We tested: KuKirin S1 Max – cheap city scooter from a well-known manufacturer

A KuKirin S1 Max It won't save the world, but it can be a great help in everyday life in the city.

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Introduction - or what is this article about?

We all sense that urban transportation will never be the same as it was 10-15 years ago. Since electric scooters like the KuKirin S1 Max arrived on the streets, everything changed, so much so that to this day the Hungarian legislator has not been able to decide what exactly an electric scooter is. What we do know for sure is that the KuKirin S1 Max a practical, lightweight, yet durable electric scooter, which has become a city scooter with 350 watts and a range of 39 kilometers.

In recent years, electric micromobility devices have become increasingly popular in urban transportation. As an alternative to slogging through traffic jams and crowded public transportation, electric scooters offer a convenient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for everyday transportation.

I remember writing about it 6-7 years ago, knowing the ticket and pass prices in Budapest, how long it would take to pay back the cost of a scooter. I was shocked (you can imagine). Even back then, the payback was within a reasonable time frame (if my memory serves me correctly, it was one and a half to two years), but since then the situation has only improved. Ticket and pass prices are constantly rising, but scooter prices have somehow remained at the level they were years ago. The KuKirin S1 Max The price is not high either, it targets city commuters with an extremely competitive price.

The KuKirin brand is becoming increasingly well-known in the electric scooter market, especially with their G2 and G3 series, which boast serious performance and reliable assembly quality. The KuKirin S1 Max It represents the entry-level category in the company's offering, yet it has many features that can also be found in more expensive models.

The 36 V, 10,4 Ah battery provides a range of up to 39 kilometers on a single charge (this is the factory data, of course), while the 350 W motor can accelerate the scooter to a speed of 30 km/h (according to the manufacturer). The 8-inch, solid honeycomb pattern wheels provide puncture resistance and a certain degree of comfort, while the rear suspension helps to reduce the vibration caused by road imperfections.

A KuKirin S1 Max It is lightweight, weighing only 16 kg and has a foldable design, making it easy to transport and store. It can be taken on public transport or carried in the trunk of a car. The built-in LED display allows you to always monitor the speed, battery level and the current driving mode.

Safety is ensured by an electronic and physical braking system, while LED lighting at the front and rear ensures nighttime visibility. The scooter has an IP54 protection rating, which means it is resistant to splash water and dust, so it can be used even in slightly damp conditions.

A KuKirin S1 Max It is an ideal choice for those who want an affordable, reliable electric scooter for everyday city transportation, short-distance trips, or to solve the "last mile" problem during their commute.

The “last mile” – the missing link in urban transport

The term “last mile” is often used in the world of electric scooters and refers to the short distance that travelers travel between public transportation hubs (bus stations, tram or metro stations, train stations) and their final destination (home, work, school). This is the section where traditional public transportation is no longer efficient or available, but may still be too long to walk comfortably.

Electric scooters, like the KuKirin S1 Max, fit perfectly into this niche as they are easy to carry on public transport, can be quickly folded and stored in a small space. This allows users to travel longer distances by public transport and then switch to their personal micromobility device for the “last mile”, significantly reducing overall travel time and the burden on urban traffic.

Last mile solutions are gaining popularity as urban mobility patterns change, combining the efficiency of public transport with the flexibility of personal mobility, while offering an environmentally friendly alternative to car use. This is particularly important in densely populated urban areas where parking is a problem, traffic jams are commonplace, and there is a growing demand for more sustainable modes of transport.

KuKirin S1 Max: Compact in form

A KuKirin S1 Max A scooter with a clean, minimalist appearance, which at first glance reveals that we are dealing with a practical electric means of transport designed for urban use. The black base color is made unique by orange design elements, which is a well-recognizable trademark of the Kukirin brand. The scooter is 108 × 50 × 110 cm when opened, while when folded it reduces to 108 × 50 × 46 cm. The extremely lightweight, 16-kilo design helps you to take the folded scooter on a bus, tram or put it in the trunk of your car.

