An affordable electric kick scooter with unique dolly feature that lets you pull in the folded position using a retractable handle and mini-wheels
New locking pin mechanism feels sturdy, honeycomb tires are puncture proof for durability, deck has been improved to make battery replacement easier
Basic LED console shows your general battery level (red, yellow, green) but not speed or range options, no integrated lights, the throttle and brake are sensitive and the handlebar is narrow
Good power and I appreciate the regen feature of the brake but prefer a physical brake that's smoother to stop with, optional cover is very affordable and great looking, excellent year long comprehensive warranty
Folded Size (36" x 8" x 12"), Unfolded Size (44" Tall, 16" Handlebar Length, 7" Wide)
Frame Fork Details:
65 mm Width
Frame Rear Details:
75 mm Width
Stem:
Tool-Free Adjustable Height
Handlebar:
Flat Rubber, Quick Folding
Brake Details:
Motor Brake (Requires Power), Twist Activated on Left Bar
Grips:
Rubber, Flat
Rims:
Aluminum Alloy
Tire Brand:
Rising Sun, 8" x 5"
Wheel Sizes:
8 in (20.32cm)
Tire Details:
Honeycomb Cushion, Airless Never-Flat
Accessories:
Front and Rear Fenders, Spring Loaded Single Side Kickstand, Optional Cover $35, Optional Replacement Battery $200, Optional Handle and Wheelies to Convert the Slalom Version
Other:
1.5 lb Charger, Gearless Brushless Hub Motor with no Hal Sensor (Simplifies Electronics, Prolongs Life), 250 lb Maximum Weight
Glion continues to innovate with their portable electric kick scooters and model 200 offers incremental improvements over the 115 as well as a huge upgrade on portability with the Dolly version. The Dolly is slightly more expensive and slightly heavier than the “Slalom” in that it has a retractable handle and two little wheels at the end allowing you to pull it along like a suitcase on rollers! For me, it’s an awesome feature and a big deal given the ~27 pound weight of the unit which sounds light but really isn’t if you’re dressed in nice clothes, perhaps already wearing a backpack and walking more than a block or two. I’m not a super huge, strong person but was definitely able to lift the Glion in its folded position (where the stem is parallel with the deck) it’s just not something I’d want to do over and over so the wheels and pull bar are super sweet. You might be wondering “why not just kick along and use the large wheels” and that may totally work in casual environments but when space or professionalism become an issue (like on the bus or walking through the lobby where you work) the dolly is a blessing… as is the new cover!
Glion has priced their upgrades and accessories very reasonable in my opinion, it’s only $20 to go from the Slalom to the Dolly with the handle pull thing and only $35 for the cover. The cover disguises the unit, quelling concerns about dirt and water that other kick scooters might attract without one. Again, sitting this near your desk at work or even getting it onto a bus with a particular driver. One of the other cool design features of the scooter is that it can stand on end to take up less space and it actually feels pretty stable that way. The cover has a built in rubber material at the end where the bars rest for added protection and durability and it just works. Openings at both ends allow the pull bar to pass through as well as the roller wheels and a slit along the top allows you to reach through and grab the bar for even lifting.
So far I’ve been very complimentary of the product but it’s not perfect and probably not the best fit for every application. Compared with a Razor scooter or other super low priced offering the Glion is more professional in appearance, quieter, lighter weight and capable of producing more power and going further distances but the ride quality is firm and can even be jarring. Instead of using pneumatic tires, Glion has opted for honeycombed rubber tires that do not have tubes and are meant to withstand thorns, glass, nails etc. Utility wise this is great but comfort wise it can be a real trade off… especially for heavier riders. Also, the handle bars (which flip up on either side) are pretty short and feel a bit wobbly. When riding with the stem completely extended for tall riders there’s a good amount of slop in the steering that is exacerbated by the short bar so movement feels twitchy. Responsive would be a positive way to describe it and that’s how I felt about the dual twist throttles as well, they go from zero to full blast with just a little twist once you’ve reached the activation point. You need to kick start the unit up to ~2 mph in order for the electric drive system to come online and that’s meant to be a safety feature but even with the initial movement, the throttle can feel jerky.
Other thoughts I’ve had while testing the unit… Glion no longer includes a USB charging port on the scooter which is somehthing I celebrated in the last review. It’s not a huge deal given the position of the port (near the stem, easily kicked) but this was kind of cool for use as a backup cell phone charger at a friend’s house. The new pin mechanism is supposed to withstand 7 tonnes of force! which sounds impressive. Owners of the Slalom model can upgrade to a Dolly by ordering a $20 parts pack and putting in a little time with basic tools themselves. This scooter will hit ~15 mph which is about as fast as I’d feel comfortable going and it’s definitely a two-hand machine (filming while riding was pretty sketchy at times… especially since I couldn’t brake because my left hand was operating a camera). It’s a solid choice for urban commuters and I’m excited to see how Glion continues to innovate as they are clearly leading in the space with some of their design choices.
