Inokim Light 2 Review - Ultra-Portable Scooter

• Read Time: 8 min

If you know about electric scooters you will know the name, Nimrod Sapir. By many considered the father of the modern electric scooter. He takes this game very seriously and Inokim scooters mean you can expect exceptional build quality and that little something extra.

Designed to be a no-nonsense very easy-to-use electric scooter, and with a comfortable ride, the Inokim light 2 sets the standard for the high-quality ultra-portable scooter. Is it as good as they say? Let's find out.

Part of the philosophy of the Light 2 being very easy to use, is a moderate acceleration mapping. It is a kick-to-start e-scooter, meaning you must kick to get the motor engaged, which is energy preserving but also makes sure you don't get that instant jerk forward with the on-off feeling many scooters have. Reaching 15 mph (24 kph) will take just under 6 seconds and the decent top speed of 20 mph (32 kph) is achieved in just under 14 seconds.

The acceleration is modest at lower speeds but starts pulling stronger the more the speed increases.

Some kick-to-start scooters are tricky. You need to kick a couple of times before the scooter realizes what's going on. This is annoying but the Inokim Light 2 never fails to engage at the first kick. Typical Inokim attention to detail.

It also has three different speed modes 

It is a single motor lightweight e-scooter and as such will never be a mountain goat and set new records. But it still manages smaller inclines without any complaints. From a standstill, it can tackle a 197 ft (60 m) 10% grade hill in just under 20 seconds reaching a top speed of 15 mph (24 kph). This with an average rider weight of 165 lbs (75kg).

The Light 2 has a promised range of 20 miles (32 km). The real-world range is probably closer to 15 miles (25 km) which still places it as nr 1 on the list of ultra-portable electric scooters on the market.

A 350 base/650 W peak power rear hub motor with a 36V 10.4Ah (374Wh) Li-ion battery is the power source for the Inokim light 2.

The Inokim Light 2 has the quality one would expect based on the reputation of the brand.

Inokim electric scooters are the "tip of the spear" in the world as far as attention to detail and innovation of electric kick scooters go.

It even manages to look cool, if this is important or not, but it does. In particular, the stem, a very important part of any e-scooter is designed to perfection. It is elongated into what one could say is a "blade" design. That means it is wider from a sideways glance and it also strengthens it in the direction of the push and pull of the handlebars while riding. This stem will never twist.

The folding mechanism is extra rigid and it comes with an additional safety lock making it impossible to fold while riding.

Small details such as the rear fender not rubbing or squeaking against anything is also typical of the Inokim brand.

Welding is avoided when possible and when it has to be used, it looks like a work of art. Instead, much of the scooter is CNC:d (Computer Numerically Controlled). A manufacturing process that uses an automated system that carries out very complex interrelated tool actions in a pre-programmed sequence for the fabrications of items to extremely exacting standards.

All materials used are of high quality and it shows when you ride it or carry it. The load capacity is 220 lbs (100 kg)

Lightweight scooters will need to sacrifice some parts to keep weight down. In this case, one of those items is suspension. This is a suspensionless scooter yet, still has good ride quality. But it was never intended for rough roads or tackling potholes.

Even though it lacks suspension, Inokim has still managed to keep ride quality and comfort as a top priority. Air-filled tires provide a smooth ride on the average road surface. One immediately noticeable feature while hopping on is that the handlebars are slightly curved back towards the rider. They are also made of a grippy comfortable soft foam style material. Another welcome feature not typical for electric scooters.

The deck has a very low center of gravity which is great for stability but makes curb hopping at lower speeds risky. Ground clearance will always suffer from a low-placed deck, yet, it is worth it for the overall ride quality.

When turning on the Light 2, the LCD display will have kept your settings, including your choice of gear, so there's nothing you need to do but get going.

The thumb throttle is probably one of, if not the best on the market. Ergonomically perfect, and comfortable even on long rides. As are the brake handles. 

For a lightweight ultra-portable scooter, the Inokim Light 2 has dual drum brakes. And the braking power is phenomenal. From 15 mph (24 kph) the braking distance is only 11,8 ft (3,6 m). Best in class and even the brake levers feel perfectly "dialed" in.

Some would think; "drum brakes"? Old technology? Yes, it is but, they do have some advantages that come to their fore on a vehicle such as this. For longevity and safety, on an ultra-portable electric scooter, they can't be beaten. Long-lasting with no need for adjustments and perfect for all kinds of weather. Disc brakes are more modern, yes, but also more prone to losing power in moisture as well as risking damage and contamination which makes them lack bite and start squeaking.

The Inokim Light 2 weighs 30 lbs (13,6 kg) which just about puts it in the ultra-portable category. It is possible to carry it up some stairs without feeling like your arm is about to fall off.

Obviously, it has a folding stem and foldable handlebars. It measures 37x10 inches (94x25 cm) once folded, which is a very neat package and one of the most compact ultra-portable ones. The fully folding frame easily fits into most car trunks.

The Light 2 has both low-mounted front and rear lights that automatically turn on at night time. You will need an aftermarket headlight if you plan on riding in the dark.

The one issue or worry with air-filled tires is flats. And it is usually the rear tire that suffers from them. This has been eliminated with the Inokim light 2 as the rear tire is a "never flat" solid honeycomb version. A honeycomb tire uses the same type of rubber that solid tires do but they are built in a way where air pockets are left in the construction making them less stiff and more reminiscent of a regular air-filled tire.

They are 8,5" (21,6 cm) wide and have superb traction.

The Light 2 is a very compact electric scooter yet, the deck is still quite sizeable. You have plenty of room on the 18,3 by 7 inches (46,4 by 17,8 cm) wide deck.

The latest version of the Inokim Light 2 now has an IPX4 rating which means it can resist water splashes from all directions. We must remind you as with most electric vehicles, exposing it to too much water is not recommended.

Very much so. Inokim has built electric scooters since 2009. If you think the Light 2 looks like some other scooters out there, remember Inokim was first, and more likely than not, others have copied them. Some of their electric scooters have been running for years and clocked 5000 miles (8040 km) on the original battery even. The Inokim Light 2 is a great electric scooter. Nothing short of amazing and it will require minimal maintenance to fulfill any rider's daily commuting tasks.

The dropped deck sits below the wheel axles. This makes the light 2 very easy to ride and handle not to mention the stability this setup provides. But, you need to be careful with curbs. This is not a particular issue but something to note.

Another topic has been the tires. Some prefer solid tires even if there is no suspension to zero out any chances of getting flats. There is an option to get a honeycomb front tire as well should you prefer that combination.

Sure, there are plenty of modern electric scooters that are cheaper to choose from. But not as good or reliable as this will be. There are so many details in the design and build quality making the Inokim scooter the best in the world. It all makes sense and when it delivers, day after day, year in year out, that price tag starts to look very reasonable if not cheap.