Off Road Electric Scooters? How to get one and what to look for

An off road electric scooter will give you the thrill of your life. Have you ever experienced that pure, childlike rush of adrenalin where you feel your worries drain away and live right in that moment of excitement? You have, brilliant, then you must have been on an off road electric scooter. If you haven’t, then you really should consider an off road electric scooter to give you that rush.

Some of you may be reading this knowing all about off road electric scooters and just reading this to find out some top tips, others may be wondering what an off road electric scooter is and why should you be interested. This article will be able to serve both and hopefully answer all of those burning questions you have.

What is an off road electric scooter?

To start with, let’s look at the difference between an electric scooter used primarily for commuting to electric scooters designed to tackle off road terrain. When commuting, you want a scooter that is fast, compact, easily portable with a long-range. Can an electric scooter have all of these features and still have off road capabilities? The answer is both yes and no. Some might call it compromises but the truth is that electric scooters are just built differently for different purposes. For example, looking at the Mosquito as a commuting electric scooter, it weighs in at 22 pounds and folds down very compactly. You need it to be light and able to be carried on the bus or train or even stored under a desk. However, using the Wolf Warrior 11 as a benchmark for an off road electric scooter, that weighs in at 101 pounds and although it conveniently folds down to be able to fit into a trunk, one might say it is not as easily portable and compact as the Mosquito. The Wolf is able to travel further and faster and tackle difficult terrain hence why is it bigger and heavier than the Mosquito. When using an electric scooter for commuting, in many ways, the Mosquito will be a better fit than the Wolf - it is understanding what purpose you're using your electric scooter for.

An off road electric scooter is one that is fully capable of handling off road terrain due to its solid build, powerful motors, high speed and long-range. Small additions to a scooter can make a significant difference, some of these are included when you purchase an off road scooter. You need to ensure the tires that come with the scooter are appropriate for the task in hand. Some electric scooters come with tubeless tires, these are ideal for off road, rocky and unpredictable terrain.

The uses for an off road electric scooter are truly limitless. They are even being compared to motocross racing. When you see the stunts and capabilities of an off road electric scooter you’ll not be surprised why this comparison has been made and you’ll see exactly why they need to be that bit bigger and sturdier. Purchasing an off road electric scooter is potentially a more affordable way to enjoy being off road. Due to the compact nature of the scooter, they can be a great way for everyone to be involved rather than just grease monkeys! This video speaks for itself but only showcases a fraction of what an off road electric scooter can do.

Want one yet?

Your needs - Why do you need an off road electric scooter?

When looking at adult electric scooters in general, it is important to ensure you get the right machine for the task at hand. Like any electric or modern piece of machinery, to get the most out of its performance, you must ensure that the scooter is matched to its terrain. An easy comparison is that of a professional cyclist, they wouldn’t dream of competing in a road race with mountain tires fitted instead of the slim road tires. The simple fact that they’re designed differently allows them to perform well when used for their specialty. There are a variety of electric scooters out there, all slightly different to be able to perform different tasks. For example, if you’re going off road with uneven terrain like a trail or forest/hiking paths (semi-offroad) then an electric scooter like the Mantis will be your best friend. Named as an all-rounder, it shows as it’s got the best of both worlds - able to fold down compactly while packing the power with a top speed of 40mph!

When comparing the Mantis with its big brother, the Wolf Warrior 11, there are quite the differences. The Wolf has a top speed of 50mph and double the range of the Mantis - 80miles. This is due to the huge motor which brings the total weight of a wolf as previously mentioned to 101 pounds compared to the 61 pounds the Mantis weighs. Although the dimensions are similar between the Wolf and the Mantis, when folded, the Mantis collapses into considerably smaller dimensions than the Wolf.

There is the perfect electric scooter out there for you, but which one?

Now, to answer, why do you need one. You need an off road electric scooter if you’re going to be going off road. If you’re wanting to drive on up into the hills and just let it rip (with safety gear on, of course) then an electric scooter like the Wolf Warrior 11 is the beast you need for that mission. That isn’t to say that you can’t nip to the shops on it, because why wouldn’t you, but to see it shine, you need to see it tackle obstacles that look near impossible. However, if you’re going semi off road, different terrains here and there, then a scooter similar to the Mantis would be ideal.

