Hiboy has consistently been the top pick for city commuters seeking reliable and affordable transportation for their daily travels. The Hiboy S2 scooter has been a bestseller, but does it still hold its title as the best mid-range electric scooter in 2024? Initial impressions suggest it’s well-built, sturdy, and equipped with all the features one looks for in a scooter. But does it live up to its specifications? Find out about its performance, comfort, price, and more to determine if it’s the right fit for you.
Hiboy S2 Electric Scooter
Features:
- Motor Power: 350W motor with a top speed of 18 mph
- Battery: 36V 7.5Ah battery, offering up to 13 miles per charge
- Tires: 8.5-inch solid tires with rear dual suspension
- Brakes: Dual braking system: regenerative and mechanical
- Special Feature: Lightweight at 31 lbs with easy folding mechanism, App connectivity for cruise control, speed, and lock features
The Handlebars and Display
Overall, the scooter is well-built with high-quality aluminum alloy, ensuring sturdiness. The handlebars, though not wider like those on other electric scooters, still provide a stable stance and control while riding. The scooter is robust and strong despite its lightweight design.
On the right side, the scooter features a thumb throttle and a disc brake lever which controls the rear brake. On the opposite side, there is a throttle for the regenerative brake. Both the throttles are easy to handle. In the center, it has a long LED display. The display is not as wide as in other scooters. It shows the current speed, battery bars, and the current speed mode.
There is a button for powering on and off the scooter with a single press, and double pressing it changes between speed modes. Similarly, pressing it three times activates the cruise control feature. The rubber-textured grips offer excellent grip and comfortable handling during rides. While the current display is pretty impressive and neat but personally, I’d prefer a wider display for enhanced visibility and ease of reading.
Wheels
The Hiboy S2 comes equipped with 8.5-inch solid tires, offering both advantages and drawbacks. On the positive side, these tires are puncture-proof, eliminating worries about tire inflation and reducing maintenance costs and enhances the durability of the tires. However, they do have limitations, particularly on uneven terrain where they lack suspension, resulting in a less comfortable ride and increased noise. Solid tires are favored by many for their longevity, personally, I lean towards pneumatic tires due to their superior comfort and shock absorption capabilities.
During testing, the solid tires did produce some noise and discomfort, as expected. Nevertheless, Hiboy has incorporated a dual rear suspension system, lessens these issues to some extent. Firstly, It’s remarkable that Hiboy includes a suspension system in their solid tire scooter, as this feature is often absent in similar models. While the ride wasn’t entirely noise-free or smooth, it fared relatively well compared to its competitors. While it may not pass with flying colors in suspension tests, it performed admirably in comparison to its rivals.
Battery and Range
The Hiboy S2 features a 36V 7.5Ah lithium-ion battery, which typically requires approximately 5 to 6 hours to fully charge from 1 bar to 5. While the manufacturer’s claim of a 19-mile range per charge, real-world testing reveals a more conservative figure of around 13 miles under optimal conditions like flat terrain and comfort settings. According to my journey, the expected average range on a single charge is approximately 10 miles.
Speed
The Hiboy S2 is one of the fastest budget-friendly electric scooters, equipped with 350 watts motor and a top speed of 18 mph depending upon the weight of the rider and type of the terrain. It’s pretty fast, especially for what you’d look for in a mid-range scooter. However, on rough terrains with slight bumps, the speed appears to be slightly lower and, of course, the ride is bumpier as well.
The scooter has two speed modes: comfort mode and sport mode, with 18 mph being the top speed in sport mode. Another feature is the cruise control, but I recommend not using it at high speeds because when you need to make a sudden stop, you may find it difficult to adjust, which could result in security concerns.
Deck
The deck is constructed of rubber, boasting robust build quality capable of accommodating weights of up to 260lbs, a standout feature that sets the Hiboy S2 apart from competitors, which typically have weight limits of 220 lbs. The deck’s generous length provides ample space for comfortable foot adjustments. At the rear wheel, there is a fender which protects the rider from water and dirt. The scooter boasts an IPX4 water-resistant rating, could be ride in wet conditions, and it’s easy to clean as well.
Effective Dual Braking
The Hiboy S2 features both a handbrake and regenerative electronic brake, a combination that I appreciate. Positioned on the left handlebar is the throttle for the electronic brake, while the rear mechanical handbrake is located on the right side. However, one issue I encountered with braking is that the regenerative braking system doesn’t perform optimally, particularly in situations requiring abrupt stops. As a result, I recommend relying on the mechanical brakes, which offer superior performance on this scooter. Additionally, there is a brake light on the rear fender that flashes when the scooter comes to a stop.
Lightweight Design Makes the Scooter Portable
As mentioned earlier, despite the handlebars toughness, the scooter remains lightweight. Weighing just 31 lbs, it’s easy to carry to work or store in a car trunk. Folding the scooter is straightforward: just release the folding lever situated at the stem’s base, then tightly attach the back of the handlebars onto the latch located on the rear fender. That’s it, it’s that simple. While the handlebars themselves don’t fold, their narrow design significantly enhances the scooter’s portability.
Hill Climbing Ability
The scooter isn’t the best choice for uphill rides, particularly if you’re heavier, as it may cause the stem to wobble. Equipped with a 350W motor power and solid tires, it can manage small inclines of up to 10%. However, it’s not ideal for tackling steep uphill climbs. There are scooters with higher power and torque available that are better suited for handling steep inclines. I didn’t tested the climbing ability but I could tell by my riding experience.
App Integration
The scooter comes with a companion app that seamlessly connects to your phone, offering a range of customizable features. With the app, you can easily lock and unlock the scooter, adjust cruise control settings to your own preference, and monitor essential metrics such as battery percentage and speed in real-time. This integration improves the overall user experience, providing convenient control and monitoring capabilities at your fingertips.
Ride Quality
Now that I’ve outlined both the positives and negatives of the scooter, you can form your own opinion based on my experiences. In terms of ride quality, it was generally good, though not entirely exceptional. The honeycomb-designed tires, while lacking significant suspension did transmit some bumps on rough terrain. However, the dual spring suspension system managed to lessen these bumps, resulting in a more stable ride compared to other scooters in a similar price range. Overall, the ride was smooth on flat surfaces, and I encountered no issues with stem wobbling. The scooter boasts a sturdy build quality and is easy to handle.
Is the Price Worth it?
Absolutely! Despite some drawbacks, the scooter gets a definite “Yes” from me. It offers everything one would expect from a budget-friendly electric scooter. However, after thorough research conducted by one of my team members, it was discovered that there’s a scooter that surpasses the S2 in every aspect, providing a more comfortable ride and additional enhanced features. The Turboant X7 Max stands out as a superior option compared to the Hiboy S2. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the seated version of the Hiboy S2 remains highly budget-friendly when compared to other scooters in its price range.
Who Should Buy?
The scooter is an ideal choice for individuals seeking dependable transportation options for daily commutes within the city, such as going to the office or running routine errands. Specifically designed for flat surfaces, the Hiboy S2 offers a comfortable ride on such terrains compared to rougher surfaces. It’s best suited for individuals commuting on smooth bike paths where there’s minimal need to navigate around cars or deal with variations in sidewalk surfaces or pebbles.
When comparing the scooter with Bird rental scooters, it’s evident that the Hiboy S2 presents a compelling option. Typically, Bird scooters cost around 25 cents per minute. For instance, if you ride a Bird scooter for 10 hours a month, it would accumulate to approximately $150. In contrast, purchasing the Hiboy S2 will be a one-time investment and subsequently save on daily commute costs. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals who frequently rely on Bird rentals for their daily commutes.
