Niu N-Series

The Niu has a lot of styling. First and foremost, the dash appears complex, yet it is an excellent example of a massive amount of information shown easily. In both portions, there's a speedometer, a clock, and the all-important battery gauge, as well as a good constant percentage. Also included are the quantity of regen, power mode, and connection status. Speaking of Bluetooth, one of Niu's selling features is that it is built-in, allowing you to connect it to your smartphone to display GPS, an anti-theft alert/alarm, and real-time inspections. Aside from all of these creative things, the Niu falls short on custom-made features since the under-seat area is completely filled up by the batteries, leaving simply a hook to store a bag between your knees, and a cubby in front, though it is deep enough for a phone.

It's easy to steer and maneuver around town, but the short wheelbase and small wheels make it jittery over bumps, even with the preload set to the softest level of five. Being essentially reckless. Anyone who rode the Niu over the clifftop coast route from Brighton to Rottingdean, which must be wonderfully spectacular in good weather, but on test day, white-topped surf smashed over the shore and a gale-force wind whipped across the road. The Niu was tossed around like a will o' the-wisp, but anything on two wheels would have been. In any case, it was returned undamaged.

To begin with, the Niu lacks a gearbox; the motor is simply installed in the back wheel – and, of course, no exhaust. Finally, the electric motor is a 3Kw Bosch unit, and that's all there is to it. That's the unfortunate thing about electrics: there are no valves, cams, or greasy pieces to talk about. There are two 35ah batteries, one under the seat and one under the footboards, and both can be pulled out for charging (they're roughly the same weight and size as a vehicle battery) or done in situ. There is only one multi-pin plug for each battery, so there is no need to fiddle with spanners and terminals. Performance is very smooth in all kinds of riding modes and surfaces. 

The N-series is an A1 scooter, so it has connected brakes, both operated by the left-hand lever, though there's also a right-hand lever for more impetus if needed they're really good with just one lever, strong enough to elicit a chirp from the rear Chen Shing on a dry road. Squeeze lightly, and regenerative braking comes in, sending a little amount of power back into the battery - it's not exactly endless motion, but every little bit helps. If you ride smoothly enough, you may never need to change any brake pads. Let's disregard the touring aspect, but if you were to spend a significant amount of time on the Niu, it wouldn't be too horrible.

The Niu may not be for everyone, but it has a lot going for it. It's sleek, tidy, and quick enough to keep up with city traffic, barely falling short of 125 over 50mph. Yes, it is more expensive at first, but it will be worth it after a few years of commuting. Going electric appears to be a no-brainer if you have an urban commute. This is more than just a scooter; it's your new urban travel vehicle. Ride it to work, on the weekends, or simply for fun. Today is the future of urban travel. The lithium-ion battery and its parts are covered by a 2-year guarantee on the Niu N-series Electric Scooter. Buyers of NIU scooters can take their vehicles to any licensed service facility in their region for regular repairs and maintenance.