The height of the handlebar will be ideal for many, but not for others, because the height is unfortunately not adjustable. This is somehow a common feature of these stick scooters, which you have to try to live with. The 51 cm wide (narrow) handlebar provides a comfortable grip, with rubberized grips that prevent your hands from slipping in wet weather or with sweaty hands. The handlebars have the throttle lever on the right, the electronic brake lever on the left, which is a push-down, i.e. non-traditional solution. On the right side we find the multi-function power button, and in the middle is the very well-made, but not too complicated central LED display.

The display has a clean look and is relatively visible even in bright sunlight. It displays all the important information: the current speed, battery level, selected riding mode, and distance traveled. The power button not only activates the device, but also allows you to switch between the three speed levels (Eco, Standard, Sport) by pressing it several times, and by pressing it twice, you can turn the front LED lighting on and off (I'll write about other hidden functions below).

A KuKirin S1 Max The tread is quite large, considering that we are talking about a stick scooter. The 61 cm long and 15 cm wide surface is equipped with an anti-slip coating, which ensures safe movement even in wet weather - I insert here because the wheels are not very safe in wet weather, so just use it carefully when it rains. On the right side of the scooter is a practical support, which ensures a stable position on a flat surface when parking. A KuKirin brand logo has also been placed on the front of the structure and on the rear fender, reinforcing the attractive appearance.

The scooter has 8-inch, solid honeycomb pattern wheels that are puncture-resistant, so you don't have to worry about punctures. On the other hand, they are quite hard, so despite the honeycomb pattern, they don't dampen road irregularities much. The wheels are equipped with orange decorative elements, which not only serves aesthetic purposes, but also improves the scooter's visibility. The front wheel is conventional, while the rear wheel houses the 350 W motor, which is responsible for the drive.

The charging port is located on the left side of the scooter, in front of the pedal, with a protective cover to protect against moisture. The battery is charged with the included charger, which fully charges the 7 V, 8 Ah battery in 36-10,4 hours. The LED rear light is located on the rear of the scooter, which is automatically activated (flashes) when braking, increasing safety at night or in poor visibility conditions.

A KuKirin S1 Max Its weight of only 16 kg and its intelligent folding mechanism make it particularly practical. To fold, you first unlock the safety lock and then tilt the handle bar forward, allowing the handle bar to fold back, which can be attached to the rear fender with a hook. This double safety mechanism prevents the scooter from accidentally folding during use, while at the same time allowing it to be folded in seconds and easily transported.

KuKirin S1 Max in numbers: Performance, range and everything that matters

A KuKirin S1 Max It is powered by a 350 W nominal power (peak 500 W) brushless motor, which is usually enough power for everyday urban transportation. This motor can deliver up to 19 Nm of torque, which, according to the factory specification, allows it to climb 15-degree (≤15°) slopes. The scooter's maximum speed is factory-limited to 25 km/h in accordance with European regulations, but it can reach speeds of up to 30 km/h without limitation, according to the manufacturer.

The power supply is provided by a 36 V, 10,4 Ah lithium-ion battery, which is equipped with a BMS (Battery Management System) protection system. This battery can provide a range of up to 39 kilometers under optimal conditions (i.e. on a test bench), although the actual range depends largely on the user's weight, terrain conditions, temperature and the selected speed. The manufacturer conducted its tests with the usual 65 kg load (this could be the weight of an average adult Chinese man), at a temperature between 5-25°C, on a hard surface, in second gear.

The scooter has three different speed settings. The first setting is 15 km/h, the second setting is 20 km/h, while the third setting allows for speeds of 25 km/h with a limit and up to 30 km/h without a limit. According to the paper form.

A KuKirin S1 Max The braking system consists of two elements: an electronic brake and an auxiliary mechanical brake. The electronic brake is activated by pressing the left brake lever, while the auxiliary brake is activated by pressing the rear fender and the wheel. The combination of the two allows for fairly effective braking, although the braking distance may increase on slopes and at higher speeds. When the braking system is activated, the rear LED light automatically lights up, increasing visibility and safety.

The electric scooter has an IP54 protection rating, which means it is protected against dust and splashes of water, so it can be used in slightly damp conditions, but it is not recommended to use it in heavy rain or when immersed in water. Charging is via a 100-240V AC mains using the included 2,0A charger, and a full charge takes approximately 7-8 hours.

