Dualtron Thunder Review
Dualtron Thunder Specifications
- Top speed: 80 kmh 50 mph
- Range: 120 km 75 mph
- Motors: dual hub BLDC
- Power: 2400 W real, 5700 W peak
- Climb angle: 35 °
- Battery: 2060 Wh, 59.2 V
- Battery type: LG 3500 cells
- Charging time: 20 h
- Avg. charging cost: US: $0.33, Canada: $0.19, UK: £0.64, EU: €0.61
- Ingress protection (IP): IP54
- Weight: 43 kg 95 lbs
- Weight limit: 120 kg 265 lbs
- Tire size: 11 in
- Tire type: pneumatic tubeless
- Tire pressure: 45-50 psi
- Foldable: yes
- Foldable handlebars: yes
- Seat: optional
- Trunk or basket: optional
- Build material: aviation grade aluminum alloy + steel
- Terrains: all terrains
- Brakes: dual 160 mm Nutt hydraulic
- ABS: yes
- Shock absorbers: dual spring-arm
- Lights: 4 front + 4 rear + stem + deck
- Keys: fingerpring optional
- Warranty: 6 months
- Folded dimensions (L * W * H): 126 * 32 * 54 cm 49.61 * 12.60 * 21.26 in
- Unfolded dimensions (L * W * H): 126 * 32 * 122 cm 49.61 * 12.60 * 48.03 in
- Deck dimensions (L * W): 61 * 30.5 cm 24.02 * 12.01 in
- Ground clearance: 16.5 cm 6.50 in
- Deck to handlebar height: 96 cm 37.80 in
- Adjustable handlebar: yes
Tests and measurements
- Speed tests (EScooterNerds): 80 kmh 50 mph
- Speed tests (third party): 80 kmh 50 mph
- Range tests (EScooterNerds): 114 km 71 mi
- Range tests (third party): 120 km 75 mi
- Braking distance tests (EScooterNerds): 6 m
- Braking distance tests (third party): 6 m
- Climb tests (EScooterNerds): 25
- Climb tests (third party): 34
- Weight limit tests (EScooterNerds): 92 kg 203 lbs
- Waterproofing tests (EScooterNerds): no problems in rain
Ratings and scores
Pros
- powerful performance
- long range
- excellent suspension system
- quality build
Cons
- heavier weight
- high price tag
- limited portability
When to buy
Consider buying this model if you prioritize powerful acceleration, high speeds, and an extended range, as the Thunder excels in these aspects. Also, consider buying the Dualtron Thunder electric scooter during promotions or sales events to snag it at a better price.
When not to buy
Consider alternative electric scooters if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly or portable option, as the Thunder is better suited for riders seeking premium performance and are willing to invest in its powerful features.
The Dualtron Thunder is a beast of a scooter. If extreme, exciting, endless rides sound like a good idea to you, read on.
Basics
Unboxing and assembly
The Dualtron Thunder arrives in a huge box, with tons of styrofoam for protection.
The box includes:
- scooter
- folding lock frame
- remote control
- charger
- multitool
- wheel caps
- owner’s manual
Build quality
The Dualtron Thunder is a top-of-the-shelf scooter in terms of quality. It’s huge, sturdy, stable, and built like a bulldozer. Nothing can stand in its way. Every part, screw, nut, and bolt, is of the best quality I’ve ever seen and will stand the test of time.
The frame of the scooter is made from aviation-grade aluminum alloy, with a hardened steel stem and silicon and plastic details. The stem is very strong, which is one of my favorite things about this scooter.
Design
Both the design and the execution of the Dualtron Thunder are almost flawless. The scooter looks incredible, both tough and pleasing to the eye, and sports a lot of bling in the form of decisive lines and colorful lights.
Performances
It goes without saying that performance is the main attribute of the Dualtron Thunder scooter, and the Dualtron brand in general.
Speed and speed test
The top speed of the Dualtron Thunder is 50 mph / 80 kmh. That makes it almost as fast as a small car and puts it in the category of racing scooters. Only a handful of users have dared to test this top speed. I only dared to go as fast as 35 mph / 56 kmh. Anyway, many owners have confirmed that the scooter is capable of reaching the advertised top speed (one owner even reached 55 mph / 88 kmh!).
That kind of speed is made possible by the dual hub BLDC motors, one integrated into each wheel, with a combined power of 2400 Watts (5400 Watts peak power).
If, for whatever reason, you feel like you may want a faster scooter, check my article about the fastest electric scooters.
