Mantis King GT Review

Design

Handlebars

The handlebars, 26-inch wide and neatly arranged, facilitate outstanding handling that singles it out as being incredibly nimble for such a hulking scooter.

Of particular note here is the thumb throttle. It’s satisfyingly ergonomic, which makes a huge difference compared to other Mantis scooters that utilize finger throttles.

Now, I’ve seen some other reviewers point out that the throttle has some dead space, but I think it's a good thing. You see, when you consider the positioning of the throttle relative to your hand on the grip, having the dead space means that the throttle only begins to kick into action when your hand and thumb are in a natural position. If this wasn’t the case, your thumb would have to stretch awkwardly. As a result, I think that the dead space aids the GT’s overall handling.

Frame

Sporting a reinforced aluminum alloy frame that could survive a tornado, the Mantis King GT has been built for the rigors of daily life lived to the max. It’s robust and hits the sweet spot between maneuverability and longevity to ensure it’s well-suited to serious riders.

There’s also no denying that the GT looks like a million dollars. Whether you choose to buy it in minimalist black with red highlights or glistening gold swingarms, you’ll be turning heads downtown.

Deck

Expansive, grippy, and with a reinforced kickplate, the deck allows you to find the perfect riding position and lean in for a more aggressive stance. This is great for when you're putting the pedal to the metal, cornering, and carving.

Oh, and it certainly gets the thumbs up from us thanks to the large rubber matting that’s emblazoned with Kaabo’s signature branding.

Wheels

The Mantis King GT wasn’t voted the Best All-Terrain Electric Scooter by our readers for no reason.

Key to its versatility are the 10-inch hybrid pneumatic tires that excel both on roads and rougher surfaces. The secret is in their tread and profile.

The tread is deep enough to deliver ample grip and traction, while the rounded front-on profile means you have just as much control on the straights as you do in the corners. You’ll also find them the perfect sidekick for the sumptuous suspension where they play the role of first-responder shock absorbers.

Another nice detail is that the wheels have split rims, making it much easier to change the tires.

Build Quality & Durability

One look at the Mantis King GT and you’ll be smitten. But its beauty is more than skin deep.

Kaabo being Kaabo, you can be assured of a sturdy, nimble ride when taking the GT out for a spin. This is in large part down to its excellent build quality, as demonstrated by the durable frame, spacious deck, and just about every single component you can lay your eyes on.

It’s clear to see the attention to detail that has gone into building this scooter. Previous Mantis models were good, but the GT is just darn-right impressive. It brings luxury to the table.

There are, however, two minor issues to be aware of.

Firstly, the new elongated rear fender slaps the tire like crazy. Though this doesn’t affect the ride quality, it’s incredibly annoying. Thankfully, Kaabo is aware of this and includes a shorter fender in the box that you can easily switch over.

Secondly, while the latch on the back of the handlebars does its job of locking the stem to the deck when folded, it clanks against the stem when riding.

This isn’t a major issue but the constant clanking is irritating.

I found that the best way to remedy this is to use a command strip. You attach one side of the strip to the stem, and the other to the back of the latch, and then you can keep both the stem and latch velcroed together while you ride.

Weight & Load

At 74 lbs, the Mantis King GT doesn’t exactly qualify for the ultra-portable weight class. It’s billed by Kaabo as a “luxury commuter” scooter – and as is often the case, luxury means more of everything, including bulk.

Yet, though you may struggle to carry this marauding trailblazer over long distances, the King GT does extend an olive branch with its 265 lbs load-bearing capacity. It’s a bona fide mule of a scooter.

Folding & Portability

Another of the GT’s unique selling points is its intersection between performance and portability.

Its ultra-efficient folding mechanism means you won’t be fumbling around in the rain like Mr. Bean trying to get it to fold. You’ll be ready to stow it in your trunk or garage in no time, though lugging it up more than a couple of flights of stairs may elicit a back spasm if you’re not careful.

The new claw-like stem latch is rock-solid when in its locked position and quicker to fold than any previous Mantis model. It also features an extra safety catch to keep the mechanism in place.

