Enough Suspension? NIU KQI 300X First Impressions

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

NIU KQI 300X (NIU Direct): shrsl.com/4kjw6 NIU KQi 300X (Best Buy): bestbuy.7tiv.net/9gK7Pe Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I get a percentage if you make a purchase through my link without any extra cost to you.

[@truckindawg1]

I just bought the scooter for five days ago, today is August 29, 2024 and I gotta tell you I love this thing. I carry it around in my semi truck. I used to carry a foldable Lectric bike but unfortunately, that bike is very large and hard to carry in or on my truck. This KQI 300 max is awesome and it fits on the floor in my sleeper. Of course come winter time. I may take it out and leave it home but right now it’s still summer and I’m having a blast with it! I got mine at Best Buy for about $960.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

That's awesome! You're right; it's more convenient than lugging around a bike. Plus, it'll get you where you need to go pretty quickly. You definitely have to take advantage of the summer weather. Here in Arizona, though, we're looking forward to winter, hahaha.

[@bluesjuggler8291]

Great review. You cover every single question I would ask about this scooter. I'm looking forward to seeing the range and the hill climb. I like my rear suspension on my Max G2. But it is the only scooter I own thus far. The deck width and length are very important to me. I wear size 14 shoes. And I have a prosthetic left leg. This scooter sounds like a solid purchase. We will see what your next test reveals. Thank you. An once again, you got the gadgets.

[@millyinmn3658]

Finally a professional review of this scooter! Been waiting forever for this. Thank you so much.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

I’m working on a range test and hill climb this weekend, so we’ll see how it does 😎

[@ValiRossi]

Pro tip on the air adapter. Take a pair of pliers and break the brass piece out of the center. That way it won't press on the shrader valve. Use a bike pump that can inflate road tires and the air pressure will press the shredder valve open and no loss of air.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

I’m going to have to try that out. Thanks for sharing that. It’s so frustrating to hear the “pssssss” when removing it from the valve haha.

[@ValiRossi]

@@tomsgadgetgarage The way I do it is, I install the adapter to the tire and then install the tire pump. I use a Park tools hand pump capable of inflating road bike tires(100+ psi) I watch the indicator and add a little more than I need then Use a gauge to check and every time I check the pressure, a tiny bit of air goes into the gauge. Maybe 4 or 5 checks and the pressure is down to exactly the correct pressure.

[@PokeEnvoy]

Received this scooter today and surprised how fast it can go, going to do more testing! Was able to get this for a steal $700!!

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Congrats! That’s a sweet deal 😎. Yah it’s definitely a quick scooter, especially in sport mode.

[@devinnyc6485]

Where did you get it for $700 at?

[@jf5651]

I have the KQi3 Max with no suspension, and the ride quality looks the same. I've also read other comparisons of the KQi3 Max vs. The 300x people say the suspension is too stiff and barely makes a difference. All say the G2 max's suspension in far superior and that if suspension in the reason for wanting to upgrade from the Max to 300x, to not do it.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

So far I’ve found the front suspension makes a big difference when going over bumps. You can actually feel the difference between the front and the back. Now it would have been nice to have a rear suspension, even something basic like a rubber block. But that front suspension definitely makes a difference. I owned a KQi3 Max a year ago but had to return it due to some mechanical failure in the motor. When I bought the G2, I was very happy I returned the KQi3 Max. No suspension didn’t really phase me until I hopped on the G2 haha. Literally makes that much of a difference. The G2 absolutely has the better suspension. It’s a night and day difference. Problem is it feels anemic compared to the GO and 300X. Segway is supposedly coming out with a turbo mode to help with acceleration. Hopefully it restores the solid acceleration it had on release day.

