KUGOO KUKIRIN G4 electric scooter review

REVIEW – When you’re looking for a scooter that’s perfect for daily commutes or when you’re feeling the need for speed, the KUKIRIN G4 Electric Scooter by KUGOO is a scooter to consider. With its ability to reach speeds of up to 43 mph, this scooter delivers the thrill of a high-speed ride while still being versatile enough to handle different types of surfaces, from smooth city streets to rougher off-road paths, the KUKIRIN G4 Electric Scooter offers a fun and thrilling ride on any surface.

What is it?

The KUKIRIN G4 is a foldable electric scooter that is built for both the average scooter rider and the thrill-seeker alike. It has a foldable frame making it portable and convenient for on-the-go use. Whether you’re gliding over smooth pavement, tackling sandy trails, or maneuvering through rocky terrain, the G4’s 11-inch wide tires and spring shock absorption ensure a thrilling yet comfortable ride. Engineered for versatility, this electric scooter easily handles dry and wet surface conditions.

What’s included?

• G4 Electric Scooter
• Seat
• Seat post
• 2 Keys
• Charger
• 3 Allen wrenches
• Small wrench
• Tool bag
• Manual

Tech specs

• Top Speed: 43 mph / 70 kmh
• Top Speed In Each Mode: 12 mph / 24 mph / 43 mph
• Range: 43 miles/ 70 km
• Battery: 60V 20Ah
• Motor Rated Power: 2000 watts
• Hill Climbing: 20°
• Brake System: Disc Brake System
• Tires: 11 in. Tubeless Tires
• Size:
  • Unfolded: 53 in. x 51 in. x 26 in. / 1336 x 1295 x 660 mm
  • Folded: 22 in. x 51 in. x 26 in. / 1336 x 550 x 660 mm
• Deck Dimension:  20.08 in x 8.66 in. / 51 x 22 cm
• Ground Clearance: 7 in. / 18 cm
• Weight: 81.5 lbs / 37 kg
• Max Load: 265 lbs / 120 kg
• Charging Time: 10-12 hours
• IP Rating: IP54

 

 

Design and features

The G4  Electric Scooter is a much beefier and more rugged scooter than ones I have ridden before. And it is surely a lot more of a beast than the TurboAnt M10 Electric Scooter that I reviewed. The G4 undoubtedly has more weight and heft to it thanks to its aluminum metal frame and the extra features such as the front and rear shock absorbers, disc brakes, and 2000-watt “Super Motor”.

You’ll be surprised to see that the stem post on the G4 is not your typical round tubular post. Instead, it is a hollow rectangle design that not only looks futuristic but is supposed to be aerodynamic and help reduce wind resistance. The design of the G4 definitely has a sleek and modern look.

I found that the 8.7 in. (220mm) x 20 in. (510mm) deck helps with the balance and stability while riding the G4 at faster speeds. I felt more comfortable with my foot placement on the wide deck. With other scooters that have a more narrow deck, I would have to randomly adjust my footing because it felt like my foot was hanging too far off the edge. With the G4’s wider deck, I could put my right foot anywhere and not have to adjust when riding the scooter. I keep my right foot on the deck, while my left foot stays of the rear foot pad. For me, I feel more in control of shifting my body at any instance while I am riding. This stance helps me to quickly adjust my weight when I need to, especially at high speeds, as opposed to if I kept my feet side by side on the deck.

The G4 is equipped with front and rear spring shock absorbers which make a huge difference in the riding. They are perfect for smoothing out those rough and bumpy terrains. In addition to the spring shock absorbers are the G4’s 11 inch vacuum rubber tires.  The tires are super wide, which enhances the scooters stability and also makes for a smoother ride, even on those off-road surfaces. These tires should provide excellent stability and grip for the G4 whether you are riding on city streets, sandy beaches, or off-road trails. The tires make it possible to ride on wet grounds.

For stopping power, the G4 is equipped with front and rear disc brakes that are ventilated for effective heat dissipation. This dual disc brake provides responsive stopping power which is something you really want at higher speeds. Although using just the front brakes at slower speeds is adequate, using both the front and rear brakes is better at faster speeds. However, I prefer to use the rear brake at all times, but I definitely use both front and rear brakes when hitting those higher speeds. Having these shock absorbers and wide tires gives the G4 its smooth ride, while the disc brakes provide for the scooter’s safety.

And speaking of brakes, the G4 has a brake/tail light. For a scooter such as this one, having a brake/tail light is a nice feature. Plus, the small reflector on the rear fender is a nice little detail, as well. It is always best to be visible while riding on the road during the day and especially at night. In addition to the brake light, the G4 also has a headlight that gives off a decent amount of light. I like that you can turn it on or off when you need to. There are also turn signals on the scooter so you can communicate with drivers on the road and let them know when you are turning. I think the turn signals are nice touch to the visibility and safety. The G4 is also equipped with a horn should you need one.

The scooter’s 60v 20ah battery powers the scooter and all the electronics, and seems to last a fairly long time. Since fully charging the battery, and normal use, I have only used about 1/4 battery power. However, do keep in mind that I don’t use the LED headlight much since I haven’t had much time to ride at night. But I do use the turn signals, and hit the throttle every chance I get, so I would assume that doing so will use up battery life.

Although the G4 is foldable, which is great for storage purposes, don’t expect to fold it and immediately throw it into your car. First of all, it’s much larger than your average scooter. So, naturally it will be heavier. The G4 is constructed from aluminum alloy and weighs 81.5 lbs. (37 Kg), so it’s not that easy to pick it up by yourself, even while folded. It won’t fit inside the trunk of a car, however, it may fit inside a hatchback with the back seats folded down. But it will be a super tight fit. I’m sure adding to the weight of the scooter is the 60V 20AH super large battery and the 2000W super motor. The battery charging time is 10-12 hours and is supposed to get a range of 43 miles.

