In growing cities, traffic makes driving unreliable. Buses and trains don’t always take you the entire way, if they even show up, so many have switched to other modes of transportation to get around.
Queue the electric scooter. Easier to store than bicycles and faster than walking, many have made the switch to electric scooters, making running errands and getting to work fun.
Today I am going to show you everything you need to know about the Segway Ninebot ES4 electric kick scooter which I must say it’s a perfect vehicle for shorter commutes around the city.
If you find yourself wanting to see this scooter in action, here is a video provides an in-depth look at the scooter, so you can see all the functions before deciding to buy.
Table of Contents
What Do You Need to Consider Before Buying an Electric Scooter?
I found while reviewing different scooters, there are a few criteria that deemed most important to deciding whether or not a scooter was worth purchasing.
Safety – Safety is my top priority when looking at scooters. There have been quite a few instances popping up lately regarding scooter accidents, so I really look for scooters that would keep me safe. I also wanted a scooter that had anti-theft prevention.
Durability – There is no point in buying a scooter that will wear out under daily use, so I really take the durability into question. I love an electric scooter that could stand the daily commute to work and errand running without experiencing high wear and tear.
Battery life – Long battery life is also something I concern. Having to charge a scooter every day is just not practical, so I want one that would last the better part of a week. A shorter charging cycle is also important.
Is Segway Ninebot Kick Scooter ES4 Worth The Money?
I’ve studied at a few different components of the Segway Ninebot Kick scooter ES4, to make sure it held up to the standards in terms of safety and durability under testing.
1. Rang & Speed
I love how fast the Segway Ninebot ES4 got when I turned on sport mode. This scooter has a normal mode for everyday riding, but when I wanted to kick it up a notch, the sport mode allowed me to get up to almost 19 miles per hour, or 30km per hour.
I do find that going downhill, the scooter could go slightly faster, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to hit record-breaking speeds, as it started to feel slightly unstable. On steeper terrain going uphill, the scooter could not hit 19 miles; however, it did not go slow by any means.
The range of the ES4 impressed me as the scooter goes up to 28 miles, or 45 kilometers, before it needs to be recharged. I found it last all week without needing to charge up again for shorter distances needing to be traveled daily.
The Segway Ninebot ES4 also had one of the higher inclines ranges I encountered when reviewing electric scooters, though it did start to fail past 15 degrees. In a city with a lot of hills, this may not be the best scooter for you.
2. Battery & Charging
The Segway Ninebot ES4 is fitted with dual 800w, lithium-ion batteries, which are internal and external. Compared to some, this allows the scooter to go much longer and further than earlier models.
The maximum charging time is longer compared to other scooters. At 7 hour maximum charging time, it’s a little long for on the fly charging, but you get a full charge overnight.
The battery protection is a great feature that protects the scooter from overheating and short-circuiting, keeping it safe to charge indoors and without supervision. I feel comfortable charging it at night or when away.
3. Safety
The mechanical and electrical braking system of the Segway ES4 allowed for fast braking, even at higher speeds. This is probably the feature I am most impressed with as it definitely feels safer than some others I’ve used.
The brakes have the ability to stop within 13 inches when going 12 miles an hour. It did take a little longer to stop when going faster, but being able to stop shortly is a necessary feature in traffic.
The scooter is also fitted with a slip-resistant surface that allows you to feel secure when standing on it. I like the LED rear and front lights. The front lights were bright enough to allow me to see at night, even when riding at higher speeds. The rear lights I found to be great to let others know that I was there if coming up from behind.
4. Durability
I find the Segway Ninebot ES4 to be fairly durable in terms of normal wear and tear and collision. The thick tires do well on the pavement and do not seem to face much wear, even after a good amount of use.
The ES4 is built using high-strength, lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum alloy. Meaning it holds up against a lot. It seemed to hold up against damage that occurs in cities, such as bikes falling onto it.
The scooter weighs in at 39.7 pounds, making it lightweight enough to transport it when you are not riding the scooter. Those who regularly need to carry the scooter though may find it cumbersome, as while it does great for short distances, it did start to get heavy after a while.
The scooter also does require maintenance, like any other machine. After a while, the wheels starting to stick and the springs making a squeaky sound. After doing a bit of research, I’ve applied a 20,000 CST silicone oil, which seemed to do the job well.
5. Build Quality
The Segway Ninebot ES4 has a lot of features that you might be interested in.
- Wheels: The wheels on the ES4 are large, solid tires that save on maintenance time. They hold up for a long time, and when needing to be replaced, you can easily find replacements from Segway.
- Tires: The tires are also easy to inflate if they start getting low on air. All I have to do is plug in the vacuum!
- Suspension System: This scooter’s suspension system is great for balance and comfort. It has front and rear wheel shock absorption that allows for a smoother ride, even at its high speeds.
