Swagtron Swagger 8 Review

One of the best commuter scooters around that has a top speed of around 15 mph and a range of up to 12.4 miles on a single charge.

The Swagger 8 is one of Swagtron’s prized low-cost electric scooters for young riders. It is an efficient scooter designed with various innovative features to provide riders with exceptional performance and quality in their daily rides. It is the perfect kids’ scooter with Gray. Blue, Orange, and Red colour options to choose from. Whether a girl or a boy, there’s no reason for your kid to miss out on the fun.

Swagger 8 – The Lowdown

For a long time now, scooters have been recognized as more than just toys, thanks to innovation efforts by companies like Swagtron. Swagtron has invested in research and development in their scooters division, and their endeavor has led to the advancement of micro-mobility solutions for riders of all ages. The Swagger 8 is a high-performance kids scooter that lives by Swagtron’s code, fun, and accessibility. This scooter is meant for the kids’ scooter market and is feature-rich, price-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing, making it acceptable across different genders and ages. 

Swagtron bears a reputation as an industry leader in light electric vehicles, always striving to offer the best to its customers. This is reflected in the Swagger 8, which is durable, safe, and efficient. Unlike other kid scooters, the swagger 8 is packed with many essential features frequently associated with adult scooters. The scooter has cruise control, a rare characteristic in kid scooters. Swagtron opted for the more reliable and maintenance-free Lithium-Ion battery instead of the Lead-Acid battery. Additionally, the scooter is built from aluminum alloy, making it ultra-lightweight, an essential spec in portable scooters. With state-of-the-art technology incorporated in every part of the scooter, this scooter is a sure head-turner.

Read on for a more detailed look at this kids’teens’ and teens scooter.

Swagger 8 Specifications

Swagger 8 Cons

Inadequate deck space

The rubber tyres are bumpy

Small tyres, reducing the deck clearance

Short limited 90-day warranty

Swagger 8 Summary

Swagtron prides itself as mobility experts, and this couldn’t be truer in the electric scooter space. They have the highest standards in their design and manufacturing process, which reflects in their world-class products. Their products meet and exceed safety and quality standards. Swagger 8 electric scooter, a part of their kids’ scooter range, is no exception. 

The Swagtron Swagger 8 features a lightweight and compact design that facilitates portability. It weighs 17.42 lbs (7.9 kgs), making it easy to carry and store in tight spaces. This is highly attributed to the corrosion-free, durable aerospace aluminum alloy material composition. It’s also easily folded thanks to the folding lever on the downtube, further enhancing the portability feature. The handlebar stem features a brake-engage button, an LCD, and an acceleration throttle.

The 200 W rear motor is whisper-quiet and packs quite the performance, powering the scooter to a top speed of 15 mph, a significant brag for Swagtron in the kid/teen scooter market. The motor is powered by a reliable, fast charging 24V,4.0 Ah Li-ion battery that can sustain the scooter for a range of 12.4 miles. This speedster’s high speed is complemented with a triple, unified braking system consisting of electrical braking, rear fender braking, and unique Autoguard. The unified braking ensures maximum protection of the rider, making sure the scooter stops when required. 

The deck is not the most spacious but accommodates riders weighing up to 150 lbs. The battery is housed beneath the deck plate. This, coupled with the small 5.5’’ tyres, give the scooter low clearance, which might account for some light grazing from path obstacles. The tyres are covered in solid rubber, giving them never-flat and maintenance-free properties. On the rear deck is the rear fender, which prevents splashes to the rider’s feet, functions as a brake, and has a reflector. The scooter has a retractable kickstand. However, it lacks suspensions, lights, and a bell/horn.

Read on for a more comprehensive look at the scooter’s specifications.

Performance Overview

The Swagger 8 is powered by a powerful whisper-quiet 200 watts rear hub motor. The solid motor delivers enough torque to propel the scooter to speeds of 15 mph on full throttle.  The high torque also easily carries a maximum load of 150 pounds and tackles inclinations of 10%. The motor runs on a 24V, 4.0 Ah Li-ion battery. The battery offers the rider an impressive riding range of 10 miles on a single charge attained in 2-4 hours. With smart features like cruise control and kick-start motor, riders can squeeze more mileage from this unit. However, take note that the battery life is dependent on several other factors.

The scooter has a unique triple braking system for more precise stopping. This feature is significant as young riders are more likely to cruise at high speed without realizing and therefore, they require a braking system with increased stopping power. It also guarantees safety for inexperienced riders. Overall, Swagger 8 is a modest performer and will satisfy kids and teens in novice and budding-expert riding levels.