When folded, the latch on the back of the handlebars clips into the small hook at the rear of the deck, enabling you to lift the scooter by its stem.

Ride Quality

Is the Mantis King GT Comfortable to Ride?

The Mantis King GT marks a turning point for Kaabo’s Mantis scooter range. While you still get what is undoubtedly a Mantis at heart, this model is as close to a complete overhaul as you can get. It’s bigger, it’s better, and it eats off-road trails for breakfast.

And the most exciting new feature is, without a doubt, the suspension setup.

Among the various tweaks and updates that came together to create this exceptional machine, Kaabo took a decision that has taken the King GT from comfortable and capable to luxurious and unbeatable. That decision was to follow the example set by the NAMI Burn-e 2 and its adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers.

This alone does a fantastic job of smoothing out rough surfaces, but add the 10-inch hybrid tires, edge-to-edge anti-slip rubber deck, curved kickplate, and wide handlebars into the mix, and what you have is an exhibition of all-terrain excellence.

The cherry on top of the cake is the built-in steering damping that eliminates wobble and makes it a dream to control at top speeds.

In conclusion, the Mantis King GT is one of the most versatile scooters around.

Performance & Safety

Top Speed

Everything on this scooter has been turned up to eleven, and nowhere is this more apparent than its dual 60V 1100W motors and 30A Sine Wave controllers that offer sublime modulation of your speed. The alchemy they conjure is savagely powerful, delivering a mammoth peak power output of 4200W and a cheek-flapping top speed of 43 mph.

This is quite comfortably the fastest a Mantis scooter has ever gone. And, it’s one of the fastest performance scooters I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.

It’s like putting a saddle on a tiger or capturing nuclear fusion in a jar. Everywhere you look, the King GT is an uncompromising union of ferocity and finesse.

Speed vs Price Comparison

Now that we’ve established the sheer power that this brute holds, it only makes sense to compare its performance against other scooters in its price class.

For this, I’ve used a $500 bracket around the GT’s price.

And, low and behold, the mighty King GT shares the top spot along with its sibling, the Wolf Warrior X GT, as well as the Dualtron Victor and Apollo Phantom 60V for speed.

Dig a little deeper, though, and the true winner is revealed. You guessed it, the Mantis and its blisteringly fast acceleration rates leave the other models in the dust, making it the fastest scooter in our price comparison.

Acceleration

While other Mantis models are snappy in their own right, the King GT swats them away with an acceleration rate of 0-15 mph in a whiplashing 1.9 seconds and 25 mph in 4.0 seconds flat.

Propelled by the dual controllers – which have supplanted the 25A bad boys sported by the Mantis V2 – this accelerative power is bewilderingly smooth and controlled. You know you’re going like a rocket, but there’s none of the turbulence that can sully similarly explosive models.

Range

Let’s look at a battery that may one day go down in folklore. The Samsung 60V 24Ah unit has a pool of 21700 cells in its armory, meaning it can deliver ultra-efficient power for a long period.

This exceptional performance gives it the capacity to keep the wheels rolling for a maximum range of 56 miles off a single charge, though realistically you’re looking closer to 38 miles when going hell for leather.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Compared to 7 other models within a price range of $500, the Mantis King GT has to settle for runner-up behind the INOKIM OxO and its 68-mile range.

However, this is no blemish on its record book as the OxO is a more sedate scooter that's been built to cruise, while the GT is a performance model that excels in every area – it’s also $104 cheaper. Ultimately, if you want a model with rip-roaring speed and an extensive range to match, then the Mantis King GT would be my top pick.

Hill Climbing

What do you get when you combine 30A Sine Wave controllers, a peak power output of 4200W, and a huge battery with 21700 cells? Yep – you guessed it: voracious hill-climbing capabilities.

The Mantis will lord over inclines of up to 30 degrees, placing every city within its cross-hares.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

Scoring a 9 out of 10 on our shock absorption scale, the suspension can be dialed in to perfectly match your needs.

With a quick turn of the dial, you can alter the rebound damping to either completely engulf bumps and vibrations from unpredictable terrain, or stiffen the springs for fast-paced, rubber-burning drag races.

