How to Choose a Dual Motor Electric Scooter
In this Buyer's Guide:
We'll cover the key factors that you should consider when choosing a dual-motor electric scooter, including:
When choosing a dual-motor electric scooter, you need to be aware of several key factors that determine performance, handling, and overall riding experience.
Whether you’re after blazing speed, tight control, or a smooth acceleration curve, knowing what each feature brings to the table will help you choose with confidence.
Find the Perfect Scooter
Check out my recommendations and compare electric scooters below.
Motor Size & Power: Decoding Motor Specifications for Performance
The size and power of an electric scooter's motor is determined by its voltage (V), watts (W), nominal power, and peak power. Understanding these will help you make an informed decision.
Volts (V): Volts tell you how strong a motor’s electrical current is. The higher the volts, the greater the torque and the faster your acceleration.
Watts (W): Watts indicate the size of a motor. The higher the watts, the faster your top speed.
Nominal Power: Measured in watts, this is the power that a motor can produce continuously without overheating. A higher nominal power results in a faster sustained top speed.
Peak Power: Measured in watts, this indicates the maximum power that a motor can produce for short bursts before overheating. A higher peak power results in faster acceleration rates, increased top speeds, and better hill-climbing.
Controllers: Choosing the Right Power Delivery System
Put simply, controllers regulate the flow of electricity from the battery to the motor. However, there are two types of controllers that you should be aware of:
Square Wave Controllers: Imagine a light switch being flicked on and off in a dark room. The room goes from being pitch black to filled with light in an instant. The same abrupt flow of power is generated by Square Wave controllers. They’re perfect for riders who want a sharp, punchy acceleration, but the abrupt throttle response can rock you back and forth, making the ride feel jerky. It’s hard to maintain a constant speed, too.
Sine Wave Controllers: These offer a much smoother power delivery. While Square Wave controllers can be compared to an on/off light switch, a Sine Wave one is more like a roll-on/roll-off dimmer dial. They are often the preferred option because they allow you to modulate your power to achieve a more controlled acceleration.
Depending on your riding style, you should choose the controller type that fits your preference for power delivery.
Top Speed vs Acceleration: What Matters More?
It can be easy to judge a scooter on its top speed alone, but after years of testing, it’s become evident that acceleration is the foremost factor in achieving adrenaline-inducing experiences.
Getting up to speed quickly is far more thrilling (and safer) than exceeding excessive speeds (i.e. 45+ mph).
Using the data from my performance tests, you can compare acceleration rates to find a model that meets your need for speed (i.e. 0-15 mph, 0-25 mph). Based on my experience, acceleration rates can be interpreted as follows:
| Performance | 0 - 15 MPH | 0 - 25 MPH |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely Fast | < 2 s | < 3 s |
| Very Fast | 2 - 3 s | 3 - 4 s |
| Fast | 3 - 4 s | 4 - 5 s |
| Moderate | 4 - 5 s | 5 - 6 s |
| Slow | > 5 s | > 6 s |
Handling: Essential Features for Stability and Control
Great handling makes all the difference, especially when maintaining control and stability at high speeds. Here’s what to look out for:
Handlebar Width: Wider handlebars result in better control. For scooters that can reach 30 mph, I recommend a minimum width of 22 inches, for 40 mph 24 inches, and for 50+ mph 27 inches.
Deck-to-Handlebar Height: The higher the handlebars, the better your posture and stance. Anything above 40 inches is suitable for tall riders (i.e. over 6 ft).
Rake (Steering Column) Angle: This is the angle of the steering column in relation to the ground. The bigger the angle, the more stable the scooter. Conversely, the smaller the angle, the more agile the scooter. Rake angles of between 9 and 11 degrees hit the sweet spot.
Deck Space: More room allows you to position yourself to improve balance. Decks that measure at least 19 inches in length offer ample room.
Kickplates: These are a game changer for aggressive riding since they provide stable platforms to let you lean into the scooter for enhanced control.
Tire Size: For optimal control, I recommend choosing a scooter with 9-10 inch tires for speeds of up to 30 mph, 10-11 inches for 40-50 mph, and 11+ inches for speeds beyond 50 mph.
Tire Profile: Tires that have rounded front-on profiles are far more agile and maintain greater traction than those that are square in their design. This is because they’re able to maintain a larger contact patch with the ground when cornering (as opposed to rolling onto their edges and losing grip).
Braking Power: Prioritizing Stopping Strength for Safety
Put simply, dual mechanical brakes are a must-have for fast electric scooters. My preference is disc brakes since they tend to deliver the strongest stopping power – especially those with hydraulic-actuated calipers.
When assessing the performance of each scooter, you should pay attention to the stopping distances from my tests.
| Performance | Stop From 15 MPH |
|---|---|
| Excellent | < 2.5 meters |
| Very Good | 2.5 - 3.0 meters |
| Good | 3.0 - 3.5 meters |
| Fair | 3.5 - 4.0 meters |
| Poor | > 4.0 meters |
Electric Scooter Brakes: A Beginner’s Guide
How I Test Braking Performance
Need Help?
Still unsure which scooter to choose? Check out my recommendations and compare models below.
