Gotrax XR Review

The Xr has a range of 9.1 miles, based on our real-world range test.

We test every scooter on the same urban loop with frequent stops and hills, with the same 165 lb rider. The scooter is ridden as quickly as possible in the fastest mode (least energy-conserving).

The Xr has two braking systems for better performance, safety, and redundancy. The front wheel has a regenerative brake, which uses the motor to slow down, and the rear wheel has a disc brake.

Overall, the Xr has a good braking system. Considering the budget price point of this scooter, it is outstanding. The brake lever is sturdy, and braking action is smooth. The disc brake didn't require any adjustments out of the box, and the brake caliper is quiet.

The Xr has no suspension but does have two large pneumatic (air-filled tires).  These air-filled tires are important for helping to smooth the ride on rough terrain. 

On smooth roads, the Xr is an enjoyable ride.  Due to its small size, it feels very nimble. On poor roads, the tires will soak up some of the vibrations, but the ride quality will be rough. We still think this scooter performs better than the more expensive Segway ES2, which has a poor suspension and solid (airless) tires.

For most riders, the air-filled tires will be sufficient for the worst roads they'll encounter.  However, if your commute involves a lot of poor roads, you may want to look at scooters with quality suspensions. 

The Xr is about as light as electric scooters come and should be relatively easy for most to carry up a flight of stairs or momentarily lift.

To reduce its size, the Xr has a folding stem. The folding mechanism is simple and quick to operate. Compared to the previous version of the scooter (the GXL V2), the folding is improved. Gotrax added a pin as an additional safety measure to prevent the scooter from inadvertently folding while riding. When folded, the scooter passed our trunk test -- it is small enough to fit into the trunk of most cars.

If you are trying to board a crowded commuter train, the main concern will be the Error: Value not specified. wide handlebars that don't fold. These aren't enormous, but stick out and can get in the way.

Another issue we found is that the stem of the scooter, where you hold it when folded, is somewhat larger. If you have smaller hands, it is less ergonomic to hold onto.

We like the simple cockpit of the Xr. It's ideal for beginners because it is intuitive and straightforward. The controls are basic and include a thumb throttle, bell, and brake lever. We like that GOTRAX included an extra label on the throttle to remind users that the cruise control will activate after holding the throttle for 10 seconds.

The central element of the cockpit is a large, bright LED display. The LED display shows your speed and battery life. A single push-button controls power, lights, and mode. The scooter has two modes.

The first mode will limit your top speed to around 9 mph and is suitable for beginners or younger riders. The second mode unlocks the scooter to its maximum speed, which we found to be just under 15 mph with a 165 lb rider.

We think the cockpit is nicely put together. The handlebar grips, accelerator, and other controls are rubber and plastic but still feel high-quality.

The Xr has a single bright LED headlight and a rear reflector on the fender. We think leaving out a taillight was an oversight. However, this can be remedied by clipping a red bike light to your backpack or helmet.

The headlight is reasonably bright. However, if you're riding regularly at night, we think it's safest to use additional ultra-bright light.

The Xr has front and rear pneumatic (air-filled) tires.  As we mentioned previously, these are great for providing good ride quality.

They also perform well in both wet and dry conditions -- a huge plus.  Most airless (aka solid) tires become very slippery in wet conditions. These pneumatic tires provide better traction and performance overall, compared to airless ones.

The size of the tires is also a benefit as it helps to roll more easily over small obstacles or dips in the road.

It's worth noting that pneumatic tires come with the risk of flats.

This deck is on the smaller side for electric scooters, and if you have broad feet, you may have to hang them off the sides. Because of its smaller size, it won't be quite as comfortable as a scooter with a huge deck.  However, the smaller deck size helps keep the scooter compact and portable.

The Xr is the new version of the GXL V2, with some upgrades, but is otherwise identical.  Like the GXL, the Xr has very good fit-and-finish and build quality.  We think when you consider the price, the build quality is excellent.

All parts of the scooter are nicely finished and assembled together well.  It strikes us as a very mass-produced model with proper quality control processes in the factory. This is different from other scooters that are less mass-produced and tend to feel "unfinished" or have noticeable variations from scooter-to-scooter.  The fit-and-finish is very nice.

Those things said, the scooter has some light plastic parts that won't be as durable as hefty metal ones.  We did perform our drop test on the scooter. We knock the scooter over 3 times in a row and check for damage. The scooter escaped unscathed but just based on its build, you'll need to take care of it to prolong its life.

Overall, our review finds that the Xr is a suitable replacement for the best under $300 champion, Gotrax GXL Commuter V2 electric.

The new scooter comes with a lighter, more visible finish and improved folding mechanism. The Xr delivers decent range, portability, and quality.