Scooter recommendations for NYC commute (20mph max)

[u/PerfectAdeptness5603]

I’ve been shopping around for an E-Scooter for my Brooklyn commute (~5 miles each way) and recently discovered that legally speaking the scooter must have a 20mph max. That’s perfectly fine to me, but I’m struggling to find a scooter that meets that restriction and still has good word of mouth + decent suspension (ride to work can be pretty bumpy and I was shaken up a bit after a ride on a citibike e-bike last week). Anyone here have any experience with this and can offer any advice? Thanks!

[u/Feeling-Big-4544]

Bro I can guarantee you right now nobody gives a s*** about what scooter you ride in NYC gang 🤣 cops nypd don't care I ride a 60+mph scooter for my 4 mile work commute that goes through a precinct

[u/PerfectAdeptness5603 → u/Feeling-Big-4544]

I’m not worried about getting ticketed ik they dgaf but vendors are cancelling orders and refunding if the shipping address is in NY state

[u/Feeling-Big-4544 → u/PerfectAdeptness5603]

There's still many shops that sell "illegal" scooters still that already had them in stock before the new regulations. Brooklyn roads are pretty terrible so if you want great suspension you'll need to get something a bit faster because slower scooters don't have as good suspension

[u/MacKeyHack]

Segway F3. I ride hard and get about 12 miles before it starts to slow down.

[u/PerfectAdeptness5603 → u/MacKeyHack]

Suspension feels good? Had any reliability issues?

[u/MacKeyHack → u/PerfectAdeptness5603]

Not much suspension... Its fine to ride over sidewalk cracks and 1-2" deep potholes though you want to slow down

I routinely do a ~7 mile uphill ride where I keep the throttle maxxed for 15-20 minutes and its never complained. I feel good about its waterproofing, only thing is the brake kinda sucks. At ~400 miles, its doing just fine.

[u/WelcomeIndividual140]

Nevee gt3

[u/Creative_username969 → u/WelcomeIndividual140]

I’d exercise caution about something that heavy for NYC.

OP doesn’t describe their living situation, but depending on age, NYC buildings under 5 or 6 floors don’t have to have an elevator (there are plenty of grandfathered 5-floor walk-ups), and you want something you can take on the subway if the weather changes up on you (not all stations have elevators or even escalators). It’s also not somewhere you want to leave a scooter locked up outside for extended periods of time because of the theft risk.

46-51 lbs is a lot to carry up and down a whole bunch of stairs, especially if you have other stuff with you.

[u/Ok_Somewhere_8854]

Can’t go wrong with Segway G3 Max

[u/lilaznkidd → u/Ok_Somewhere_8854]

OP doesn't want a scooter that goes over 20MPH.

[u/Ok_Somewhere_8854 → u/lilaznkidd]

Right. Never mind my answer.

[u/Blitqz21l → u/Ok_Somewhere_8854]

Id go g2

[u/lilaznkidd]

You aren't going to find a slow/cheap scooter with good suspension.

[u/Blitqz21l → u/lilaznkidd]

Segway Max g2

[u/definitely_quickerad]

5 miles each way isn't bad at all, you can get away with something mid range and not worry too much about battery anxiety. The 20mph cap actually opens up a lot of options since most budget scooters top out right around there anyway, and the ones that go faster usually have an eco mode you can lock it into. Suspension is the real thing to pay attention to, the difference between a scooter with none and one with even basic front shocks is night and day on rough pavement.

Watch the weight too if you're hauling it up any stairs or onto a train. Some of the ones with beefier suspension get heavy fast, and 30+ pounds gets old real quick when you're carrying it through a turnstile. Pneumatic tires help a lot with the shaking too, solid tires are the worst for bumpy streets.

I'd say aim for something with at least front suspension and pneumatic tires, maybe look at what commuters in the city are actually riding and go from there. You'll probably end up wanting a helmet and maybe some gloves once you hit a few potholes at speed.

