Electric scooters by Gotrax and Hiboy fall squarely into the category of budget scooters, thanks to their affordable price and beginner-friendly learning curve.
These types of scooters can be surprisingly durable, price notwithstanding, and the Gotrax G4 and Hiboy S2 Pro deftly straddle the line between affordability and functionality.
Let’s see how the two scooters measure up side by side.
Why Is the Gotrax G4 Better Than the Hiboy S2 Pro?
The Gotrax G4 wins points over the Hiboy S2 Pro for its quicker-charging battery, which takes between 4 and 5 hours to charge, and suitability for riding on rougher terrain, thanks to pneumatic tires that make up for its lack of suspension.
It also weighs less than the S2, folds up much quicker, and has smaller fold dimensions, which makes it more portable.
Finally, it has a slightly more spacious deck that provides riders with more legroom, making it more comfortable.
Why Is the Hiboy S2 Pro Better Than the Gotrax G4?
The Hiboy S2 is better than the Gotrax G4 in two key areas: its maximum weight capacity and its brake control placement.
Riders weighing up to 260 lbs can use this scooter without experiencing a dip in its performance. Additionally, the dual braking system controls are placed at the left and right handlebars, making them easy to reach.
Gotrax G4 vs Hiboy S2 Pro: Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Gotrax G4 | Hiboy S2 Pro |
| Terrain | Urban | Urban |
| Weight | 36 lbs | 36.3 lbs |
| Max Weight Load | 220 lbs | 260 lbs |
| Tire Size | 10 inches | 10 inches |
| Tire Type | Pneumatic (Air-filled) | Solid (Rubber) |
| Top Speed | 20 mph | 19 mph |
| Range | 25 miles | 25 miles |
| Max Incline | 15% | 15% |
| Battery Charge Duration | 5 hrs | 6 hrs |
| Suspension | No | Yes |
| Brakes | Disc, Electrical, Foot | Disc, Electrical |
Acceleration and Top Speed
If it’s the speed you’re after, then both the Hiboy S2 Pro and the Gotrax G4 will satisfy that thrill. Both scooters are capable of reaching a top speed of 18.6 mph.
However, what the G4 has in speed, it lacks acceleration, as it takes longer to build momentum. This issue can be attributed to having to kick-start the G4 to get it going. For context, some riders have reported that it takes 12 whole seconds to reach a 20-mph speed.
On the other hand, the Hiboy S2 Pro hits its top speed just fine, even though the location of its motor at the front of the scooter should make it start slower. As such, when it comes to speed and acceleration, the Hiboy is our pick.
Range
Both the Gotrax G4 and Hiboy S2 Pro claim to provide a battery range of 25 miles. However, the specifications claimed by scooter manufacturers tend to differ from real-world scenarios. Factors such as the rider’s weight, the speed at which the rider is traveling, and the type of terrain being traveled on will have an effect on the scooter’s range.
Under actual testing circumstances, the Gotrax G4 provides a range of between 13 and 14 miles when ridden at full speed. That’s considerably lower than the 16 miles of the range provided by the battery on the Hiboy S2 Pro when the said scooter was tested.
Battery
The Gotrax G4’s lithium-ion battery takes between 4 and 5 hours to fully charge, which is ideal for commuters who are constantly on the move.
On the other hand, the Hiboy S2 Pro’s battery takes a full hour longer to charge than the G4’s, needing a total of 6 hours to reach full charge, making the G4 the clear choice in this showdown.
Climb
Both Gotrax and Xiaomi claim that their respective scooters are capable of scaling 15-degree inclines, and it’s easy to believe the hype due to the powerful motors in both machines.
However, after a field test, both machines were only able to manage 8-degree inclines, which is a far cry from the 15-degrees claimed.
Weight
Portability is one of the major draws of electric scooters, which is why a lighter scooter that can be transported easily tends to be more attractive.
As such, the Gotrax G4 triumphs over the Hiboy S2 Pro in the weight department, if only by a slim margin. It weighs a hefty 36 lbs, which is slightly above the average weight of most budget electric scooters.
The Hiboy S2 Pro is even heavier, weighing 36.3 lbs / 16.46kg, making it cumbersome to lug around when not in use.
Max Weight Capacity
Officially, the GoTrax G4 has a weight limit of 220 lbs, which is great news for adults as well as commuters who weigh as much.
