Mantis V2 Review
Original price was: $1,899.00.$1,599.00Current price is: $1,599.00.
PUBLISH DATE
April 11, 2023
Looking for a premium scooter that won’t cost you a premium penny? Rejoice, because Kaabo’s industry game-changer, the Mantis V2, is the pound-for-pound heavyweight that you’ve been waiting for.
Big words, right? What’s so game-changing, I hear you say? Well, typically, a model with dual 60V 1000W motors, 25A Sine Wave controllers, and an 18.2Ah battery will set you back well over $2,000 – and that’s being conservative. Not so with the V2. The latest addition to the illustrious Mantis line gives you a Rolls Royce level of performance for the price of a 2001 Toyota Corolla.
Voted by thousands of our readers as one of the best electric scooters of 2022, the Mantis V2 represents a challenge to competitors that isn’t easily met. Fusing best-in-class performance, handling, and ferocity, this is a scooter to be admired – and more importantly, enjoyed.
Mantis V2 Review: Rolls Royce Performance For the Price of a 2001 Toyota Corolla
The good and the bad
Who we recommend it for
Is it worth its price tag?
Look, feel, and functionality
Results from our tests
Other scooters to consider
Pros & Cons
- Best-in-class performance
- Extremely popular performance scooter
- Excellent handling
- Fast, with a rapid acceleration rate
- Great ride quality
- Dual spring and swingarm suspension have good damping
- All-terrain riding credentials
- Powerful hydraulic brakes
- Capable of producing extreme amounts of torque to scale steep inclines
- Sine Wave controllers deliver a smooth constant flow of power
- Good lighting rig with turn signals and deck LEDs
- Extended rear fender prevents splashback
- IPX5 water-resistance rating
- Folding mechanism is clunky
- Finger throttle isn’t ergonomic
Who It's Best For
To put it simply: the Mantis V2 has something for everyone.
It offers the ride quality and durability for weekend explorers and boasts enough power to please fledgling adrenaline junkies on a budget.
With a load-bearing capacity of 265 lbs and tall handlebars, it’s also a welcoming scooter for big riders and those who are 6-foot-plus. While its price may have played a large part in its exploding popularity, its suitability for all types of terrain is also key.
The V2 is fundamentally a jack of all trades, and a master of, well, all of them.
Value For Money
Is the Mantis V2 good value for money? That’s like asking if water is wet. Or if fire is hot. The combination of performance and features belong to a scooter that should cost you far more than its affordable price tag.
We’re talking about sumptuous front and rear suspension, motors that deliver rip-roaring speeds, and upgraded Sine Wave controllers that’ll leave your hair follicles clinging to your scalp for dear life as you accelerate with paradoxically smooth ferocity. The controllers profoundly improve upon the Square Wave ones that came with the original Mantis. These made moving through the gears feel unnervingly jerky.
Indeed, for admirers of previous Mantis models, the V2 represents a significant upgrade on a blueprint that was already pretty exceptional to begin with.
Design & Features
Cockpit
The handlebars – which measure 24 inches – remain wide enough to ensure you always feel in control, while the heavy stem promises excellent handling when it comes to turning and maneuvering the scooter.
It also benefits from having a deck-to-handlebar height that measures 41 inches. Combined with the wide cockpit and confidence-inspiring stem, it’s an ideal choice for tall riders over 6 ft.
What caught my attention when taking this baby out for tests, though, was the addition of ergonomically shaped handgrips that significantly improve tactility. The V1, for all its strengths, was blighted by foam grips, which were prone to wear and tear and just felt tacky. Introducing rubber variants is an upgrade that shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to the V2’s handling.
Elsewhere, the handlebars retain the clean and simple aesthetic that we’ve come to love from Mantis. On each side, you have your brake levers, while on the right you’ll find the QS-S4 (LT01) display. I would’ve liked to see the trigger-style throttle jettisoned for a superior thumb throttle, especially because its positioning is a little cumbersome when it comes to pulling on the brake lever.
Aside from this minor gripe, the display holds no real surprises. You can keep tabs on all your key riding stats, while it’s clear and bright enough to glance at – even in direct sunlight.
Finishing the cockpit, there’s a handy button pad on the left for controlling your lights, horn, and – get this – new turn signals.
