Kaabo Skywalker 10S Electric Scooter Review

The Kaabo Skywalker 10S is a mid-range, high-performing electric scooter with an eye-blinding maximum speed of 32 mph and an impressive range of up to 43 miles. 

Kaabo needs no introduction in the rapidly expanding electric scooter space. This highly reputable scooter manufacturer is back again in the electric scooter market with the Kaabo Skywalker 10S. Termed as the big sister to the Skywalker 8S, the 10S is a pretty powerful mid-range scooter with a decent top speed and outstanding range. The Skywalker 10S is indeed made for longer commutes, offering a comfortable ride experience thanks to the thick tyres and dual suspensions.

If you’re considering a long-ranged commuter scooter with decent power, speed and comfort but without that ugly beefy build, the Kaabo Skywalker is an excellent choice. Read on to find out whether this electric scooter is for you.

Kaabo Skywalker 10S – The Lowdown

The Kaabo brand is an electric scooter industry benchmark. Kaabo is proudly among the pioneers in the electric scooter industry, capitalizing on both their daily commuter scooters and off-road explorers. The Kaabo Skywalker 10S falls under the Kaabo sports scooter series. The scooter is essentially a hybrid between a road and an off-road scooter, providing an outstanding balance between power, range and riding comfort. As such, the 10S is suitable for city and light off-road riding.

The Kaabo brand has a presence in over 30 countries across Europe, America and Africa. As such, the team of engineers needs to constantly innovate to ensure that their scooters are adaptable to the varied riding conditions presented by their target market. The Kaabo 10S comes fitted with a single, high-torque 1200-watt electric motor that conquers hilly terrain like a dream. The high-performance 60V 15.6 Ah LG battery provides a decent single charge mileage, making this the perfect exploration scooter. The abundance of these and other features makes this scooter uncompromising in terms of performance and safety.

If you’re displeased with the performance on the 10S, you need not worry. Kaabo features variations to this model that might meet your specific needs, such as the 10S 1500 W, and the S+ that comes with dual motors rated at 1000W. Nonetheless, the Kaabo Skywalker 10S is still your go-to commuter scooter providing comfortable rides with an outstanding balance between power, speed and range.

Kaabo Skywalker 10S Specifications

Kaabo Skywalker 10S Cons

 The scooter’s battery takes pretty long to charge fully

The scooter is a little bit heavy

 The deck is pretty small, compromising on the overall ride comfort

Kaabo Skywalker 10S Summary

The Kaabo Skywalker 10S is definitely a strong contender for the best electric scooter available at £719 ($1000). Being one of Kaabo’s innovative sport scooters, the Skywalker 10S will certainly delight anyone looking for an outstanding balance between power, range and riding comfort on typical urban terrains as well as light-off-road terrains.

The Skywalker 10S build quality is pretty impressive, with the frame constructed using 6061-T6 aviation-grade aluminium making it lightweight, durable and sturdy even at high speeds-no wobbling on this scooter. The scooter’s design is sleek and neat with well-placed wires, an edged deck, a thick stem and a curved ergonomic handlebar for comfortable rides. The deck is lined with a gorgeous bright red glowing LED strip that adds to the scooter’s aesthetics.

Performance-wise, the Kaabo Skywalker outperforms most scooters in the mid-range category. The scooter is powered by a rear 1200W brushless motor that propels the scooter to a top speed of 31 mph with incredible non-jerky acceleration. The power is sufficient to enable the scooter to conquer intense hill climbs with 30 degrees gradeability depending on the rider weight and the battery power.

For better speed control, Skywalker 10S features 3 driving modes that can be selected on the LCD controller. The scooter is fitted with a 60V 15.6 Ah LG battery that provides an impressive range of up to 33 miles. Of course, the range is dependent on various factors, including riding speed, rider weight etc.

The combination of dual front and rear suspension, 10-inch pneumatic tyres, and height-adjustable stem make this scooter pretty comfortable to ride. What’s more, riding the scooter is straightforward-press the start button to power up, then gently press the trigger throttle using your right thumb; slow down by pressing down the brake levers gently.

The scooter ensures maximum rider safety in all aspects. The front and rear disc brakes ensure smooth and precise stopping even in wet conditions,  with a remarkably short stopping distance. Riding the 10S at night is safe owing to the combination of head, tail and brake light, as well as ambient deck lighting providing maximum visibility.

