Electric scooters offer many advantages over traditional modes of transportation, with their portability and eco-friendliness being two that immediately come to mind. They also feature sturdy construction, and the best of them can bear a rider’s weight without sacrificing range.
In this Segway Ninebot Max review, you’ll learn what sets this electric scooter apart from other scooters and whether it offers good value for money. Keep reading to learn more.
Segway Ninebot Max Review: At a Glance
The standout features of the Segway Ninebot Max are its great range (40 miles), its smart battery management system, and its self-healing tires coated in tire slime to withstand punctures up to 6 mm. Also, this electric scooter offers a respectable 18.6 mph max speed and connectivity to a dedicated Segway Ninebot App.
However, at 42 lbs, the Ninebot Max is quite heavy, making transporting it a drag, and it could’ve done with suspension for a smoother ride. Nevertheless, the preceding gripes notwithstanding, the Ninebot Max is perfect if you want a reliable scooter that’ll go the distance.
Pros:
- Impressive range (40.4 miles)
- Reasonable 18.6 mph top speed
- Comes with cruise control
- Solid aluminum alloy build
- Modern design
- The battery management system extends the battery
- Ride data accessible via mobile app
- Pneumatic tires are prefilled with tire slime to prevent punctures up to 6 mm
- Automatically dimming LED display prevents screen glare
Cons:
- Lacks suspension
- Heavy 42 lbs weight
Speed & Acceleration
A 350 W powerful motor near the scooter’s rear wheel propels the Ninebot Max electric scooter to its 18.6 mph top speed. In all honesty, this isn’t the scooter you want if speed is a huge priority for you, as other scooter models in its category are capable of speeds as high as 55 mph. Nevertheless, the Ninebot Max’s range makes up for its lack of speed.
The scooter offers three riding modes, “Eco”, “Standard”, and “Sport”, with the sport mode being the fastest of the three and the only one capable of getting you to its top speed. Unfortunately, regarding acceleration, the Ninebot Max doesn’t have a zero start mode that engages the motor once the throttle is activated.
True to its nickname, the Ninebot kick scooter is a kick-to-start machine, and you’ll have to reach a speed of 1.8 mph to get it going. This is a great safety feature that prevents accidental take-offs before you’re ready to get going.
Battery & Range
A large 551 Wh lithium battery provides the scooter with more range than you can shake a stick at. Although it takes 6 hours to charge the battery fully, the scooter’s smart battery management system helps preserve battery life and prevent damage from short-circuiting, overcharging and the like, meaning you can ride for much longer before you need a recharge.
Officially, the scooter offers 40 miles of range. But remember, factors like your weight, riding style, and the terrain on your commute will affect real-world range, so curb your expectations if you intend on going on longer rides. Also, sticking to the eco mode when riding is the best way to reach the scooter’s range.
Climb
The powerful 350 W motor on the Ninebot Max gives it adequate hill climbing ability, and this scooter can tackle 20-degree inclines. With that said, the scooter’s ability to climb hills depends on other factors like your weight, the scooter’s weight, and battery level. Therefore, you might need to chip in with a kick or two when ascending such inclines.
Portability & Weight Limit
At 42 lbs, the Segway Ninebot Max is a little on the heavy side where weight is concerned. Sure, you’ll be able to get it on and off public transport, but prepare for a workout when carrying the scooter up a flight of stairs. You can attribute the extra weight to its larger battery, which provides the scooter with decent mileage.
Where portability is concerned, the Ninebot kick scooter comes with a folding mechanism that collapses it in 3 seconds in terms of portability. Its folding stem has a safety collar that locks the lever in place. And it’s so intuitive that you can operate it with one hand.
On the weight limit, the Ninebot Max can bear weights up to 265 lbs, so if you’re a rider with a lighter weight, you should be fine. Meanwhile, heavier riders should expect less range from their machine, especially if they travel with other items like a bag.
Brakes
The Ninebot kick scooter sports a single lever dual brake system that combines a front drum brake with a rear regenerative electric brake. Individually, both the front drum brake on the front wheel and the rear electric brake at the rear wheel can bring the scooter to a halt. Operating either one with the single hand lever feels very intuitive.
Encasing the braking mechanism inside the wheels was a stroke of genius on Segway’s part because it protects it from environmental damage. Also, the brake cable is routed from the wheel to the lever, eliminating drag.
However, the Ninebot’s brakes aren’t as strong as high-performance models that sport hydraulic disc brakes. But that’s a minor complaint in light of the range this scooter offers.