However, the Hiboy S2 Pro’s weight limit trounces the G4’s by a whole 40 lbs, stacking up at 260 lbs. Riders who have tested the Hiboy S2 Pro’s weight limit reported no dips in the scooter’s performance, making it the clear champion in this aspect.
Portability
Electric scooters can be a fun way to zip through the city until it’s time for them to be stowed away. How quickly they can collapse, and the amount of space they take up are factors to consider when choosing a scooter.
In that regard, the Gotrax G4 is the clear winner. Not only can it be folded in a single step, taking all of 5 seconds to do so, it also stretches at a diminutive 45 inches long, 17.9 inches wide, and 20 inches high.
In comparison, it takes three steps to fold the Hiboy S2, and that’s done by unlocking the lever, folding the stem, and connecting the hook to the rear fender.
Brakes
Although both the Gotrax G4 and the Hiboy S2 Pro are marketed as possessing a dual braking system, that isn’t entirely accurate. That’s because actual dual braking systems have either drum or disc brakes on both wheels. With these two scooters, you only get an electric brake and one disc brake at the rear wheel.
On that note, the Hiboy S2 Pro scores higher marks for positioning both brake controls within reach. In addition, the button for activating its electric brake is conveniently located on the left handlebar, making operating it as simple as a thumb.
On the other hand, the Gotrax G4’s brake is operated with a hand lever, which isn’t as conveniently placed as the button on the Hiboy S2 Pro’s left handlebar.
With that said, both of these scooters score points for having regenerative braking capabilities, which saves battery power every time you press the brakes.
Suspension
The Gotrax G4 doesn’t come with suspension, instead of relying on air-filled pneumatic tires for smoother ride quality. However, don’t count the G4 out of the smooth-ride race just yet.
You see, while the Hiboy S2 Pro comes with suspension and two rear spring shock absorbers, the effect is blunted due to the scooter’s solid tires, which send every rattle and shake up the rider’s legs. So, expect to get a bad case of the shakes when riding on rougher terrain.
On the other hand, the Gotrax G4 glides over cracks, sand, and uneven flooring without rattling your bones, so you’re less likely to get a brain massage with that machine. Gotrax G4, For that reason alone, the Hiboy S2 Pro loses this round.
Tires
Building on the previous section, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the Gotrax G4’s 25.4cm pneumatic tires put it at a disadvantage against the Hiboy S2’s solid tires. After all, air-filled tires are more susceptible to punctures than solid tires, which require less maintenance.
However, you’ll change that assessment when you take a closer look at the G4’s tires, which are coated with a slime that lets them weather nicks as deep as 6 mm. The Gotrax G4’s tires are so effective they make the machine a little more suitable for off-roading than the solid tires on the Hiboy S2 Pro.
Moreover, the S2’s solid tires lose points for rendering the scooter’s shock-absorbers and suspension effectively useless.
Deck
When choosing a scooter, you should aim for one that provides enough standing room, which is why the Gotrax G4 is the better choice, albeit by a very narrow (pun intended) margin.
While the Hiboy S2 Pro’s deck stretches 17.5 inches across and 6 inches wide, the G4’s deck is slightly wider at 17.5 inches by 6.7 inches, giving riders just a little more legroom than the former scooter.
On a side note, we figure the G4’s wider deck has something to do with the scooter’s battery being nestled inside.
Warranty and Post-Purchase Support
Gotrax has stringent criteria for what’s covered by the 90-day warranty on its electric scooters. For example, it won’t cover minor scrapes and bruises accumulated by the scooter over time.
In terms of post-purchase support, you can reach a member of Gotrax’s team by calling their support line at 1-844-446-8729. Their office hours are between 9 am and 4 pm on weekdays.
Alternatively, you can try getting in touch by filling out a contact form on the company’s website or browsing through the support-related resources on there, such as FAQs, How-to guides, and so on.
In comparison, the S2 Pro’s 12-month warranty is more generous, covering any defects on the scooter dating back to when it was first purchased.
As for Hiboy’s post-purchase support, though the company claims to respond to emails (which can be sent to support@hiboy.com or ebike@hiboy.com) within 24 hours, it may take longer to speak to someone from the company about a problem you might be facing.
Final Verdict
Now that you know how these two bad boys stack up next to each other, it should be easier for you to make a choice between the two scooters.
With that said, if you’re looking for a scooter that’s fast, lightweight, comes with a battery that charges quickly, and is capable of riding on rough terrain without massaging your brain, you really can’t go wrong with the Gotrax G4.
