Kaabo Mantis 8 Electric Scooter Review

A next-level, powerful and nimble commuter scooter with a top speed of around 28 mph and a range of up to 30 miles.

Boasting a small but sturdy and compact package, the Mantis 8 is a fantastic upgrade of the earlier Kaabo Mantis models. Although it maintains the signature Kaabo design, this electric scooter comes with several updated features and functions that pack a punch.

A few notable ones include a powerful battery, a brushless motor for more power, a compact and sturdy stem and incredible braking power.

Kaabo Mantis 8 – The Lowdown

Unlike its predecessors, which had wobbly and creaky stems, the Mantis 8 Pro redeemed Kaabo’s reputation with the most stable and rigid frame. However, that’s not the only feature that makes this e-scooter outstanding; it also boasts other components that contribute to a comfortable riding experience.

The Mantis 8 comes with an 800 W brushless motor that delivers a peak speed of up to 28 mph. The motor is powered by a 48V 18.2AH lithium-ion battery that takes between 6-8 hours to charge while lasting up to 30 miles on a single charge.

This ultimate commute vehicle also boasts eight-inch tubeless tyres for enhanced grip and smooth-rolling, full suspension for enhanced stability. In addition, the Mantis 8 comes with a sturdy stem, elegant handlebars with excellently anchored controls, and an expansive deck for ultimate ride comfort and responsive control.

The Kaabo Mantis 8 also features three sets of lights to make sure that you’re seen—no matter what time of day you choose to ride. Its semi-hydraulic front and rear disc brakes are robust and dependable enough to give any rider the confidence they need to ride at any speed, knowing that stopping won’t be a problem.

In a nutshell, this scooter is designed for riders who want it all: speed for inner-city commutes, and power and stability for adventurous trail hikes.

Kaabo Mantis 8 Specifications

Kaabo Mantis 8 Cons

 No water-resistance rating

 Cables are not correctly held in position

 At 58 pounds, the Mantis 8 is not the lightest e-scooter on the market

 Front brake caliper is not correctly aligned

Kaabo Mantis 8 Summary

A brainchild of Kaabo, one of the world’s most reputable brands, the Mantis 8 maintains their reputation by offering top-notch performance, unrivalled comfort, stability and the ultimate in rider safety.

First, this scooter runs on a whisper-quiet, brushless, 800W motor that delivers a maximum speed of 28 mph and head-whipping torque to climb small hills. It also comes with a 48V 18.2AH battery that boasts a BMS Smart Battery Management System for extended battery life and improved efficiency.

Riders will also love its 8 x 3-inch tubeless tyres that combine well with the front and rear spring suspension to offer a smooth and coordinated ride—even on the roughest terrains. In addition, the scooter’s frame is made of lightweight aluminium alloy that is rigid and sturdy for added comfort and stability.

The Mantis 8 comes with front LED lights, rear lights and visually attractive side-deck lights for after-sunset adventures. We love that it’s also equipped with powerful semi-hydraulic dual-disk brakes that allow riders to ride comfortably and stop whenever they want.

All the controls are brilliantly anchored onto the T-bar to allow riders of all sizes to control the scooter effortlessly. In addition, the Mantis 8 is highly portable, thanks to its robust folding mechanism that enables riders to collapse the stem and clamp it tightly to the footpad.

Unfortunately, this scooter doesn’t have a water-resistance rating, so avoid riding it in the rain or after a heavy downpour.

Performance Overview

The Dualtron 3 is a high-performance premium scooter propelled by dual in-hub brushless motors with an incredible peak power output of 3600W. The torque and gradeability set the Dualtron 3 apart from other scooters, considerably the Dualtron Spider, which has nearly the same max speed.

While other scooters decelerate considerably when going uphill, the Dualtron 3 scooter has a very flat, consistent power curve. This means that the rider won’t have to work as hard to get it up to speed, and it won’t slow down as much when going uphill. The scooter’s motors can power through inclines of up to 25 degrees, which is considerably higher than the average scooter- a real plus for adventure seekers!

The Dualtron 3 is a speed monster with a maximum speed of 40 mph (65 km/h) and zippy acceleration. It picks up speed quickly and efficiently and can go from 0-20 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds. The Dualtron 3 also has a robust hybrid braking system that is a well-thought add-on considering the ‘need for speed’ capabilities of this scooter.

Top Speed & Acceleration

The Kaabo Mantis 8 can be somewhat intimidating when it comes to speed. The scooter boasts a top speed of up to 28 mph, thanks to its powerful 800W motor. If you’re a thrill-seeker, then the Kaabo Mantis 8 will give you an adrenaline rush while you’re cruising around the neighbourhood.

Its acceleration feels smooth but compared to other e-scooters in its price range, the Mantis starts off slow and takes a little longer to hit top speeds.

Since the Mantis 8 comes with an 800W motor, it has more power and can tackle inclines better than most of its siblings. The powerful e-scooter can climb hills with gradients of up to 30 degrees while keeping a decent speed and carrying a medium-sized adult. In short, the Mantis 8 will take you wherever you want to go.

Controls & Display

The Mantis 8 comes with a detailed but straightforward dashboard. The handlebars are fitted with soft foam grips and sit beside the dual-brake handles. A bell is fitted on the left handlebar, along with the double button. The throttle sits on the right side, along with the LCD and light switches. The clear LCD display allows riders to see the mode, battery level and speed.

