Conscious scooter shopping - 5 points you should pay attention to!

We'll help you choose the best so that you don't have to walk if you run out of gas!

You can get a million and one types of scooters. Stronger, weaker, small-wheel and large-wheel, balloon tires and honeycomb pattern roads, electric brakes or disc brakes. There are many variations and combinations of them waiting for us, so it is difficult for those who are inexperienced in roller skating to choose.

In this article, we try to show direction by highlighting 5 abilities that can decide whether a specific scooter will be right for you. We also give tips for each version, show examples of everything, and try to select the cheapest possible solutions from the given segment.

We show scooters for commuting to work, for covering shorter or longer distances, for better or worse road conditions, as well as ones that may be suitable for spending free time, or even for nature walks.

Moreover, we will also briefly summarize what legislation currently applies to scooters and scooter transport, as well as what rules we can prepare for in the near future!

What is a scooter according to KRESZ, and what rules apply to it?

Let's start the article with what a roller is! The most important thing is that, contrary to the information circulating on the Internet, at the time of writing this article, KRESZ does not know this vehicle class, that is, the scooter does not officially exist.

The reason for this is simple. It has two wheels, an engine, but no pedals or seat. In other words, it cannot be a bicycle, an electric bicycle or a moped. There is nothing else to choose from. So, at the moment, electric scooters cannot be classified in any vehicle class.

For this reason, there are no restrictions on performance, speed, or where we can drive with it. Of course, the KRESZ has other rules that still apply to it. For example, we can't take them onto the highway if they can't drive at least 60 kilometers per hour, because you can only drive on the highway with a vehicle that can reach 60 kilometers per hour under its own power. You can't drink alcohol when you're rollerblading, and I could go on.

However, while there is a clear rule for electric bicycles as to what means of transport can be called an electric bicycle, there is currently no such rule for scooters!

There is, however, a draft law that describes the rules quite clearly, and since its contents are quite logical, we can assume that these rules will remain in the future, if the draft is no longer just a draft.

According to this, the electric scooter can be small or high-powered. The former can travel in a similar way to electric bicycles, while the latter will be subject to the same rules as mopeds (in general).

The maximum power of the low-power scooters will be 350 watts, and the electric assistance can operate up to a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. With these scooters, we will be able to use the bike paths and we don't need an exam, insurance, or anything else.

If the performance of the scooter and/or the upper limit of the assistance is higher than these values, the rules applicable to the moped will apply. In other words, you cannot use a cycle path, protective equipment will be mandatory, you must have a driver's license of the auxiliary motorcycle (or higher) category, you must have compulsory insurance, front and rear lights and brake lights.

In my articles and videos, I have described it several times, I have already said that it is not at all stupid to set the upper limit of the performance at this level, because scooters with more power than 350 watts require intelligence, experience, and calmness. The electric scooter is not a toy, but the high-performance ones are definitely not, they are full-fledged means of transport that can be used even in normal city traffic without any problems.

What data do manufacturers provide for scooters, and how real are they?

The most important data provided by the manufacturers are the engine power, battery capacity, maximum speed, maximum range with one charge, maximum climbing angle and maximum load capacity.

The manufacturers calculate these data using test bench measurements, and in most cases they calculate with a body weight of 65 kilos. What it means?

In short, this means that the specified top speed can be reached by a 65-kilogram (or lighter) person, and the specified range is reached by a 65-kilogram body weight, on a road without ups and downs, without braking, slowing down, or accelerating.

In other words, the data provided by the manufacturer can only be considered informative.

What is the real data? In urban traffic, we constantly brake and accelerate, there are smaller or larger ups and downs, and our body weight is not the same as that of a full-grown Chinese, that is, we are predominantly heavier than 65 kilos. Ladies may be an exception to the latter, but it is inappropriate to ask them about weight.

If a manufacturer says that their scooter can travel 60 kilometers on a single charge, then we can realistically count on 40 kilometers, if we are physically fit, then we can easily halve the range given by the factory.