Top Speed & Acceleration

Swagger 8 has an impressive maximum top speed of 15 mph. This is a decent top speed for a scooter in its price range. Because of the kick- to- start feature, the rider has to manually propel the scooter to 1.8 mph before the motor kicks to life. Once the whisper-quiet motor is engaged, riders can choose between three ride modes, with an option for cruise control. The speed limits for the ride modes are Mode 1 at a maximum speed of 6.2mph, Mode 2 at a maximum speed of 11.2 mph, and Mode 3 at 15 mph. The acceleration is regulated using the thumb throttle, and riders can keep track of their speed on the LCD screen. A rider can select cruise control on the program menu, accelerate to the desired speed, then hold down the throttle for approximately 6 seconds. This activates cruise control and maintains the speed. To turn off cruise control, use the throttle or the brakes.

Battery Life & Range

The Swagger 8 features an efficient 24V, 4Ah lithium-ion battery. The lithium-ion battery is reliable and requires minimal maintenance, unlike other battery types like Lead-Acid batteries. The battery offers the rider 10 miles maximum riding range on a single charge. The scooter is also equipped with intelligent features to optimize the battery and give the battery an extended range. 

Manually engaging cruise control can conserve the battery. Users have reported an increased range per charge of 25%. They also attributed this to the kick-to-start feature. The kick-to-start auto engages when the rider attains speeds of 1.8 mph. The scooter’s battery is a quick charge, reaching full power in just 4 hours. Isn’t that efficient? 

The battery has a smart management system, protecting the battery from electrical faults such as overheating, undervoltage, and overcharging. It also has an automatic shut-off system that cuts power to the charging unit once the battery has charged for the pre-set time. However, note that the battery longevity is dependent on many factors, including rider weight, riding style, and other factors.

Motor Configuration

The Swagger 8 is powered by a powerful ultra quiet rear hub motor with a 200 watts output. The motor is efficient, with sufficient torque to haul 150lb effortlessly. The motor is also a kick-to-start motor, and the scooter has to be manually propelled to 1.8 mph before the motor kicks to life, eliminating the possibility of being jerked off balance. This feature also helps preserve the battery. 

Construction & Build Quality

Swagtron has traditionally built its scooters using high-quality material. The Swagger 8 is crafted using aviation-grade aluminum alloy material. This material is lightweight and ideal for products that need the element of portability. It is also corrosion-free and weather-resistant, ensuring the scooter stands the test of time while giving quality service to the user.

The scooter has an adjustable downtube stem for easy regulation as per the rider’s height. The handlebars are not cluttered with controls; instead, they have strategically placed controls and an LCD for easy access to the controls. 

The scooter rolls on 5.5 inch solid tyres. Although the tyres don’t deliver the same ride quality as pneumatic tyres, they are maintenance-free. With solid plastic tyres, the rider never has to worry about a flat tyre. 

The scooter lacks lights but has a reflector on the rear fender. It also lacks a horn, and suspensions. 

Suspension

The scooter has a suspension system that includes a front coil spring for a smooth ride. This is a fantastic compliment to the scooter’s solid rubber tyres that offer less comfort with their inability to absorb shocks. The coil spring suspension on this scooter effectively reduces the shock impact of bumps and enhances the riding experience. Overall the suspension provides better steering stability, easy handling and improves the riding experience.

Ride Quality

Swagtron’s selling point for this scooter has got to be the whisper-quiet motor and the never-flat tyres that give the rider unmatched quality. The motor engages and runs on a quite appealing soft hum, unlike the clunks in chain-driven motors or loud purrs from more powerful hub-motors. The scooter also offers solid stability and enhanced handling for smooth riding, thanks to its 5.5-inch tyres that provide a low centre of gravity. The solid wheels do not match the level of comfort offered by pneumatic tyres, but the scooter’s suspension is sufficient in absorbing shocks over bumpy roads. The front coil spring suspension, solid rubber tyres, and cruise control work in unison to deliver exceptional ride quality. 

The adjustable handlebar stem offers flexibility as it can be adjusted to serve different heights. The controls on the handlebar stem are designed for easy reach, and they offer intuitive access and usability. The LCD also comes in handy by keeping the rider aware of battery levels, among other riding stats, thereby averting unforeseen inconveniences such as low-charge situations. 