The result is a ride that’s akin to sliding a hot knife through butter.

The only other scooter that beats the King GT’s exquisite level of shock-absorption adjustability is the revered NAMI Burn-e 2.

Wherever you’re planning on going, the Mantis King GT will give you the royal ride you deserve.

Braking

Because this scooter is rewriting the rules of what a performance scooter can do, you may think that the brakes need to be something special.

Well, you’d be right. To counteract such impressive speed, it comes with a set of Zoom hydraulics. These are some of the best you can get. They’re exceptionally responsive and under my tests, achieved a stopping distance of just 2.1 meters from 15 mph.

This is a fantastically short braking distance, and noticeably sharper than the revered Wolf King GT. In fact, its impressive braking power elevates the Mantis King GT to the top of the leaderboard for braking performance across the Kaabo range.

Charge Time

Recharging the 60V 24Ah battery takes just 6 hours with standard chargers, or a mind-blowing 2.4 hours if you opt for fast chargers.

Thankfully, there’s no need to buy additional chargers since it comes with two standard ones in the box.

Another key highlight here is the new spring-loaded plastic charge port covers and the M16 3-Pin connectors. These not only protect your ports from water and dust ingress but also isolate the pins to prevent arcing.

Extra Features

TFT Display

The anti-glare TFT display is next-level awesomeness. Not only does it deliver everything you’d want from a cockpit by giving you easy access to all your key stats, including speed, battery life, mileage, and temperature readouts, but crucially, it puts full control of the scooter’s power in your hands.

It allows you to regulate the output of the ferocious motors via 6 riding modes (including eco, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Even better, you can choose to engage either one – or both – of the motors. By controlling and capping the torque available, you can ease into the ride. This helps to build confidence by progressing through the speeds at your own pace to match your riding ability.

And if all of this wasn’t enough, it also lets you password-protect the scooter by setting a 4-digit code to unlock it.

A Lighting Rig Fit For a Cameo in Fast & Furious Film

Kaabo has never been afraid to push the envelope of style; to try new things in the course of jazzing up its scooters, and making a bold visual statement. But with the Mantis King GT, Kaabo has upped its LED game to a whole new level.

Where do I even start? Well, there are the colorful LEDs adorning each side of its deck, which – thanks to a mobile app – are fully customizable to the hues and shades that best represent your taste. This lighting rig isn’t content to sit still, though. Shifting constantly in dazzling, dynamic patterns of kaleidoscopic kinesis, the lights are reminiscent of a fairground ride, and even nod their head at models from Dualtron, including the Storm and Thunder 2.

Better yet, there’s a convenient button pad that lets you easily turn on your headlight, taillights, and turn signals.

The headlight is mounted high on the stem, the deck-embedded taillights are bright and responsive, and the turn signals blink at both the front and rear of the deck for maximum visibility.

If there’s a criticism, it’s that, for all the snazzy lights, the headlight could be brighter. Nevertheless, the lighting rig is still worthy of a cameo in a Fast & Furious film.

USB Charging Port

Included below the button console on the left side of the handlebars is a USB port that you can use to charge your phone and other devices.

IPX5 Water-Resistance Rating

With an IPX5 water-resistance rating, you won’t have to worry about getting caught in showers or riding through puddles. It easily handles sustained splashes of water from all angles.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Sold by Voro Motors, the Mantis King GT comes with a standard 1-year warranty. Want longer coverage? You can purchase an extended warranty for 1, 2, or 3 additional years.

The warranty covers repairs and replacements for the motors, battery, controllers, voltmeter, display, and throttle. This is limited, however; you can only request a spare for any of the above once during the warranty period. Any further replacements will come at a cost.

As to be expected, the warranty doesn't cover general wear and tear, misuse, cosmetic damage, neglect, alterations, improper assembly, or overexposure to heat and water. Any damage to the frame, lights, or button consoles will also fall outside of the warranty.

Voro Motors has repair facilities in Los Angeles and New York City, and they also provide online support for customers who cannot obtain physical help.