Dualtron Thunder 2 Review
Dualtron Thunder 2 Specifications
- Top speed: 96.6 kmh 60 mph
- Range: 170 km 106 mph
- Motors: dual hub motors
- Power: 5400 W real, 10800 W peak
- Climb angle: 35 °
- Battery: 2880 Wh, 72 V
- Battery type: LG
- Charging time: 28 h
- Weight: 47.6 kg 105 lbs
- Weight limit: 120 kg 265 lbs
- Tire size: 11×3.5 in
- Tire type: pneumatic tubeless
- Foldable: yes
- Build material: aviation aluminum + SCM440 steel
- Brakes: dual Nutt hydraulic brakes
- Shock absorbers: 45-step variable rubber suspension
- Lights: stem + hazard + tail lights + turn signals
- Control: EY3 display
- Warranty: 1 year
- Return period: 3/10 days
- Folded dimensions (L * W * H): 121 * 32 * 57.9 cm 47.64 * 12.60 * 22.80 in
- Unfolded dimensions (L * W * H): 121 * 61 * 127 cm 47.64 * 24.02 * 50 in
Scores, Tests, Measurements
Pros
- top-notch quality
- great performance
- trusted brand
- great and functional design
- useful features
- low defect rate
CONS
- heavy
- pricey (unless on a discount)
- no IP rating
When to buy
Definitely get the Dualtron Thunder if you’re looking for a premium Dualtron model that has it all – high top speed, great range, superb hydraulic brakes and suspension, and excellent build quality and design overall.
When not to buy
For some, this scooter will be outside of their price range. For commuters or first-time owners, this scooter will be too heavy, too powerful, or both.
This will be an in-depth review of the Dualtron Thunder 2 e-scooter. We will discuss why this upgraded version of the original Dualtron Thunder is one of the fastest and most powerful scooters in the world presently. We will also go through all of its good sides and bad sides, and see if it’s worth investing in this model.
Build Quality
The Dualtron Thunder 2 boasts a solid build that exudes reliability and durability. It was definitely built for top performance and to offer riders a lot of flexibility, as well as a fun and exhilarating ride.
Design and materials
This Dualtron model comes with a huge 72V 40Ah 2880Wh LG battery and two hub motors that offer a peak power of 10800W.
It also comes with a 4th generation frame made of aviation aluminum, a stem made of SCM440 steel, ultra-wide, no-flat tires, removable rims, Nutt hydraulic brakes, and adjustable suspension cartridges.
Also, all the brake and electronic cables are neatly packed together, so there are no hanging cables or wires anywhere.
The thing I find the most impressive about the Dualtron Thunder 2 is the controllers. They’re coupled to the deck, but unlike those in other scooters that also keep the controllers in the deck, these don’t overheat, as the heat they produce dissipates well.
And I must not forget to mention the colossal rubber deck, swag lights, and machined aluminum footrest because they make the scooter so distinct.
Known issues and problems
The Dualtron Thunder 2 is certainly one of those models worth having, but as with other high-quality, top-performance scooters, it has few flaws as well.
The most commonly reported issue is the stem being creaky and wobbly. But, considering that this model comes with a stronger clamp than its predecessor, the stem squeak can be fixed easily. You can just tighten the clamp and apply some lithium grease to the inside of the steering tube where it folds or the bolts that hold the stem up in place.
Another reported issue is that you can occasionally experience a bit of wobble when riding over 50 mph. Fortunately, this is an easy fix, too. Simply add some more weight to your front foot and pull the handlebar grips a little. By finding the right spot for your feet on the deck, you will eliminate the wobbles with ease.
If you ask me, I wish this Dualtron model came with higher-mounted headlights and a better IP rating. But as I don’t like riding in rainy weather, I don’t find the latter bothersome at all.
Everyday use
Thanks to the impressively long range, wide tires, and strong braking and suspension systems the Dualtron Thunder 2 comes with, it is a great choice if you plan on spending your entire day on it, whether on-roading or off-roading.
This scooter feels super-stable at high speeds. I even tried riding it on wet, slippery trails with slick tires, and I was amazed by how well it handled all those bumps, potholes, and curves. I didn’t experience any shakes or speed wobbles either.
Now, this scooter may not be as portable as you might want it to be, but the fact that it grants you an ultra-powerful and yet smooth and seamless ride on different terrains makes up for that.