On the flip side, the deck is not very spacious; thus, riders will not manage to shift riding position comfortably. It also lacks lighting and a horn/bell. While the rear fender has a mounted reflector, this alone is not sufficient safety for low-light riding.

Braking

The Swagger has a unique, practical, and safety-centric braking system. The triple braking system provides reliable, unmatched stopping power. The braking system utilizes three different brakes to give unified, efficient braking that includes a push-button electronic brake, a rear friction brake, and the unique “Autoguard” that automatically deactivates power when the brake is applied.

Portability

Swagger 8 is ultra-lightweight and compact, as it weighs only 17.42 lb (7.9 kg). This is because it is made from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, which is a light material making the scooter conveniently portable. It is also fitted with a notch that makes folding and unfolding easy enough to carry into the car, bus, or up a flight of stairs. It is also easy to pack away and unpack when required.

Lights

Unfortunately, the Swagger 8 lacks headlights, brake lights, and indicators. However, there is a reflector mounted on the rear fender that serves to caution tailing traffic. 

Tyres

The Swagger 8 has 5.5-inch solid rubber tyres in the front and rear. They are not the best tyres for a bumpy ride as they don’t limit shock, but they do offer a steady cruise. They, however, require minimal maintenance. These small tyres also add to the low clearance.

Deck

 The Swagger 8 features a fancy but relatively small deck that gives it that sporty look. It has a low profile for stability. It also houses the battery pack beneath it, which potentially means that the scooter might experience some scraping as riders go over bumps and obstacles. The rear end features a fender that doubles as a brake. The surface is textured for added grip.

Controls & Display

The Swagger 8 has sleek handlebars with few controls and an LCD. The LCD indicates the battery levels, speed, mileage, and gear settings. It also displays fault codes in order to diagnose scooter issues efficiently. You can adjust the light on the LCD depending on your preference. Other controls on the scooter include the push-button electronic brake and the acceleration throttle. 

Water Resistance

The Swagger 8 can withstand a few splashes but not full submersion into pools of water thanks to an IPX4 rating. Riding through light rain may not affect the scooter’s functionality, but the scooter should be dried after a wet ride.

Reliability, Warranty & Customer Support

Swagtrons Swager 8 is a reliably built electric scooter. The 12.4-mile range is more than sufficient to power the kids to run around the block or trip to and from school. The smart charging feature prevents worry of electrical faults frying your battery, which remarkably achieves a full charge in 4 hours. The scooter also supports a relatively high weight of 150 lbs. The aluminum alloy frame is built for durability; thus, with proper maintenance, customers are guaranteed to have the scooter service their commutes for an extended period of time.

Swagtron offers a warranty period of 90 days. The policy is limited to hardware defects reported within that period. Disappointingly, the warranty is only valid in the US (excluding Hawaii, Alaska, and US territory) and Canada and is only available to the original purchasers. Riders pay for their return shipping, save for dead on arrival, which is limited to a 30-day window.

Swagtron has a dedicated customer service representatives team ready to assist solve your problems. The representatives are available from Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 6:30 EST. Customers can reach them through a dedicated customer hotline or email.

Maintenance

While the Swagger is a powerful, efficient, and reliable scooter, it requires regular maintenance for optimal performance. Check the brakes constantly to ensure functionality. The battery should be charged for 2-4 hours using an original charger. Additionally, regular servicing and cleaning routines should be followed in order to improve the scooter’s efficiency, functionality, and longevity. Parts that require tightening should be regularly checked and tightened, while some parts need replacing after some usage. Before prolonged storage, ensure that the unit is fully charged for the battery’s longevity. Cover the Swagger 8 to protect it from dust as it causes damage over time.

Known Issues

• Some users have reported the sudden ceasing of the throttle.
• Customers complained about faulty wiring in the battery in their units, causing a short 
• The LED display is prone to failure.
• After going over bumpy surfaces, the wheel gets misaligned.
• The folding mechanism has been reported to fail on occasions completely

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

Of course! The Swagger is packed with state-of-the-art features to make riding a breeze. 

The suspension system softens and smoothes the riding experience over bumpy roads. The cruise control maintains the rider’s speed, and with its utilization, the rider saves on the battery power and subsequently increases the mileage. 

The solid rubber tyres provide reliability as they are maintenance-free. Although they offer a bumpy ride, you can lean back on the suspension for a comfortable ride. While scooters with such features cost an arm and a leg, this model is fairly priced. At less than $200 ( around £145), you can give your kids the gift of experiencing the outdoors with a smile.

Swagtron Resource

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