Lights
Here's where the Mantis V2 ups the ante compared to its predecessor, the V1. This time around, you have a bright, high-mounted headlight for improved visibility.
The addition of turn signals is a real plus in my book. Not enough scooters come with them, which is scandalous really, as they significantly increase the safety of riding through urban areas. The signals can be easily controlled via the button pad, and flash at both the front and rear of the deck.
And that’s not all: the V2 also comes with deck-embedded button lights that flash when you brake. But the real pièce de résistance of the lighting setup is the LED strips that line the underside of the deck. White and super bright, they afford both swag and functionality when the sun goes down.
Overall, the Mantis V2 has one of the best lighting packages of all the electric scooters that I’ve reviewed.
Electric Scooters Headlights
Best Electric Scooters With Lights
Frame
This is a Mantis scooter, so one thing you can be certain of is a frame that’s not only sleek but built to last.
Coated in a stylish matte black paint, the aviation-grade aluminum skeleton exudes sturdiness. The stem, too, has been reinforced to make it feel more structurally secure at fast speeds. Adios, wobble.
The cable management, meanwhile, is satisfyingly inconspicuous, with all the wiring threaded neatly out of sight.
Deck
The deck is long, wide, and, thanks to its rubber coating, exceptionally grippy.
With 20 x 8.25 inches of available foot space (not including the kickplate which adds an extra 6.5 inches), there’s plenty of room to adopt a riding stance that best suits your riding style.
Tires
Has Kaabo ever let us down when it comes to high-quality tires? No, and the Mantis V2 certainly doesn’t. The 10-inch pneumatic tires on show here deliver oodles of traction, ground cover, and maneuverability.
They work in perfect harmony with the refined suspension to cushion you from the shocks and vibrations synonymous with city streets and off-road trails. We couldn’t ask for much more.
Portability
The only area of the V2’s design that’s subpar to the rest of its build, is the clunky collar clamp folding mechanism.
Compared to the likes of the Mantis King GT’s simple locking lever – it’s fairly cumbersome and requires you to tighten one clamp first before tightening the other, and so on until you achieve an all-around tight fit. The mechanism does, however, eliminate stem wobble, making the V2 feel rock-solid.
There's also the latch on the back of the handlebars that slides under the hook at the rear of the deck. Weighing 65 lbs, however, you’re not going to want to lug it up multiple flights of stairs.
A Guide to Foldable Electric Scooters (Lightest & Most Compact)
Load
With a 265 lbs load-bearing capacity, the vast majority of riders will be able to enjoy its many qualities.
When testing the scooter, I weighed 190 lbs (including my helmet and safety gear), so I can confidently say that’ll deliver an excellent level of performance for riders around this weight.
Based on my tests, however, I can see the Mantis performing admirably for riders up to 230 lbs.
Build Quality
Mantis is a line of scooters defined by their durability. The V2 doesn’t err away from this blueprint. The aluminum frame and stem could withstand a hurricane – but this ruggedness doesn’t come at the cost of nimbleness.
While the V2 shares an almost identical build to the V1, the new IPX5 water-resistance rating, extended rear fender, and improved headlight, add to an already reliable scooter that cuts no corners when it comes to ensuring great build quality.
In short, it delivers the durability required for everyday riding.
Performance Report
Performance Report Summary
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Top Speed | 40 mph |
| 0-15 MPH | 2.1 s |
| 0-25 MPH | 4.7 s |
| Max Range (Riding Slow) | 33 miles |
| Max Range (Riding Fast) | 28 miles |
| Braking | 2.0 meters |
| Max Incline | 30 degrees |
| Optimal Incline | 18 degrees |
Top Speed
Here’s where the Mantis V2 begins to flex its muscle. Equipped with dual 60V 1000W motors, this wolf in sheep’s clothing can muster a peak power output of 3000W and a top speed of 40 mph. This performance leaves all other electric scooters in the sub $1,750 class choking on dust.
What sets the Mantis apart, though, is that it remains extremely stable when riding fast. Thanks to the evenly distributed weight of the frame, everything from the stem to the chassis feels balanced. Paired with its well-damped suspension, vibrations are softened and the tires maintain traction at all times to make it feel secure underfoot.
