The never-ending evolutions of transportation technologies have landed us the Godfather of urban commutes: electric scooters. They gracefully came in and took the reins from kick scooters, ending a long-lasting reign that dates back to the 19th century.
Nowadays, there are electric scooters for fearless souls, hesitant riders, busy commuters, and joyful strollers. But can one scooter satisfy all tastes? Or is it a far-fetched dream destined to sit on the shelf next to flying cars and space elevators?
Today, we’ll shine a spotlight over the groundbreaking electric scooter, Dualtron Storm. We’ll dive into details regarding battery, acceleration, portability, ride quality, and more. So read on to figure out whether it’s the one for you!
Dualtron Storm Review: At a Glance
With a max speed of more than 55 miles per hour, max mileage of 80 miles, and climbing grade of 35 degrees, the Dualtron Storm sits on the ruling throne of high-performance scooters.
The removable battery pack gives it an advantage over its peers regarding long riding hours. More so, it takes riders up to 330 lbs in weight.
That said, Dualtron Storm is more suited for experienced riders. It shines in most people’s hands, but only professionals will be willing to pay this price in exchange for an electric scooter.
Pros:
Long-range scooter
Removable battery pack with two charging ports
Top-notch build quality
Foldable steering tube
Dual elastomeric suspension
Hydraulic disc brakes
Superb LED lights
Cons:
Poor portability
Low handlebar height
Top Speed and Acceleration
The Dualtron Storm electric scooter features an impressive top speed of more than 55 miles per hour, so it isn’t for the faint of heart. But it’s worth mentioning that the scooter’s top speed might vary depending on rider weight, weather conditions, ambient temperature, and battery charge.
As for acceleration, the Storm has a BLDC dual hub motor that enables it to go from 0 to 15 miles per hour in less than three seconds.
But keep in mind that the Storm packs quite the torque for the starting line, aided by instantaneous throttle response. So in other terms, starting your scooter will be an adrenaline-packed experience.
Range
Have you ever seen a scooter that can survive through a 160-mile distance on a single charge? Finally, the implausible dream has come true with the Dualtron Storm’s removable battery. But this depends on the applicability of swapping batteries while on the road.
As we’ve mentioned before, the range of each Dualtron Storm battery maximizes at 80 miles, so doubling this distance will require some effort on your side.
Hill Climbing
The Dualtron Storm is mainly meant for urban environments, but it doesn’t shy away from hill-climbing challenges. Simply put, this premium scooter has a hill-climbing grade that ranges up to 35 degrees, which means it’ll ace on city slopes and steep hills.
Braking
The Dualtron Storm features powerful hydraulic 160-millimeter disc brakes. Once you press your hand on the brake levers, your speed will slow down considerably. But it’s recommended that you press gently to avoid your rear wheel lifting off the ground or abrupt braking.
However, the Dualtron Storm electric scooter performs excellently in emergency stops due to its anti-lock braking system. It takes skidding to a minimum and gives you better control when the wheels lock. And while this action causes vibrations that irritate many riders, you can turn off this option through the scooter’s display.
Finally, if you’re going at 15 miles per hour, you can bring your electric scooter to a stop in about three meters.
Suspension
Most electric scooter models feature spring suspension systems, but our friend here relies on elastomeric rubber suspension, like many other Dualtron scooters.
It features a rubber cartridge system to aid it in absorbing shocks. The swingarms’ angle and motor shaft distance also protect the Storm’s body and give you better control over your vehicle.
Generally, the Storm’s suspension system is stiff, making it better for predictable urban roads, not adventure-packed forest roads.
Also, heavier riders might feel more comfortable on the scooter. But luckily, the scooter comes with five types of suspension cartridges that you can replace.
Ride Quality
The Dualtron Storm electric scooter satisfies two types of people: adventurous souls and comfortable riders.
If you’re one of the latter, you can ride your scooter in Eco mode and enjoy a smooth riding experience down the streets. But if you like adding a dash of a thrill to your everyday rides, you can test the other faster-riding modes.
Luckily for long-distance riders, the Storm features a cruise control option, allowing you to maintain an automatic speed for as long as you want.
That said, we have to criticize the scooter’s throttle immediate response. It can make maintaining low speed challenging because of how sensitive it is. More so, it’s the same in all riding modes; choosing the Eco mode won’t get you off the hook.
Portability
Portability is where the Dualtron Storm falters among competitors. It weighs nearly 100 lbs and is 122 centimeters long. It also features an ample deck space that’s almost 31 centimeters wide. And while it has a collapsible design and foldable handlebars, nobody likes carrying 100 pounds around all day.