- Lights: It comes with both rear and front LED lights, that allow you to see and be seen at night. The light colors are also customizable, which was a fun added feature that added to my personal style. I did find the front light to not always be light enough for night riding.
- Extra Features: I really enjoy that the scooter is Bluetooth capable which connects to an app for anti-theft features and light customization. It limits the buttons on the scooter, allowing for a sleek design.
- Handle Bar: The ES4 is equipped with a textured, anti-slip handle, which helped me to maintain grip and control while riding it.
- Anti Theft: The Bluetooth feature allows you to download an app to your phone for mobile app connectivity. I love this feature as it gives me peace of mind while I left the scooter unattended for short periods of time.
The app provides additional security and locks the scooter so it can’t be stolen. It also applies firmware updates to the scooter, to keep the electrical system up to date.
The only issue I found with this was you couldn’t leave it unattended for a long period of time. Someone with experience of stealing scooters would have been able to easily get around the security measures.
6. Warranty
Segway has a decent warranty program, something I appreciate seeing, especially with a higher-end product like the ES4. They have a warranty that goes up to a year, depending on the part.
When researching the ES4 initially, I did find that talking to customer service could be difficult, but Segway did get back to their customers in the end.
7. Riding experience
I thoroughly enjoy riding the Segway Ninebot ES4 Kickscooter. Not only did it have great features that make riding a scooter luxurious, but it also had features that made it fun.
The ES4 comes with three different riding modes for different needs:
- speed limit mode
- standard mode
- sport mode
The speed limit mode is great for long-distance traveling. I found the sport mode to be a lot of fun when I was wanting to cruise at higher speeds.
The only downside though is while the scooter is long enough to hold two people, the 220-pound weight limit didn’t really make this an option as it was advertised. I found the ES4 scooter capable of carrying two adults, but it definitely went much slower than normal.
The dual shocks made for a comfortable ride as well and the bigger tires made going over cracks and small potholes nothing. The ES4 took these fantastically and made it an impressively smooth ride.
When it hit somewhat bigger obstacles, it bottomed out, testing the durability and the suspension. It seemed to do its job very well as the scooter was left with no marks both times and the suspension seemed to work the same after.
The E-brake on the scooter did take a couple of minutes to get used to, as it did jerk, but after a bit, I agreed that it works really well.
Both downhill and uphill capability are impressive on the Segway Ninebot ES4 Kickstarter scooter as well. I drove the ES4 up hills of 15 degrees before noticing a major lag on power.
Segway Ninebot ES4 Electric Kick Scooter Buying Q&As
I found while reviewing the scooter, many people had similar questions about the Segway Ninebot ES4, that are not always advertised. I’ve collected some Q&As so you don’t need to worry.
1. Is the Ninebot ES4 waterproof? Can you ride it in the rain?
This scooter is water-resistant, not waterproof. It is rated at IP54 for water resistance. It holds up against puddle splashes and light rain just fine. The larger tires help grip the sidewalk even when they are slick.
This scooter should not be used if it is raining heavily, nor should it be left out in the rain. I don’t find that to be a big deterring factor though. After all, who really wants to ride a scooter in a downpour?
2. Can you take it off the pavement?
While the Ninebot ES4 can go all around the city on cobblestones, pavement, concrete, and asphalt, this scooter is not an all-terrain scooter. With the tire tread and the suspension on the scooter, I would not recommend this one if you are looking for a scooter to go on dirt paths. I suggest looking elsewhere if this is a deal-breaker as the ES4 is not able to handle them.
3. Is the Segway Ninebot ES4 Foldable?
The Ninebot ES4 is not only able to fold, but it is also extremely easy to do so. It has a one-click folding system that is incredibly easy to use. It folds down fairly small, making it simple to carry on to the bus or fit in the trunk of a car.
4. What is the difference between the ES1 and ES2?
Two other models I’ve ever known were the Segway ES1 and ES2. Both had a significantly shorter range than the ES4, at 15.5 miles before needed charged. They both come at a lower price point than the ES4, and they have fewer features.
The ES1 has a maximum speed of 12.4 miles per hour. The ES2 has a maximum speed of 15.5 miles per hour. Compared to the ES4’s 18.6mph, both go significantly slower. They also both stop at an incline of 10, compared to the ES4 which goes up to 15.
Final Verdict
I ended up loving the Segway Ninebot ES4 Kickscooter. I found it to be safe and fun at the same time. Add that to great battery life and a durable frame, and I found myself very impressed with the ES4. I also appreciated the extra features the ES4 comes with, and found the scooter to be a good option for those looking for a short commuting scooter.
Do you still have more questions on the Segway Ninebot ES4 electric Kick scooter or on the other best electric scooters out there?
Let me know in the comments.
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