At 57 lbs. (26 Kg), the Skywalker 10S is not the most portable mid-range scooter around. However, the scooter still manages to remain portable with its stem folding mechanism, and retractable handlebar. The scooter folds down to a compact package that can easily be picked up and carried over a small distance or fit in small spaces such as the trunk of a car.

Overall, the Kaabo Skywalker is an impressive scooter. Read on for a more comprehensive review.

Performance Overview

The Kaabo Skywalker 10S is one of the best performing mid-range scooters. The scooter offers a decent performance all-round with impressive steady acceleration, great max speed, excellent range, remarkably short braking distance and superior hill climb. The scooter accelerates from 0 to 25 km/h in just 4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 31 mph in under 20 seconds.

The 33 Miles (53 Km) range is more than average in the mid-scooter category, and you can be sure to go for days without necessarily charging your scooter. Real-life tests by an above-average weight rider on gear mode 3 attained a maximum range of 25.1 miles (40 km).

Riding the scooter is pretty comfortable and safe, thanks to the best-in-class braking system, with one of the shortest braking distances in any scooter category. It offers solid hill climbing capabilities, with up to 30 degrees gradeability. Overall, the 10S is a swift, comfortable, long-ranged scooter, even outperforming more expensive models.

Top Speed & Acceleration

The Kaabo Skywalker tops out at 31 mph (50 km/h), allowing you to make your way through traffic and quickly reach your destination. Its single 1200-watt motor offers steady, non-jerky linear acceleration all the way to its top speed.

In real-world acceleration tests by a 163 lbs (74 kg) rider, the 10S accelerated to 15 mph in under 4 secs, 20 mph (32 kmh) in under 6 seconds, and 25 mph (40 km/h ) in about 9 seconds. The scooter offers very comparable performance to higher-priced scooter models, notably the EMOVE Cruiser and the Inokim OX.

Controls & Display

Like most electric scooters in the mid-range category, the Skywalker 10S features quite a bunch of simple controls and an LCD display. The curved handlebars encompass a brake lever on either side, a horn, and light control button on the left side. The horn is very loud, and you can be sure to alert vehicles and pedestrians of your presence. Despite being an essential road accessory, it’s uncommon to find horns in most scooters. Fortunately, the 10S comes with one, meaning you won’t need to spend extra buying a mountable horn.

On the right side of the handlebar, you’ll find the QS-S4 trigger throttle with a high-quality colourful LCD display, typical of most modern scooters. The display informs you of essential stats such as battery status, speed mode, riding speed, and distance travelled.

Battery Life & Range 

The Skywalker 10S is fitted with a 60V 15.6 Ah LG battery that offers up to a manufacturer-cited 33miles (53 Km) range on paper. However, you should expect a lower range than this depending on your weight, riding speed, terrain and weather condition. Riders, however, report a range 25.1 miles- 31.0 miles (40-50 Km) which is still very impressive. The long-range makes this scooter among the best low-budget long commuter scooters.

The scooter’s battery takes 6-9 hours to fully charge, which is pretty average considering the long-range. However, you can cut the charging time to just 4 hours using a fast charger for enhanced convenience. In regards to battery life, LG has a reputation for making high, quality durable batteries. As such, you should expect your scooter’s battery to last up to 5 years, but with proper maintenance.

Motor Configuration

The Skywalker 10S is fitted with a heavy-duty rear-wheel driven 1200W brushless motor, which peaks out at 1200W. The 1200W motor is actually the best in that price range as you rarely find such a motor rating in the under £719/ $1000 price category. The motor offers smooth acceleration propelling the scooter to a top speed of 31 mph and decent gradeability of up to 30 degrees. The motor offers three power options giving riders complete control over their speed and acceleration. In mode 3, the maximum top-speed is reached for an exhilarating experience while Mode 1 limits speeds to more conservative levels if necessary.

Construction & Build Quality

Kaabo high-end and budget scooters are usually well constructed to ensure optimum performance. And, the Skywalker 10S is no different. With its premium build quality, this is an excellent choice for a long lasting ride!

The frame is constructed with durable 6061-T6 aviation-grade aluminium to cut on the weight and provide utmost steadiness even at high speeds. The deck and shaft are constructed with steel, adding a little bit of weight to the scooter, ensuring it remains firmly planted on the road for ultimate stability and control.