It is best to look at what you’re going to be using it off. Leisure? Hunting? Racing? Getting to those idyllic spots that just can’t be reached by car? The possibilities are endless. What are you going to use your off road electric scooter for?

What to look for in an off road electric scooter?

Because each electric scooter is so different and it is likely that you will be using it for different purposes to the next person, it is difficult to point out exactly what you need however here are a few tips for things to look out for when comparing off road electric scooters:

What is the range? How far can it go before it needs recharging? Take note to see the clarification on the range, it will usually give you the maximum range driving economically, if you constantly ride at max speed, it may not last the full range specified by the manufacturer. The battery will largely be responsible for the range, therefore the bigger battery capacity, in theory, the further the electric scooter should be able to travel on one charge.

What is its top speed? You need to know it's going to go fast!

What tires do I need? It will come with a set of tires (sometimes you can specify which ones when purchasing) - make sure you get the ones best suited for your purposes, road tires or off road tires? You can buy an additional set of tires to allow you to change between the two, however, keep in mind that changing the tire of an electric scooter may not be as simple as you may think and you may need a mechanic to help - depending on your own personal skill set of course.

• What type of tires does it come with? This may seem a repeat of above but this is looking on the inside of the tire. Some come with conventional tires with innertubes and some are considered tubeless. For off roading, tubeless is recommended as you cannot get a puncture due to the design of the tire. When going over seriously rough terrain, that is the reassurance you’ll want.

What are the best brakes? At a minimum, you’ll need both front and rear brakes. There are a variety of types of brakes out there and it seems each model has a different variation of their own. Hydraulic brakes are considered the best when reaching those fast speeds, for example, the Wolf has both front and rear hydraulic brakes. However, the Mantis’ top speed doesn’t quite reach that of the Wolf and therefore has dual disc brakes that are semi-hydraulic. The brakes will match the specification and performance of the electric scooter for the safest and most efficient combination.

What about suspension? To get the best ride, you’ll need front and rear suspension. Some scooters may have a different type of suspension for the front and back - this is fine, just as long as there is both.

Folded dimensions - Pay attention to the folded dimensions of the scooter before purchasing, these scooters are beasts within their own right and depending on what car you have, you need to ensure you can transport the scooter to where you want to ride. However, when considering the range capability of some off road electric scooters, it may be possible to ride there and then go off road. Unless you get a new car to accommodate your new scooter - there are plenty of options, just one aspect to take note of!

Are they dust and waterproof? Yes - to an extent. If it’s raining or you ride through puddles and the scooter gets wet, that's fine. For example, the Wolf has an IPX4 Water Resistance Certificate, this means getting it wet won’t damage it however you won’t be able to submerge it underwater. This is similar for dustproof, due to the assembly, dust should not damage your scooter but regular cleaning and maintenance is advised.

Weight limit - Each manufacturer will state the weight limit for their scooter, if you exceed this then the scooter will not perform as it should. When tackling those off road hills, it won’t be able to handle them as well if the weight limit is exceeded.

Reviews - Watch review videos, read reviews and blog posts comparing off road electric scooters. The truth is you’ll never know everything until you own one for yourself however, you can ensure you’ll choose the best one for you if you do this due diligence and research before you buy!

Price - When doing your research and reading your reviews, you’ll notice that price may not get mentioned a lot but it is a factor to bear in mind.

• Is it affordable? Off Roading is not a cheap activity, however when you compare the off road electric scooters available to something like a quad bike or motocross, suddenly, it looks very affordable in comparison.
• The difference in price between models - you may notice that you get more for your money with one model over another, sometimes this is due to the specification however not always. Do your research!
• Think outside the box - Having just said to ensure you get the best deal between comparative scooters, take note of scooters that may be slightly more expensive, this shows in the specification. You can see that you may pay a little more but the return will definitely be worth it.

Reputable retailer - The price difference between a branded and scooter is minimal, however, you will reap considerably more benefits when purchasing from a branded, reputable company. The support service alone is invaluable and knowing you have a place to turn should you have any questions or concerns is recommended for both the novice and the expert.