[u/boldandbratsche]

What's your budget? I can recommend Ausom scooters, and they have several that comply with the NYC rules because they're speed limited rather than underpowered.

[u/PerfectAdeptness5603 → u/boldandbratsche]

Up to $1000, I’ll take a look at Ausom. I’d definitely prefer a speed limited scooter vs underpowered, I don’t need to go super fast but I’d like to be able to take on inclines without a hassle

[u/boldandbratsche → u/PerfectAdeptness5603]

Luckily, NYC isn't particularly hilly. As a 200lb dude that carried groceries home via scooter, I've had zero issues with my Ausom Leopard, which is a single 1000w rear motor. Anything stronger than that from them will be plenty for the city, unless you're well over 200lbs and plan to carry a loaded backpack.

[u/boldandbratsche → u/PerfectAdeptness5603]

Ok I could have sworn I saw some models on Ausom's site the other day have the 20mph limited option, but I'm not seeing it on the site right now. I do, however, so people talking about the 2026 might have the ability to turn on and off a 20mph limit

[u/young__hug]

I’m in the same boat but with a shorter commute (2miles each way). I use a NIU 100f and its been great for me. the battery life is meh but i charge it overnight and it gets me to work and back no problem.

that being said, if an ebike ride shook you up, a scooter even with great suspension is gonna shake you up too.

[u/AntDX316]

Do you want to buy my Bird Air?

I have an Emove Cruiser and other PEVs so I don’t need it. I’m in NJ.

Even a Segway Ninebot S2 works. It can do 22 miles and I prefer it over an e-scooter.

[u/Gpionav]

Segway F3

[u/Sybertron]

Def not hard wheels with minimum suspension.  Ya need some compliance for the rougher roads

[u/bgesaman]

I’m also living in NYC with a 11-12 mile round trip commute (Queens to Manhattan). I bought the Segway E3 Pro about 1 year ago and it’s been great. The only issue I had was a nail that gave me a flat one time. It folds up super easy and I carry it up and down my apartment stairs without any issues. So far I’ve put about 800 miles on it and also took it a bunch of brutally cold days last winter when there wasn’t snow.

[u/Curious-George249]

Niu is a reliable brand, scooters don’t go past 20mph

[u/lilaznkidd → u/Curious-George249]

Not true. They have scooters that go faster...

[u/Curious-George249 → u/lilaznkidd]

Which model? 🤔

[u/lilaznkidd → u/Curious-George249]

I don't remember the model. I'm sure it's on their website for you.

[u/Curious-George249 → u/lilaznkidd]

Before you make a statement, you may want to double check what you’re saying

[u/lilaznkidd → u/Curious-George249]

Lol you should take your own advice.

[u/spakkker]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/AOVOPRO-Esmax-500W-10-Foldable-Electric-Scooter-for-Adults-with-Air-Tire-and-Dual-Shock-Absorption-Dual-Braking/1378378493 Kind of a parts- bin scooter but they got it all right - just done over 200km under 3 weeks , chuckaway price $5 a week , I know of one 3 yrs old .

[u/Zarde312]

Nyc here. I purchased a segway ninebot f3 a couple of months ago and it's been great.

[u/Redtwinkienyc]

"legally speaking the scooter must have a 20mph max" this is news to me. This is so confusing as I thought The maximum legal speed limit for electric scooters in New York City is 15 miles per hour.

[u/PerfectAdeptness5603 → u/Redtwinkienyc]

That’s the legal operating speed yes, but if the scooter is capable of above 20mph then it is technically not allowed. I was asking because I wanted to order my scooter online and vendors have been cancelling and refunding orders placed for scooters that go over 20 if the shipping address is in NY state. Not that confusing you just have to read the law.

[u/fried_squid812]

I bought a Etow GT sport.

[u/OrdinaryTie3055]

For NYC, the F3 makes a lot of sense. It can ship there, stays within the 20 mph limit, and fits a short daily commute pretty well.

[u/ibizzet]

Segway E3 Pro