It’s scooter review time! The folks from G-Force sent me their S10 e-scooter to try out on the streets and trails of San Francisco. We love micro mobility and this electric scooter for adults is really fun.
To start, here’s a quick video tour of this G-FORCE Electric Scooter:
Unboxing / Assembly
In the best way, there’s not much to report here. Very little assembly is required. The how-to video was clear and easy to follow. I had the whole thing out of the box and ready to ride in less than 15 minutes. Though be sure to charge up the battery, even if it looks like it’s all the way charged on the display. The display isn’t super clear as to when the bike is fully charged, though the charging unit itself has a red light that turns green when charging is complete. A pro of the S10 is that it’s very approachable and easy to get going for someone who isn’t handy/techy. We love electric mobility with a low barrier to entry!
Image courtesy Danielle Garland / CleanTechnica
“Electric Scooter for Adults“
Before we get to the bike itself, it’s worth noting that “electric scooter for adults” is, apparently, a popular enough search term that it came up in several conversations about the G-Force. And that makes sense. To a lot of people, kick scooters — even electric ones — feel like “kids’ stuff.” So, if you tried a Lime or a Bird and wanted to get one of your own to get around town, across your college campus, or just have fun, that seems like a good enough place to start.
As for me? I wanted to have fun on this electric scooter, and decided that Golden Gate Park would be a great place for me to try the G-Force S10 out on variety of terrains. This e-scooter handled it all with grace – I was impressed! Asphalt, dirt road, grass, speed bumps – through it all, the S10 was stable, rugged, and handled well. Though the ride isn’t super smooth, so when you’re on a bumpy path, you’re going to feel it in your bones.
One thing I love about this scooter is that it feels hefty and sturdy. Some of the models out there are a little flimsy and feel like they require a lot of core strength to keep upright. Though the S10 feels very stable even on sharper turns and speed bumps. This scooter has tubeless tires that are super grippy, which lends to the nice handling of the S10. A con of its mass is that it’s heavy, so even picking it up over a curb or something like that is tough. The one-step folding feature is great and super easy to use when you want to store the bike.
Image courtesy Danielle Garland / CleanTechnica
Power levels 1 and 2 aren’t going to get you anywhere fast, so level 3 power is the way to go, unless you’re out for a leisurely scoot. However, not surprisingly, more power means you’re eating through battery life more quickly. The G-FORCE Electric Scooter is equipped with a custom-built, brushless, geared hub motor, which pumps out 800W of peak power and 65 Nm of torque, so you can easily crush hills with inclines up to 20 degrees. Generally, throughout the test rides, I was going around 15-20 miles per hour, including up hills, so this thing definitely has some power. It’s definitely a fun, carefree ride.
Image courtesy Danielle Garland / CleanTechnica
The S10 electric scooter has excellent pickup, though it’s not jerky, so the acceleration is pretty smooth. This stands out from other scooters I’ve tried that really jerk you around every time you accelerate. The brakes, on the other hand, are on the jerky side. G-Force S10 is equipped with dual disc brakes, which definitely work, though they are touchy and the transition between a smooth acceleration and lurchy brakes isn’t so great. It just takes a little getting used to.
The scooter features a 48V 12Ah li-ion battery that can go up to 30 miles on a single charge. G-Force says the battery’s intelligent power management system provides six types of safety measures: short circuit protection, resistance to high temperature, overcharge protection, overcurrent protection, under-voltage protection, and over-discharge protection. The headlight has daylight and extra bright modes to ensure you’re seen on the road. Safety first!
One con regarding lights: there are turn signals on the rear of the scooter, which is awesome, but there is no way to tell on the display whether your signal is on or not. So you press the button for the turn signal, and you’re sort of guessing if it’s on or off, since it doesn’t appear on the display. Generally, the display leaves a little to be desired for the S10. While it’s helpful in showing you your battery life and speed, it is rudimentary and doesn’t have a real modern, high-tech feel. Also, the battery life icon doesn’t have a percentage, which would be helpful in deciphering roughly how much charge you have left.
Image courtesy Danielle Garland / CleanTechnica
Final Thoughts
For those looking for an easy, electric commuter or get-around two-wheeler that doesn’t require any physical effort, this scooter is an excellent option. It’s fast, sturdy, powerful, versatile, and can handle a wide variety of roads/terrain. Cons: it’s heavy, the display isn’t awesome, and it’s not super dexterous to lug around, even once folded. Though that heft is also a plus in that it makes for a rugged, stable ride. Currently, this model is $200 off, so for $699, it’s a good value. At minimum, it’s a super fun ride that packs some power.
Official Specs
- Battery: 48V 12Ah lithium battery
- Charger: US standard 2.0A smart charger
- Max Range: 30 Miles
- Weight: 33 pounds
- Hub Motor: 500W brushless gear motor
- Total Payload Capacity: 250 lbs
- Display Capacity: Full color LCD display
- Recommended Rider Heights: 5’1″ – 6’4″
- Tires: 10″ x 2.5″ tubeless tire
- Frame: 6061 aluminum
- Max Speed: 20MPH
This article is sponsored by G-Force.
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