You probably already know that electric scooters exist unless you haven’t been on foot in a metropolis or a college campus town in a while (I know, there was a pandemic and all that). Both companies that sell them directly to end users and those that rent them both exist. NIU is one such business, and they sent me their adult full-sized model KQi3 Max in red with 9.5-inch self-healing tires. There is a yellow version of the scooter I tested as well as smaller, weaker scooters for children.
The NIU KQi3 Max is a folding electric scooter with integrated headlight and brake light, three levels of speed control, and a rear disc handbrake.
| Frame Material | ‎Aluminum |
| Max. Speed | 37KM/H(23.6mph) |
| Typical Range | Approx. 40 miles (64 km) |
| Motor Power | Rated Power 450W, Max 900W |
| Suggested Users | ‎unisex-adult |
| Braking System | Front: Disc; Rear: Disc + EBS |
| Max. Slope | 25% |
| Wheel Type | 9.5‘’ Self-healing Tires |
| Battery Capacity | 46.8V 608.4Wh |
| Charging Time | 8 Hours |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | ‎47.24 x 22.83 x 10.63 inches |
| Package Weight | ‎24.6 Kilograms |
Video Review of NIU KQi3 Max
NIU KQi3 Max: Design and Build Quality
Where have you been if you don’t understand what a scooter is? Two inline wheels on a scooter are separated by a deck that the rider stands on. A pole rising from that hinge with a handlebar, which the user holds for stability and steering, hinges and steers the front wheel.
The handlebar is approximately 47′′ off the ground on the NIU KQi3 Max, and the deck measures similarly from axle to axle. The 7.5-inch-wide deck has a gripping “popcorn”-textured vinyl surface that makes it possible to ride with practically any sort of footwear. (It’s similar to the treads you can buy to put on stairs or other surfaces where a firm grip is required.)
On the handlebar stalk, there is a hook right below the battery/speedometer, and when the steering column is folded down, there is a swing-up catch back near the rear wheel. The locked steering column can be lifted into a car trunk or carried to your office by grasping it like a toolbox handle.
I’ve always had a thing for bikes. I was all over the bike-share program when it came to my city. Then, gradually but certainly, scooters took the place of the motorcycles. I had never had the chance to ride an electric scooter before I was sent the NIU KQi3 Max. I captured my first scooter ride on tape for historical sake.
Large 9.5-inch self-healing tires of the NIU KQi3 Max soften the road quite a little. Even though you will still feel the large bumps, it won’t be as bad as, say, rolling over gravel and pebbles with rollerblades. The smooth riding experience is a result of the extended wheelbase. If you’re not riding it and have to carry it through a crowd of people, it is a little bit big, but it is considerably less annoying than moving a bike through the same types of situations. Additionally, if the scooter isn’t folded up, it can be manually or push-pushed alongside pedestrian traffic without drawing any attention. The large fenders shield riders from street water while they are riding.
The same two-button menu that is used to turn on the scooter and switch between speed settings also features a front headlight that you can turn on. A red reflector-tailed taillight is located on the rear fender. Additionally, it shines more brightly when you brake. A tiny lever next to the brake lever on the left will make a single bell ding to let people in front of you know you are there. Effective, if not as entertaining as the vintage tra-ling-a-ling of the bells on our childhood bikes. It is quite noisy.
I see people riding sans helmets around town, and I’ve been known to do it myself. Although you won’t be moving as quickly as a bicycle, falling off can still be bad for your head, knees, and elbows. Also, keep in mind that this vehicle can enter automatic mode by just depressing the throttle for around five seconds. Once in automatic mode, the vehicle will continue to travel at its top speed until you use the brakes. The first time it occurs, this is a little… exciting. Just keep in mind to brake before leaping off.
NIU KQi3 Max: Motor and Battery
The handlebar assembly of the NIU KQi3 Max electric scooter is separated from the steering column before it is delivered so that it can fit into a smaller box. The handlebars need to be mounted with four screws and a single 4-wire connector before it is ready to use. There is a connector right in front of the kickstand where an external battery charger plugs in.
The NIU KQi3 Max electric scooter may be a highly liberating way to travel much further than walking with less effort if you’re not in a place with scooter rentals or simply want the ability to hop on whenever you want. There are three different speed settings that you can choose from. Low – up to 10 kph, Medium – up to 25 kph, and Max – up to 37 kph are their ranges. In order to get a feel for how the NIU KQi3 Max handles, the handbook (and common sense!) advise starting out in the low mode with the white indicator under the speedometer. Max and Medium are shown by a red or yellow dot, depending.
Possibly as a result of the fact that I frequently plugged the NIU KQi3 Max in after a ride, the battery seemed to last forever. No dirt or water can enter thanks to the cover over the battery port. However, you might wish to clean the area before opening the port for charging if you’ve been riding after it has rained. There are many crevices for debris to attach to between the port cover and the kickstand hinge, and dirt and mud can easily be thrown up into that area. Although I’d want to have the plug placed in a less visible location, it’s not a significant enough inconvenience to lower the scooter’s rating. The waterproof flap is firmly held in place.
Electric scooters include a safety element that I was unaware of: the electric boost doesn’t come on right away like the throttle in a car or some modes on eBikes. Before you can hit the throttle, you need to be moving a little on your own power. The motor will then assume control at that point. This avoids slip-ups at slow speeds before you have adequate balance or the scooter unexpectedly taking off without a rider!
A scooter requires significantly less dedication than a bike. You simply step on, not climb aboard. I had never “scooted” before, and I really enjoyed it. Additionally, compared to a bike, the scooter has a smaller “footprint” overall. It fits more easily in a car and may be used on many of the same surfaces as a bike. However, going from the car to a restaurant and then to a theater or music venue seems acceptable. Traveling all day would get a little tiresome. Unless you want to just fold it up and carry it inside, a bike lock might be a smart idea.
NIU KQi3 Max: Conclusions
Since before the pandemic began, I have been interested in trying electric scooters. Although they seemed like so much fun, my girls were constantly concerned that I would trip and destroy anything. I couldn’t resist when the chance to review the NIU KQi3 Max scooter presented itself.
It’s a lot of fun, so I’m glad I volunteered for it. You can have some control over the level till you feel better thanks to the three different speed tiers. This movie depicts my first ride and the joy I experienced after boarding and avoiding a collision. You can scoot on one of these if you can ride a bike. I still get funny looks from the neighboring kids, but I’m having fun!