[@jf5651]

@@tomsgadgetgarage Very good incite. I'm returning the KQi3 Max. The lack of suspension is a real deal breaker. I wanted to get the OXO Super, but it has no headlight, Regen braking, security, or app control. I found what I'm looking for, but in other brands. Since reliability is a must, I stick with brands that have little to no customer complaints. Edit: I just impulsivly ordered an Segway GT2. We'll see how that goes. lol

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

@@jf5651 yah suspension really does make a difference if you’re going to be riding on bumpy surfaces, roads in need of repair, etc. It’s better to get something you’ll be happy with from the start that meets your needs. Otherwise over time you’ll have a scooter collection 🤣

[@e-scooterguy]

It’s getting so difficult to choose a commmuter scooter in the 750-1250 sort of price band. I like the design and stem latch mechanisms of the Niu’s and being different with the twist throttle but maintenance wise I’m a fan of the Apollo go with its drum brakes, best ip rating, and of course you get the full suspension and dual motor, but then you get a proven reliable design, full suspension where front is also plush, the drum brake but also single motor and no charging brick with the G2 max! And they all do other models with a bit less or strong features worth considering too. Out of those 3 can you go out on a limb and say which you think is best overall?

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

I think I’ll be fully prepared to answer that in a couple weeks after I see how the 300X does on the range and hill climb test. If I had to choose between the G2 and the GO, I’d choose the GO. The G2 is an excellent scooter, gets better range, has a softer suspension, but the GO feels ultra premium and beats the G2 in speed, acceleration, ride feel, and overall fit and finish.

[@myksanchez1222]

Great video and review. I love my 300X; i wish it could do 30 mph; that would make the 300X perfect...

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Thank you! It’s definitely a great all around scooter. And the acceleration in sport mode is pretty intense for a scooter of this size haha.

[@MohamedAbouzaid-it6gz]

Hello Tom please do a full compression video about the ninebot max g2 and the kqi3 300x and I live in Canada and it's sold out and best buys don't have it do you know when niu will restock them and is usually a quick process amazing review Thank you!

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Hey! I will absolutely be doing a comparison video. I should also have range and hill climb results by this coming Sunday evening.

[@DivorceSourceRadio]

Great review!! Thank you!

[@racerollebol]

Thank you! Gonna buy the 300P. This brand is really good

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

It's been excellent in my experience. Lots of folks with really good experiences with NIU.

[@racerollebol]

@@tomsgadgetgarage I'll take back part of my enthusiasm because it's already been 2 weeks and a half and I still did not receive this scooter. They do answer immediately in the chat and they apologize for the delay but still (because of transport issues by sea). Bit sad.

[@MohamedAbouzaid-it6gz]

How fast does the ninebot max g2 go at the end of the battery and at the end of the battery is it faster than the normal ninebot max g30p

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

So my most recent full range test of the G2 using the latest firmware is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ7Qf5mfrqaim7s. That will give you an idea of how the power draws down towards the end of the ride. Not sure how it compares to the G30, but I believe they use the same 36v battery so it should be similar.

[@civic2323]

Waiting for prime day and if you had $6-700 what scooter would you consider w suspension?

[@brendawells7025]

Hey Tom I’m torn between the kqi300x or the Apollo go price 1000 now vs 779 on sale Best Buy which would u recommend ?

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Hello! So the GO has the advantage of a full suspension (front and rear) so it’s more comfortable on bumpy roads. It’s also faster and has exceptionally smooth throttle response. The KQi is also a solid choice. Great throttle response, solid app, very smooth ride, 10.5” tires vs the GO’s 9s, superior range to the GO. Front suspension dampens bumps well. Best Buy does have a deal that expires today that’s hard to beat.

[@brendawells7025]

Thank you for your response I couldn’t choose so I ordered the Apollo go and the niu kqi 300p my first scooter never owned one so it will be interesting to see which one I like better it’s so hard to choose niu offers a great warranty but Apollo looks legit too so time will tell thanks again I have enjoyed watching your content .

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Congrats! Both are excellent scooters. Enjoy the ride and let me know what you think after you’ve ridden them around.

[@karenbarry4193]

​@brendawells7025 Hey! I am faced with the same choice right now. Could you let me know which one you feel tackles hills better. Where I live the roads are brutally upkept and it's hilly here. I can't decide btwn those 2. I was just gonna go with the GoTrax GX1 so it could cover both of my issues here where I live.

[@bradp8670]

Great review Tom! I've seen online people complained about the throttle having some dead zone the first 1/4 of the twist and the acceleration being jerky and not as gradual/smooth as they hoped, did you experience any of these issues?