Fortunately, external factors do not have such a large effect on the top speed, at most when going uphill. In the case of a larger body weight, we can count on a 10-20 percent minus, which is still a tolerable amount.

The actual angle of the ascent that can be climbed will be influenced by the mass of our body, so I cannot set an exact ratio for this, it will be different for everyone.

The other data are correct, i.e. the performance, battery capacity, these are given.

What does the performance given for scooters mean, and how much of it do you need?

An average scooter these days has 350 watts. According to the above, this still fits into the low-power category according to the expected regulations. However, 350 watts is not a lot, and it may even be too little in the case of a larger body weight.

So, if you're looking for a scooter, think about the route you'll be using the most. On flat roads or very minimal climbs, 350 watts will be enough. However, if you want to climb moderate climbs, you will find it lacking. Of course, body weight also matters, barely on a flat road, and exponentially so when going uphill.

So, at around 100 kilos, 350 watts won't be enough for anything if you're pushing the scooter.

So the point is, in the majority of cases, 350 watts will be enough for you, up to a body weight of 120 kilos, with these you can reach a speed of 20-25 kilometers per hour, that is, it will be suitable for you in the city. In other cases, it is worth looking among the more powerful scooters, even if this runs into the "difficulties" described in the regulations.

What wheel size and type do you choose?

Today's scooters are mostly equipped with 8- or 10-inch wheels, among which you can also find puncture-proof or balloon ones. The puncture-proof tires also include the ones with a honeycomb pattern, they are tubeless, you don't need to blow air into them, and you'll never get a flat tire.

The hose ones are the usual two-layer solutions, that is, a harder running surface on the outside and an inflatable hose on the inside. These can also puncture, so it doesn't hurt if you can repair a puncture.

The advantage of a puncture-proof tire is that it does not blow out, the disadvantage is that it does not really spring. The advantage of the hose is that it absorbs shocks and vibrations caused by minor road defects, the disadvantage is that it can puncture.

If the road is of good quality and you cover short distances, a maximum of 5-6 kilometers, then feel free to buy the one equipped with puncture-proof wheels, even with an 8-inch wheel size. If the road is not perfect, or the distance traveled is more like 6-10 or more kilometers, then choose the hose, preferably with a 10-inch wheel size! In such a case, it does not hurt if the scooter has front and/or rear shock absorption.

Don't be alarmed by the lack of a shock absorber if the wheel is tubed, with normal road quality this will be enough.

The point is that the scooter's small wheels cause a lot of vibrations from the road, which quickly makes our feet and hands tired and numb. This is not a problem at short distances, but it is extremely disturbing at medium or longer distances.

What kind of brakes are there and which one will be right for you?

I will not divide the article into another topic according to whether the drive - i.e. the engine - is in the front or rear wheel, but in this chapter, because of the brakes, I have to cover that as well. With the engine brake, it can be particularly unpleasant if it is in front of the engine. This is not a problem with lower-powered scooters, but with larger ones, you have to get used to not falling over the steering wheel when braking hard.

Most scooters have disc brakes. These can be on the front and/or rear wheel. Disc brakes can be complemented by an engine brake. This is called a dual brake. For these dual braking systems, we can find the term e-ABS. This is essentially an anti-locking device that can only work with the driven wheel, i.e. the motorized wheel, since blocking is prevented by the engine.

You can only find electric brakes on lower performance scooters. Again, these are devices suitable for short distances, usually without hoses, equipped with 8-inch wheels. You can easily choose this for the city and good road conditions, you can save a lot of money because they are the cheapest and have the lowest maintenance costs. You will not have a defect and the brake pads will not wear out either.

In addition to greater power and speed, you need a disc brake and/or a disc brake + motor brake combo, but of course 350 watts doesn't hurt either.

So the bottom line is this: For short distances (max. 5-6 Km), feel free to take the cheapest one, where the engine brake will also be enough. In addition to worse road conditions, typically for distances of 5+ kilometers, choose the disc brake or the disc brake + electric brake combination.