Top Speed vs Price
Applying a $500 bracket around the Mantis V2’s price tag reveals 7 comparable scooters – including popular models from Varla, Apollo, and INOKIM – and just one (the Varla Eagle One) matches the Mantis for top speed.
| Scooter | Price | Top Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Mantis V2 18.2Ah |
$1,599
| 40 mph |
| Varla Eagle One |
$1,399
| 40 mph |
| Apollo Phantom V2 – Reg |
$2,099
| 38 mph |
| Apollo Ghost – Reg |
$1,449
| 37 mph |
| Apollo Ghost – Hyd |
$1,449
| 37 mph |
| Apollo City Pro |
$1,699
| 32 mph |
| INOKIM Ox Super |
$1,049
| 28 mph |
| INOKIM Ox Hero |
$920
| 28 mph |
However, if we dig deeper, the Vara only has dual 52V 1000W motors, while the Mantis sports more powerful 60V motors. The result is a 25% faster acceleration rate, meaning the Mantis is the true winner.
Acceleration
Now, ladies and gentlemen, prepare to pick your jaws up from the floor, because when it comes to acceleration, the Mantis V2 doesn’t just knock it out of the park – it knocks it into the next realm.
| Scooter | Price | 0-15 MPH | 0-25 MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mantis King GT |
$2,195
| 1.9 s | 4.0 s |
| Mantis V2 |
$1,599
| 2.1 s | 4.7 s |
| SPLACH Titan |
$1,399
| 2.5 s | 4.9 s |
Armed with 25A Sine Wave controllers, the V2 explodes out of the blocks. It can hit 15 mph in a whiplashing 2.1 seconds and 25 mph in just 4.7 seconds. This wipes the floor with all the scooters in its price class.
Against the models that I recommend as alternatives – including the SPLACH Titan and Mantis King GT – it beats the former, but – as to be expected – is slightly slower off the mark than its big bro. This is because the Mantis King GT has bigger 60V 1100W motors and more powerful 30A Sine Wave controllers.
Mileage
Before we dive into the results from our range tests, it's important to know that the Mantis V2 comes in two variants – one with an 18.2Ah battery and the other with 24.5Ah.
The 18.2Ah battery has a maximum range of 33 miles when ridden slow, and 28 miles when ridden fast.
The 24.5Ah battery, on the other hand, is of a slightly higher quality being LG, and has a maximum range of 45 miles when ridden slow, or 38 miles when ridden fast.
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Mileage vs Price
Comparing the Mantis V2 to the 7 other models within a price range of $500, it finishes with the wooden spoon.
| Scooter | Price | Max Range |
|---|---|---|
| INOKIM Ox Super |
$1,049
| 56 miles |
| Varla Eagle One |
$1,399
| 40 miles |
| Apollo Phantom V2 – Reg |
$2,099
| 40 miles |
| Apollo Ghost – Reg |
$1,449
| 39 miles |
| Apollo Ghost – Hyd |
$1,449
| 39 miles |
| Apollo City Pro |
$1,699
| 38 miles |
| INOKIM Ox Hero |
$920
| 37 miles |
| Mantis V2 18.2Ah |
$1,599
| 33 miles |
However, not all is as it seems. If we consider real-world mileage, it’s a top performer where it shares third place with the Apollo Phantom.
| Scooter | Price | Real-World Range |
|---|---|---|
| INOKIM Ox Super |
$1,049
| 33 miles |
| Apollo City Pro |
$1,699
| 30 miles |
| Mantis V2 18.2Ah |
$1,599
| 28 miles |
| Apollo Phantom V2 – Reg |
$2,099
| 28 miles |
| INOKIM Ox Hero |
$920
| 26 miles |
| Apollo Ghost – Reg |
$1,449
| 25 miles |
| Apollo Ghost – Hyd |
$1,449
| 25 miles |
| Varla Eagle One |
$1,399
| 23 miles |
The winner of the comparison is the INOKIM Ox Super, and while its ride quality is on par with the Mantis V2, it only has a single 800W motor, meaning it's considerably slower. With this in mind, what first seemed like a loss for the Mantis, is actually a win. Not only does it have viciously fast motors and excellent ride quality, but its efficient Sine Wave controllers ensure that its real-world range remains competitive.
Hill Climbing
Hill climbing is this scooter's ‘thing’. Just like throwing a ball into a hoop is Michael Jordan’s thing.
Awarded the title of the Best Electric Scooter for Climbing Hills in 2022 by thousands of our readers, the Mantis V2 can slay even the most challenging of inclines.
