The GoTrax GXL V2‘s build quality is quite impressive when you consider the price. At this price point you can’t expect a top of the range electric scooter (especially as some on the market cost 5x more), but it is certainly sufficient for purpose. Being a commuting scooter, it needs to be durable and sturdy enough for daily use, and it is.
The fenders are made from reinforced plastic, which feels as sturdy as it sounds. They won’t scratch or break without a fight, and that’s a good quality to have on a commuter scooter.
Being a foldable scooter, you’d expect to have problems taking it down and setting it up, but that’s not the case whatsoever. You may fiddle with the latching mechanism a little bit more than you’d like, but once you’ve figured it out, it holds the folded scooter firmly enough to carry around without issues.
The air-filled pneumatic tyres are as good as it gets. Perfectly balanced and very capable of handling various terrain without a hitch.
The construction of the GXL Version 2 is damn near infallible, but what else does it have to offer?
It’s good to see that the V2 comes with a 250 W brushless DC motor, which is the most powerful motor at this price range. Thanks to this motor, the V2 can clock a top speed of 25km/hr and carry a maximum load of 100kg. Not bad for the price!
There’s the slightest of delays when you launch under full throttle, and going up steep inclines really robs you of any meaningful speed, but the GXL V2 makes up for these shortcomings with a low deck that allows it to function as a normal kick scooter in case you run out of juice mid-commute.
The manufacturer-provided figures for the GXL V2’s top range are 12 miles per full charge. Don’t expect to run the whole 12 miles though. Your speed, the terrain, cold temperatures, and how frequently you stop will ultimately have a say over the scooter’s maximum range.
You can put as many as 20km behind you riding conservatively, or as little as 15km per charge if you push it. However you look at it, 20km is a lot of kilometres to cover in a day, and so are 15km when they’re covered in a hurry. Better than a “last mile solution” but not the longest range either.
The two 8.5 inch pneumatic inner tube tyres are one of the scooter’s top features. Usually, these tyres can only be found in high-end models, so it’s quite nice to see them on a budget scooter.
The tyres more than make up for the lack of any form of suspension by providing enough bounce to make the ride comfortable.
At the front, the GXL V2 has regenerative brakes, which are pretty decent, but not as cool as the hand-operated rear disk brake.
The scooter is ten times safer to ride thanks to the hand lever on the left, which ensures that your left hand is always poised above the brake.
Disk brakes are also uncommon at this price range. Electric scooters with disk brakes and pneumatic tyres typically cost a lot more than what the Gotrax GXL Version 2 goes for — this is an indisputable mark of quality.
Here’s what we love about the design of the GoTrax GXL V2.
First, the manufacturer has tried to eradicate any excesses and redundancies. All the buttons and levers that the V2 comes with are absolutely essential — everything else is kept to a bare minimum to emphasize the sleek, minimal design of the scooter.
Second, the folding mechanism is perfect. It unravels from a compact portable bundle into a strong and sturdy scooter that’s as solid as you like.
Transitioning it from its folded to unfolded state is a straightforward matter. You don’t need to be well versed in mechanics to do it.
Interestingly, GXL V2 also scores highly when it comes to packaging. Too many times have we seen perfectly good scooters arrive damaged and dying due to flimsy packaging. That’s not the case with the V2, which will impress you with its form-fitting case that keeps everything safe and brand new until opened.
If you’re in a bind because you don’t know what scooter to get, the GoTrax GXL V2 should not be a hard choice to make.
An excellently built low-budget electric scooter that’s fitted with luxuries like pneumatic tyres and a hand operated rear disc brake is exactly what you’ll get when you spring for this scooter.
Folded, it is small enough to fit under your desk at work, in the bus or train, and inside a large backpack or suitcase. Its size and foldable design address the demands of the urban landscape by allowing you to switch from walking to riding to kicking without a problem.
It may not be the most powerful electric scooter you’ve ever seen, but for the price, the GoTrax GXL V2 handbrake edition is a scooter worth your attention.
As written by ElectricRideLab.com
Electric Rider is New Zealand’s specialist importer of top quality electric bikes and scooters.
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