What do you choose for the city and what for other environments?

There must be a sharp separation between urban and other, e.g. tools for use in forested terrain. This does not mean that you cannot drive in the city with an all-terrain scooter, but the reverse is not always true, i.e. it is not necessarily a good idea to go out into the forest with a city scooter.

From the above, it has already become clear what urban scooters can be like, and also that you have to take into account how much distance you want to cover per day and what road conditions await you. You will be able to choose accordingly. I don't even want to write more about this, I'd rather write a few sentences about off-road scooters.

So, off-roading or longer distances, even 20-50 kilometers, requires a completely different category. These scooters are almost without exception 500+ watts, there are often double-motor versions as well. They are quite big, quite heavy, the battery is big, the distance that can be covered is long, there is serious shock absorption and there are thick, bumpy tires (but you can choose thick but smooth city tires for them).

It is very important that these scooters (although some of them are "choked" from the factory) already belong to the high-performance scooters. Even the relatively small, 500-watt units are capable of a top speed of 45-50 kilometers, the larger, several-thousand-watt units can travel at speeds of up to 80-100 kilometers.

It is definitely important to point out that these are no longer pieces for children!

However, there are cases when I can't wholeheartedly recommend a scooter with 350 watts or less, only the ones with higher power, even if this involves some sacrifices on the part of the user later on, to say the least, you need at least one scooter with an auxiliary motor. If you have a larger category A or B, that will also be enough.

If you live in a place with a lot of hills, you won't like 350 watts. If you typically have to cover longer distances, you will still find 350 watts insufficient. If the road conditions are bad, maybe there are no bike paths everywhere and you are forced between cars, 350 watts won't be enough either. If your body weight exceeds 100 kilos, you must again choose a larger scooter.

In other words, you don't have to go off-road or walk through the forest with a high-performance scooter, it might be nice to go to work as well, and it doesn't hurt if it has a seat so you can sit down sometimes, if the road allows.

Repairs, servicing, or should we be afraid of foreign purchases or Chinese scooters that are less well-known at home but available at a good price?

This is a sensitive topic, and there will certainly be many who disagree with me on certain issues, but that's fine, if everyone thought the same way, the world would be boring.

A lot of people say that you should only buy branded ones, because they are built in such a way that, well, that's it. They don't fall apart, they don't get damaged, and the battery lasts forever. Well, that's how stupid it is.

Most scooters, branded or unbranded, are well built. In most cases, cheaper battery cells are used in cheap scooters, the disc brakes or shock absorbers may not be branded, but approx. that's the difference.

In practice, this means that, for example, for a branded scooter, 1000 out of 1000 units sold will break during the first 10 kilometers, while 1000 or 20 out of 30 units will break down for the cheaper ones. This can be a double or even triple difference if we look at the number of broken units, but compared to the number of machines sold, this is also insignificant.

Of course, this is not data written on the basis of research, I'm just trying to simply explain the difference between expensive and cheap.

It is important to know that for both expensive and cheap scooters, components, electronics, lights, and brake parts can be obtained from foreign online stores.

In other words, these are completely standard parts, you buy them, replace them, or have them replaced by a mechanic if they break down. The bigger issue is the battery.

As with cars, the battery packs are made up of cells. These are standardized cells, interchangeable. In other words, unless the entire pack has burned down, a specialist can measure the defective cells and replace them within the battery pack. It's not a devilish thing, but you have to understand it.

In other words, the battery is the thing you should worry about the least, because while a standard cell will be "always", a motor controller, for example, may no longer be on the market in 5 years, even if you chose a scooter from a better-known company.

My advice is to buy branded if you can, but at all costs. Read up on the chosen type online, if you don't know it, and if the experiences are basically good, then instead of the brand name, pay for extra services, pay for better shock absorption, higher performance, or simply save money by buying the cheaper one.

