Dualtron Compact Review

One of the best commuter scooters around that has a top speed of around 40 MPH and a range of up to 49 miles

If you enjoyed riding the Dualtron Raptor 2, then you’ll love its bigger and more powerful brother, the Dualtron Compact.

Released at the beginning of 2020, this electric scooter has truly lived up to the initial hype.

This scooter offers an amazingly comfortable commuter ride, yet with its wide tyres, awesome suspension, and adjustable clearance, you can really have fun and rip up your urban terrain.

The Dualtron Compact also allows you to effortlessly transfer to off-road, and you can hit modest trails with ease.

Dualtron Compact Electric Scooter – The Lowdown…

This electric scooter comes with a great combination of ultra-wide wheels and excellent suspension for a smooth ride even at high speeds. However, the scooter’s key strength lies in its two powerful hub motors that max out at 3400W in total. This gives it insane torque and a commendable 47% gradeability.

Like many other electric scooters in the Dualtron family, the Compact doesn’t come at a cheap price, but you get what you pay for. Now without further ado, let’s dive straight into the actual Dualtron Compact review to help you decide whether or not this is the right scooter for you.

Dualtron X Specifications

Dualtron Compact Cons

  Slow charging when using the standard chargers

  There is some stem wobble

  The Compact is not waterproof

  Weighty for personal carry portability

Dualtron Ultra Summary

The Dualtron Compact really is a powerhouse for its deceiving size.  The Compact features dual drive BLDC hub motors capable of putting out 3,400 watts max.  It comes with drum brakes coupled with electronic ABS, to seriously assist you to come to a dead stop, especially in the city, where there are always unexpected surprises. The Maintenance is super easy, with little in the way that generally can go wrong, as long as you look after your electric scooter.

In its price range, the ride quality and suspension of the Dualtron Compact can hardly be beaten. The 8 x 3.5inch solid tires add to the overall ride quality, PLUS you don’t need to worry about flats.  A 60volt 21Ah battery pack with LG cells will give you up to a 49mile range – factoring in rider weight and environmental conditions. Plenty of range for your daily commute, or for hitting up some off-road trails, because this scooter is a LOT of fun for both.

Whether you are a scooter enthusiast or looking for one of the best commuter scooters around – where you can tackle any urban obstacles with ease, very few scooters come close to the Dualtron Compact. The deck also has enough space to ride comfortably, while allowing you a fair bit of foot manoeuvrability.

This scooter weighs 70 lbs, which might be considered a little heavy for such a smaller looking scooter. But this just adds to the stability factor and exceptional riding comfort.

Whether you are a seasoned rider, or looking for your first electric scooter, you will definitely not be disappointed by all that you will be getting from the Dualtron Compact. And the 2year warranty is a really great value add!

Performance Overview

Performance is one area where the Dualtron Compact shines. The scooter comes with two powerful hub motors that are rated 3400W in total. With this kind of power output, you won’t have any issues climbing hills or overcoming obstacles when off-roading. Couple this with its sturdy design, and you’re looking at a scooter that can be used for any purpose.

You’ll hit top speeds of up to 67km/h (40mph) with the Compact which is faster than most average electric scooters we’ve reviewed before. With such high speeds though, a good brake system is needed to minimise accidents and crashes. The good news is MiniMotors has mounted a set of reliable dual drum brakes with ABS that can be activated through ergonomic levers on each side of the handlebar.

Speed & Acceleration

MiniMotors advertises the Compact’s top speed to be a whopping 80 km/h. However, many users and reviewers have not managed to get past 60km/h – which is still swift by all standards!

With the dual hub motor producing so much power, accelerating feels effortless, making your riding experience a lot more fun.

Top Speed

With a decent top speed of 40mph, the Dualtron Compact is one of the fastest electric scooters in its weight category. If you don’t have much experience riding scooters, we recommend using the slow start function to avoid being overpowered.

Especially around your urban jungle, please be very aware of cars driving out, or people suddenly appearing in front of you. You just won’t believe how fast the Dualtron Compact actually is, so it’s easy to forget your pace, due to the incredibly comfortable ride.

Hill Climbing

The Dualtron Compact can easily climb gradients up to 47% or 25 degrees depending on rider weight and state of charge, but again this will vary heavily depending on rider weight.

