Gotrax XR Ultra Electric Scooter Review

A Mid-Ranged Scooter With a Top Speed of 15.5 mph and a range of 16 miles.

Gotrax is at the top of many people’s lists as the brand that manufactures budget electric scooters, that perform impressively. This is no different with the XR Ultra. An update to the original lower-spec XR, Gotrax has crammed as many premium features as they can get away with on a budget build. Most notably this includes an LG-based Li-ion battery that immediately sets the XR Ultra apart from other competitors in the price range. 

Additionally, you get 8.5″ air-filled tyres, a 300w motor, cruise control, 2 gear mode, and a dual braking system – all of which can be seen on models at a much higher cost. Whilst there are some compromises to make, the Gotrax XR Ultra provides decent power, speed, and reliability with some fun features.  It has everything an electric scooter should have,  and at the price point, you’d be hard-pressed to find more bang for your buck.

Want more detail? Take a look at our comprehensive XR Ultra review.

Xiaomi 1S – The Lowdown

The Gotrax XR Ultra is built with commuters in mind or people who want to just get around without any fuss. It’s powered by an LG battery and this model has 16 miles of range when fully charged which is an improvement on their older models. 

It’s mainly designed for adults but it has a weight capacity of up to 220lbs but younger adults will also enjoy this scooter!

Read on for a comprehensive look at the XR Ultra and its specs.

Gotrax XR Ultra Specifications

Gotrax XR Ultra Cons

 No additional suspension 

 No apps or Bluetooth

 IP54 water resistance, not waterproof

Gotrax XR Ultra Summary

If you’re looking for an electric scooter that won’t break the bank but can still reliably deliver you to your destination, the Gotrax XR Ultra might be for you. With easy acceleration, thanks to the single 300-watt motor and a decent hill climb, the speedy e-scooter performs admirably.

Featuring a dual braking system and enhanced LG battery, it easily surpasses its predecessor.   The range is limited to around 15 miles, and the look might not be to everybody’s taste, but for a budget e-scooter, it’s a real find and great value.

With all these in mind, it’s up to you to decide which scooter you should get. But for now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the Gotrax XR Ultra. Read on.

Performance Overview

The Gotrax XR Ultra electric scooter has been touted for its official top speed of 15.5mph – which is more than enough power for everyday riding. This claim has been verified by riders in performance tests, but of course, is dependent on many variables. We found the speed very realistic and even managed a breezy 20mph when riding downhill.

The XR Ultra handles hills relatively well and can scale up to 15 degree inclines without much of an issue. The extra torque from the front-wheel motor gives you an advantage over e-scooters with rear wheel motors and gentle slopes won’t pose a problem.

You’ll find the speed drops off at the steeper end, and you may need to give a few kicks to reach your destination, but when you’re dealing with single motor, budget e-scooters this is pretty standard.

Top Speed & Acceleration

The acceleration on the Gotrax XR Ultra performs very well and achieving top speed took an average of 10 seconds which is comparable to some higher-end scooters.

Gotrax has been smart to include the combination of the LG-based Li-ion battery with the 300-watt motor. Working together you’ll be able to establish and maintain reasonable speeds throughout your ride and as long as you aren’t regularly making the steepest incline climbs, or expecting white-knuckle rides, you won’t need anything quicker.

Battery Life & Range

The range on the Gotrax XR Ultra has been advertised at 16 miles, but this wasn’t quite what we experienced. Once again, this is entirely dependent on variables including rider weight, terrain, speed, and travel conditions, but we found the range was closer to 12 miles. If you’re looking for an electric scooter that can maintain the full power and top speed for your 20-mile commute, the XR Ultra won’t fit the bill.

That being said, if you fall under the broad category of flat road riders looking to speed up short journeys, the Gotrax XR Ultra is one of the best overall performers in the budget e-scooter category. The battery life is very reasonable as you would expect from a premium branded battery like an LG and when you couple this with the super-swift charging time of 3/4 hours, it’s unlikely that you’ll be disappointed.