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Hello! Thank you! So acceleration is a bit jerky out of the box because sport mode is basically at max acceleration settings. Dialing it down to standard acceleration in the app fixes the jerkiness. You can drop it to chill mode for even more gradual acceleration. The twist throttle feels alright. At about 10% twist the motor activates for riding around at 5mph or so. Twist more and the motor kicks in stronger.

[@ronshaw8996]

Tom,could you do a video on the NIU app? It's hard to understand,and has a steep learning curve. I still can't get mine to record my routes? The speed is there and miles (km) I've traveled, but when you go to the routesthere's nothing there?

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Hey! It’s on my to do list. I’ll try and get something out this week :).

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Hey Ron, is it not showing your route on the map? I’m running into a similar issue .i tried recording multiple rides and none of them show my route in app.

[@ronshaw8996]

@@tomsgadgetgarage Same here Tom!

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Yah it gives some kind of message at the top but it’s cutoff. I will email them.

[@Benballard123]

I wanna put suspension on my kqi1 grey pro and i need to know if I can install properly without damaging my scooter

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Have you checked any forums to see if anyone has tried yet?

[@richardknowlton9945]

Great review. Much more informative than the others I’ve viewed. Quick question… I just purchased a new KQI 300P from Best Buy. Assembly was pretty straightforward. I plugged in the battery and it took about 4.5 hours to charge. I downloaded the app so I could connect via Bluetooth. I pressed the button on the display and nothing happened. I tried long pressing, as well as individual presses. Nothing happened. I reconnected the charger and attempted the same long press / individual press. NOTHING! Am I missing a necessary step? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I reached out to support, but who knows how long it’ll take to get a response . 

[@halo-halo2.088]

How was it?

[@LaibaBarg]

Hello! I just got my 300p and the display isn't turning on. Do you have to fully charge it before it turns on? No matter how much I push the power button nothing happens

[@richardknowlton9945]

In my experience, the issue was that when I was installing the handlebars onto the stem, somehow one of the wires disconnected without my knowledge. (I’ve also heard from some people that they were not aware that the factory does not connect the wires and that you have to do it yourself as part of the install process.) Once I took off the handlebars and pulled up the wires and made sure all of the connections were snug, I reinstalled the handlebars to the stem, and the unit operated normally . No further issues since the initial installation.. Hope this helps

[@THEAVERAGEGUY1983]

That's seriously a nice scooter. I agree about the twist throttle, i prefer thumb throttle, it just feels more safe. I was going through th3 comments and couldn't believe someone asked you how much the company pay you to make the review lol you clearly said at thw beginning of the video that you paid for it with your own money. 🤦‍♂️ sometimes i wonder why do they even bother to leave such rubbish of a comment. I always watch a video till the end so i dont look dumb asking a question that was probably answered in the video lol.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Yah the twist throttle can be problematic if you’re slowing down to a near stop, hop off, and reposition the scooter while still holding the handlebar with the throttle. There’s a risk of inadvertently twisting the throttle. As for the comment, I definitely mentioned I bought the scooter lol. I’m actually going back to Best Buy because they dropped the price by $120, which is a steal of a deal. Need my $120 back lol.

[@THEAVERAGEGUY1983]

​@tomsgadgetgarage heck yeah! Bestbuy will definitely do that price match adjustment for you.

[@scewtersource]

yahu

[@phantomrider2112]

Dumb question: isn't there a mod of any kind to turn that twist throttle into a thumb throttle?

Thanks mate

[@reveluvin6088]

Tom, do you think the NUI KQI 300X is better than the Segway Ninebot Max G2. I know they are different price points, but I’d appreciate your thoughts. Great videos as always, they are really informative 👍

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

The KQI 300X has a MUCH more spirited ride given the higher voltage, slightly bigger motor. Front suspension also does a great job of dampening lumps and bumps in the road. Overall, very comfortable ride. The Ninebot is definitely slower but it does have the edge on comfort given the dual suspension. For me, I’ll take the performance with good comfort over less performance with excellent comfort everyday. I’m posting a range test video in a few hours and will do a hill climb test tomorrow.

