look good, I don’t want to ride it. The manufacturers recognize that we want great stylish scooters, but don’t always think it’s as important as we do. For example, the Cruiser is a bit lacking here, with an outdated design, but it’s so popular that we can’t blame Voro for staying with it. The overall design, colors, materials, and ambiance that a scooter projects are very important. Yes, I want to be able to both both impress others with it and admire it myself, as it glistens in the sunlight.
After the smoke cleared and the totals were computed, the were no surprises. The 4 top total score scooters were the ones that we that we expected to see there, and no one of the 4 really stood out from the others. The Phantom’s score was held down due to it’s mediocre battery and range, the Oxo’s due to it’s lack of upgradability, mediocre lighting, and plastic deck, the Wolf’s due to it’s less than nimble handling, mediocre ride comfort, and difficulty of flat repair, and the Vsett’s due to, well, I guess just because I don’t know enough about it to give it a higher rating.
The RV scores were a different story, dominated by the $1,799 Phantom while the $2,799 Wolf was of a much lower relative value. Of course, of all the scooters here the Wolf offers the combination of serious off-road capability and perhaps the best range.
I realize that my ratings and category descriptions are sure to have inaccuracies, and may even in some cases be totally wrong or useless. For not only is this just a first draft, but I’ve never actually ridden any of there scooters(or any electric scooter, for that matter). In the end, I’m just a writer and researcher, trying to make sense of it all. Every response, be it a comment, correction, or addition, will be welcome.