It is not uncommon for the price of a branded scooter to cost two or even two and a half from lesser-known manufacturers. I usually say that if you buy a cheap one, you can also buy a second one as a spare, which you don't even open, and you still got it cheaper than with a branded one.

Examples of different scooters

Cheap scooters for short distances

I tried not to choose from the bottom of the range. The following pieces fit into the low-performance category in terms of performance and top speed. They are equipped with explosion-proof, small wheels, no shock absorption. They will be suitable for shorter distances, 5-6 kilometers.

MEGAWHEELS S10

250 watt, with 8,5-inch puncture-proof wheels, rear-wheel drive and engine brake. The maximum speed is 25 kilometers per hour, the maximum distance covered is 177-22 kilometers. These are the factory data.

Based on the above, I dare to recommend this scooter for covering distances of 5-6 kilometers on a bicycle path or on high-quality asphalt. There is no shock absorption, the tires are not balloon-shaped, so realistically you can travel 10-15 kilometers on one charge, but it will not be comfortable enough for that.

But, as I wrote above, you shouldn't be afraid of this category, you just need to know what it can be used for normally. In the city (not necessarily in the capital), going to work 5-6 kilometers and then home in the afternoon is enough for most of us. If not, you will find the right vehicle for you in the next chapter.

The price of this scooter is BG31d629 117 forints from a Czech warehouse with a coupon code by clicking on the link below:

MEGAWHEELS S10

Hopthink HT-T4

I would rather stay with this one if I had to decide in this category. At first glance, we are dealing with a perfect Xiaomi clone, which has very good customer feedback. Its capabilities are better than the previous one and its price is the same.

It is already 350 watts, the maximum speed here is also 25 km/h, but according to the factory data, the possible distance is 32 kilometers, so in practice I get 20-24 kilometers depending on body weight. Of course, it will be much less uphill.

This front wheel has the drive, the wheels are also puncture-proof, and the rear wheel has a disc brake.

The price of this scooter delivered from the Czech warehouse is a BGd4284d 115 forints with a coupon code at the link below:

Hopthink HT-T4

AOVOPRO ES80

Thirdly, another Xiaomi clone. If you look at the pictures, you will see that it is almost identical to the previous piece both externally and internally. Almost, because the battery pack in this one has a larger capacity, so it's also slightly more expensive.

The motor's output here is also 350 watts, the wheels are again 8,5 inches and puncture-proof, but the manufacturer dared to give a range of 25-35 kilometers due to the larger battery pack. If I had to guess, I would say that this is closer to reality than the 32 kilometers given for the previous model. In reality, I would expect somewhere between 23-28 kilometers with this battery pack.

The price of the scooter from the Czech warehouse is a BG1ef37f with coupon code 125 thousand forints here:

AOVOPRO ES80

City scooters for medium distances

The average distance for me is 15-18 kilometers at most. This is not affected by the strength of the engine or the specified range, but rather by the wheels the scooter was equipped with. I do not recommend puncture-proof tires for such distances.

Hopthink HT-T4 MAX

There was also a Hopthink roller in the previous category, this is its bigger brother. Outwardly, they are not very different. Of course, the MAX is slightly larger, since it is already equipped with 10-inch wheels, and these scooters are usually a little bigger than 8-inch ones.

The motor here is also 350 watts, there is no disc brake, we get a fairly strong motor brake on the rear wheel. The battery pack is large, so they promise a range of 45-55 kilometers with this scooter. The realistic one might be around 30, but that's not enough.

The scooter received CE certification, which means it complies with EU regulations. In addition to the 350 watt motor, the speed is regulated at 25 kilometers per hour, but the manufacturer also gives a speed of 33 km/h, so I suspect that the 25 lock was inserted and unlocked only because of the EU, as with many other scooters.

Overall, I see this scooter as suitable for traveling medium distances, which in practice means that we can even cross Budapest from north to south or vice versa with one charge.

