Hiboy S2 Review

Design

Handlebars

The handlebars are slightly narrower than the average budget scooter, but they still afford riders a comfortable stance to easily manoeuvre the scooter – although, at top speeds, a wider handlebar would provide a better ride experience.

Textured rubber grips provide good control, whilst also being resistant to wear and tear. This adds a layer of durability to the scooter, setting it apart from other cheap foam alternatives.

On either side of the handlebars, you’ll find the dual braking system. On the right, is the handbrake that controls the rear disc brake (the thumb-operated accelerator sits below this). On the left, is the electronic thumb brake. Both thumb paddles and the handbrake are smooth to operate. It’s unusual to see dual brakes that can be operated independently on a budget scooter that has a top speed of less than 20 mph, but this is because the electronic brake lacks the power needed to bring you to a quick halt.

In the centre of the handlebars sits the elegantly designed LED display, evocative of the Xiaomi Mi 365. It keeps track of your speed, rider settings, battery level, and cruise control.

Frame

What you get with the S2, like the rest of the range, is a sleekly designed matte-black finish that not only looks the part but delivers, too. The robust and durable scooter is made of an aviation-grade aluminium alloy. It adds a little bit of weight to the scooter but it means the S2 can easily confront day-to-day wear and tear without falling apart.

Nevertheless, the S2 is still only 13.4 kg and sits in the top 20% of electric scooters for weight (i.e. it is lighter than 80% of all other scooters – based on my independent research of 99 scooters).

Compared to the S2 Pro, its older sibling that weighs 16.5 kg, it is more convenient to carry.

Deck

Similar to the rest of the S2 range, it has a grippy rubber matting that ensures a safe and secure ride. It’s straightforward to clean and has enough space for a comfortable cruise without having to place your feet in awkward positions.

As mentioned in my review of the S2 Pro, on the back of the deck, you’ll find a reinforced rear fender – an opinion-dividing design. Most entry-level scooters use the rear fender to deflect mud and dirt from flicking up, as well as a foot brake.

Whilst the bracket prevents you from wearing the rear solid rubber tyre down, it requires a change of your riding style where you can no longer use the foot brake but, instead, have to rely on the hand-operated brakes. This dramatically reduces the S2’s ability to come to a quick stop. I have also previously expressed my concerns about how much weight the metal bracket can hold. This is by no means a fact, so please don’t take my word for it, but I would assume that the rear bracket could break under a considerable amount of pressure, resulting in it being squished in place and rubbing against the tyre.

Wheels

First up, let's take a look at the good stuff.

Solid tyres are puncture-proof meaning you don’t have to worry about the extra maintenance costs of replacing inner tyre tubes.

Now for the bad stuff.

On paper, the honeycomb design looks like it would do the job of cushioning against road imperfections, but in reality, the 8.5 inch solid tyres struggle to deliver the cushioning you desire. The S2 is, therefore, restricted to smooth urban roads and pavements.

As with the S2 Pro, when you push the S2 to its peak motor output and rip the 18.6 mph top speed, your wrists will vibrate and your knees will shake.

Build Quality & Durability

Whilst the frame holds up well against daily use, the low lying deck and minimal ground clearance expose the underside of the scooter to impact from rocks and curbs. Because the battery is stored in the deck, you should be careful when riding and avoid riding over any obstacles that could damage it.

However, one area where the Hiboy S2 surpasses its price tag is the inclusion of an IP54 water-resistance rating. As a result, it is protected from light rain. Although I wouldn’t recommend riding in the rain, especially because the tyres become slippy.

Weight & Load

The S2 is not only one of the lightest scooters in the Hiboy range, but it also sits in the top 20% of electric scooters for weight, clocking in at 13.4 kg.

More impressive, though, is its load-bearing capability. With a maximum load of 118 kg, the S2 is one of the few budget scooters that can support heavier riders (most budget models support 100 kg).

The increased load capacity also aids in the scooter performance when it comes to acceleration. This is discussed further down the review but…spoiler alert – it’s quick off the mark.

Folding & Portability

In 3 uncomplicated steps, you can take the S2 from standing to folded.

First, you loosen the folding lever at the bottom of the stem. Second, you collapse the stem parallel to the deck. The third and final step is to hook the back of the handlebars into the latch on the rear fender. Once the handlebar is clicked into place it is secure and easy to lift.

Whilst the handlebars don’t fold, their narrow design affords a compact package, making storage a cinch.

Assembly

As with most of the Hiboy range, assembly is simple.

It takes just 5-10 minutes.

You simply need to attach the handlebar console to the stem and tighten it in place. All the tools needed are provided.

Ride Quality

Is the Hiboy S2 Comfortable to Ride?

The Hiboy S2 is, unfortunately, plagued by the same poor ride quality as the S2 Pro.

Despite the rear shock absorbers, the 8.5 inch solid tyres repress the dampening benefits – ultimately dragging ride quality down. Don’t get me wrong, you can enjoy a comfortable ride over smooth surfaces, but this leaves you confined to areas where you can ride. Another downfall here is that as you gradually increase speed, the ride quality equally nose dives.

If you want a similarly priced scooter that you can rely on for a comfortable ride, then opt for the Turboant X7 Pro or GoTrax XR Elite.

