Inokim Ox Review - The Dream Experience
- Read Time: 6 min
Looking for the best scooter to buy should include a shortlist with the Inokim Ox on it. Where many manufacturers put together an electric scooter from generic parts and put their name on it, the Inokim brand philosophy is all about custom-made parts put together in the best way possible. Some consider the price tag as premium as the e-scooter itself, but it is worth every penny of the $1599 asking price.
Pros and Cons
PROS
- Exceptional Build Quality
- Equally Exceptional Ride Quality
- Innovative Single Side Fork
CONS
- Slippery Deck
- Handlebars Don't Fold
- Kick to Start
Acceleration and Top speed
First and foremost, it is a kick-to-start scooter, so no zero start. Once kicked into action, Tho Inokim Ox used to have sluggish acceleration at the low-end but this has been upgraded by an improved controller. It is now much quicker from low-end and is strong all the way to its 30 mph (48 kph) top speed.
Hill Climb
The Ox is good even up steep inclines. Steady as she goes. A 10% climb of 196 ft (60m) is over in just under 13 seconds. This with an average rider weight of 163 lbs (74 kg). Compare this to an average typical share scooter which will take closer to 17 seconds.
Range
There are two versions of the Inokim Ox respectively called Ox Hero and Ox Super.
The Hero, which is the base version, has a claimed range of 30 miles (48 km) under optimal conditions, which they never are. In real-world riding, stop/starts, full throttle most of the time, with an average rider weight of 175 lbs (79 kg), it will be closer to 22 miles (35 km) and the Ox Super, under the same conditions, will be closer to those 30 miles even though it has a claimed 46 mile (74 km) range.
Motor Configuration
Inokim Ox Hero's power plant is a 60V, 13 Ah, 780 watt-hour battery, 800Wbase/1300W peak power with a rear-wheel-drive motor.
OX Super has a 60V 21Ah, 1260 watt-hour battery, 800W/1300 peak rear-wheel drive.
Construction & Build Quality
Superior build quality is to be expected with Inokim electric scooters and so it is with the Inokim Ox.
This is a unique design and the first thing that immediately catches one's attention is the single-sided swingarm. Not only does this look amazing, but it also allows you to change a tire without removing the wheel.
The Inokim Ox electric scooter was not built from leftovers found in a parts bin, and it shows. All parts are custom made and they fit and work together like a glove.
The whole package from the handlebar rubberized grips to the advanced adjustable suspension system, to the comfortable stance of the thumb throttle position, delivers confidence and a very quiet smooth ride.
Its innovative suspension is durable, ultra-quiet, and quite comfortable. And, unlike many other scooters, it has a thumb throttle that remains comfortable even on longer trips.
It looks super cool with the orange/black color theme and even the cables are orange which adds that little bit of extra something to the feel.
It has a max rider weight capacity of 265 lbs (120 kg).
Suspension
Looking at the Inokim Ox spec list under suspension, you will see, "adjustable OSAP polymer front & rear". This is an Inokim patent which stands for "Ox Suspension Adapters Patent".
This is an excellent adjustable suspension system that provides a super comfortable ride. It comes delivered with a low-ride setting for maximum stability on regular roads and surfaces. In the box, you will also find a high suspension system kit with tools and instructions for a swap. This will make off-roading possible as well as provide more clearance.
The mono fork design isn't directly attached to the stem. This gives a "floating wheel" effect that looks amazing and is practical to boot. Changing a tire is so much easier.
Ride Quality
The overall ride and exceptional build quality are some of the standout features of the Inokim Ox. This is where you can tell the difference in premium build as opposed to budget.
Riding it simply feels terrific. It inspires confidence. The thumb throttle, the grip tape, and the rubber torsion suspension system are all top-notch.
And this all happens super quietly. No rattling or creaking. At higher speeds, it is stiff enough to provide confidence yet subtle enough to conquer imperfections in the road.
The handlebars, grips, and thumb throttle are very ergonomic and the easy-to-read LCD display makes light work of keeping control.
Three gears to choose from, ranging from slow walking speeds to full speed easily selected using the controls on the handlebar display. Cruise control is a given.
Braking
A combination of a front drum brake and rear disc brake delivers perfect braking control and it only takes 11 ft (3,3 m) from 15 mph (24 kph) to a complete stop.
Portability
If you need something ultra-portable, then look elsewhere. The Inokim Ox weighs 62 lbs (28 kg). Not something you carry upstairs without breaking a sweat. The stem folds while the handlebars do not. This makes for a sturdy build yet doesn't help with loading it into a trunk.
This is a big electric scooter measuring 48 x 23 x 51 inches (120 x 59 x 129 cm). Folded it measures 48 x 23 x 22 Inches (120 x 59 x 55 cm).
Lights
The headlight and brake lights automatically turn on when it gets dark. Very bright LED lights forward that are tilted upwards somewhat. This is great for being seen but less so for forward visibility. Adding extra headlights is probably a good idea.
Tires
The stable ride of the Inokim Ox is also helped by grippy 10 x 2,5 inch (25,4 x 6 cm) pneumatic tires. Which, as mentioned, are easy to change without having to remove the wheels. Make sure to check the tire pressure upon delivery as it probably is a bit low which can result in overheating the motor.
Deck
The deck is wide even for bigfoot. The only downside is the surface, which is made of hard plastic. It doesn't grip very well and in wet conditions, it gets slippery. Adding some grip tape is almost needed. This is an oversight that is a bit surprising considering Inokim's overall attention to detail.
Water Resistance
The Inokim Ox lacks an official IP rating but according to the manufacturer, it can tolerate some rain. Try to avoid using it in the wet is probably the best advice.
Reliability
All Inokim e scooters have great reliability. Treat it right and it will be a proper workhorse, or should we say Ox?
Known Issues & Solutions
Earlier versions felt a bit too slow under acceleration. A new mapping of the controller has now made it quick and the top speed has also been raised from 28 to 30 mph.
The deck could be more grippy and some customers have voiced this. Adding some grip tape is the simplest DIY.
Final words
There are many electric scooters to choose from these days. Some are content with a regular scooter and might never consider buying an electric scooter with a three-figure price tag.
But for those who do, this is a fantastic choice.
The Inokim Ox is not a record-breaker in either top speed and acceleration time, nor is it an off-road monster. But it still has very good performance in all those areas and can even feel at home in off-road environments should you adjust the suspension.
The "monster" part of it is its fantastic overall quality and premium feel. Innovative, well designed, it will be very reliable and even manage to turn heads with its looks.