Range, range test, and battery
The Dualtron Thunder has an official range of 75 miles / 120 kilometers. I only did a few short-range tests, and 40% of the battery got me around 25 mi / 40 km of range at medium-fast speeds, which means I would probably get around 62 mi / 100 km of range in my circumstances.
If this range does not meet your needs check my article with the longest range electric scooters.
The LG battery has 2060 Watt-hours and 35 Amp-hours of capacity, with a voltage of 60 Volts. This scooter is one of the very few that come with a cooler for the battery, as the insane speeds can easily overheat it.
The battery takes around 20 hours to charge fully with the regular charger, but there is also a fast-charging option that reduces the charge time down to 5-6 hours.
The battery is quite big, but it will still cost you just 10 cents to charge it during off-peak hours in the US, and somewhere around 35 cents during peak hours. In Canada, the costs are 20 pennies during off-peak hours and 25 pennies during peak hours, while in Europe the prices average around 40 cents during off-peak hours and 50 cents during peak hours.
Climb and climb test
The official climb angle of the Dualtron Thunder is 35 degrees. I didn’t test the scooter at a hill that steep, but I can confirm that it conquers hills rather easily (20 degrees is no issue at all, and it can probably climb even steeper hills).
That makes the Thunder one of the best-climbing electric scooters ever. And it’s no wonder – dual motors with 2400 Watts of power, 11-inch tires with extra width for greater torque and traction, and a huge battery, all contribute to this scooter’s remarkable climb angle.
Ride experience
While not exactly a racing scooter, the Dualtron Thunder is well-equipped to handle very fast rides.
It has the build, the toughness, and the quality necessary to provide stable rides at high speeds.
Even riding at the maximum speed will not cause the scooter to vibrate.
Interestingly, I never felt unsafe or at risk even while riding at higher speeds, and pretty much all of my rides were super-smooth (I didn’t dare to ride the scooter at the top speed, more on that below).
It is easy to control and balance, as it’s quite nimble given its size and tire width.
While riding, you will hear a gentle but potent hum from the motors.
Terrains and offroad
While the Thunder is primarily a fast scooter, it tackles the challenges of the offroad rides quite well. It has the required build quality, suspension, and tire size, to be suitable for riding through all types of terrain.
The tires are not true offroad tires though, so even if you can go through the occasional grass, gravel, or dirt patches, you should not do it all the time.
I only tried it on challenging terrains a few times, including dirt trails and pebbles, and the Thunder performed almost like an off-road scooter.
Dualtron Thunder vs. other electric scooters?
The Dualtron Thunder is truly a great scooter, but there are still many competitors out there that are aiming for the throne.
Dualtron Thunder vs Dualtron Thunder 2
The next version of the Dualtron Thunder, logically named the Dualtron Thunder 2, is a clear upgrade and a much more performant model, even though for the majority of riders out there, even the regular Dualtron Thunder will be insanely overpowered.
With the Dualtron Thunder 2, you will get about 10 mph / 17 kmh more speed, 30 mi / 50 more range, and two times the motor power, which will result in more torque, acceleration, and climbing power.
The best part about the upgrade is that it’s usually not even that much more expensive than the standard version. So, if the Dualtron Thunder is somehow not powerful enough for you, and you’d like the taste of even more power, check out the Dualtron Thunder 2 at Voromotors, or see my complete Dualtron Thunder 2 review.
Dualtron Thunder vs Dualtron Storm
Interestingly, while the Storm is a newer version of the Dualtron line, it doesn’t surpass the Thunder by that much in terms of performance.
Even though you will get more powerful motors, you will get practically the same top speed and just a bit more range. The climbing angle will also be the same, and the braking power and the suspension will also be very similar.
One scenario where the Dualtron Storm is superior is for usage by heavier people. Since it comes with impeccable build quality, and has a weight limit of 330 lbs / 150 kg, it will be one of the best scooters for heavy riders available today, beating the Thunder by 66 lbs / 30 kg in terms of the weight limit.
Another advantage that the Storm will provide is the removable battery. By buying a second battery, you will be able to practically double the range of the Storm.
If those advantages sound good to you, you may want to see my detailed Dualtron Storm review.
Dualtron Thunder vs Dualtron Ultra 2
The Dualtron Thunder and the Dualtron Ultra 2 are similar scooters on the surface, although not quite the same. Still, calling the Dualtron Ultra 2 the “Dualtron Thunder for offroad” may not be too far from the truth.