The price of this scooter from the Czech warehouse is Bgd3d7c5 with coupon code 178 thousand forints here:

Hopthink HT-T4 MAX

Kugoo Kirin S4

My second tip for this category came from a company called Kugoo, which is much better known in Hungary. I was lucky enough to try the KugooKirin S4, I also made a test and a video about it, so I can give a first-hand opinion.

The scooter is made of very good materials, all external parts and covers are made of metal, there are no rattling or breaking plastics anywhere. Engine brake+disc brake works on the rear wheel, and we also get e-ABS. Its real specialty is the dashboard, which has become huge compared to the usual, so we can read a lot of data from it at the same time.

The motor here is also 350 watts, the battery pack is a little smaller than in the previous machine, so the range is also less, 40 km. The maximum speed is 35 kilometers per hour, but its load capacity is only 100 kilograms.

It's an amazingly stress-free scooter, it accelerates very gently, and the brake is enough for it, so it can also be a good choice for medium distances. You can count on roughly 20-22 kilometers with a charge of 100 kilos, the result is much better with a smaller body weight.

The price BG40d205 with coupon code, 145 forints from a Czech warehouse, that is, to say the least, friendly. Purchase at the following link:

Kugoo Kirin S4

City scooter for long distances

I recommend three scooters in this category as well. Two of these are larger than the previous ones at 500 and 60 watts, and the third is at 1200 watts, which will be quite a tough piece at a relatively cheap price!

Iscooter Ix4 – 500 watts

This is the scooter that, in my opinion, is enough for almost everything. With the powerful 500-watt motor, speeds of 35-40 kilometers per hour are already available, loads of up to 120 kilos are possible, and even a 10-degree incline is no obstacle. There is shock absorption at the front and back, plus the 45-inch wheels tuned for the city are equipped with tubes, so even the maximum range of 30 kilometers specified in the factory data would not be too tiring with this scooter. Of course, you shouldn't believe the factory data here either, I feel that the XNUMX kilometer range may be closer to reality, but that's not enough either.

It looks good, it has everything you need, it has normal brakes, it has adequate but not too much power, and it also has a seat if you want to switch to a scooter position in between.

The price of this scooter from the Czech warehouse is BG30722a with coupon code HUF 251. Purchase at the following link:

Ix4 scooter

Iscooter Ix5 – 600 watts

The bigger brother of the previous scooter, we get a bit more of everything. More serious shock absorption, off-road tires, durable frame that can be loaded off-road. Anyway, we can load this up to 150 kilos, but if we use the maximum load (that is, we weigh 120+ kilos), then it can be a little better than the little one, because the motor is 500 watts instead of 600.

According to the factory data, there is also a range of 45 kilometers here, but the climbable incline is not 30, but 35 degrees. It also has IP54 water resistance, a seat is provided for this as well, and on the steering wheel you can monitor not only the charge, but also the battery voltage. All in all, this is a tool that can be used for mixed use, both in the field and in the city. Unfortunately, the price is also a bit higher, because the BG959e25 with a coupon code, also from a Czech warehouse, for HUF 299 by clicking on the link below:

Ix5 scooter

Lamtwheel GYL002

Based on the performance, it would be suitable even for off-road use, since it uses not one but two motors, each of which has a power of 600 watts, i.e. the total power is 1200 watts. Of course, this is also accompanied by the fact that even though the battery pack is large, the distance that can be covered does not increase drastically. Of course, this is also understandable because with this scooter we can reach a speed of up to 45 km/h, which is quite a lot for a scooter.

The tires are tuned for asphalt, but due to the high speed, we get very correct disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, and in addition to these, the scooter also comes with decent shock absorption.

I dare to recommend this scooter for longer trips with a calm heart, but we must not forget that according to the draft described at the beginning of the article, this is already considered a high-performance scooter, so you will not use it on cycle paths (there is a good chance) if the draft becomes law.

I note that with a scooter with such performance and top speed, you already have your place among the cars, because you will overtake a weaker car with it, and you will not hold up the traffic with your speed.

You can also be sure that such a scooter already gives you some pleasure, so if it is important to you that your vehicle also gives you an experience, then you will love this one!

