Lycaon GR 2021 At A Glance

Before we look at our high-precision GPS-verified performance data, let's get an overview of the hardware that makes up the GR 2021 electric skateboard.

Alternatives to Lycaon GR 2021

8.3 / 10

Possway T2

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Maxfind Max4 Pro

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8 / 10

Skatebolt Tornado II

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Speed & Motor Performance

The Lycaon GR 2021 has 960W of nominal power through two hub motors. Each has 480W of power and 4.8 N⋅m (newton-meters) of torque. The rated peak power is 2000W. Power is delivered through a 36V battery.

Top Speed Test

Lycaon specifies a top speed of 23 MPH (37 KMH). We decided to test that claim using pro-grade data logging gear.

As a 170 lbs (77 kg) rider on a straight, even road and measured a top speed of 23.3 MPH (37.5 KMH). It is safe to say it lives up to that promise.

Furthermore, the Lycaon GR 2021 is compatible with CloudWheels (purchased separately) which increases road grip and top speed even further at the expense of some acceleration.

Stacking up the GR 2021 against comparable models, we can see it surpasses the more expensive Maxfind Max4 Pro while beating the Backfire G2 with a comfortable margin. It only loses out to the Possway T2 which is also about 20% pricier.

In terms of top speed, the Lycaon GR 2021 definitely finds itself amongst the best electric skateboards in its price class.

Acceleration Test

We set out to test how fast the Lycaon GR 2021 gets up to pace. We did 10+ runs from zero to top speed. These are the results:

The acceleration is nothing less than impressive. The GR 2021 quickly climbs to 15 MPH at an average of 4.64 seconds and 20 MPH in 7.73 seconds. The top speed is reached in 15.45 seconds on average.

Holding it up against similarly priced models, we can see it outperforms the Backfire G2 comfortably while having a slight edge on both the T2 and Max4 Pro.

Based on our data above, this is the best-in-class acceleration we've tested on an electric skateboard.

Hill Climbing Test

Climbing hills is an area where many low-priced electric skateboards fall short. With limited power, low voltage, and mediocre torque, accelerating or even maintaining speed on inclines becomes almost impossible.

Lycaon advertises that the GR 2021 can conquer hills with up to 30% inclines. It's a rather bold claim, and sadly we don't have that steep hills in our area. We were, however, able to test it on a 20% incline.

From our tests, this electric skateboard climbs a 20% incline with relative ease considering the system only runs at 36V. Its hill performance is on par with the Maxfind Max 4 Pro and falls short of the more expensive Skatebolt Tornado II, but it does get you up most inclines struggle-free.

Lycaon GR 2021

Range & Battery Performance

The Lycaon GR 2021 has a 36V 7.8Ah lithium-ion battery with an effective capacity of 280.8Wh. It uses a Jingnoo pack with 18650 cells in a 10S3P setup.

Battery Capacity Comparison

Comparing the battery's capacity to competitors, it is evident that Lycaon delivers the most value for your money. Not only is it notably larger in capacity than the Maxfind Max 4 Pro and Backfire G2, but the price is also better.

Does the larger battery size translate over to actual range performance? Let's find out.

Range Tests

We ran three separate range tests at various speeds to get an idea of the expected range performance of the Lycaon GR 2021.

In the first test. We prioritize speed, going as fast as possible. At an average speed of 18 MPH, I got 14.2 miles of range.

In the second test, I cruise as I would typically do. At an average speed of 15.1 MPH, I got 17.1 miles of range.

For the last test, I tried to maximize range by riding slowly and economically. At an average speed of 12.9 MPH, I got 19.8 miles of range.

Range Comparison

Holding it up against the other boards, the Lycaon GR 2021 comfortably beats the others on range in all three tests.

All in all, these results are highly impressive. Even though Lycaon doesn't use name-brand cells like Maxfind (using Samsung), this underdog still outperforms the kings in the price class.

Performance Retention

Cheaper cells often don't perform as well as premium ones. This can typically be felt in rapid performance drop-off as the battery discharges and voltage sags below 20% battery.

The Lycaon GR 2021 does not have name-brand cells, unlike the Maxfind Max4 Pro which uses Samsung cells. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but the reliability of Samsung cells has been established for a long time.

