I might have found the most fun off-road vehicle... against all odds

Posted by mystic_yours1@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 44 comments

For the past year I've been researching electric personal vehicles that could handle rough terrain that are safe and easy to learn.

I wanted one that I could easy carry on the back on my car... In the end I decided electric scooters like this one were the best for the job.

After 3 months of owning it I can confirm with confidence that this thing is a beast.

Despite the small tire size (11inch) it can handle many off-road paths (gravel, and small rocks) with ease.

Double motor and double suspension also helps, and with this model in particular I can climb slopes of 40degrees. Not a joke.

I'm not here to promote any brand, there are many that have similar spec scooters.

But I can answer any questions you may have about going off-road with an electric scooter.

Cheers!

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5olArchitect@reddit

What research did you do on bikes? I’m looking for something a bit less manual than a mountain bike- closer to a Vespa, but maybe more toward a dirt bike.

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Stache_Noir@reddit

I've learned that anything with tires, be it 2 or 4 that's equipped with a motor/engine is going to be a blast.

Glad you're having fun, if I ever had the opportunity to rip one of these I would in a heart beat.

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mexicock1@reddit

What's with the unicycle and tricycle hate? What you got against vehicles with an odd number of tires?!?!

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

yeah, I encourage you to try if you get the chance

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VAHelp2019@reddit

Thanks for helping me buy more shit I don’t need :)

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Dinevir@reddit

Yep and two motors are must-have for off-road. I have similar (dual motor, 1000w of power per motor) and it is damn powerful.

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

Nice, so you know what I'm talking about!

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I also recommend to lower power limits to reduce max speed. Mine was 60km/h (no-limit) and it wasn't comfortable to ridez like constant switching between 1st and 2nd gear/speed while 3rd one is too fast. I set limit to 65% or something like that, got 35km/h max speed and low (crawling) speed on 1st and "safe" speed range on 2nd.

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RoughRoading@reddit

One must be crazy to go 60 km/h on this thing. 35 km/h max is more sensible 😄

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Dinevir@reddit

Not that bad with proper equipment and on a good road.

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

true, good point, thanks for sharing :)

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truenorthzero@reddit

Tell me more about your scooter sneakers.

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Dinevir@reddit

Unlike everything else (motorcycle gear with extra protection), these are just regular leather sneakers that I find comfortable. After all, this isn't a motorcycle ride, and the main strain is on my feet, so I opted for comfortable shoes.

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Feintmotion@reddit

Double motors?? Does this have dual battery option as well? How much range do you get with going up 40 degree slopes?

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

With challenging terrain at moderate speeds of 20mph, it could last 40-50 miles easy

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pairoflytics@reddit

20mph seems like it’d be too fast for unpaved trails? Or am I wrong here? I feel like I’d hit a root and end up launching myself down an embankment lol.

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VonGrippyGreen@reddit

Fuckin eh. What a clever alternative to having a bike rack. Certain trips are nice to have a bike, not because I want to go cycling per se, but because it's like a 10 minute walk to the lake or the hot springs, so I bring the e-bike. On a rack. In my receiver hitch. That I have to move to open the tailgate. Something like this would fit inside my rig. You son of a bitch. I didn't wake up this morning thinking of buying a goddamn e-scooter.

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RoughRoading@reddit

I can carry two analog bikes inside plus a bunch of bags. Actually, I can even do three bikes with three seats available (YT video), but the third bike is foldable, so it feels like cheating 😄

Recently we've got an e-bike. It is on the lighter side, only 39 lbs, and I am able to carry it inside as well. I remove the front wheel and mount the fork on an axle screwed to a plank. The bike fits vertically alongside my analog bike. Tons of space for bags, and three seats available including the driver.

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Klutzy-Bench-4465@reddit

I don't remember writing this comment

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

You're welcome! ;)

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mekoRascal@reddit

We use something similar at work. It completely kills productivity, everyone just wants to ride it.

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DeafHeretic@reddit

Best for you - maybe.

It is probably better than nothing, at least until the battery is exhausted.

Everything has pros and cons. E.G., larger wheels/tires are better, especially in rough terrain.

An e-bike (especially one that is AWD) may have a lot more range, handle rough terrain better, carry more cargo (or even more than one person) - but it will be heavier, bulkier and cost more.

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Charming-Delivery710@reddit

Have you tried in the sand? Or have you found any limits to where you can ride it? Had a friend who want pleased with his similar spec’d scooter.

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GutenRa@reddit

But it is the monowheel that is adapted for heavy offroad use due to its large diameter and incredible traction.

It allows you to climb a mountain at an angle of up to 45 degrees and controllably descend a virtually vertical wall. Wrongway has many videos about it on YouTube.

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

true, and I actually considered monowheeels too but I saw that it has a steeper learning curve.. and saw it less practical, but for sure looks super fun too.

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schm0uz@reddit

The key is safety and speed.

Everything above 15 mph requires some level of safety gear for off roading. That in turn increases complexity and thats never fun.

I personally use an electric mountain bike because the simplicity of using it beats any big of fast machine.

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

Good point, yes I didnt mention it but I use safety gear of course.

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Kooky-Ad1551@reddit

How can I just let you walk away? Just let you leave without a trace...

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HakuraHanzo@reddit

What specs to look at when choosing one for these kind of adventures?

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

I would get one that at least has double motor, 50+ miles of range and of course front and rear suspension. 11 inch tires minimum.

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Keep--Climbing@reddit

These have 50 miles of range?

I can't imagine that taking any less than 2 hours at full power power

Do they have regen braking?

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

I know right, who would've thought...

Not regen but hydraulic disc brakes.

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Ginpo236@reddit

Product Link?

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mystic_yours1@reddit (OP)

this one is Langfeite C1

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notalk82@reddit

I have 4 different e bikes for hitting up the trails but haven't pulled the trigger on one of these off road scooters yet. It seems Everytime I get serious about finding the best one for my overall needs and budget I get overwhelmed with all the different make/models and just give up on it for awhile.

I ended up grabbing a cheap one mostly just to see how much I'd like the concept or whatever of a scooter but it's hard tired and very little suspension and holy shit people were not kidding about how you feel every tiny little pebble riding the thing. My eyeballs were bouncing around in my skull just riding on sort of rough pavement. It's just been collecting dust for like 4 years now.

The dual motor, decent sized battery and fat tired e bike is tons of fun off roading though so it looks like I should start looking again for the scooter version of that!

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