Performance
As mentioned before, this Dualtron model was built for top performance. So, let’s see why this is so.
Motor, power, and climbing
The Dualtron Thunder comes with plenty of power. It’s equipped with two 2700W hub motors, each with a peak output of 5400W. Combined, they provide 10800W of peak power.
The motors are a bit noisy, but this is no wonder, considering how powerful they are.
As for its climbing capacity, this scooter is supposed to climb 35-degree inclines. Well, considering the powerful motors, top speed, fast acceleration, ultra-wide tires, and excellent stopping power this scooter comes with, it can climb such hills with ease at almost any speed. Moreover, it does a great job at climbing hills in wet and muddy conditions, too.
Batteries, range, and charging
The Thunder 2 comes with a massive 72V 40Ah LG battery that uses 21700 cells and offers 2800Wh and up to 72 mi / 116 km of range. This is one of the longest ranges of e-scooters I’ve ever tested, so if you prioritize vehicles with a long range, this scooter may be your ultimate choice.
Charging this “beast” will take you 28 hours. You can reduce this time by using fast chargers.
Speed and acceleration
The Dualtron Thunder 2 comes with a top speed of 60 mph / 96 kph. I managed to reach a max speed of 49 mph, which I think is enough speed on an electric scooter, but the scooter was definitely capable of more.
If you just happen to be a real speed addict, just double-tap the throttle for an extra 1680 watts of power. Just be careful; doing this can feel like turning on jet thrusters.
Weight limit
The weight limit of the Dualtron Thunder 2 is 265 lbs / 120 kg. Personally, I think this two-wheeler won’t have difficulties carrying more than that weight, considering its build robustness and motor power.
Features
Let’s see what makes this e-scooter worth having in the long haul.
Weight, dimensions, and portability
The Thunder 2 weighs 104 lbs / 47 kg, which puts it on the heavy side.
When folded the scooter measures 47.6″ x 12.6″ x 22.8″ / 121 x 32 x 58 cm
When unfolded, it measures 47.6″ x 24″ x 50″ / 121 x 61 x 127 cm.
Now, although both the scooter itself and the handlebars are foldable, it isn’t very portable. So, I wouldn’t recommend lifting it by yourself if you don’t have to. Also, keep in mind that it won’t probably fit in the trunk of your car.
Cockpit, handlebars, and controls
The cockpit features foldable handlebars, an EY3 finger throttle, brake levers, and an aluminum control box, which includes back-lit steel switches for the turn signals, hazard lights, swag lights, eco/turbo mode, and horn.
The handlebars are positioned at a better angle compared to those on the original Thunder, which contributes to the scooter’s stability. But I also believe that taller riders might find them a bit short and narrow.
Brakes and suspension
The Dualtron Thunder 2 comes fitted with 2 Nutt hydraulic brakes. Personally, I prefer these to zoom brakes since the former are strong and also allow you to control how much strength you want with the brakes. Basically, they enable the scooter to come to a slow-moving stop.
In my tests, I found that this Dualtron model can stop from 15 mph in approximately 10 ft. You can achieve even better results than this if you remove the rear footrest.
This Dualtron model comes with a 45-step variable rubber suspension system. What I like about the Dualtron’s suspension is that you can adjust the cartridge hardness to your preferred riding type. For example, if you find the suspension on your Thunder 2 firm, you can replace it with cartridges for a softer ride.
Anyway, if the suspension on your Dualtron Thunder feels stiff, don’t take this as its flaw, as many riders claim that the cartridge suspension on such models gets softer in warm weather and after over 100 miles of usage.
Tires and deck
This scooter comes with 11″ x 3.5″ tubeless flat-resistant tires. My favorite part about them is that even if the tire gets penetrated, it’ll seal up immediately, which will prevent losing any air pressure during the next 24 hours.
This scooter also has removable rims, which means you can repair tires or swap on-road with off-road ones without struggling to handle motor cables.
The rubber deck is great looking and pretty spacious, which makes this scooter great for long rides, as you’ll be able to move your legs comfortably. It gets dirty easily, but cleaning it is easy as well. Also, the rear footrest is removable, which means you can use it for more aggressive rides but remove it later when you need more room on the deck for long rides.