Battery Life & Range 

In addition to its 800W motor, the Mantis 8 has an equally solid 48V 18.2AH lithium-ion battery that delivers a fantastic range of up to 30 miles on a single charge. The battery only requires 6-8 hours to charge and boasts a BMS Smart Battery Management System. Some of the benefits of this system are that it helps to prevent overcharge, overcurrent and over-discharge. Besides, it balances the voltage, thereby increasing the battery life and improving its efficiency.

Motor Configuration

It’s not every day that you come across a single-motor electric scooter with such immense power. The Mantis 8 electric scooter comes with a brushless 800W motor that produces enough torque to yield a top speed of 28 mph and allow riders to navigate terrains with up to 30-degree inclines. In addition, the Mantis 8 scooter comes with mode-switching buttons; however, there is unfortunately not a second motor, so you might not even need to use them.

Construction & Build Quality

Although the shaky and unstable stems of the earlier Mantis models tainted the Kaabo brand’s reputation, the Mantis 8 repairs the damage with its sturdy and robust frame. For starters, it boasts an aviation-grade, 6061-T6 aluminium-alloy frame that is super light, yet sturdy and rigid. For enhanced comfort, the handlebars and deck are padded with a mixture of rubber and plastic. So, if you choose the Mantis 8 as your ultimate urban-commute device, then you’ll never have to worry about the stem wobbling or unexpectedly collapsing.

Suspension

The Kaabo Mantis 8 boasts smooth front and rear suspension. The front and rear shock-absorbers dilute bumps, thereby allowing you to experience smooth and steady cruising on all different terrains. Whether you enjoy long suburban drives or scenic cruises over bumpy off-road areas, the dual-spring suspension guarantees a smooth ride.

Ride Quality

Thanks to its mighty motor, dual suspension and dual-braking system, the Mantis 8 scooter delivers one of the best riding experiences. Accelerating this electric scooter feels extra smooth and its two modes allow riders to choose the speed they like best. Although the scooter can deliver a maximum speed of 28 mph, it is crucial to keep the speed below 20 mph so that you can absorb bumps easily. Cruising at top speed feels unsafe, as one little bump under the tyres can destabilise the scooter entirely.

Braking

In addition to its best-in-class semi-hydraulic brakes, the Mantis 8 electric scooter comes with incredible braking power. The brakes latch comfortably onto the extra-wide tyres, thereby allowing riders to bring the scooter to a halt without a hassle. You can also engage the brakes by slightly pulling on the brake levers.

Portability

At 58 pounds, portability is not one of the Kaabo Mantis 8’s most significant strengths. On the upside though, the mini-vehicle comes with a solid and reliable folding mechanism that allows it to fold and lock in place. As a result, the e-scooter stays compact when folded and can easily be carried over short distances. It can also fit in standard-sized boots.

Water Resistance

Since there is no formal water-resistance rating for this product, we can conclude that it is not water-resistant. So, avoid rushing through puddles or riding the Kaabo Mantis 8 electric scooter while it’s raining.

Lights

Although the Kaabo Mantis 8 comes with multiple lights, it’s unfortunate that they are not adequate for after-dark riding. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t get home if the sun goes down while you’re still on the way. This scooter comes with LED front, rear, and sidelights. Even so, we highly recommend investing in a brighter high-mounted headlight for safer and longer nighttime rides. You can also add a signal taillight for your backpack or helmet.

Tyres

The highlights of this e-scooter are the 8 x 3-inch tubeless tyres that are strong and durable. Their wide contact surface ensures that the Mantis 8 remains stable regardless of the nature of the terrain. And since they are tubeless, riders will no longer have to worry about having to fix flat tyres on the roadside.

Deck

Although the deck on the Mantis 8 e-scooter is not the largest, it still provides ample space for riders to assume the normal posture with their feet beside each other. The 47 x 21-cm deck is sturdy and texturized with rubber to supply traction and enhanced stability. The battery can be found below the deck. 

Reliability, Warranty & Customer Support

Unlike its wobbly predecessors, the Mantis 8 is dependable, thanks to its solid stem and elegantly anchored accessories. It also comes with extra-wide tyres, dual-spring suspension and a sizeable deck for ultimate comfort and stability.

Owners of the Kaabo Mantis 8 can ride this e-scooter with confidence, as it comes with a unique 24-month warranty. As for customer support, Kaabo boasts a responsive and dependable support team that will answer your queries promptly.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your Mantis 8 electric scooter will increase its efficiency, reduce the probability of common problems and extend its life. Some maintenance practices include keeping it charged, tightening screws and bolts, cleaning it and avoiding rides in the rain.

Known Issues

Although the Mantis 8 fixed some of its predecessors’ pertinent issues, customers have still reported a few problems, such as front-brake disc misalignment and loose nuts and screws. Additionally, the battery life starts to disappoint after a few months.

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

If you’re looking for a commuter scooter that is built for long-term performance both on and off the road, then the Kaabo Mantis 8 is the real deal. This e-scooter has enough power to deliver heart-wrenching speed, and it is solid enough to offer unmatched riding comfort. If you are in the market for an electric scooter that offers the right balance between smooth acceleration, fantastic speed, substantial braking power and an eye-catching design, then look no further!

The Kaabo Mantis 8 offers beginners and seasoned riders alike value for every pound and well-rounded action that you will find hard to get elsewhere.

Kaabo Mantis Resource

Kaabo Website