Summary

Considering that NIU has already produced over 2 million seated electric scooters, including models used by rental businesses like Revel, it is not surprising that the KQi3 and KQi2 kick scooters, their initial product line, look and feel like actual vehicles as opposed to toys.

Because of NIU’s status as a world leader in the production of light electric vehicles, its scooters are of a caliber to rival that of the best Segway-Ninebots, but they retail for less than a GoTrax and come with a longer guarantee. We are going to discuss NIU’s peculiar warranty in more detail later.

Acceleration

It can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in 7.6 seconds, which is on pace with other scooters in its class. Anyone can easily manage the throttle’s response, as it is smooth and gradual even in sport mode.

Hill Climb

During our extremely steep 10% hill-climb test, the KQi2 Pro performed above averagely, but it truly excelled when faced with more typical 4- to 6% inclines. Up until the final two miles of our range test course, I was able to keep up a speed of 15 mph.

NIU KQi2 has an official gradient of 15% on its steepest slope. If the scooter can handle inclines of 9 degrees, then it should be fine on steeper inclines.

On the ramp up to the bridge, I gave KQi2 a test of its hill-climbing powers. I don’t know the actual degree of the hill, but it was fairly steep.

The scooter surprised everyone by quickly making it up the steep incline. This bridge ramp had a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour (12.5 mph).

Top Speed

The KQi2 Pro’s highest speed in Sport mode, as validated by the ESG, is 16 mph, which is on par with other vehicles in its price range but falls short of the manufacturer’s claimed top speed of 17.4 mph. I wouldn’t shocked if an OTA firmware update increased the KQi2 Pro’s top speed to 17.4 mph, given that its 48-volt system has adequate juice to go faster.

When cycling uphill, it’s to have a top speed of at least 15 mph so you don’t get stuck behind other cyclists in the bike lane.

Pedestrian mode, E-Save mode, and the Custom mode, which allows you to set any speed below the scooter’s maximum, are all available if you want to restrict the maximum speed.

Battery and Range

The KQi2’s surprising 16-mile range in top performance mode on our range test circuit meant it easily outperformed every other scooter we tested.

For power, the KQi2 relies on a battery rated at 365 Wh. Niu says its greatest range is 40 kilometers. Achieving that outcome would be unrealistic to expect in the real world. Manufacturers conduct their range tests under ideal conditions, which are rarely encounter in practice.

During my initial test of the vehicle’s range, I pedalled for 25 kilometres while in full performance mode (15.5 miles). A better performance than most scooters in this price range is achieve.

After some digging, I found out that the app has a toggle for energy restoration.

After 7 hours of charging, I’m ready to do another range test. This time I’m going to use the “strong” energy recovery setting. As soon as I finish the test, I will let you know the results.

Braking

In 14.1 feet, the NIU KQi2 Pro comes to a halt from a speed of 15 miles per hour. The brakes are superior to those of any other scooter in its price range, and there’s absolutely no risk of you going flying off the bike. The skid-resistant 75mm front drum brake and powerful regenerative braking in the back are what make this possible.

To apply both brakes at once, use the single lever on the driver’s left hand, which requires a good, solid squeeze to release. The rear brake prevents skidding under normal conditions and provides remarkable braking control if you deliberately kick it out of control.

Ride Quality

Using their significant design knowledge, the engineers at NIU have given the KQi2 Pro more of everything that makes a scooter feel stable and wobble-free: taller, wider handlebars, larger diameter tyres, and a larger rake angle. When you take your hand off the handlebars, you reduce the risk of a collision.

The KQi2 Pro is a corner-carving beast that leaves you wanting more and more rides thanks to its combination of a rock-solid frame and rear-wheel drive.

Portability

Due to its weight of 40 pounds and the fact that its handlebars do not fold, portability is satisfactory but not exceptional in comparison to other scooters in its class. Even yet, it’s light enough to toss in the trunk and manageable to lug up three or more stories.

The stem latch can be opened and closed in an instant, and it has such a pleasant weight and feel that you might be surprised by how high-quality it is.

