The Turboant R9 is the most powerful electric scooter in the company's current lineup. That would mean more if Turboant didn't specialize in inexpensive models best suited for casually zipping around town and last-mile commutes. On the other hand, at $550, the R9 overdelivers on features and performance with its 500-watt rear brushless motor, 10-inch knobby tubed tires and a design aimed at riders who want a little more freedom in where they ride.
Unboxing is simple: The R9 arrives mostly assembled. Just bolt on the handlebars, charge it up (a full charge from empty takes 6 to 8 hours), and you're good to go. The box includes a charger, valve adapter, some basic tools and a user manual.
Visually, it follows Turboant's other models: matte black frame, red accents and a clean, no-fuss silhouette. The aluminum alloy chassis supports up to 275 pounds and the scooter weighs 55 pounds. The deck is roomy at nearly 20 inches long, with a rubberized surface for traction, with a 4.7-inch ground clearance.
The cockpit layout is minimal, with two buttons (power and mode) and a 5-volt USB-A port for phone charging. You can toggle among three modes:
- Mode 1: 10 mph
- Mode 2: 20 mph
- Mode 3: 28 mph
The 23.2-inch-wide handlebars are fitted with fairly comfy grips and dual brake levers (for front and rear drum brakes plus an electronic brake). It has a proper horn, a thumb throttle and a toggle for rear signal lights (although they don't self-cancel) -- all features I appreciate having, especially at this price. Lighting includes a 5-watt adjustable LED headlight and a rear taillight for increased visibility on night rides.
The display is straightforward and shows your current speed, battery level (in brackets) and the active riding mode, along with an icon indicating when the headlights are on. As for the signal lights, there's no visual indication on the display, but there's at least a beep to remind you to shut them off once you make your turn.
There's no odometer, which feels like a miss. Sure, you can track distance with a phone, but it would've been helpful for range tracking. Also missing: A companion app. This is purely a point-to-point commuter, with no connected features or customization via a phone.
Where the R9 does shine is the ride. It has a four-spring suspension setup, which helps smooth out rough pavement and the occasional dirt path. This isn't a trail shredder by any means, but perfect for imperfect city streets. The throttle response is smooth enough to make it beginner-friendly, too, and the 500-watt motor has decent torque for getting up to speed and handling most inclines (Turboant says up to 20%). It ships in kickstart mode by default; you'll need to push off before the motor engages. But you can disable that by pressing the power button four times.
The R9 can travel up to 35 miles on a full charge of its 48-volt, 12.5-amp-hour (600-watt-hour) battery. This is based on Turboant's testing with a rider weighing 165 pounds, a fully charged battery, an outdoor temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and the scooter traveling at 20 mph on a dry, level road. I really like that Turboant includes this info on a card with the scooter to set expectations. I would love to see more manufacturers include this information.
Is the Turboant R9 worth buying?
The R9 is one of the best sub-$600 scooters I've tested recently. It doesn't reinvent the wheel but it's one of the strongest value picks in Turboant's catalog. It's comfortable, powerful enough for most commutes and can handle more than just city streets, without breaking the bank.
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