The scooter's frame is made of iron, which ensures proper stability and durability. Its total weight, as I wrote above, is 16 kg, and its maximum load capacity is 100 kg.

KuKirin S1 Max: hidden settings

A KuKirin S1 Max It does not have a separate mobile app and Bluetooth connection, but its on-board system offers a number of functions that can be accessed via the multifunction button on the central control panel. The system provides a simple, yet well-thought-out and practical interface on the central display that does not require any special technical knowledge.

The scooter's central control unit is the power button, which performs many functions. A single short press allows you to switch between the three speed levels (Eco, Standard, Sport), allowing you to optimize performance and range for different usage conditions. A double quick press of the button turns the front LED light on or off, which is especially useful for evening or early morning rides.

A KuKirin S1 Max The on-board system also has some lesser-known, but more useful functions. By pressing the power button three times in quick succession, you can activate the cruise control function. A very small icon will then appear on the display, and if the scooter is moving at a certain speed for a long time, the icon will stop flashing, indicating that the cruise control is active. This function can be particularly convenient when driving on long, straight sections, as you do not have to keep the throttle pressed. To turn off the cruise control, simply press the power button three times again.

Another hidden feature is the “kick-to-start” mode, which can be activated or deactivated by quickly pressing the power button five times. This safety feature prevents the scooter from accidentally starting, as it only starts moving after the user has given it an initial boost by kicking it with their foot. This feature can be especially useful in busy areas or for those who are using an electric scooter for the first time.

By pressing the power button six times quickly, you can turn the speed limit mode on or off. By default, the scooter is limited to 25 km/h in accordance with most European regulations, but this limit can be unlocked if local regulations allow it or if the vehicle is used in private areas. By unlocking the limit, the KuKirin S1 Max It can reach speeds of up to 28-30 km/h in ideal conditions.

Yes, you see, I missed pressing the button four times, but the reason for this is simple, this way we can switch between Km/h and Mph. The former will be good for us.

A KuKirin S1 Max Its LED display always shows the current speed, the battery charge level (in graphic form and, what deserves a big red dot, in voltage value), the active gear, and the total distance covered by the scooter. The display also provides visual feedback with the help of small icons about the activated functions: it shows if the lights are on, if the brake is used, or if the cruise control is active. The display is relatively visible even in bright sunlight, and at night it automatically optimizes its brightness so as not to blind the user.

KuKirin S1 Max in practice: here are the experiences

A KuKirin S1 Max When I first tried it, I was surprised by its lightness. Lately, I have had much heavier people visiting me, so with a weight of 16 kg, this is truly one of the lightest electric scooters I have ever tested. Assembly was extremely easy: using the hex key in the package and the six screws included, I connected the handlebar to the main frame of the scooter in a few minutes, connected an electric cable, and was ready for my first test ride.

After turning on the scooter, the practicality of the central display was immediately apparent. This was perhaps the first noticeable sign that I was not riding a noname scooter. The small but shapely, eye-catching display clearly shows the speed, battery charge level and current riding mode, and, as I wrote above, the battery charge is also displayed in voltage, which gives a much more accurate feedback than if the panel indicated the charge with 3-5 small lines.

On the first ride, I pushed the max cocoa, choosing the highest, third gear, to see what this 350 W motor is capable of. On flat terrain, the scooter easily reached a speed of 25 km/h (with the limited version), while in the unlocked state the display once showed 28 km/h. True, for a short time. This is not crazy, but due to the size of the scooter, the small wheels and the narrow handlebar, this is MORE than enough! This speed is perfectly sufficient for city traffic, and in many cases it can even be too fast in busy areas.

What surprised me was the torque of the engine. Obviously it's not a powerhouse, but since I've been on similar scooters, I know that compared to them, the little one is quite lively. It's important that it coped with the 15-degree inclines specified by the factory, although it slowed down significantly at the top of the incline. With my current weight of 95 kg (where is the beach season?), I could only reach a speed of 16 kilometers on smaller inclines, and on larger ones (about 15 percent) this dropped to below 10 km per hour. In other words, let's say it calmly: The 15-degree incline was completed, but the progress can only be described as a slog.