The top speeds, battery, range, and motor of both of these scooters are very similar, so their performance will be comparable.
But overall, the Thunder is bigger, and it has stronger brakes as well, as the Ultra 2 has disc brakes. Also, the Thunder has adjustable suspension while the Ultra 2 lacks that option.
The Ultra 2 comes with offroad tires, while the Thunder comes with standard riding tires. The Ultra 2 will also lack the multicolor LED lights on the stem and the deck.
Overall, the Ultra 2 is less powerful, but it’s also cheaper than the Thunder. If that sounds like a better deal for you, see my complete Dualtron Ultra 2 review.
Dualtron Thunder vs Inokim OXO
The Inokim OXO, while a powerful scooter, lags behind the Dualtron Thunder in performance, especially in speed, acceleration, range, and most notably, climbing. It will be much more powerful than the typical budget scooter, but the Thunder will simply outshine it in the most important categories.
Where the Inokim OXO shines is the build quality, and in this particular comparison, the price, as it will be around $1000 cheaper than the Thunder on average.
So, if performance is what you’re after, stick with the Thunder, but if you’re looking to maybe save some money and still get a great and pretty powerful scooter, take a look at my complete Inokim OXO review.
Dualtron Thunder vs Kaabo Wolf Warrior
On paper, the Dualtron Thunder and the Kaabo Wolf Warrior look almost identical. Comparable top speed, range, battery, and motor, but also similar size, weight, and water protection level, all of which make these scooters sound similar.
Also, both come from very well-respected and popular power scooter brands.
The Kaabo Wolf Warrior is a bit better-suited for offroad, as it comes with offroad tires, although you can get it with standard tires as well.
The Thunder does seem to climb better, and that’s the biggest noticeable advantage it has over the Wolf.
I’d say stick with the Thunder for regular rides, and check out the Wolf if you’re looking for an offroad scooter.
Features
Although Dualtron puts a much bigger focus on performance, they never neglect the features of their scooters.
Tires
The extra-large tubeless pneumatic tires are 11 inches in diameter and 4 inches wide. That’s necessary for a scooter this powerful because when riding at 50 mph / 80 kmh, every pebble on the road will be felt.
Since the tires don’t have inner tubes like most budget scooter tires, flats will be less common. The wheels themselves are easily removable, and spare tires usually come pre-installed, which means that fixing a flat will be relatively easy.
Brakes and safety
With 160 mm dual fully hydraulic Nutt brakes, the Thunder has one of the best braking systems in the game. The braking distance from the full speed hasn’t been tested yet, but the brakes are very strong and of excellent quality nonetheless. The brakes have ABS (anti-lock braking system), which is always great for a scooter this fast.
For this type of scooter, there is only one type of recommended helmet, and that’s a full-face motorcycle helmet. Take this seriously and always wear it when riding, as the scooter has crazy acceleration and power. You should also consider additional safety equipment, the more the better. That means gloves, motorcycle armor, and jacket, elbow and knee pads, the whole shebang. Check out the guides on electric scooter helmets and electric scooter accessories to find some good items.
Suspension
Like everything else in the Dualtron Thunder, the suspension is in a league of its own. Both wheels have a swing-arm suspension system with replaceable rubber cartridges, that can be easily customized to your body type, road conditions, and preference.
Water resistance
The Dualtron Thunder has an ingress protection rating of IP54. That means the scooter is water-resistant and can handle water splashes from all angles, and it will probably not be damaged by riding in the rain.
The scooter is not fully waterproof, so avoid riding it in the rain if you can. I only rode through some light rain once, and there were no problems at all.
If you are looking for a fully waterproof electric scooter check my article for the best electric scooter for winter.
Lights
The 4 front LED lights on the front of the deck are super-strong, as are the rear deck lights (2 red, and 2 yellow that are activated when the brake is used).
But even better, the Dualtron Thunder has blinking multi-color LED strips on both the stem and under the deck, which make it one of the scooters with the strongest light setups ever.
It’s simply impossible for anyone to not see you when riding. Keep in mind though, that riding with all of those lights turned on will have an impact on the battery. It is a big battery, but not infinitely big.
Handlebars and deck
The handlebars are very ergonomic, and the positions of the individual control parts are very natural. There is no finger or hand fatigue while riding whatsoever. The deck-to-handlebar distance is 38 inches, while the total height is 48 inches.
The 24-inch long, 12-inch wide deck is one of the largest electric scooter decks ever. I believe “platform” is a much better word here, you literally stand on a huge platform, and ride comfort and foot position are never a problem. It has a ground clearance of 6.5 inches.