Performance & Safety

Speed & Acceleration

With a 350W motor, the S2 matches its upgraded counterpart, the S2 Pro, with a top speed of 18.6 mph – making it one of the fastest budget scooters.

If zipping around your local neighbourhood is something you want from a scooter, the S2 might be up your street. Earlier in the review, I mentioned how the increased load capacity (118 kg) benefits a faster acceleration curve. Because the scooter can handle a heavier load than other budget scooters (100 kg), its motor – although the same size as the other scooters – can more effectively propel riders. To put this into perspective, the S2 can hit 0-15 mph in 6.2 seconds, whereas the GoTrax XR Elite takes 7.6 seconds.

Range

The S2 delivers a maximum 17 mile range on a full battery. However, this is conditional based on how you ride. You should take into account load, speed, and terrain when considering the realistic range you can expect.

Realistically, the average rider can expect 8-10 miles. If you want to extend this a little further, you can ride in the ‘Comfort’ setting, which will cap the top speed at 13 mph and prolong battery life.

Hill Climbing

With a 15% incline gradeability, the S2 can take on most gradual hills. But, bear in mind that if you weigh towards the upper end of the 118 kg weight limit, the scooter will move sluggish up hills. The same can be said for when the steepness of the incline increases.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

Fitted with two rear springs, you would expect that the S2 has the pedigree to deliver a buttery-smooth ride, but it's the complete opposite. This is down to the solid tyres. They have no cushioning.

If you can splash the cash, I’d recommend opting for the Horizon 10.4 which sports a spring in the front and hydraulics in the rear. This is the cheapest scooter with a good suspension system. Or, if you want to keep your budget low, then go for the Turboant X7 Pro. The X7 Pro doesn’t have suspension but it does have big air-filled tyres that make for a comfortable ride across varying urban terrain.

Braking

The S2 displays its two-braking system on the handlebars, with the electric thumb brake on the left and the rear disc handbrake on the right. As with the S2 Pro, using them in unison provides efficient and safe braking.

You can’t rely on the electronic thumb brake alone since it doesn’t have the power to slow you down quickly.

Charge Time

The 6 hour charge time is relatively long when compared to the likes of the Turboant X7 Pro, which matches the 6 hours yet delivers 13 more miles (30 in total).

Whilst most scooters keep the placement of the charging port simple (i.e. wherever the battery is stored), the S2 bucks the trend, positioning it at the top of the handlebar stem. This does make charging it a little easier, rather than having to fiddle around the deck trying to find the port, as well as adding extra protection from water and dirt.

Extra Features

LED Panel

One of the standout aesthetic features is the LED dashboard. With its premium look and super bright display, it is easy to read. Monitoring your speed, battery level, riding mode, and cruise control function is a breeze.

LED Lights

The S2 flaunts a very stylish 3 light system with headlights, taillights, and sidelights.

The LED headlight has a maximum range of up to 15 meters, whilst the taillight keeps those behind you alert to your presence.

With 2 taps of the button on the LED dashboard, you can turn the lights on and off.

Despite the array of lights, I still recommend investing in a more powerful light setup for enhanced visibility.

Cruise Control

Cruise control comes as standard on most electric scooters nowadays, but what separates the good from the bad is how it is activated.

In the case of the S2, you have to tap the button below the LED dashboard 3 times. This can be somewhat ungainly and sticks out like a sore thumb when compared to scooters such as GoTrax’s line of budget scooters. Cruise control for these models automatically kicks into action following a sustained period of constant speed.

Mobile App

The mobile app is a nice-to-have feature that pushes the S2’s feature set into the “premium” bracket of budget scooters.

The app gives a more detailed breakdown of your ride stats (compared to the LED display), but it also has a few tricks up its sleeve. You can adjust acceleration strength, making the S2 ideal for new riders who are learning to get to grips with the riding or, better yet, a well-kept secret for parents to adjust the scooter for their kids. You can also alter the responsiveness of the electronic brake.

Digital Lock

Another handy feature is the digital lock system. Using the app you enable the feature which then disengages the throttle and locks the front tyre into place.

But remember, the scooter only weighs 13.4 kg, so picking it up and walking off is not impossible. Therefore, I’d recommend investing in a physical lock or considering the GoTrax G4 – which comes with a cable lock built-in to its frame.

Bell

The bell fulfils its duty by giving pedestrians a heads up.

Water-Resistance Rating

Did you know that only 40% of electric scooters have water-resistance ratings? Luckily, the S2 is one of them.

Equipped with an IP54 rating, the S2 protected not only against the rain but also from dirt particles.

Optional Seat Attachment

Seated scooters tend to be costly. Take for example the WideWheel Pro. This scooter costs £1,110 with the seat attachment. This is £705 more than the seated version of the S2.

It has to be said that while the S2 may not be the most comfortable scooter to ride, it certainly delivers exceptional value considering that it is the cheapest seated electric scooter available.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Warranty

All Hiboy products, including the S2, are covered by a 12-month warranty.

The warranty covers scooter defects but can only be claimed if your scooter was ordered directly from Hiboy or any other authorized retailer.

Post-Purchase Support

Hiboy states that they pride themselves on their customer support by “responding to emails within 24 hours”. However, as mentioned in my other Hiboy scooter reviews, I have previously waited for over a month for a reply, despite having reviewed their scooters.

To get in touch with them, you need to email [email protected]. Make sure to quote your scooter’s serial number, too.