It's important to note that you can expect better results with a lower body weight, maybe I should lose a little weight.

The advantage of the 8-inch solid tires is that you never have to worry about a flat tire, but they noticeably transmit every bump or bump in the road to your hands. The ride is absolutely comfortable on smooth asphalt, but as soon as I got to a rougher section of road, the scooter responded to every small crack, pebble, and road defect. The rear spring shock absorber helps a little, but it can't do miracles, to put it mildly. If I'm being honest, it's as if it didn't exist. Of course, this could also be because the scooter wasn't sized for my body weight.

So, regarding the suspension, it can be safely said that the KuKirin S1 Max It is more suitable for good city roads, not dirt roads or poor quality asphalt. The latter can be particularly dangerous due to the small wheels, as the 8-inch wheel can get stuck in larger holes.

My experiences with the brake system are mixed. On flat terrain, the electronic brake produced a decent, but not very strong braking effect, but combined with pressing down on the rear fender, it provided quite effective deceleration. However, on a slope, at higher speeds, the braking distance increased significantly (SIGNIFICANTLY). When braking at a speed of 25-27 km/h, a braking distance of 10 meters is already more than enough, so it can be calculated well in advance for city traffic.

I note that this data also shows that a speed of 25-30 kilometers per hour is enough for these small scooters, and using them above that would be downright dangerous. The design of the brake lever may be unusual for those who are used to traditional brakes. The electric brake is like this, we only have to press a small lever and the braking effect will have nothing to do with the strength of pressing the brake lever, meaning that no matter how hard you press, the brake will not be stronger than with a mechanical brake.

The battery performance largely met my initial expectations, as I have never encountered a scooter that could achieve the factory range under me. KuKirin S1 Max was no exception. With mixed use, at medium speed, I was able to travel about 24 kilometers on a single charge. This is usually less than the 39 kilometers promised by the manufacturer, but considering that I do not weigh 65 kilograms and that I do not usually drive economically during the test, the result was ultimately acceptable.

The scooter's lighting was a pleasant surprise. The front LED light, despite being small, is surprisingly bright. The rear light activates when braking, increasing visibility and safety. The orange rim on the wheels somewhat improves the scooter's visibility from the side, which can be useful in city traffic.

The cruise control feature, which can be activated by pressing the power button three times, can be useful on longer, straight sections. However, I absolutely hate the cruise control on these scooters because I constantly forget it's on and the scooter just keeps going no matter how much I let go of the throttle. Of course, this is just my stupidity, if it doesn't bother you, feel free to use it.

Extra safety is provided by the “kick-to-start” function, which can be turned on or off by pressing the button five times. I always turn this off because it is annoying when the scooter does not start immediately (from a standing position) when I press the throttle. In fact, this function eliminates accidental starting, meaning that it cannot happen that you are not standing on the scooter and the scooter starts because of the throttle accidentally pressed.

Due to my height (184 cm), the height and width of the scooter's handlebars were not ideal for me, but knowing that all stick scooters are like this, I was not surprised by this. It is important to emphasize here that this is a LAST MILE device, meaning that you will most likely not ride more than 10 kilometers with it, max 1-2 kilometers, and that too in the city, often stopping and starting.

So even though the narrow and low handlebars are a bit uncomfortable, if you don't want to go hiking with the bike, you won't really notice it. And believe me, I'm not writing this to excuse the scooter, it's a fact, it needs to be in place. KuKirin S1 MaxIf you use (and buy) it for what it was designed for, you won't find it terribly uncomfortable, even at a height of 185 cm.

The folding mechanism felt stable and reliable. The dual safety system prevents the scooter from accidentally folding during use, while allowing it to be folded in seconds. It is easy to carry when folded, although its weight of 16 kg can still be a challenge to carry over long distances, especially up stairs.

Sum it!

KuKirin S1 Max: just an entry-level scooter?