If this was your dream, then a BG9f9052 with a coupon code from a Czech warehouse, he was able to add it to the basket for 283 here:

Lamtwheel GYL002

Extreme scooters

Long distances, brutal acceleration, high performance, high load capacity and amazing top speed. This is roughly how you can summarize this category. You have to open your wallet wide for these skills, but once you've had a taste of the experience, you'll find it hard to let it go.

LAOTIE T30 Roadster

This is the weakest member of the group, as it only has 2 x 1600-watt motors, that is, 1600-watt motors work in both the front and rear wheels, so the total power is 3200 watts. You can order it with city or off-road tires, it depends on you where you want to use it.

The skills are trying. In single-motor mode, traveling at a speed of 25 kilometers, it can travel 120 kilometers on a single charge. Even if we subtract the usual value, we still get a range of 80 kilometers.

Using a double engine, i.e. using full power, the range is reduced, but this is where the enjoyment factor reaches its peak. The torque is intoxicating, it climbs 35-degree inclines with ease, you can load it with up to 200 kilos, and the top speed reaches 70 kilometers per hour.

These are quite amazing data, but as I wrote, this is the weakest part of the extreme category!

If you want one for yourself, then a ISSAMT30 with a coupon code, you can get it from a Polish warehouse for HUF 516 from the link below:

LAOTIE T30 Roadster

LAOTIE ES18P

This monster is second in line, with a total output of 5600 watts. It's also dual-engined, of course, and it's got amazing shock absorption, it's not even a monster, it's a terminator, where you become the living flesh on the metal frame.

The manufacturer says that in single engine mode we can cover 120 kilometers on a single charge, with a dual engine team we still get 55-65 kilometers. The maximum ascent that can be climbed is 50 (I'll describe it that way because it's amazing: FIFTY) degrees, the maximum load capacity here is also 200 kilograms, and the maximum speed is 85 kilometers per hour. So you can easily go out on a country road with this.

We can also order this inhumanly strong structure from a Polish warehouse, the price is BGfa4408 547 thousand HUF with coupon code. There are so many bonuses here that you can choose which tire you want.

If you liked it, you can find it here:

LAOTIE ES18P

LAOTIE ES19 Steering Damper

And this is the top predator of today's article. If you haven't found one that is strong enough for you, then maybe this one will do with its 6000 watts of power.

In single-motor mode, the range is 135 kilometers, and in dual-motor mode, 60-70 kilometers on a single charge. The load capacity here is also 200 kilograms, the exterior and appearance are quite rough. It has everything here, (as in the previous ones) oil disc brakes, e-ABS, very serious shock absorption, but it is necessary, since the top speed that can be reached is 100 kilometers per hour.

Actually, I don't even know if it is allowed to use the name roller for such a structure. This is not a scooter, but a motorcycle without a seat.

Of course, we have to pay quite a lot for such a brutal machine, a ISSAMLTES19 with a coupon code, the price can be reduced to HUF 596. The only luck is that it also comes from an EU warehouse and not from China, so shipping is free.

If you don't like it, you can buy it at the following link:

LAOTIE ES19 Steering Damper

Closing Remarks

This article has become extremely long, I am now writing the tenth page in Word. It's not an exaggeration, I could have written at least that much more, but I tried to make things simple so that you would have the patience to read it all the way through.

I hope you can see and understand that there are many types of scooters, which is good, because everyone can find the right one for their needs and budget. The only mistake is that it often happens that the demand and the depth of the wallet do not match, and we will be forced to make concessions.

This is because, in case of normal, urban use, you don't have to spend crazy amounts of money to have a gasoline-free, crowd-free means of transportation. In the case of city use, due to the number of snowy days decreasing year by year, a scooter may even be suitable for the whole year to get from A to B. Of course, the electricity bill won't be cheaper either, but the cost of a scooter is still a fraction of that of a car.

So it's worth considering the purchase, as more and more people are doing anyway. I hope this article will help you in this!