The deck has three gripped tapes on it to prevent slipping.
Portability, weight, and dimensions
You can forget about carrying this scooter for longer distances. Or, maybe you can carry it, but I found the weight and the dimensions a bit unmanageable (I’m about 5’11” / 180cm and weighed about 200 lbs / 91 kg at the time, so I’m not exactly a small guy, and I still struggled with carrying the scooter).
Weighing in at 95 lbs / 43 kg, the Dualtron Thunder is a pretty heavy scooter, and a lot of people will find it difficult to carry.
With a length of 50 in / 126 cm, the Thunder is also quite long and will have trouble fitting into the trunks of small cars. I couldn’t find a way to fit it in the trunk of my Ford Focus. The handlebars are foldable, but that is just one plus for portability.
Weight limit and use by heavy adult
The official maximum weight limit of the Dualtron Thunder is 265 lbs / 120 kg. I haven’t seen this limit tested, or the scooter tested by a heavier rider than that, but honestly, I believe the scooter is actually capable of supporting more, and Dualtron is simply underreporting this. With a peak motor power of 5400 Watts, a steel stem, and a huge deck, the weight limit of 265 lbs / 120 kg is just Dualtron being humble.
Controls
The right handlebar holds the classic EY3 control dashboard, optionally including a fingerprint lock. The three buttons on the right of the screen control the power, the speed mode, and the riding options.
The round display screen shows:
- current speed
- battery level
- speed mode
- voltage
- trip distance
- riding time
The top speed will vary based on the speed mode and whether you’re using single or dual motor mode.
The small dashboard on the left handlebar has two buttons, a yellow and a red one. The yellow one toggles the LED lights, and the red one toggles between the single and the dual motor usage.
The Thunder comes with a remote control for controlling the LED lights.
Accessories and customizations
The Thunder comes well-prepared, but there might be some things you want to get after-market.
The coolest accessory you can (and probably should) consider is the fingerprint lock. But still, you should consider getting a strong scooter lock anyway, as this is quite an expensive item and you will want it to have as many security layers as possible.
You will probably want a bell or a horn, as riding without one of those can be inconvenient or dangerous.
The wireless phone charger is also a very interesting idea that many owners choose to try out.
The Dualtron Thunder can support an optional seat. The seat is not included in the package, but the scooter is ready to support it.
Problems and downsides
The Dualtron Thunder doesn’t have any flaws or known issues that are true dealbreakers. There are a handful of minor issues I’ve noticed, all of which can easily be addressed with aftermarket solutions. It would be better if the scooter came just perfect out of the box, but I still haven’t seen a scooter like that, so the best thing to do is simply learn about these small issues and possibly address them if they are an annoyance.
Probably the biggest complaint I have about the Thunder is the rear mudguard, which is kinda short. There we have it – the biggest issue is a small rear mudguard, something which can be fixed with a very simple spare part.
The Thunder doesn’t include a bell/horn. You will have to get that part yourself if you want your scooter to be road-legal.
Finally, you should keep in mind that this will not be a scooter for everybody. If you are after a simple budget commuter, you will want to look at the Xiaomi M365 Pro, the Ninebot Max, or something similar. Getting a scooter that is this heavy, and this powerful, while probably fun, will be a waste of money if you only need to commute to work.
Is Dualtron Thunder the right choice for you?
This is not a scooter for everybody. If riding faster than 30 mph / 50 kmh is already too much fun for you, you will want to check out other scooters (maybe 30 mph scooters might be a better option).
Also, if $4590 is too much for you, then you will want another option as well. Maybe scooters under $1000, or scooters under $500, can offer you some good choices, although of course you can’t expect nowhere near the same level of power with those models.
But if you don’t see yourself as belonging to those categories, and you simply want the best power scooter money can buy, then I would recommend the Dualtron Thunder.
I’ve found this scooter to be both fun and reliable. It will not leave you stranded on the road, and it will make sure you stay in one piece even when doing crazy stunts at 50 mph.
The Dualtron Thunder is one of the best, most powerful, most high-quality electric scooters I’ve ever tried. It is costly, but it justifies every penny of its price. If you are the type of person who just wants the best of the best, then you will want to check out the Dualtron Thunder.
US, Canada: Voromotors (get 2 years of free warranty by adding the 1-Year Extend product protection and using coupon code FreeExtend)
UK, Europe: Ride And Glide