[@reveluvin6088]

@@tomsgadgetgarage Appreciate your thoughts Tom 👍 You know I’ll definitely be watching you next video and I’m sure it will get another 👍 Thanks again 🙂

[@rajifonte6703]

Many people are saying the suspension is not much of a difference between this and the 3max kqi

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

So the rear is the same as there isn’t a suspension there, but the front absolutely makes a difference when going over bumps in the road with the front tire. For example, going over a lip on a concrete panel is much smoother and decreases the likelihood of a bump causing you to lose control of the handlebars.

[@98babyrere72]

Do this version led dashboard suppose to blink like this? Kqi2 dont do that

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

So in person it doesn’t blink at all. It’s the frame rate of the camera that doesn’t match the refresh rate of the screen. All camera effect 😅

[@wahidmardan]

I am very confused in this and Niu Air. Does the lightness deserve 320 Euros extra? Air is 320 Euros expensive than 300x here in Europe.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

If portability is a top concern, the Air is almost half the weight. Solid specs for a 26lb scooter.

[@asmaabouzaid4930]

Can you tell me all the cons about the scooter and let's say all three our of the box which one would u recommend one you could grow into

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

For sure! I should have a much better idea after this weekend. I plan to do a range test and a hill climb test up a mountain.

[@berengerchristy6256]

Does your Apollo Go make a clunking noise when you switch between throttle and regen brake? I’m on my second one and both made that noise

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

It does make that noise. I think it has to do with the intensity with which the regen kicks in and power is cut off to the motors.

[@berengerchristy6256]

@@tomsgadgetgarage good to know and thanks for the feedback. Apollo said it shouldn’t be making that noise and sent me a replacement. Maybe one day I’ll take it apart when the battery is almost toast. I have the Pro as well and it doesn’t make that noise

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

I feel like it’s something that can be addressed by a firmware update. The Pro looks like an excellent scooter. How are you liking it?

[@berengerchristy6256]

@@tomsgadgetgarage I use it as something that can take me far as opposed to a sports scooter. It’s very solid, the suspension is good, and I think the throttle is well calibrated. The only problem, and imo a big one, is the brakes. They’re only drum brakes, and the lever feel is absolutely terrible. Apollo really needs to realize they made a mistake and put hydraulic disc brakes on it or get better drum brakes

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Good to know! Thanks for sharing. Yah I’m not sure how I feel about drum brakes on a 90lb+ scooter. I get that it means less maintenance, but I don’t think maintenance is a primary concern for buyers of a scooter at that level.

[@PRINCE_175]

Is there a better charger for this scooter because the two app is relatively slow?

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

I don’t know that they make a fast charger. Generally speaking, slower charging prolongs the life of your battery.

[@Toughmudda]

As a fellow Arizonian are we legally allowed to ride a hyperscooter on the main roads if we can keep up with traffic?

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

So the sad reality is that laws relating to scooters need to be standardized across the state. I’m no legal expert, and this isn’t advice of any sorts, but Arizona has left the door open for local municipalities to determine whether or not e-scooters can be used on in bike lanes and multi-use paths. In Gilbert, they cant be used in bike lanes apparently and must be used on sidewalks or on streets with speed limits 25 or less. Mesa, across the street from me, has some verbiage for shared e-scooters that sounds like they are allowed on streets. “Scooters and bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks or on the street except in the Downtown Mesa “Walk Your Wheels” zone.” and “Users must ride with traffic when in the street.” My biggest concern is the drivers in Arizona. It’s one of the worst states for bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities. I would avoid main roads with speed limits over 35 because people are insane. Red light runners all over the place, people driving in the bike lane. Now, if I lived in Flagstaff, Sedona, Pinetop, or Show Low, I’d be happy to drive everywhere haha.

[@Motorizedstuff]

The only new featurei ca see is the indicators on th handle bars

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

It’s got the front suspension as well, which helps soften up the ride compared to the KQi3 Max.

[@kvelect4326]

With the price down to $930 im really stuck between this and max g2...

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

It’s a tough one. I just went back to the store and got a price adjustment on mine now that the price dropped $120. I haven’t done the hill climb or range tests yet, but what I can say so far is that the KQI 300X is the faster scooter. It went from 0-22 in 9.36s vs the 13.35s for the G2.

[@gfabie4901]

Niu is cleaning up in the lighter more practical scooter segment.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Yeah, I've been eyeing the NIU KQi Air. Looks like a solid, very practical scooter. Much easier to lug around at its weight compared to most other commuter scooters.