Lights and night use
The Dualtron Thunder 2 comes with deck-mounted headlights, rear lights, hazard lights, and swag lights along the stem, swingarms, and both sides of the deck.
All these lights help you be seen at night. However, being so fast and powerful and not having high-mounted headlights, I’d recommend adding some aftermarket lights if you plan to ride at night.
Is the Dualtron Thunder 2 waterproof?
Unfortunately, this model doesn’t have an IP rating, so you should avoid riding it in wet conditions.
How does the Dualtron Thunder 2 compare against other popular e-scooters?
This Dualtron model is typically compared to its predecessor, the Dualtron Thunder, and the Dualtron Ultra 2. Let’s see what their differences are.
Dualtron Thunder 2 vs Dualtron Thunder
The Dualtron Thunder 2 has twice the power of its predecessor. It can also reach a higher top speed (+10 mph / 16.6 kmh) and covers way longer range (+30 mi / 50 km) than the original Thunder.
The Thunder 2 also comes with a bigger battery (+12.8V), but it also takes 8 hours longer to charge and weighs 4.3 kg more than its counterpart.
Now, my favorite upgrade on the Thunder 2 is probably the flat-proof tubeless tires. I mean, there’s nothing better than knowing you’ll never get into a situation where you’d need to push your heavyweight electric two-wheeler home on a flat tire.
One more difference between the two models is that the Thunder 2 comes with a removable rear aluminum footrest with taillight, which can also serve as a hand-hold, and I find this to be very practical.
Two more differences include: the original Thunder costs less and comes with a deck that has more grip than that of the Thunder 2. Still, I’d go for the latter.
Dualtron Thunder 2 vs Dualtron Ultra 2
The Dualtron Ultra 2 is slightly less expensive, weighs 15 lbs/ 7 kg less, and is more appropriate for heavier riders than the Thunder 2.
But if you ask me, the Dualtron Thunder 2 is the winner here since it comes with a bigger battery (+12V) and longer range (+18 mi / 30 km) than the Ultra 2. And let’s not forget that it’s faster and produces way more power, too, than its counterpart.
Anyway, if you find the Dualtron Ultra 2 to be a better choice for you, you might want to check out my Dualtron Ultra 2 review.
Who should not buy the Dualtron Thunder 2 e-scooter?
Unless you don’t want a high-powered and top-performance electric scooter that comes with outstanding build quality, then probably this scooter isn’t the ideal scooter for you.
The first thing that might deter people from buying it is the price tag. Simply put, not all electric scooter enthusiasts are willing to spend $3,399 on a scooter, no matter how good it is.
Also, I wouldn’t recommend this scooter to novice riders since they might find it a bit too powerful and too fast to handle at first, especially when riding on crowded streets.
Then, some riders prefer scooters using sine wave controllers rather than square wave ones, which the Thunder 2 has. So, if you fit this description, then this model might not be the perfect fit for your needs and preferences.
Also, this is not the right scooter for someone living in an apartment building that has no elevator or someone who works in an upstairs office. This scooter is heavy to lift and carry around. You’ll want to keep it in a garage or on the ground floor.
Who should buy the Dualtron Thunder 2 e-scooter?
You should buy this Dualtron model if you’re looking for a powerful, fast, and high-quality scooter that can offer a comfortable and fun ride on any terrain in any weather.
This scooter is an upgraded version of the legendary Dualtron Thunder, but it’s more powerful, has a bigger battery, comes with more lights, and looks fancier.
Now, I am not saying that this is the best electric scooter ever designed, but, in my opinion, the Dualtron Thunder 2 has features that can impress even the pickiest riders out there.
But if you appreciate electric scooters that can get you up to speed as fast as possible, you’ll most likely find this model to be the right choice for you.
Also, if you’re the type of person who likes cruising for hours at moderate speeds but also off-roading and climbing hills at high speeds, you’ll find this scooter ideal for you. Since it offers a long range, has a nice climbing ability even with street tires, and provides a stable and comfortable ride on different terrains at high speeds, this scooter will satisfy all your needs and expectations.
Also, for those who suffer from range anxiety, the Dualtron Thunder 2 might be the cure.
And if you’re someone who prioritizes modern and sophisticated electric scooters, don’t doubt you’ll love this model with its swag lights, ultra-stylish rubber deck, and steep aluminum footrest.
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