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Scooters have been around since before the 1950s. If you don’t believe me, you can watch some old black and white TV shows and see the kids riding them. But back then, scooters relied on the kid constantly propelling it forward with their own feet, much like the cars in The Flintstones. These days that seems like a lot of work, especially when you’ve got the best electric scooters to consider.
Luckily for us, we have electric scooters for kids, adults, and even electric bike reviews that will get you where you need to go, with minimum work on your part. The Gotrax GXL electric scooter is one of the latest.
Gotrax is the leader in personal transport devices like hoverboards, and now they are looking to offer the same experience with electric scooters. So does the GXL live up to its line of products? I recently spent some time with the GXL electric scooter, so read on to find out my impressions. Additionally, you can check out an updated version of this model with our Gotrax GXL V2 review.
Pros: Super Smooth Ride Powerful Great Performance Great Tires
Cons: Heavy LED Headlight Needs To Be Bigger and Brighter Charge Time Of 4-5 Hours
The build quality is exactly what you would expect from Gotrax. This scooter is quality constructed and durable, which makes it a bit heavy, but that’s not a problem, the Gotrax XR Ultra weighs about the same. More on the weight later. The entire scooter feels solid. There are no cheap or flimsy parts on this vehicle at all. Everything just feels superior and sturdy compared to other models on the market.
The design is very sleek and stylish as well. This scooter was very well thought out. It’s heavy, but since it folds in half and the handlebar section locks into the bottom section, you can pick it up and carry it easily, and it doesn’t feel so heavy in this configuration. The other big standout here is the LED screen, which is integrated into the stem. During our rides, the sun was out bright, and we could still see it clearly. The throttle is on the right handlebar, and the rear brake controller is on the left, making controlling both very effortless.
The GXL needs only a gentle push from you to get the electric motor going. The maximum speed is about 15.5 MPH, with a range of around 9-12 miles on a single charge. For more range, check out the Xiaomi Mi electric scooter, which has about an 18-mile range. Your max speed and mileage will vary depending on factors like the weight of the rider. This scooter has great torque and accelerates very fast. It may have a top speed of just 15.5, but when you get on this vehicle, it feels like a real speed demon, which is very fun. For casual writing, there’s a cruise control feature. Both brakes also work very nicely, whether you need to stop quickly or slow to a stop. The red brake on the handlebars slows you, but if you need a hard stop, you can use the foot pedal on the board. Slight inclines proved to be no problem, and the ride is ultra-smooth since it has 8.5″ air-filled tires. You barely feel bumps at all unless you ride over something really bad. The LED headlight could be brighter. It isn’t up to the usual standard of LED lights on hoverboards. It looks fine at night but leaves you wanting more light.
You can charge the battery using the included power adapter, and your battery will charge in about 4-5 hours.
https://youtu.be/ytfuPVcOpMs
I have to say, right out of the box, the Gotrax GXL scooter is fun. Opening that box and putting it together will make it feel like Christmas. Gotrax made assembly incredibly simple so that anyone can put it together and start riding in minutes. Simply screw the handlebars onto the main reinforced frame, make sure it is charged up, and you are ready to go. I love how it folds down to half its size for storage and easier, lightweight carrying around campus or the subway. Push a simple lever, and you can unfold it and ride. The GXL has great acceleration and offers a smooth ride, with great braking when you need it. The cruise control is a rare feature to be seen on e-scooters, which you can also find on the Xiaomi MI M365. Gotrax really did a great job making the overall experience with this scooter a fun one, from unboxing to riding it all over town. Truth be told, I may be a scooter convert now. I think I like this better than riding a hoverboard and better than other balancing scooters.
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