Review – When OTD offered to send their latest L2-H electric scooter for review, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. I have ridden this scooter with no motor, petrol motor and a range of electric motors (from barely moving to too fast for comfort). At least on paper, this new scooter from OTD could be my Goldilocks scooter. A decent top speed, good range, suspension for my poor knees and a big frame all add up to the elements I look for in a scooter like this. However, the specs on paper are usually meaningless numbers some marketing interns pulled out of their hats, so I’ll walk through it step by step!
What is it?
OTD L2-H electric scooter is a battery powered folding car scooterideal for short trips around town or as a ‘last stop’ mode of transportation to and from public transport such as subway, bus or rail.
What’s in the box?
- OTD L2-H Electric Scooter
- AC charger
- Instructions/Setup Manual
- Hex keys and bolts for assembly
Hardware Specifications
- Motor: 500W electric
- Top Speed: Up to 15 mph
- Range: Up to 22 miles
- Battery: 36V/10.4AH
- Weather resistance: IP54
- Rider Weight Capacity: Up to 260 lbs
- Dual brakes: disc brakes + eABS regenerative anti-lock brakes
- Pneumatic (pneumatic) tires
- Wheel size: 10 inches
- Weight: 39.9 lbs
- Platform width: 8.1 inches
- Expanded Frame Dimensions: 46.1″L x 19.5″W x 46.1″H
- Folded frame dimensions: 46.1″L x 19.5″W x 19.3″H
Design and Features
The OTD L2-H electric scooter has a 500 watt motor which is perfect for this type of commuter scooter. This is on the front wheel, while the rear wheel has a mechanical disc brake. A front suspension is also included to make pavement cracks and other bumps more comfortable.
The combination of electronic and mechanical brakes was better than I expected, I did have to slam on the brakes twice while riding to be in danger, and from full speed I stopped within about a car’s length without worrying about rolling over in front . They do a great job of stopping quickly without losing control.
LED screen shows battery status, speed mode and current speed. I can see this even in the brightest sunlight, although sometimes I can’t read for a while if the sun is reflecting off the screen (from behind me). I usually ride at full speed, so the only thing I see on this screen while riding is the battery status.
On the right side of the screen are the thumb throttle, multifunction power/speed button and headlight button. On longer rides, holding down the thumb button for power can be a bit of a pain, but the finger-grip throttle has its own safety issues (if you hold it tight in a panic, you could unintentionally accelerate). A long-range cruise control option would be nice here.
The LED headlights are mounted high on the scooter with a good angle to illuminate the path in front of you (and make you more visible to traffic).
On the other handlebar is the brake lever and a bell (so you can announce your presence to pedestrians and bikes before passing). The scooter is quiet so I always try to give people a good warning before passing by and tell them I’m nearby.
The folding mechanism looks very sturdy and well lubricated.
Once locked into place, my unit had absolutely no wobble or flex.
The stand is what keeps the scooter standing, and the red plug on the front of it is the charging port – when closed it prevents water and dirt from messing with it.
The OTD L2-H Electric Scooter Deck itself is the same as the Skateboard and provides great grip. It’s also wider than most other scooters I’ve tried, which is especially good on long rides so you can stand side by side rather than front and rear.
On the back is the buckle mechanism for securing the scooter when folded.
Finally a photo of the tires. Pneumatic tires are a huge advantage for ride comfort compared to solid rubber tires, and some of the electric rental scooters I’ve tried will rattle your teeth without suspension, except for the gap between you Little hard rubber tires and nothing but bumps and pavement clearance.
installation and setup
The OTD L2-H electric scooter arrives well protected with foam and all parts are one piece except the top handlebar.
Screwing on the handlebars is quick and easy, and the scooter is ready to charge and ride!
But you also need to check the tire pressure. The manual recommends 30 psi, so that’s what I did (they are all under 10 psi).
Next is charging, which takes about 5 hours if it’s completely dead, but I always top it up and even long rides don’t use more than half the battery (judging from the 4 batteries available).
Performance
The OTD L2-H electric scooter has 3 top speed modes and I almost always set it to the fastest setting. 15 mph might feel a bit slow on quiet, slippery streets, but once you’re riding on sidewalks or narrow trails, it’s faster than a sane person would like to go. For those where it’s safe to ride faster, I do want a top speed closer to 20 mph, but overall, the speed is more than enough for me. It is very similar in performance to the various scooter rental options on American urban sidewalks.
Over the past few weeks, the OTD L2-H electric scooter has quickly become my go-to mode of transportation. The hooks on the handlebars are great for carrying grocery bags, and there is a bullseye-themed shop about 2 miles from my house, and I find myself constantly making excuses to ride my motorcycle. If you’re going to run the grocery store, you’ll definitely want a backpack: the hooks can support at least about 30 pounds, as it supports the lower half of the scooter when folded, but it only has so much room for a bag, if the car A lot of weight on the handle will affect handling.
Folding and unfolding the scooter can be easily done by one person and weighs less than 40 pounds, making it very easy to carry around.
I’ve also taken it around town for a few short trips and errands, and once the scooter is folded it fits easily into our average sized trunk. Since there’s no better place to squeeze it into my review – the flexible combination bike lock pictured above works so well with this scooter that I was able to wrap it around the scooter frame itself and I’m glad They left a gap in front of the deck that allowed me to do this!
My only build/quality complaint is the wire loop shown above. It keeps popping, I might use a bit of silicone to hold it in place, when it’s like this I lose the weather protection and just ask for rust inside the handlebar tube.
Even tested in near-freezing temperatures, the range was good (I have a lot of experience with electric motorcycles and bikes, and cold weather can affect the range). I was able to do about 6 miles round-trip on mostly flat ground at max speed, and then brought back 2 of the 4 remaining. If the battery indicator is accurate, I should be able to empty around 12, which sounds about the same as freezing temperatures and my weight, and some hills that are also battery killers.
what do I like
- good range
- nice shock absorption
- Easy to control and good braking
- bright headlights
what would i change
- The speed is good, but without the electronic limits, it feels like this motor can hit 20 mph.
- Grommet pulled out repeatedly
- Battery percentage and/or distance remaining will help
final thoughts
I thought the OTD L2-H electric scooter was just a convenient way for our cycling family to travel short distances, but it turned out to be a lot of fun too! I find myself riding my bike almost every day, either to the store or just for a breather in a nearby park. If you’re looking for something with good performance and range, the ability to fold and carry or fit in a suitcase, and good ride comfort, you’ve probably just found the right one! Renting a scooter costs around $5+ each time (if you can find one in your area), and owning your own can quickly pay for itself.
price: $649.99
Where to buy: Amazon
source: Samples for this review are provided by OTD
