First Impressions of the NIU KQi Air and the KQi Air X
Josh Jones
A devoted road and gravel cyclist and all-around gearhead, Josh has been riding and writing about electric scooters for the past five years. He’s generally happier on two wheels than two legs. When Josh isn’t writing or wrenching, he’s usually out on the road….
Josh Jones
A devoted road and gravel cyclist and all-around gearhead, Josh has been riding and writing about electric scooters for the past five years. He’s generally happier on two wheels than two legs. When Josh isn’t writing or wrenching, he’s usually out on the road….
Ever since NIU, the China-based company known for seated scooters around Asia and the world, entered the folding electric scooter market with the KQi2 Pro, we’ve watched closely, trying to figure out where they might go next.
That’s because the NIU KQi2 and its siblings, the KQi3 Pro and KQi3 Max, set new standards for under $1000, single-motor electric scooters. The KQi Max even became one of our expert rider Paul’s go-to scooters (he’s kept one in his car trunk since his review).
With features like 9.5 in. self-healing pneumatic tires (on the KQi3 Pro and KQi Max) and 10 in. air-filled tires on the KQi2 Pro, best-in-class braking, distinctive lighting profile, dedicated app, and all-around rock solid build-quality that doesn’t rattle, these three electric scooters have some of the best value and quality you’ll find for under a grand.
Introducing Ultralightweight Scooters: the NIU KQi Air and KQi Air X
Would NIU take a leap to the next level – the realm of dual motor, full-suspension scooters that break the 40 mph limit and more with ease? Would they tackle rougher terrain than the average commuter electric scooter?
Maybe one day NIU will introduce machines to rival the VSETT 10+, Apollo Phantom V3, or Kaabo’s beasts. But first, they’re coming for the ultraportable competition with two new electric scooters that weigh under 30 pounds and are debuting at the super-earlybird prices of $949 and $1399.
To be specific, the NIU KQi Air comes in at just 26.2 lbs and the KQi Air X weighs only a reported 25.8 lbs. Both scooters will become available for pre-sale at NIU’s website on September 19.
NIU is currently holding a giveaway for a KQi Air. U.S. entrants should click here and Canadian entrants should click this link. Also, everyone who joins the NIU Facebook group is automatically entered into a raffle, with one person getting the chance to win $500 off their NIU scooter.
Fast, bulky scooters have become part of the problem, suggests NIU CEO Dr. Yan Li: “In an industry where heavy, high-performance scooters sacrifice portability, and lightweight options compromise on power, range and comfort, we set out to design an exceptionally light scooter with impressive performance.”
In other words, NIU aims to outperform well-known ultraportable scooters from Unagi, Fluid Freeride, and UScooters.
As their name suggests, these new scooters are built with the most lightweight frame material in production today, carbon fiber. The Air boasts 70% carbon in its construction, with the other 30% made up of lightweight magnesium. The Air X goes all the way, with a full carbon deck, stem, and handlebars.
"Exceptional Power to Weight Ratio"
Speaking of the bars, NIU describes them as “wide handlebars” well suited for “zipping through traffic, cruising around the city, or tackling hills with 20% climb.”
The KQi Air and KQi Air X are also equipped with 9.5 tubeless tires and “a broad, spacious deck…. Furthermore, the front-disc brake delivers enhanced stopping power while regenerative braking will extend both range and battery life.”
Although the Air and Air X are not high performance scooters, they are lightweight, ultraportables that promise to over-deliver on their specs because of an “exceptional power to weight ratio.”
How does the physics translate to performance? According to NIU, it means a 20 mph top speed and 31 miles of range with a single motor scooter pushing 350 watts of nominal power at 48V.
Higher speed, power, and range come partly from “innovative 21700 lithium-ion battery technology,” NIU writes, “whilst the five-hour fast charging capability allows for minimal downtime.”
App Customization
Range and speed, of course, will always vary according to conditions, rider weight, and riding style. The NIU app will offer lots of customization options, including:
- Selecting kick-to-start or zero-start mode
- Limiting the battery charging capacity in order to conserve battery life
- Limiting the top speed for first time users and in order to conserve battery life
- Opting for weak, moderate, or strong levels of regenerative braking
- Selecting light or standard acceleration modes
- Adjusting the starting speed to suit rider preference
In order to experience the KQi Air and Air X firsthand, we sent our reviewer Mitchell to Berlin, where he had the opportunity to spend several hours with these new lightweight scooters. See his first impressions in the video at the top.
Pre-sales of the NIU KQi Air and KQi Air X start September 19 at NIU for the super earlybird special prices of $949 and $1399 respectively.
These prices are subject to change, NIU points out. Will the KQi Air and KQi Air X be worth it, even with the “exceptional power to weight ratio”? See Mitchell’s impressions above and wait for our full review to learn more.
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