Varla Eagle One V2 Review

Cockpit

The first thing I noticed after unboxing the Eagle One V2 was its swept-back handlebars. This design – which is more pronounced than what I saw on the V1 – promotes a strong sense of control when going through the gears. Add to the fact that the handlebars stretch a considerably wide 28 inches, and you have a scooter that’s a dream to handle.

I was also delighted to find that a far more ergonomic thumb throttle had replaced the finger throttle found on its predecessor, while the new 3.5-inch display is a big improvement on the more basic QS-S4 unit. Another significant upgrade comes in the form of the NFC card reader, which takes the place of the old key-lock ignition.

Factor in an improved button pad that grants you access to a host of p-settings and riding modes, and you have a cockpit that’s superior to what came before it in every conceivable way.

And, unlike some of its all-terrain competitors – here’s looking at you, Nanrobot D6+ 2.0 – it saves your preferred p-settings, meaning that you don’t have to re-enter them when turning the scooter back on.

Frame

One look at this beast and it’s easy to see that this scooter has been built to weather the storms of everyday rugged use. Just take its composition, for example. Constructed from a 6061 aluminum alloy – the same material used in heavy-duty structural applications like truck frames, rail coaches, and bridges – the V2 not only benefits from a high tensile strength but also excellent corrosion resistance.

Together, these lay the foundation for it to achieve its all-terrain, all-weather appeal – a quality further strengthened by its IP54 water-resistance rating which protects it against the ingress of both moisture and dust.

So profound are the differences in the V2’s frame compared to the original V1, that I’d say it has more in common with the Varla Eagle One Pro.

Deck

With just 16.1 x 7.7 inches of usable space, the deck is responsible for one of my few grumbles: it’s a little on the short side.

The presence of the kickplate does alleviate these concerns somewhat, given that it provides an extra 5.1 inches of space and is angled at a comfortable 16 degrees. But, the reality is that without using the kickplate, your feet can feel a little cramped.

This minor foible aside, I was pleased to find that it comes with three replaceable grip tapes. This is a nice touch, as they quickly become dirty and are hard to clean; the V2 can look a little scruffy as a result, so it’s good to have a quick fix up your sleeve.

Tires

While the 10 x 3.0-inch inner tube tires of the original performed admirably, they were susceptible to pinch flats and punctures. These threats have been squashed with the V2’s new tubeless beauties, which are 0.5 inches wider for added stability.

Now also sporting an all-terrain tread pattern, they deliver more traction while traversing loose surfaces.

Portability

Weighing 82 lbs, it hasn’t been made to whet the appetites of those searching for a lightweight scooter – we are, after all, talking about a robust dual-motor model, so its hefty build is to be expected.

What might pique your interest, though, is its folding mechanism. Gone are the dual collar clamps that would loosen mid-ride to make the V1’s stem feel rickety; in their place is a much stronger twist-action contraption and grenade-style pin that locks everything into place.

The mechanism, which looks like an oversized thumbtack, screws into two grooves – one above and one below the folding point. Once tightened, it guarantees stability – as evidenced by my tests where I exerted a lot of pulling and pushing force on the handlebars while navigating unpredictable off-road terrain.

It’s also worth noting that I found the stem a little stiff to fold. This, however, is a positive attribute of its design, as it reinforces its rock-solid, wobble-free build.

Once I managed to collapse the stem, the hook on the back of the handlebars conveniently latched to the metal bar protruding from the kickplate. If there was one area for improvement, though, it would be that the spring clip on the hook wasn’t the most effective or well-designed. On several occasions, the clip would pop out of the hook leaving it limp.

Load

Varla claims that the Eagle One V2 can support riders up to 330 lbs, while they recommend not exceeding 265 lbs.

Based on my experience, I weighed 197 lbs while testing the V2, and it performed well. Considering its motor and battery power, it gets my seal of approval as a top contender for heavier riders.

Lights

Considering that the original Eagle One was void of a headlight, the addition of the V2’s high-mounted unit is a vast improvement. Not only is big, bright, and well-positioned, but it illuminates enough of the way ahead so that you don’t need to fork out any extra on additional clip-on lights.

Elsewhere, the dual deck-embedded taillights boost your visibility to others, while they also function as brake lights.

Completing the lighting rig is a set of colorful strip lights that line both sides of the deck. Using the minus button on the control pad you can choose between 3 modes – breathing, flashing, and streaming. They aren’t quite as bright as those featured on the Mantis V2, but they do add a dash of flair nonetheless.

Build Quality

Aside from the loose spring clip that’s supposed to keep the handlebars locked to the deck when folded, there’s little to pick at when it comes to assessing the Eagle One V2’s build quality.

Sure, it may not be the most elegant scooter, and yes, it may be a little bulky, but this is a veritable juggernaut that gets the job done. Not only is its craftsmanship on par with the titan of the performance scooter world – the coveted Mantis V2 – but it’s far superior to its closely-priced all-terrain rival, the Nanrobot D6+ 2.0.

However, while it may be a top contender in its price class, we do need to bear in mind the results from my tests. This becomes even more evident in the acceleration report where the rankings shift.

Acceleration

• Tester: Josh Frisby | Weight: 197 lbs | Height: 6'1″
• Equipment: Dragy GPS Performance Box (DG70)
• Results: See the test data

The V2’s acceleration rate is perhaps a more accurate reflection of where it ranks amongst its similarly priced competitors.

While the addition of its superior Sine Wave controllers and ergonomic thumb throttle nudge it in front of the V1 with a 0-15 mph rate of 2.3 seconds and 0-25 mph in 5.8 seconds, these stats show that the scooter loses ground on other rivals as it moves through the gears.