Pros:
Based in the US, great support and warranty so they will address any issues you have, it’s an investment but you get higher quality longer lasting product
Innovative and unique design features, Glion is pushing the scooter forward vs. just tagging along, the dolly feature is an excellent example of this
Some commuters may ride for 20 minutes and hold the unit for another 30 so the folded design is important, keeping it small and easy to handle, the vertical self standing option and roller is great
The cover stows small and stays out of the way, it’s easy and fast to put on and helps to keep your dirt and water from bothering other riders, it almost hides it making it inconspicuous, same thing for the office or clients, it also protects the handlebar that touches the ground when stood up
The motor won’t activate unless you’re standing on the deck and moving ~2 mph for safety reasons, just be delicate with the throttle because it’s very sensitive
Larger 200 mm (~8 inch) diameter wheels strike a balance between comfort and durability, the tires have honeycomb interiors and don’t require inflated tubes (so they won’t get flats) but still feel soft and grippy
At 27 pounds I like the balance this unit strikes between power and range while not being overly large and unwieldy
The cockpit is very clean and simple, there aren’t extra dials to attract attention or get broken and this probably keeps the price lower as well
The kickstand works pretty well and the ground clearance is good enough to overcome rough cobblestone terrain as well as grass
With two stem height positions this scooter should work well for short and tall riders alike, the extra quick release cuff lock adds strength and reduces wobbles
The charger is small, relatively light weight at ~1.5 lbs and does not include any moving parts so it should be easy to take on day-trips for topping off the battery
Decent climbing ability because the wheel size is small and the motor gets a mechanical advantage, I’m told that even though it’s a 250 watt motor it can peak around 600 watts which is pretty high
Extremely portable, it’s compact at 36″ x 8″ x 12″ when folded it will fit on the bus, subway, train, taxi, ferry and even as carry on air luggage for flying on private planes
Cons:
Variable speed throttle felt like it went from very low to very high power in a short span, this made it “responsive” but almost too much, I’d prefer a more gradual acceleration curve
The handlebar isn’t as long as some other kick scooters and the way the bars flip out doesn’t feel as tight or sturdy, I also struggled to fold them back down (you really have to pull outwards then fold down and I was concerned about the plastic cracking)
Motor cable extrudes from the right axle instead of being tucked near the frame, could be bent and broken more easily if the scooter is tipped on its side instead of using the kickstand
The brake is sensitive like the motor, can activate with a lot of power if you jerk the twist mechanism all the way… I found myself missing mechanical brakes at times because I’m just more used to them
The display panel is very basic (no range or speed readouts) and I found that the on/off switch has to be held down for several seconds in order to work (I was told this is a feature to make accidental activation during transport less likely)
The gearless direct drive motor slows the unit down when not being activated due to cogging, this may limit your top “kicking” speed but isn’t super bad
A practical and affordable electric kick scooter that folds down to a compact size and can be easily towed with the integrated, extendable handle. A top speed of 15 mph, max estimated range of 15 miles and 250-watt motor…...
A 25 pound electric kick scooter capable of 15 mph top speeds and FAA approved to check on flights given the sub-300 watt hour battery pack size. Large 200 mm wheels with solid rubber tires cannot get flats and feel relatively good…...
Your review is very informative. Thanks for taking the time to post it and all others. However, according to Glion, their scooters do not have regenerative braking – only electric braking. Kinetic power is not regenerated back into the battery. It simply uses electricity (not creates as in a generator effect of regenerative brakes) to slow the scooter down. Thanks again for your posts!
Court Rye
7 years ago
Thanks for the clarification Allan! I try not to comment unless I feel certain or have been given feedback about features but there are still times where I’m wrong. Appreciate the update ;)
Allan Johnston
7 years agoYour review is very informative. Thanks for taking the time to post it and all others. However, according to Glion, their scooters do not have regenerative braking – only electric braking. Kinetic power is not regenerated back into the battery. It simply uses electricity (not creates as in a generator effect of regenerative brakes) to slow the scooter down. Thanks again for your posts!
Court Rye
7 years agoThanks for the clarification Allan! I try not to comment unless I feel certain or have been given feedback about features but there are still times where I’m wrong. Appreciate the update ;)