You’ll definitely appreciate the curved handlebars that feature a tapered shape on the end. The handlebar grips are covered in rubber, ensuring comfortable rides as well as full control over the scooter. What’s more, its foldable frame and handlebars enhance portability and storage for travel convenience. The Skywalker’s sleek design is further complemented by the neatly routed wires.

Suspension

The Skywalker 10S is fitted with the best-in-class, well balanced rear dual air shocks and front spring suspension, providing sufficient dampening in typical urban terrains and light off-roads. The front suspension features dual springs that are pretty stiff for sufficient shock absorption. The combination of rear and front suspension comes in handy to offer sufficient damping and enhances the scooter stability at high speeds in rough terrains.

Overall, the Skywalker’s suspensions are one of the best you can find in a mid-range scooter. However, rider reviews claim that the suspension is noisy and stiff, often preferring the one the Kaabo Mantis.

Ride Quality

The Skywalker 10S stands as one of the most comfortable scooters in its class owing to the combination of front and rear suspensions and the 10-inch pneumatic tyres that provide sufficient damping on most terrains.

The tyres offer sufficient traction on all terrains and absorb road impacts from bumps and small rubles for a smooth and comfortable ride. The suspensions are flexible and offer a medium level of stiffness for maximum shock absorption with minimal strains.

The decent ride quality is further compounded by the curved handlebars, which prevent wobbling, ensuring ultimate steadiness and scooter control. The deck is lined with grip tape to enhance rider stability.

Safe night riding is facilitated by the excellent lighting profile including the wrap around LED lights, and the inclusion of a horn. The scooter is also IPX4 rated, meaning you can ride it for short distances through light showers.

Overall, the ride quality is remarkable and is the ultimate urban street experience. However, when compared to its bigger, more pricey brother, such as the Kaabo Mantis and the Kaabo Wolf Warrior, the ride quality appears to be on the lower side.

Braking

Regarding braking, the Skywalker 10S features dual mechanical disc brakes with Zoom-branded calipers. The rear disc brake features a somewhat larger 150 mm ventilated disc, while the front has a 120 mm disc providing maximum ventilation and enough surface  area for optimum braking performance. With such an efficient braking system, the 2.8 meters braking distance from 15mph (24 km/h) doesn’t come as a surprise. Better still, the brakes can be adjusted to achieve an even shorter braking distance.

In essence, the brakes are pretty powerful; you can rest assured of precise and smooth stops even in emergencies. However, the brake calipers are a tad creaky, especially during strong emergency braking. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t worry about this since it’s very typical among electric scooters and even motorcycles that lack ABS.

Portability

Weighing 56 lbs. (25.4 kg), the Skywalker 10S is definitely not the most portable scooter in the mid-range category. However, despite the weight, the 10S is still very portable thanks to the quick folding mechanism; folding telescoping stem and folding handlebars.

Everything folds in the scooter; the handlebars fold via a sliding collar mechanism, the stem folds easily-it retracts so that you can pop it down. To pull the stem and the folded handlebars down towards the deck, you have to release a plastic latch on the foot pedal and pull it down. The stem locks in place on the deck allowing for easy one-handed carrying.

The scooter folds into a compact package measuring 119.38 x 22.86 x 33.02 cm (LxWxH). Pretty compact, right? The scooter unfolds quickly with the handlebars reverting to their curved design and are very stable. There have been concerns about accidentally stepping on the plastic folding latch while riding, an issue that Kaabo remedied by including a plastic safety tab that prevents the stem from accidental folding.

Water Resistance

The Skywalker 10S has an IPX4 water resistance rating. As such, You can ride the scooter through mild rain showers, and it can handle light splashes. Avoid riding the scooter through deep puddles or for extended periods of time in the rain, as the scooter has some unsealed parts that pose the risk of electrical damage.

Lights

The Skywalker 10S, decent lighting system makes it safe to ride at night plus adds to its aesthetics. The scooter features rear red LED lights, a front low-mounted LED, and side LED strip lights. Easily noticeable is the LED side light strip portraying Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber-perhaps the reason the scooter is called Skywalker.

The lights are pretty bright, providing much-needed visibility at night. However, for enhanced front visibility, you may want to mount a much brighter headlight high up the stem since the scooter’s headlight is lowly mounted.

Tyres

For the tyres, the Skywalker comes with dual 10’’ x 2.6’’ pneumatic, CST branded tube tires. The tyres are thick and sturdy, providing sufficient traction on all terrains, and in wet or dry conditions. The tyres ensure smooth and comfortable rides by providing stability and dampening.