Tires & Ride Quality
The 10-inch self-healing pneumatic tires on the Ninebot Max are a feature you won’t find on many scooters. These air-filled tires are coated with a slime that helps heal them when they go over bumps and cracks in the road. So, they can handle punctures up to 6 mm just fine and won’t deflate if you climb over a small pothole.
Unfortunately, this scooter doesn’t come with suspension, so you’ll be relying on the pneumatic tires for shock absorption. Therefore, expect a dip in ride quality if you take the scooter off the asphalt.
Frame & Deck
The Ninebot kick scooter has a sturdy aluminum alloy frame, making it extremely durable. In addition, the frame sports a very modern design in a slick shade of black.
If you prioritize a comfortable ride, you’ll love the Ninebot Max’s spacious deck, which measures 7 x 20 inches. With that much space, you can experiment with various comfortable riding positions. Also, the deck features an anti-slip design for better stability when riding and 7 cm of ground clearance that prevents it from scraping on the ground.
Finally, you’ll find the scooter’s kickstand at the side of the deck (close to the front wheel). It does a fantastic job of keeping the scooter upright when stationary, providing adequate stability.
Handlebars & Display
Initially, you’ll receive the scooter with both handlebars detached, so you’ll have to attach them using the Allen wrench you’ll find included in the box. They’re adorned by the thumb throttle, brake lever, and bell and are textured to provide a good amount of grip for controlling the scooter.
The Ninebot Max has a bright LED display located in the middle of its handlebars, which you can use to switch between the scooter’s three riding modes and monitor stats like current speed, maintenance signals, power levels, and battery status. Visibility on sunny days isn’t an issue either, as the stats are displayed in bold fonts and bright colors.
Additionally, you can troubleshoot any problems you encounter with the kick scooter using the LED display, as it shows an error message when something is wrong. It also dims automatically, preventing screen glare when it’s hot out.
Lights and Bell
No doubt about it, the Segway Ninebot Max is a well-lit machine. It has two LED headlights, rear lights, and reflective stickers to make you visible to other cars. You’ll also find a small rear LED brake light on the scooter’s rear fender. Together, the front and rear lights make commuting at night safe.
In addition to the lights, you can catch pedestrians’ attention using the scooter’s twist bell, which lets off a loud bleat. However, the bell isn’t loud enough to alert cars to your presence, which can be incredibly disappointing for riders that live in high traffic areas.
Water Resistance
The Ninebot Max has an IPX5 water-resistance rating. While it won’t fare well when submerged, its rating means it’ll handle splashes, small puddles, and light rain just fine. However, avoid heavier showers and snow.
App
You can connect your phone to the scooter via Bluetooth and use its dedicated app. Doing so lets you access all your ride data, set cruise control, and switch between the three riding modes, among other functions. The app is available for Android and iOS devices and downloadable from their respective stores.
Warranty & Support
Segway offers a warranty that’s divided into three parts: 12-months coverage for the vehicle body (deck, handlebars, etc.); 6-months coverage for other components (battery, battery charger, etc.); and 3-months coverage for components subject to wear (kickstand, headlight, etc.).
This warranty period covers manufacturing defects and damage that occurs during regular use of the scooter. If it turns out that you have to ship the scooter so that Segway can work on repairs, expect to bear that (shipping) cost. You can also contact Segway via its website or phone toll-free at 1-866-473-4929.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ninebot Max Suitable for Off-Roading?
No. Unfortunately, the Ninebot Max isn’t built for riding off-road, which is evident from its lack of suspension. Even though the tires can absorb bumps and cracks on asphalt, you should avoid riding on rougher terrain.
Will I Have to Recharge the Ninebot Max After Every Ride?
It isn’t advisable to recharge your scooter after every ride because doing so could impact the battery’s longevity. How often you’ll recharge the scooter’s battery will depend on how far you travel and the battery level after each journey.
Does Riding the Ninebot Max Require Safety Gear?
While not a requirement, it’s highly recommended that you wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and palm pads when riding an electric scooter. Such safety gear will protect you from serious injury in an accident.
Is the Segway Ninebot Max a Long-Range Electric Scooter?
Yes. This electric scooter falls into the category of longer-range electric scooters because it has a range of 40 miles. To be considered long-range, a machine should have a 20-mile range at the very least.
Final Thoughts
The Segway Ninebot Max is a fantastic commuter scooter with a decent top speed and an excellent 40-mile range. Moreover, the scooter’s smart battery management system, three ride modes, and regenerative braking capabilities mean you can expect a long battery life while out on your commute.
You’ll also appreciate the Ninebot kick scooter for its dual braking system that combines an electrical and mechanical drum brake to bring it to a complete stop. Not to mention, it features pneumatic tires with a self-healing slime that you won’t find in most scooters.