It all comes down to the alchemy that exists between those 1000W motors. With a peak power output of 3000W, the V2 has enough torque and thrust to climb steep slopes, leaving you with a package purpose-made for those San Francisco peaks.
Electric Scooters For Climbing Hills: Breeze Up the Steepest of Inclines
Shock Absorption
The Mantis V2 is an absolute pleasure to ride and this is in part down to its front and rear dual-springs that work in partnership with the plush 10-inch tires to absorb all the shocks from the road and beyond.
There’s also the 6.25 inches of ground clearance which not only gives the scooter enough of a gap to roll over challenging obstacles (i.e. curbs, tree roots, rocky outcrops) but allows the swingarms to pivot for a deep amount of travel.
And thanks to the well-calibrated damping of the springs, they aren’t bouncy, meaning they strike the perfect shock-absorbing profile. Using a scale of 1 to 10 – where 1 is extremely stiff and 10 is extremely soft – I scored the Mantis V2’s suspension an 8.5.
Braking
Equipped with Zoom hydraulic disc brakes, you’ll come to a complete stop from 15 mph in an impressive 2.0 meters.
To put this into perspective, it promises a stopping distance that’s shorter than the rest of the scooters in its price class. It also outperforms the scooters that I recommend as alternatives, where the Mantis King GT took 2.1 meters to stop, and the SPLACH Titan took 2.4 meters.
Ride Quality
It’s a big yes from me. I’ve already doffed my cap to the juicy 10-inch tires that produce excellent traction and shock-absorbing proficiencies, while the wide handlebars, heavy stem, and large deck are a noteworthy supporting cast. But the stars of the show here are the swingarm suspension, well-balanced frame, and newly introduced Sine Wave controllers.
The controllers are a huge leap forward when compared to the Square Wave ones found on the previous model. Accelerating through the gears now feels silky smooth instead of jittery, and controlled instead of erratic. It’s like rolling a dimmer dial and gradually increasing the brightness of a light, whereas previously all you had was a simple on/off switch.
Combined with the even distribution of weight across the entire frame, the Mantis V2 is one of the only scooters in its class that has a perfect equilibrium. As a result, it achieves best-in-class ride quality.
Alternatives
Mantis King GT
Specs:
- Speed: 43 mph
- Range: 56 miles
- Weight: 74 lbs
- Load: 265 lbs
Why is it Better Than the Mantis V2?
- More powerful motors (1100W vs 1000W)
- Faster acceleration (+12%)
- Larger battery (+32%, 1440Wh vs 1092Wh)
- Longer range (+23 miles)
- Superior adjustable hydraulic suspension
- Has terrain-agnostic tires
- More efficient one-click folding mechanism
- More ergonomic controls (thumb vs finger throttle)
- Advanced display (TFT vs QS-S4)
Why is it Worse Than the Mantis V2?
- Costs more
- Heavier (+9 lbs)
SPLACH Titan
Specs:
- Speed: 37 mph
- Range: 44 miles
- Weight: 64 lbs
- Load: 220 lbs
Why is it Better Than the Mantis V2?
- Cheaper
- Has terrain-agnostic tires
- More efficient folding mechanism
Why is it Worse Than the Mantis V2?
- Less powerful motors (52V 1000W vs 60V 1000W)
- Slower acceleration (-12%)
- Throttle response isn’t as smooth
- Deck is significantly shorter
- Supports less rider weight (-45 lbs)
- No turn signals
Warranty
The Mantis V2 comes with a 12-month warranty and a Lifetime Service Commitment plan that entitles you to 50% off parts and labor once your warranty expires.
During the warranty period, Fluid Free Ride will diagnose any issues you have and ship spare parts free of charge for self-repair. However, when a repair is more complex, the work required to fix issues will be completed at one of their service centers. Again, this is free of charge, but you’ll have to cover the shipping costs to and from the service center.
As to be expected, parts prone to wear and tear – including brake pads, tires, tubes, fenders, kickstands, and cosmetic plastic covers – aren’t covered. Similarly, damage caused by collisions, misuse, fire, accidents, environmental factors, or lack of routine care, sit outside of the warranty.
Specification Sheet
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Original price was: $1,899.00.$1,599.00Current price is: $1,599.00.