And, with the large size of the tires, the deck is much higher up from the ground.  When I first started riding this scooter, there were several times I was startled as I was stepping off the scooter, only to find the ground was a little further down than I anticipated. But I eventually got used to it and I can now step down with no problem. The ground clearance for the deck is 7′ in. ( 18 cm).

There is an optional seat and post that was sent to me that can be attached onto the rear foot pad. I think having the seat is a good feature to have when you are riding longer or farther distances with the scooter. It may be good for commutes to and from work or on long scenic rides. This way, your legs won’t get tired from all that standing. Keep in mind, with the seat attached you won’t be able to fold the handle bars down, plus it will add a bit more to the overall weight. 

When folded, the stem doesn’t lock while down. With other scooters that lock when folded, you can grab the locked stem and carry it with no problem. The locked stem then acts as a carrying handle.

However, the G4 does have a strap on the left side of the stem just below the handlebar. When the stem is folded down, the strap can be slipped around the rear foot pad. By doing this, it keeps the handlebar stem somewhat anchored down. Unfortunately, this still doesn’t lock the stem but it is better than nothing. Only time will tell how long that strap will hold.

Assembly, Installation, Setup

The only assembly required is the handlebars and the rear fender need to be attached to the since the G4 scooter comes mostly assembled. Of course, if you want to use the seat with the scooter then you have to mount that to the rear foot pad. But that is optional.

Performance

The 2000 watt motor on the G4 delivers fast acceleration and speed that makes riding on the street and cruising on rough terrain feel effortless. With this motor, the scooter can easily reach speeds over 40 mph when you’re in the highest gear. There are three Modes of speed for the G4: Eco- up to 12 mph for a relaxed cruise, Sport- up to 24 mph for a bit more zip, and Race- for that thrilling top speed of up to 43 mph.

To switch riding Modes on the G4, you have to do it on the display touchscreen which I would have preferred that you could do it more easily like with a physical button that you could press with your thumb or finger. It seems like an inconvenience if you don’t set the Mode before riding and you decide later down the road that you want to go at a faster speed but can’t because you are in Eco or Sport Mode. That means you have to pull over and stop, then press the Mode button on the display screen just to switch to Race Mode.

And one thing I noticed about the display screen is that it is very hard to see in bright sunlight. I could barely see the display on the screen so it was difficult for me to switch Modes. I ended up just tapping around on the screen until I saw the Modes change. Plus, you have to be precise on touching the area of the screen for it to respond. Tapping away blindly on the touchscreen was frustrating. And even holding my hand over the screen to block the sun wasn’t much help. The best I could do was to make sure I was under the shade of a tree to better see the display screen.

The thumb throttle on the handlebar was easy to use and switching from throttle to brake with my hand was no problem. I like that the are two brake handles on the handlebars for the front and rear disc brakes. The disc brakes do a good job providing reliable stopping power, which is reassuring when you’re riding at high speeds and you have to suddenly stop.

I like that there is a bit of pep when you hit the throttle. Keep in mind that you have to give the scooter a little push to take off. If you are standing still and activate the throttle, it won’t go. I think that this is just a safety feature so that the scooter doesn’t accidentally take off.

My only concern was that I was not able reach the speed of 43mph. I really tried to hit the 43mph top speed on an empty flat backroad in my neighborhood but I could just never reach the top speed.

Oh, well. I certainly did not want to be speeding through my neighborhood so I probably need a longer stretch of road somewhere.

The fastest I ever got to was 38mph which still felt really fast considering you’re riding a stand-up scooter. 

Overall, the riding experience was awesome. I really liked riding at higher speeds, even if not at the top speed. Although the speed in Sport Mode does just fine, I just keep the G4 in Race Mode and adjust my speeds accordingly to where I am. This way, I don’t need to stop and switch Modes.

I took the G4 on surfaces from smooth pavement to wet grass to loose mulch and to dirt and rocky paths. Each terrain was no problem with the G4. Riding over bumpy and rough terrain wasn’t a problem thanks to the wide 11 inch tubeless tires and the spring shock absorbers.

The only terrain I wasn’t able to ride in was snow. It was kind of hard to do here in Florida.

See it in action

What I like about KUGOO KUKIRIN G4 Electric Scooter

• Solid construction
• Turn signals
• Up to 43 miles per charge
• LED lights for visibility

What needs to be improved?

• Brighter display screen for outdoors
• More responsive touchscreen
• Lock upper section when folded

Final thoughts

I really enjoyed riding the KUKIRIN G4 Electric Scooter. In general, I like the solid feel and overall ride of the scooter. Plus, it’s so fun to ride. The G4 scooter gives you a sense of freedom while you are riding on it. It feels great to feel the sun and wind on your face as you casually stroll down the road as you take in the scenery. At least that’s how felt when I rode around my neighborhood, we have a lot of trees and nature around. I was able to ride on the smooth paved roads and then transition to the rough surfaces with ease. 

So, if you area thrill seeker and are  looking for a scooter that can reach those higher speeds, or if you just want a scooter to ride so you can take in the nature around that can travel over smooth roads and easily tackle rough and bumpy terrain, then the KUKIRIN G4 would be the perfect scooter for you. Whatever way you decide to ride, you’ll have a great time with the KUKIRIN G4 Electric Scooter.

Price: $949.00
Where to buy: www.kugooscooterusa.com
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by KUGOO. KUGOO did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.