Motor Configuration

The 300w front-wheel motor is a nice addition to the Gotrax XR Ultra electric scooter. As we’ve already said, the placement of the motor gives you extra torque but it also contributes to higher performance and efficiency from the XR Ultra.

Usually, there are downsides to this configuration, namely in the control of the e-scooter. But Gotrax has balanced the scooter with extra-wide handlebars that more or less negate this concern.

Construction & Build Quality

Gotrax have built the XR Ultra in matte aluminium which contributes to the general lightness and is generally accepted to be preferable to alloy builds.

The general design of the electric scooter is ultimately going to be a bit marmite for some people. You either love it or hate it. There’s a lot to love, including the matte finish, an option between sleek colours and the compact cockpit that streamlines the scooter.

On the other hand, there are some ostentatious details such as the big old ‘GOTRAX’ label down the side of the stem, the red detailing on levers and construction elements, and most notably, the exposed brake cable. This is a confusing design choice, as most scooters integrate the brake cable into the frame of the electric scooter, to reduce damage to the cable. Leaving it exposed means you are more likely to inflict wear or snag the cable meaning you’re more likely to need maintenance or replacements. It also makes the scooter more finicky to carry when it’s folded down as you need to work around the cable. It’s definitely not a major flaw and isn’t new to bike riders, but it does seem like an oversight in what is otherwise a tightly constructed package.

The deck of the Gotrax XR Ultra is compact and well thought out.   It houses the brake levers, and the push-button throttle, which are placed at a nice distance from the handlebars so you won’t have to strain your thumbs to use them.

The LED panel is fairly basic, just showing your speed and estimated battery life. If you are desperate for an electric scooter that comes with an app to measure metrics in-depth, you will be disappointed. But the LED display itself is crystal-clear and accurate to ensure that the information you’re receiving will assist you as you ride.

In the stem of the scooter is a red button that provides combined control over the headlight, turning the scooter off and on and shifting between first and second gear. The controls are intuitive and robust meaning that even first-time riders will get to grips with the Gotrax XR Ultra easily.

Suspension

The Gotrax XR Ultra doesn’t have any additional suspension but the inclusion of pneumatic (airless) tyres does most of the dogs work to dampen impact. As the battery is built into the stem, and not in the deck, the deck build also contributes to smoothing out the ride as it is more flexible than other electric scooters we’ve reviewed and can help absorb shock to the scooter.

Whilst these features work well on urban roads and reasonable terrain, it’s worth noting that this is not an off-roading electric scooter. The tyres can handle cracks in the road or pavement and the sudden drop from a curb but pot-holes, gravel, and mud will be challenging and you’ll struggle to get the Gotrax XR Ultra to perform under these conditions.

Ride Quality

The ride quality of the Gotrax XR Ultra is overall very smooth. The large 8.5-inch tyres contribute to the glide and the scooter is responsive to turns and easy to control. We found the incline approach easy too and it’s generally a very fun way to get around.

The cruise control feature is a nice option to have too. Locking in your speed is great for longer distances, but we did find it battery draining, and less useful if you’re stopping frequently between traffic lights.

The acceleration doesn’t kick in immediately, so you’ll need to manually kick off on the scooter and wait a few seconds for the motor to take over. This is a standard mode of operation for electric scooters within this price range and can actually be less jarring than an immediate lurch into 10mph speeds.

Braking

The dual brake system on the Gotrax XR Ultra electric scooter is very effective. Featuring an electric regenerative front wheel brake and a mechanical disc brake in the rear, it makes for a responsive brake time even from top-speed.

The brakes are controlled with brake levers set in the handlebars of the scooter which are easy to control, and intuitive, especially to cyclists. The brakes are responsive but you will need to apply proper pressure to the brake lever to ensure both brakes activate.

Portability

The Gotrax XR Ultra is foldable thanks to the mechanism connecting the stem and the deck. The original Gotrax XR had a hotly debated safety pin system, which was intended to stop the electric scooter folding whilst riding, but added to the general fussiness of folding down and many riders were not fans.