[@elcamino6954]

Question, how do i unlock the speed? Mine is stuck at 9 mph

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Hey! How far have you ridden the scooter so far? I know the first 200 meters (I think) are locked into low speed.

[@elcamino6954]

@@tomsgadgetgarage got it unlocked thank you!

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Awesome, enjoy! 🛴

[@ThumbdownMan]

I really prefer a thumb throttle over a twist throttle.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Yah it definitely took me a minute to get used to. I also prefer thumb throttles.

[@MrYankster]

My step clip broke. Have you ever experienced that

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Hey! Is that the latching/hook mechanism when folding the scooter?

[@PRINCE_175]

Is it me or is this 300X has incredibly sensitive steering ? It’s an absolute must that you keep both hands on the bars….The Apollo Go scooters you can ride with one hand !!!

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

So it’s a hit or miss with scooters and being able to lift your hand off the handlebars. The Apollo GO and InMotion Climber both allow me to lift my hand off.

[@PRINCE_175]

@@tomsgadgetgarage I rode several Apollo Go scooters all were one hand,hell my buddy rides his with no hands on cruise control… I purchased the 300 X because it looks so cool with the tires and rims,it’s going back too Bestbuy before the week is out 4 sure… no scooter should be that well oiled and lubed to cause it to be that sensitive, you can actually see it in the housing above the suspension forks

[@98babyrere72]

Niu using I 1 hand all the time 😊😊

[@lolpagedied]

god i love scootin'

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Haha!

[@ROBB_DEEP]

It has great acceleration bc it has “37nm of torque” ✅

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

That’s a solid amount of torque. You can definitely feel it in wild acceleration mode. I was honestly caught off guard by it haha.

[@ROBB_DEEP]

@@tomsgadgetgarage Yes sir! I was about to buy this, but I was $300 short…so I went back with the Ninebot Max G30P that I regretfully sold last year. 😆

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Yah we’ll see how the 300X holds up. Good news is your G30P is arguably the most reliable scooter ever made. And I’ve definitely sold things in the past, just to end up buying them again 😂

[@ROBB_DEEP]

@@tomsgadgetgarage Yes indeed. 🙂

[@nunocarvalho4433]

how much did they pay you?

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

$0. I bought this unit from Best Buy for $1,049.

[@jtso23]

A request for your comparison video of all 3 scooters (g2 max, go, and 300x) would be a pothole test like Swifty did kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXWmmnSKgZKemMU or something that can really put their suspensions to the test in a real world scenario. I’ve been on the fence about all 3 and am highly anticipating your comparison video!

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Hey! Watched that video, super informative. Not sure I want to go over the handlebars though 🤣. I will see if I can put them to the test over some uneven edges on the sidewalk where we have 1-2” edge/lip between panels. Very similar to the what the scooters had to go over in that video.

[@jtso23]

Yes! Please don’t die or get injured. That uneven sidewalk test you described sounds perfect. Looking forward to seeing the results!

[@scewtersource]

wut iz your faverit spede ?

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

I guess it depends on where I'm riding. Generally speaking, 20mph is a pretty comfortable all-around speed. For larger scooters over 70lbs, I'm happy at 34mph for a top-end speed.

[@scewtersource]

@@tomsgadgetgarage thank u

[@Motorizedstuff]

23 24mph is slow for a scooter at 48 volts

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Probably as fast as you’d want to go on a scooter this size and weight though.

[@EdithHazel-g9o]

Anderson Edward Lopez Larry Jones Kimberly

[@KarenJackson-g5t]

Taylor Michael Davis Christopher Perez Thomas

[@ThumbdownMan]

It's a kqi3 max with front suspension.

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Yah wasn’t sure about only having a front suspension. Good news here is that the front suspension is super plush.

[@PRINCE_175]

I wish NIU sold a phone holder for this particular version 🤬

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

You can always take that wind guard thing off the front. Otherwise there’s limited handlebar space.

[@PRINCE_175]

@@tomsgadgetgarage yeah but the wind guard looks cool 😂

[@tomsgadgetgarage]

Haha! It does look strange without lol