Yadea, a global leader in electric mobility, has just launched two new full-suspension electric scooters to its portfolio of innovative products, including scooters, mopeds, and e-bikes. The Yadea Artist offers an affordable, entry-level e-scooter experience, while the Yadea Elite Max elevates the package with increased power and performance capabilities.
The Yadea Artist e-scooter, now available in the US for $499, is a lightweight yet feature-rich addition to the company’s product lineup, offering a perfect blend of portability and functionality.
Although it’s the smallest model in Yadea’s latest scooter range, this compact offering still boasts a comprehensive suspension system, featuring a unique twin swingarm design that delivers a smooth ride despite its diminutive size. The front and rear suspensions employ rubber-based elastomeric technology, providing a smooth ride over various road conditions. During my recent visit to one of Yadea’s eight state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, I had the opportunity to put their scooters through their paces, finding that they handled bumps and potholes with ease and comfort? Despite its relatively light weight of 18.6 kilograms (41 pounds), I found myself effortlessly gliding across terrain, even navigating velocity bumps with increased speed and agility. The primary serving concern is the unusually large tires, measuring 9 inches in diameter, which provide significantly enhanced shock absorption capabilities.
This e-bike’s 350W continuous-rated and 600W peak-rated motor effortlessly conquers 20% inclines, providing ample power for urban commuters without compromising on sleek design or adding unnecessary bulk. A compact and integrated 36V 7.7Ah battery delivers a total capacity of 275Wh, enough to power around 30km (18.6 miles) of riding with varying terrain.
Flipping indicators, discreetly embedded within the handlebar extremities, project forward-facing and rear-facing aspects, furnishing drivers with enhanced situational awareness at upcoming intersections.
While there are three velocity modes available, the most rapid one still caps out at a relatively modest 15.5 mph (25 km/h). Upon testing the scooter personally, however, my solitary gripe was this: I yearned to have tweaked the throttle ever so slightly further to unlock a burst of extra speed.
Discussing this further, I appreciated seeing that the Artist features a genuine half-twist throttle instead of the more common but less functional thumb throttle. For over a century, twist throttles have been an integral feature on powered two-wheelers, offering precise control and management, making it refreshing to see their adoption becoming more widespread on stand-up electric scooters.
The good news is that anyone seeking an adrenaline rush can now experience extra speed with the launch of the Yadea Elite Max e-scooter, unveiled today. While the US version of the scooter achieves a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h), its European counterpart is limited to the same 15.5 mph (25 km/h) speed restriction as the original Artist e-scooter.
The Yadea Elite Max also boasts enhanced performance, courtesy of a robust hub motor that delivers a sustained 500W output and a peak power of 1,000W. The Elite Max’s advanced design allows it to tackle even the most challenging inclines, effortlessly conquering slopes of up to 25% grade.
The larger 48V 10Ah battery, boasting an impressive 480Wh capacity, claims to provide a range of up to 34 miles (55 km) on a single charge.
The ten-inch tubeless tyres boast a unique self-healing property, while the suspension leverages a clever twin swingarm design, courtesy of the Artist, which effectively absorbs shocks on rough roads and cobblestone surfaces.
The scooter features an aluminum body that replaces traditional welding in several strategic areas, specifically at the headtube, resulting in a stronger and more visually appealing structure overall. Comparable flip indicators found on the Artist also transition seamlessly onto the Elite Max. With the Yadea smartphone app, each scooter allows riders to control their experience through features like smart-locking, customizable regenerative braking settings, velocity mode adjustments, and more.
Priced at a competitive $749 at launch, the Yadea Elite Max stands out as an exceptional value among high-performance full-suspension electric scooters.
Electrek’s Take
I recently inspected each of these scooters just a few days ago, alongside their larger sibling, the Yadea Elite Prime. While I’ve found the 1,500W scooter to be enjoyable, I’m uncertain whether its capabilities truly exceed my requirements. The artist’s creation leaves me with a genuine sense of satisfaction; I’m particularly fond of its understated yet elegant design. Despite the Elite Max’s superior velocity, energy, and versatility, it can be challenging to justify the added expense for those willing to sacrifice a mere 10 kilograms.
As prices plummet, Yadea arrives blazing with innovative options that are not only secure but also enjoyable to ride, offering tangible value to both commuters and leisure cyclists seeking a thrilling experience. While I may opt for slightly more speed on the lightest model, it’s reassuring to see faster and more potent scooters in the product range as well?