Because of the lighter look of this scooter, many people don’t actually realise how capable the Compact is at getting you up the steeper city road inclines, or through the gulleys of your favourite off-road track.

 Battery & Range

The Dualtron Compact features one of the longest ranges for a scooter in its price category. At 80Km (49Miles), it beats its closest competitor – The Dualtron Spider – by about 25% more range. It does this by combining a powerful 3,400W MAX BLDC dual-motor system with a 60V 21Ah LG Li-ion battery.

Just remember that if while cruising, you are always trying to squeeze every last drop of speed out of this scooter, it will definitely need recharging more often.

Speaking of the battery, it takes around 12 hours to charge to full when using the stock charger. However, you can halve that time by using a second charger or get a fast charger which cuts it further to only three hours.

Motor Configuration

The Dualtron Compact is a powerhouse for its size.  The Compact features dual drive BLDC hub motors capable of putting out 3400 watts max.

Very handy are the Driving Mode & Motor System controls. Depending on what your driving requirement is, you can choose to drive in Eco – for distance or smooth city cruising – or Turbo mode. You are also able to select to have the motors deliver power to both wheels, or to the rear wheel only.

Construction & Quality

MiniMotors is well-known for releasing electric scooters of high quality and their Compact vehicle is no exception. As we said, it comes with beefy-looking and solid parts, starting with the frame, shaft, standing deck, wheels and brakes.

The frame is made from the hardy 6082-T6 aluminium alloy and is responsible for most of the scooter’s weight. Its shaft is made of SCM440 steel, another material that will comfortably withstand most savage uses and weights.

For the handlebars, the Compact comes covered with ultra-light carbon fibre and polypropylene plastic materials. But beneath them is a durable metal that can support weights up to 120 kg (265lbs). 

Suspension & Comfort

While the Dualtron Compact’s ultra-wide wheels can withstand all sorts of beatings, a robust suspension system is needed to maintain a smooth ride. Fortunately, the scooter comes with adjustable rubber suspensions both on the front and rear to provide a steady and comfortable experience on any road. You can adjust the suspension in three steps and tailor the system based on your weight and the environment. 

For added customisation abilities, the Compact allows you to choose from five different replaceable suspension cartridges including:

• Soft (green)
• Medium-soft (blue)
• Medium (tan)
• Medium-hard (red)
• Hard (black)

The harder the cartridge, the more elasticity and comfort you enjoy for a more fun experience. 

Ride Quality

As we mentioned, the Dualtron Compact comes with 3.5-inch ultra-wide, 8-inch tall solid rubber tyres that offers a wide footprint hence more stability on the road. One great benefit of these types of wheels is that you never have to worry about getting flats.

But on the downsides, they are not that good at absorbing bumps and can make riding on very bumpy terrains uncomfortable.

The good news is MiniMotors equipped the Dualtron Compact with an excellent shock absorption mechanism that ensures great ride quality without any jarring interferences. Riding on the electric scooter feels insanely steady, balanced and smooth even at peak acceleration.

Braking

Another crucial aspect worth taking a closer look at is the braking power. This scooter features two drum brakes with one on each wheel. One thing to love about them is that they’re protected against dirt and other elements to add more reliability. Also, the fact that each wheel comes with its own set means you can rest easy knowing they’ll still operate effectively even if one of the tires gets wet or dirty.

Still on the brakes, you can turn the ABS feature on or off in the EY3 dashboard to make braking even more consistent. This feature prevents the scooter’s tires from locking, especially when the brake levers are fully depressed.

Portability

MiniMotors built the Dualtron Compact with portability in mind, but it’s clear that this wasn’t their primary focus. For starters, the scooter comes with a foldable stem and handlebars. There’s a locking mechanism that allows you to lock the stem and use it as a handle to carry the device.

When folded, the scooter measures 106 cm x 24.3 cm x 48 cm, making it compact enough to fit in the boot of your car.

Regrettably, the Dualtron Compact has a rather old-school frame design, with pretty beefy and bulky parts. It also weighs 31kgs (70lbs), and thus not be the easiest to carry upstairs or over long distances. If you’re looking for a lighter scooter for your everyday commutes, you might want to look for alternatives such as the Dualtron Spider and other lighter Dualtron electric scooters.

