Best – Varla & Turboant Content
Best Affordable All-Terrain
Varla Eagle One V2
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (197 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 40 mph
- 0-15 mph: 2.3 s*
- 0-25 mph: 5.8 s*
- Max Range: 42 miles
- Real Range: 24.4 miles*
- Braking: 2.0 meters*
- Suspension: 8/10*
- Max Incline: 30 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 18 degrees*
- Weight: 82 lbs
- Load: 330 lbs
The Good:
- Top contender in its price class
- Packed full of features
- Extremely well-rounded performance
- Great value for money
- Powerful, yet tameable
- All-terrain powerhouse
- Plush suspension that’s primed for differing terrain
- Handling, control, and maneuverability are all assured
- Throttle response is super smooth thanks to the Sine Wave controllers
- Rock-solid stem thanks to super secure folding mechanism
- Suitable for tall and heavy riders
- Large, bright, and easy-to-read display
- NFC card reader for enhanced security
- Lights are sufficient for night rides
- Sharp and responsive dual hydraulic brakes
- IP54 water resistance rating
The Bad:
- The deck is short, but the well-designed kickplate adds an extra 5.1 inches of space
- The grip tape quickly becomes dirty and is hard to clean
Why I Recommend the Varla Eagle One V2 as the Best Affordable Scooter For All-Terrain Riding:
When assessing the all-terrain credentials of a scooter, I pay particular attention to its handling, shock absorption, power, and durability. The Varla Eagle One V2 scores big in all of these areas.
Released as an update to the original Eagle One, the V2 is a different scooter altogether. Bigger, bolder, and more refined, it’s a serious statement of intent.
As with any off-roader, the first thing you tend to look at is its suspension and tires. The V2 features huge springs at the front and rear that work in unison with deep-traveling swingarms to nullify practically every vibration that the wilds can throw at you. Whether I was traversing loose dirt tracks, undulating fields, sinewy forest trails, or rocky routes, the V2’s suspension adapted.
There’s also no bottoming out and with 5.1 inches of ground clearance, there’s plenty of room to roll over obstacles.
So impressive is the Eagle One V2’s suspension that I rated it 8 out of 10 on my shock absorption scale.
But the springs and swingarms can’t claim all the credit. The 10-inch tires do a lot of the leg work. An all-terrain tread pattern generates plenty of traction, while their tubeless design vanquishes the specter of pinch flats. Now 0.5 inches wider than the tires seen on the original Eagle One, the V2’s wheels also afford more stability when navigating uneven surfaces.
This sense of stability is further bolstered by its sprawling 28-inch-wide handlebars. You can’t help but feel secure behind these swept-back beauties – they’re perfect for off-roading.
Here, you’ll also find an upgraded 3.5-inch display, a new button pad that grants you access to a plethora of p-settings, and an NFC card reader for added security. Best of all, however, is the new thumb throttle, which I found to be far more comfortable than the finger throttle on its predecessor.
The throttle unleashes the full power of the dual 52V 1000W motors. Coupled with the new and improved 25A Sine Wave controllers, they can conjure a top speed of 40 mph. Though, as per my tests, I was only able to reach 36.1 mph. Nevertheless, its acceleration – which saw me hitting 15 mph in 2.3 seconds, 25 mph in 5.8, and 30 mph in 9.3 – was enough to give me an adrenaline rush.
As for hills, well, with 3200W of peak power, I found that it could scale challenging inclines with ease.
Helping the V2 conquer these summits is its 52V 20.8Ah battery, which is 14% bigger than the one sported by its predecessor. This translates into a maximum range of 42 miles, or 24.37 miles according to my tests.
There is no dropping of standards when it comes to braking, either. Dual hydraulic calipers, heat-dissipating 160 mm rotors, and an electronic braking system join forces to deliver a shuddering stopping distance of 2.0 meters from 15 mph.
With the Varla Eagle One V2’s rock-solid stem, IP54 water-resistant frame, and effervescent lighting rig also in play, you have a scooter that’s precision-engineered for all-terrain exploration.
Best
Best Extendable Range
Turboant V8
Performance Report:
Tester: Josh Frisby (190 lbs, 6.1 ft)
- Top Speed: 20 mph
- 0-15 mph: 6.3 s*
- Max Range: 50 miles
- Real Range: 25 miles*
- Braking: 4.7 meters*
- Max Incline: 15 degrees
- Optimal Incline: 9 degrees*
- Weight: 48 lbs
- Load: 275 lbs
The Good:
- Two batteries - one is detachable
- Dedicated charging dock for the removable battery
- Rear suspension
- Plush 10-inch grippy tires
- Surprisingly good ride quality
- Well balanced frame ensures good handling
- Good lighting package
- IP54 water-resistance rating
The Bad:
- Display disappears in direct sunlight
- Clunky design
Why I Recommend the Turboant V8 as the Best Extendable Range Scooter:
The Turboant V8 is unlike any other scooter that I’ve tested. Featuring not one, but two 36V 7.5Ah batteries, it not only achieves the longest range in its price class, but the battery on the stem is detachable, meaning the addition of spares can increase your range indefinitely.
More impressive, though, is that spares cost just $89.98 on the Turboant website. The benefit of this becomes crystal clear when assessing the results from my range tests. While riding the V8, I achieved a real-world range of 25 miles – meaning each battery averaged 12.5 miles. To put this into perspective, if you were to buy 2 additional batteries, you could achieve a real-world range of around 50 miles. Better yet, it costs hundreds of dollars less than the coveted EMOVE Cruiser S which has a 48-mile real-world range.
To add to the V8’s appeal, it also comes with a charging dock for the stem battery. This means that you can charge three batteries simultaneously in as little as 4 hours (2 batteries via the charging port on the scooter, and an extra one via the dock).
So, extendable range, tick, tick and tick. But what else does the Turboant V8 have to offer?
Well, for starters, there are its dual rear springs. No other Turboant model comes with suspension in any shape or form, so within this context, the V8 represents a huge leap forward. In fact, I’d say that no other scooter within its price range comes close to matching its shock-absorbing capabilities. Combined with the cushioning afforded by its 9-inch air-filled tires, it promises a comfortable ride so long as you stick to urban environments. (You can also choose to equip the V8 with solid tires at checkout).
Then there’s its handling. With handlebars that are 3.4 inches wider than those found on the wildly popular X7 Max, the V8 guarantees balance and stability at any speed. This sense of security is further reinforced by the equal distribution of weight across the stem and chassis, as well as the tactile grips and effortlessly smooth thumb throttle.
The acceleration and responsiveness of the throttle are ideal for first-time riders and those who want to cruise, as opposed to race. Powered by its 36V 450W motor, it took me 6.3 seconds to reach 15 mph.
But that isn’t to say that its entire performance profile is smooth sailing. Like every scooter, each has its flaws, and in the case of the V8, its stopping distance from 15 mph in 4.7 meters pales in comparison to some of its competitors.
And sure, the V8 may not be the most aesthetically pleasing scooter, but it makes up for it in other areas with an IP54 water resistance rating, the best lighting package in its class, and a satisfying folding mechanism.
With everything that it has to offer, the V8 manages to successfully carve out its place in a market that’s becoming evermore saturated. Not only can you rely on it for long rides, but with the option of replacing the stem battery, you can keep it running at optimal efficiency for years to come.
Turboant V8 Review
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