Considering they are pneumatic, i.e. air tyres, they are susceptible to puncture and require routine maintenance for optimum functionality. As such, you should be armed with the necessary tools to repair a puncture whenever it comes about, especially when riding on rough terrain.

Deck

The Skywalker’s deck stands out with the glossy black paint job, and red LED strip wrapped all-round the deck, adding to its aesthetics. The rounded lights can be turned on/off using a switch located on the side of the deck. The deck is sleek and features two grip tapes lining the stepping plate to ensure riders’ stability.

In terms of deck size, the Skywalker deck feels a bit squeezed with limited standing room. The suspension connections on the rear and the metal bar linking the deck and the stem takes a great deal of space, limiting the standing room. To put this in context, riders are offered only 44.5 centimetres of standing space. This is not sufficient for taller riders or individuals with larger feet. At first, the deck will definitely feel a little bit cramped when riding the scooter, but you’ll soon get used to it.

Reliability, Warranty & Customer Support

The Skywalker 10S is indeed a reliable electric scooter, matching the needs of anyone looking for an averagely powerful scooter with impressive range and good riding comfort for urban and light off-road terrains. The 10S achieves a good balance between power, range and riding comfort. Most importantly, it’s easy and safe to ride even at night; you won’t find many issues with this scooter.

While it’s pretty heavy to be used as a last-mile commuting scooter, the 10S is amazingly portable with an easy folding mechanism. It can easily be transported in the boot of a car or stored in compact spaces when not being used. The 10S is highly reliable, and does not call for much compromise.

Like all Kaabo scooters, the Skywalker comes with a premium 1-year warranty (covers motor, battery, throttle, and controller) and a 30-day return policy. Kaabo has world-class customer service; you can be sure to get help whenever you have got a query or an issue with your scooter.

Maintenance

There is no denying that the 10S has a remarkable build quality, and it’s highly reliable. However, to achieve optimum functionality and ensure it remains in mint condition, you need to maintain it routinely.

Maintaining the 10S is neither challenging nor expensive. For the pneumatic tyres, you need to check for punctures regularly and pressurize to the required PSI before embarking on your journey.  The mechanical disc brakes need to be lubricated regularly by applying a small amount of bike oil to the cable near the housing. Be extra careful to ensure the lubricant doesn’t get into the brake pads and rotors.

You also need to clean your scooter regularly by wiping down dust and mud with a clean dump towel. Ensure you don’t get water on the electric components, as the scooter is not waterproof. Also, charge the battery to full before storing the scooter at room temperature if you’re not going to use it for a long time. When charging the scooter, make sure to use the recommended stock charger to avoid overcharging or undercharging the battery.

Some other maintenance practices you can undertake on the scooter include:

• Check the replacement timing of consumable parts such as the hinge bolt, battery, steering tube, handle stem, locking slide etc.
• Check out and replace parts that the external environment may have damaged.
• Routinely tighten the brake pads as they tend to become loose with time.
• Overall, when maintaining the scooter, ensure you follow the maintenance guidelines and procedures listed in the user manual.

Known Issues

The Skywalker 10S is good in every aspect, but comes with some issues that compromise its usability. One issue that most riders have put across is concerning the relatively small deck, causing riders to strain when riding. The deck is so squeezed that you can easily step on the plastic latch on the foot pedal and unknowingly fold the stem. However, the plastic safety tab prevents folding while riding. But who wants a plastic safety tab as the only line of defence?

Another major issue stems from the low-quality bolts used in securing the parts in place. Users have also complained about the complex nature of the folding mechanism- the latches are not as responsive as advertised. However, aside from those issues, the 10S basically doesn’t have any other flaw that compromises its overall performance and usability.

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

The Kaabo Skywalker is a great, surprising find for those looking to upgrade performance without breaking the bank. With 1200W of power and an eye-catching design that will make heads turn, this scooter has so much going on! It has plenty of other awesome specifications like its high-performance LG battery, excellent dual suspension system, best-in-class strong braking system and a chassis built to withstand the elements.

This comfortable cruising scooter is ideal for both urban and light off-road use. You’ll have hours worth of battery life with speeds of up to 31 mph.

The best part? It’s only £719 ($1000) which makes the purchase even more tempting because we know how expensive they can be at times (Wolf King anyone?).

Kaabo Resource

Kaabo Website