But to be honest, you’re unlikely to come across a much lighter model in the ultra-performance electric scooter industry. And to put you at ease, if you remove the scooter’s battery, its weight will go considerably down.
Finally, the scooter’s unprecedented long-range battery will minimize the events where you have to carry your vehicle, not ride it.
Lighting
The Dualtron Storm electric scooter puts most electric scooters to shame with its unique LED lighting systems that previous models aren’t so lucky to have.
It features stem lighting, dual-LED headlight and tail light, brake light, and signal lights. Those lights give you ultimate safety when riding in the dark or poor visual conditions.
Moreover, the scooter comes with a remote control that you can use to customize the colors and hues of your side decks’ lights. And to awe your fellow riders, the Storm features stylish ground effects that ought to turn heads.
As for safety concerns, it features hazard lights that you can activate by pressing on one of the silver buttons under the turn signals’ switch. This action will alert other drivers on the road that you’re in trouble.
Unfortunately, the Dualtron Storm doesn’t feature a sufficient-enough headlight for night rides. It shines more in the rear lights category. So, if you like late drives, you’ll need a strap-on headlight. Also, you should always wear protective gear while riding your scooter to ensure safety.
Tires
The Dualtron Storm electric scooter flaunts wide, tubeless, and pneumatic (air-filled) tires that are guaranteed to give you a superb riding experience. And although they aren’t as agile as smaller tires, they offer stability to ensure your safety and comfort.
The 11-inch tires will perform exceptionally well on rough terrains as they absorb shocks efficiently. So, if you live in an area packed with cracks and potholes, you won’t face any issues.
Build Quality
The Dualtron Storm doesn’t disappoint when it comes to high-quality manufacturing materials and durability.
The handles and frame are manufactured from aviation-grade aluminum alloy. In addition, the scooter features a shaft made from a type of composite steel and plastic covers that are wear-resistant for increased durability. To sum it up, the Dualtron Storm is made to last.
The only downside in the Storm’s build quality is that it doesn’t feature water-resistant parts. As a result, you can’t ride it or leave it outside your house during rainy conditions.
Battery
The Dualtron Storm comes with an LG 3500, 72-volt battery that you can remove and replace. It’s worth mentioning that the Storm is the only scooter in the Dualtron family that comes with an interchangeable battery, giving it an advantage over its peer, Dualtron Thunder.
Accordingly, you can buy extra batteries and keep them with you for emergencies. And if your main battery is charging, you can ride the scooter using one of the extras. This feature also gives you a chance to extend the Dualtron Storm range. However, the scooter’s battery is considerably heavy, so carrying an extra pack might not be convenient for all people.
The Storm’s battery has two charging ports and features an external voltmeter. It takes about 21 hours to fully charge using a standard charger and about 5 hours using a quick charger.
Warranty
All MiniMotors products come with a one-year warranty. However, there are many limitations to it. For example, the warranty doesn’t cover shipping fees; it only covers electronic parts. More so, it won’t apply if your Dualtron Storm got damaged because of water or a physical accident.
Finally, the MiniMotors warranty doesn’t cover accessories like screws, brakes, and tires. Instead, it’s strictly limited to defects during manufacturing.
Value for Money
We’ll end our review with one crucial question, is the Dualtron Storm worth its price tag? Honestly, the answer depends on how you’ll use it, your expertise in riding electric scooters, and your budget.
We can’t deny that the Dualtron Storm is a bank breaker, but it’s an all-in-one scooter with remarkable features. For instance, none of the earlier models offer removable batteries. And the heavy maximum load of the Storm renders it a perfect match for many riders.
But to put you at ease, the Dualtron Storm shows superiority when in the hands of professionals. Suppose you’re an experienced rider; you’ll appreciate the scooter’s motor power that makes it go as fast as the wind blows. Moreover, you’ll be able to deal with its stiff suspension and crazy torque without losing control.
On the other hand, if you’re a beginner scooter rider, you might be a bit out of depth here. More so, if you’re buying a scooter for daily commuting and don’t ride your scooter for longer than 10 or 20 minutes per day, it’ll be best if you look for less expensive alternatives. You won’t need the exceedingly long battery life that the Storm offers.
Final Thoughts
There’s no denying that the Dualtron Storm is a revolutionary electric scooter with its anti-locking braking system, hydraulic brakes, LED lights, built-in horn, max load, and more. In addition, it features a striking range and a long-living battery, all possible because of the two charging ports that adorn it.
To wrap up, all riders can enjoy riding this scooter, ranging from daring folk to cautious people. But we have to admit that it’s better suited for electric scooter experts.