Cockpit

For a scooter in this price range, the NIU KQi2 Pro’s cockpit is quite modern and well-designed. The gauge cluster is well-lit, making them legible even in bright sunshine. Visibility in sunlight is frequently disregarded in scooters in this price range and beyond. The fact that NIU has made an effort to solve this is therefore quite encouraging.

Expert advice: if the gauges seem underlet during the day, try switching the headlight off. The gauges are going to light up (and the halo, of course, stays on.)

Lights

The adjustable, always-on halo headlight increases the rider’s visibility in low-light conditions, and it can be focused exactly where it’s needed.

You may have noticed an NIU KQi2 electric scooter coming your way because of its fashionable halo front light. It is permanently activated. This halo light has a functional night light built right in! You can ride even after dark because it’s bright enough.

In addition, there is a red brake light at the back. The front and sides are also equip with reflectors for further visibility. To sum up, Niu’s work in the area of lighting is above average.

Frame

Scooter frames are made of aircraft-grade aluminum. Very sturdy and long-lasting, it appears. The scooter can support riders up to 100 kg (22 stone), however it only weighs 18 kg (41 lbs) (220 lbs).

Tires

There is no suspension on the KQi2 Pro, but the 10″ pneumatic tyres do an excellent job of smoothing out the bumps in the road. In addition, the lack of a tube means that the tyres are immune to pinch flats, a common problem with standard tyres.

PRO TIP: Instead of inflating tyres to the maximum of 50 psi, inflate them to the lower limit of the specification. The maximum range will decrease by about 10 percent, but the ride quality increase will be obvious.

Deck

Rarely do little scooters come with grip tape already attached, but this one comes in both grey and white and does. Our firm grasp on it is a huge plus. We particularly enjoy that, in addition to the grip tape they provide, there are four additional designs available for purchase on their website. That’s the most individualised a product has ever been straight from the factory!

Handlebar

The bell and the brake lever are on the left side, and the accelerator is on the right. The central section features a modern LED control panel.

Even in bright sunshine, you can read the screen clearly. This is where you’ll find information like your vehicle’s current speed, battery life, and transmission setting. However, the trip metre would more useful if it were display on the screen as well.

The diameter of the grip is 54 cm (21.3 inches). When compared to other scooters in its class, it’s slightly wider. Additionally, there is sufficient real estate on the right side for the phone mount to be attach.

Build Quality

NIU’s sturdy construction is reminiscent of electric motor scooters, which is a definite plus. The KQi2 advantages from being manufactured by a corporation that ships millions of items at once. The box itself is immediately eye-catching. I was pleasantly surprised to see no styrofoam inside, given the number of scooters we review.

The scooter has a perfectly balanced degree of lean thanks to the kickstand, which can easily lowered with one foot.

The IP54 designation for water resistance seems cautious in comparison to the excellent protection provided against water. Therefore, I had no problems completing the complete range test while it was raining.

Most of the included features are fairly typical fare, but the KQi2’s build quality much exceeds expectations for the price, and that’s before we even talk about the warranty.

Water Resistance

Niu has included IP54 water resistance in their electric scooter, the KQi2 Pro. This ensures the scooter won’t get damaged by spray from a garden hose at a low setting. The term “splashproof” is commonly used to describe products with such a high water resistance level. If that’s the case, then Niu KQi2 is most assuredly not watertight.

Despite the fact that we have included this scooter on the list of rain-resistant scooters, we nevertheless recommend that you avoid riding in the pouring rain if at all possible. With wet roads, you’ll need more time to stop.

Light rain is not a reason to cancel your ride, but you should be cautious and avoid cycling through any puddles.

Warranty

The battery in cheaper scooters is sometimes only cover for six months under the “one-year” warranty. The KQi2 guarantee is unique in that it lasts for two years and covers the battery, motor controller, and dashboard, all of which are relatively pricey components. Because of the variance in models, it’s important to familiarise oneself with the specifics of any scooter’s warranty before making a purchase.

NIU KQi2 Pro: Review Conclusions