A KuKirin S1 Max electric scooter clearly represents the affordable, entry-level category and stands its ground in this segment. Its 350 W motor, 8-inch puncture-proof wheels and a theoretical range of 39 km provide a basic equipment that is sufficient for everyday city transportation. Its price range of under 120.000 HUF is competitive, especially when we consider the quality assembly and reliability of the scooter.

A KuKirin S1 Max Its main strengths include its light weight of 16 kg, its simple folding mechanism and its practical design. These features make it particularly valuable for those who would use it in combination with public transport, or who often have to carry it up and down stairs or store it in small spaces. The solid tires are also an advantage in terms of maintenance, as you don't have to worry about punctures.

However, the scooter's limitations should not be ignored. The solid wheels noticeably transmit any road irregularities, despite the rear spring shock absorber. The brake system, although functional, results in a long braking distance on slopes and at higher speeds, which can be a safety risk in urban environments. The height and width of the handlebars are also not ideal for taller users, and with a load capacity of 100 kg, the performance is already noticeably reduced, especially on slopes.

The real-world range is around 39-15 km, rather than the manufacturer's promised 25 km, depending on load, terrain conditions, and driving style. This should still be sufficient for most urban routes, but for regular, longer-term use, you may want to choose a model with a larger battery capacity.

In summary, the KuKirin S1 Max a stick scooter from a more well-known manufacturer, with all its advantages and disadvantages. It is important to note that due to the better-known brand name, we did not get a significantly higher price (about 10 percent) compared to the no-name competitors. However, this price difference means that for a slightly higher amount we get a decently assembled machine, with a reliable supply of parts expected for many years. It is also important to note that due to the already low price, this 10 percent difference is not significant, we are talking about only 10-15 thousand frits, and I am sure that this much will be worth it for many to be able to ride the roads on a product from a better-known, reliable manufacturer. In other words, the last kilometers or miles of their journey.

If you liked the scooter, then the NNNKUKS1MHU You can order it from the EU warehouse for 115 forints with the coupon code. Shipping is free, you don't have to worry about other costs, extra customs duties, or VAT!

Buy by clicking on the link below:

KuKirin S1 Max electric scooter

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Frequently asked questions about the KuKirin S1 Max electric scooter

1. What is the maximum speed of the KuKirin S1 Max? The KuKirin S1 Max is officially limited to 25 km/h according to European regulations, but in unlimited mode it can reach speeds of up to 28-30 km/h.

2. What is the real range of the KuKirin S1 Max? Although the manufacturer promises a range of 39 km, in reality this usually ranges between 15-25 km, depending on the user's weight, terrain conditions, temperature and the selected speed gear.

3. How many kilograms does the KuKirin S1 Max weigh? The KuKirin S1 Max weighs only 16 kg, which is considered particularly light among electric scooters and makes it easy to carry.

4. How long does it take to fully charge the KuKirin S1 Max battery? A full charge with the included charger takes about 7-8 hours, so it is a good idea to charge the scooter at night.

5. What steep climbs can the KuKirin S1 Max handle? According to the manufacturer, the KuKirin S1 Max can handle inclines of up to 15 degrees (≤15°), but this performance may decrease with higher body weight and it may slow down significantly on inclines.

6. Is the KuKirin S1 Max waterproof? The KuKirin S1 Max has an IP54 protection rating, which means it is resistant to splashes of water and dust, but not waterproof, so it is not recommended to use it in heavy rain or when submerged in water.

7. How to activate the cruise control function on the KuKirin S1 Max scooter? To activate the cruise control function, press the power button three times in quick succession. When the icon on the display stops flashing, the cruise control is activated.

8. What is the wheel size of the KuKirin S1 Max? The KuKirin S1 Max is equipped with 8-inch solid honeycomb pattern wheels that are puncture-resistant.

9. What height of users is the KuKirin S1 Max recommended for? The KuKirin S1 Max is best suited for users of average or shorter stature, up to a height of approximately 175-180 cm. For taller users, the height and width of the handlebars may be uncomfortable.

10. What speed settings does the KuKirin S1 Max have? The KuKirin S1 Max has three speed levels: first level is 15 km/h, second level is 20 km/h, while third level allows speeds of 25 km/h with a limit and up to 30 km/h without a limit.