Lights

The Dualtron Compact features dual LED headlight, tail lights and brake lights. There’s also a LED strip on its stem and elegant remote-controlled mood lights to add an amazing effect during night rides. The Compact also comes with a remote control, which is used to set the lights.

Tyres

The Dualtron Compact features 8 x 3.5 inch wide solid rubber tyres, that are sure to last a lifetime with no maintenance required.

Personally, I’m a big fan of these tires as I never have to worry about flats. Sure, they come with their downsides such as little room for customization. However, the tyres on the Compact offer excellent road handling capabilities and also provide a very smooth ride.

Go off-road, and they offer great peace of mind, particularly if you drive on rough patches regularly. No matter the track that you throw your scooter at, you will feel super confident and under control. 

The tyres on the Dualtron Compact are just superb!

Deck

The Dualtron Compact has quite a large deck for it’s initial seemingly small size, and is excellent for comfort and stability.

The surface is also covered with a grippy anti-slip material that remains durable over time.

The Compact also comes with a retractable kickstand that lets you easily leave your electric scooter standing wherever you need. This is much more convenient than having to fold and unfold it all the time.

Controls 

Let’s now talk a bit about the dashboard, another standout feature that strikes you when you come across the Compact for the first time. It uses the ‘EY3’ dashboard which is quickly becoming the gold standard in the scooter controllers’ space. MiniMotors even dedicates an entire page on their official website to boast about this latest technology.

Besides displaying the usual info such as speed, trip distance and battery level, this dashboard comes with advanced features for things like:

• Auto power off – can be anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes
• Speed step setting – choose from three-speed levels
• Start methods – you can choose kick-start or throttle start
• Brake strength
• Cruise mode
• LCD brightness
• Setting to change speed unit – km/h to mph and vice-versa

One dashboard feature that stood out for us though was the slow start. This is an excellent addition for beginners who don’t want to go full throttle right from the start. With it, you don’t need to manually adjust the speed with your throttle and risk getting knocked off your feet in the process.

Finally, there’s an option to add a fingerprint lock. This won’t be enough to deter thieves, but it’s a great addition to prevent the e scooter from harming curious children.

Water Resistance

Unfortunately, the Dualtron Compact does not have any water resistance rating, so the manufacturer cautions you to avoid riding in overly wet conditions.

To reduce the possibility of water damage, and if you have had no choice, dry the scooter with a clean cloth every time you have ridden in the rain or wet areas.

Warranty & Customer Support

The Dualtron Compact has a 2-year warranty on all faults. The customer service and support from this brand is also very high-standard.

Maintenance

There’s no doubt that the Dualtron Compact is a powerhouse for its size. However, it needs routine maintenance to stay in mint condition and serve you optimally. The good news is maintaining the scooter is a walk in the park. Thanks to its removable wheel assembly, the tyres are easy to repair should they get locked under braking.

Worth noting is if you ride your scooter in wet conditions, wipe it with a towel immediately. Additionally, keep the battery fully charged and store it at room temperature if you don’t plan to use the scooter for a while.

Finally, MiniMotors recommends charging the scooter battery using the recommended stock charger to avoid undercharging or overcharging that may cause it to blow.

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Known Issues

A few Compact owners have complained about a minor issue with the mudguards.

While they look sleek and modern, we think MiniMotors originally designed them for e scooters with narrower wheels than the much wider wheels of the Compact. If you need more protection, you might have to mod your vehicle and install wider after-market guards.

Dualtron Compact: Is it worth the money and is it worth buying?

Definitely! When it comes to design, the Dualtron Compact doesn’t truly live up to its name. It’s all but small and lightweight. The first thing you notice after unboxing it is that it closely resembles the Dualtron Spider but appears slightly bigger and beefier. Its standout features are the 3.5-wide tires that give it a sporty look whilst making it more stable on the road.

The scooter also impresses with the fancy LED stripes on the stem and mood lighting that help to add some elegance especially when you’re riding the scooter at night. Besides, they make it appear less formal and thus suitable both for work and leisure.

If you want one of the best commuter scooters in its price range, that you can also put through its paces on off-road terrain, then the Compact is the scooter for you!