This all-terrain electric scooter is above budget-friendly prices
The Turbo Ant R9 is the most powerful electric scooter in the company’s current lineup. That means more if the turbo ants casually zip around town or didn’t specialize in cheap models that are perfect for the last mile commute. Meanwhile, for $550, the R9 is an overdeaver on features and performance with a 500-watt rear brushless motor, 10-inch knobbee tube tires and a design aimed at riders who want a little more freedom where they ride.
Boxing unboxing is easy. The R9 is mostly assembled. Bolt the handlebar and charge it (full charge from the sky takes 6-8 hours), you’re better off going. The box includes a charger, valve adapter, some basic tools, and a user manual.
Visually, the other Turboant models are matte black frames, red accents and a clean, creepy silhouette. The aluminum alloy chassis supports up to 275 pounds, and the scooter weighs 55 pounds. The deck is spacious, nearly 20 inches long, with a rubber surface for towing and 4.7 inches above ground clearance.
The cockpit layout is minimal, with two buttons (power and mode) and a 5-volt USB-A port for charging the phone. You can switch between three modes.
- Mode 1: 10 mph
- Mode 2: 20 mph
- Mode 3: 28 mph
The 23.2-inch wide handlebars are equipped with fairly comfortable grips and dual brake levers (for front and rear drum brakes and electronic brakes). There is a proper horn, thumb throttle and rear signal light toggle (though not self-cancelling) – all the features I’m particularly grateful for at this price. The lighting includes 5 watts of adjustable LED headlights and rear taillights for improved visibility on night rides.
The display is simple and displays icons that show current speed, battery level (in parentheses), active riding mode and when the headlights are on. When it comes to signal lights, there are no visual signs on the display, but there are at least some reminders that when it’s time to get a beep.
There is no odometer. It feels like a mistake. Certainly you can track distances on your mobile phone, but it helped you track ranges. Missing: Companion app. This is purely a point-to-point commuter, with no connected features or customizations over the phone.
The R9 shines through in terms of ride comfort. There is a 4-spring suspension setup, which helps smooth out rough pavement and occasional dirt roads. This is by no means a trail shredder, but it is perfect for imperfect city streets. The throttle response is smooth enough to make it beginner-friendly, and the 500 watt motor has decent torque to speed up and handle most tilts (turbo ants say up to 20%). Ships into kickstart mode by default. It must be pushed out before the motor is involved. However, you can disable it by pressing the power button four times.
The R9 can travel up to 35 miles with a 48 volt, 12.5 hours (600 watts) battery full charge. It is based on testing of turbo ants on a scooter that travels at 20 mph on a 165-pound rider, fully charged battery, outdoor temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and dry levels of roads. I really love that the Turbo Ant has this info on the cards that scooters are expected to have. I would like to see more and more manufacturers that contain this information.
Is the Turbo Ant R9 worth buying?
The R9 is one of the best $600 scooters I’ve tested recently. It will not reinvent the wheels, but it is one of the most powerful value picks in the Turbo Ant catalogue. It’s comfortable, powerful enough for most commuters, and can handle more than city streets without breaking the bank.