Gotrax has done away with this system in the model upgrade and replaced it with a red plastic tab on the rear fender which locks the stem in place when folded. The handlebars don’t fold, which you might miss but contribute to the quick fold down time or the XR Ultra.

The overall weight of the folded frame is light enough to carry easily, whether you’re heading up a flight of stairs or lifting it into the boot of a car. The compact dimensions when folded (43.3 x 17.1 x 14.6) mean the scooter is neat enough to sip under a desk or be taken into a lift without issue.

Water Resistance

The water-resistance of the Gotrax XR Ultra is listed as IP54 meaning it is not fully waterproof but can handle light rain or wet roads. The grip on the tyres is also very capable on wet surfaces, so you won’t have to curtail your riding if it’s overcast or the day after a storm.

This is great news for casual and commuter riders who don’t want to plan their whole day around the weather – bear in mind you can always fold down your scooter and hop onto public transport if needs must.

Lights

The lighting on the Gotrax XR Ultra electric scooter is pretty bang average. There’s a strong inbuilt LED headlight which actually provides a decent amount of light for an electric scooter.

The trade-off is the lack of a rear taillight, meaning you will definitely need to purchase additional lights if you plan to ride at night. As always, proceed with caution when planning night rides and always ensure you have enough visibility.

Tyres

The air filled (pneumatic) tyres take on the dual responsibility of providing suspension and balancing the weight of the Gotrax XR Ultra. At 8.5 inches, the tyres are wider than you might expect and cushion bumps and cracks on flat roads very well.

There is a debate in the electric scooter community about the pros and cons of air filled tyres vs. airless (solid) tyres, and one of the noted cons of air filled is the tendency toward punctures. However, it has been widely reported that the tyres on the Gotrax XR Ultra stand up to wear and tear and perform far better than the tyres of direct competitors (the Xiaomi M365 for example).

Deck

As we said, the deck has been nicely thought out on the Gotrax XR Ultra. The grip pad performs well so you won’t slip even in light rain. The flexibility of the deck provides a springy surface with plenty of give so feels comfortable instead of rigid underfoot.

As it isn’t housing the battery for the scooter, the deck doesn’t need to be as high which creates a lower sense of gravity, keeping the very scooter well balanced.

Controls & Display

This high-performance electric scooter boasts ergonomically designed controls that are comfortably latched onto the two handlebars. 

The accelerator sits to the right, alongside the clear LCD display. This latter shows the power level, ride time, battery level speed, and more. In addition, it boasts two switches that allow riders to switch between modes.

Reliability, Warranty & Customer Support

We found the Gotrax XR Ultra to be very reliable within its capacities. Make sure you’re fully charged before you set off, plan your route so you can remain on decent roads, and try to be mindful to reserve full power for when you really need it.

It’s reasonable to expect several years use out of the XR Ultra. When you maintain best practice you will find the scooter is consistent, secure and very capable.

Maintenance

A very low-maintenance scooter, the XR Ultra needs minimal upkeep and you won’t need a specialist to check the functionalities. Customer support from Gotrax is widely reported to be responsive and very helpful.

Maintenance and upkeep are simple enough for the Gotrax XR Ultra. Spare parts can be found through the manufacturer’s website at a low price, but you may incur shipping costs as the company is based in the US.

Accessories & Upgrades

The Gotrax XR Ultra comes with an impressive array of accessories available and can be easily customised through the Gotrax website.

As standard, the scooter comes with a kickstand, rubber grip deck and handlebars, a bell, and built in headlight.

Known Issues

There isn’y many to note other than what we found below:

• Small number of reported build issues and damaged scooters
• No app or Bluetooth capacity
• Disputes on advertised 16 miles of range

Is this E-Scooter value for money and is it worth buying?

With Gotrax being one of the most highly rated electric scooter manufactures – we can see why people do love this brand and what they’re offering.

For the battery this scooter comes with and the price point – it’s one of the best available. So you can still get a sturdy scooter without breaking the bank and this is one thing that it beats it’s rivals with. It really does have everything you’d need without spending a huge amount of money.

Gotrax XR Ultra Resource

Gotrax Website