We tracked the top speed as the battery level diminished. While the performance retention is about 5% better on the Max 4 Pro, the sheer amount of value you get from the bigger battery easily outweighs that. Still, these results are very decent and easily better than the majority of competitors relying on unspecified battery cells.

Board Design & Ride Quality

The Lycaon GR 2021 undoubtedly blows away the competition in terms of raw power for the money, but how good is the construction and does it ride well?

Weight

According to our measurements, the Lycaon GR 2021 weighs 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg).

Holding it up against its closest competitors, this board is slightly below average in weight. I find this impressive as the battery pack itself is quite heavy due to its rather large capacity.

The board is definitely heavier in the battery end (opposite of the hub motors), but that is to be expected when you're not running super small batteries.

Deck

The deck measures 36.8" x 8.9" (93.5 cm x 22.6 cm) and has a ground clearance of 2" (5.1 cm) up to the battery enclosure.

The deck is relatively short for an electric longboard, but it is still sufficient for most riders. I do have a pickle with the low ground clearance. Heavier riders may find this an issue when the deck inevitably flexes, as the battery housing may scratch against the ground. It is definitely not curb-approved.

The deck itself is made from 8-layer northeast maple. It feels fairly sturdy and has a decent bit of flex.

However, I feel like the deck flexes too much in the middle. A more gradual flex curve would be ideal. This results in suboptimal road vibration absorption. In turn, the ride doesn't feel as smooth when road conditions get bad.

Wheels

The Lycaon GR 2021 has 78A polyurethane wheels. They measure 90 mm x 62 mm.

This wheel size is very standard for electric skateboards, although there are quite a few boards with slightly larger wheels. 62mm width is on the broader side for 90mm diameter wheels. This results in a larger contact surface with the ground, which is a plus for beginners.

The 78A durometer hardness rating is on the softer end of the standard range. This helps absorb some road vibrations which I feel the design lacks overall. On the flip side, softer wheels don't last as long and are less stable.

These wheels are compatible with 105 mm CloudWheels. This allows you to take on more demanding terrain with the same board.

One discrepancy I found was that the free-moving wheels use ABEC-9 608RS bearings and not ABEC-11s as advertised on the website. There likely won't be a notable difference, but it is worth mentioning.

There's not much to comment on for the wheels. They're well-made and have versatile performance for both slow cruisers and high-speed riders.

Trucks & Bushings

The Lycaon GR 2021 has 9.8" (25 cm) gravity-cast trucks. They're proprietary and perform quite well overall. They're both sturdy and stable at speeds.

The trucks use a double barrel bushing setup of average hardness with cupped washers. A double barrel setup aids in stability but does not allow for as sharp turns as a full or partial cone setup does. Carving is still quite possible, so I find the double barrel setup to be ideal for my riding needs.

To dampen road vibrations, there's a 1/8" shock pad between the trucks and the deck. This diminishes the vibrations that travel from the trucks to the deck (making the ride feel smoother).

Despite the obvious efforts to create a smooth ride, I feel the Lycaon GR 2021 falls behind several other models including the Max 4 Pro. Even on asphalt roads with slightly below-average conditions, the ride feels jittery, and the vibrations hit your legs quite a lot. I think the ride would benefit a lot from a proper bushing upgrade.

Waterproofing

According to the official website, the Lycaon GR 2021 electric skateboard holds an IP54 rating. This means it is sufficiently protected against dust and water splashes for daily usage. I always recommend you wipe your board dry after usage, but that goes with any board.

The ESC is well protected not only by a thin plastic foam layer between the housing and deck itself but it is also wrapped with some kind of plastic to further prevent any foreign bodies from interfering with the actual ESC and its cable connections.

The story is the same for the battery housing. It is well protected against water entering and all cable connections or solidly covered.

All in all, the waterproofing job on the Lycaon GR 2021 is solid - I've seen way worse in this price class.

Build & Ride Summarized

The build quality of the Lycaon GR 2021 is good. Crucial components are well-insulated and protected against road vibrations, water, and dust. I particularly find the shock-absorbing foam around the battery back and electronic enclosures great.

However, this electric skateboard is built better than it rides. Although the trucks move smoothly, the stability is good, and it carves well, the ride gets rough as road conditions deteriorate. Despite Lycaon taking extra steps to improve the ride with shock pads, it doesn't translate into much improvement.

Although this is a performance powerhouse in its price class, I would love to see an additional focus on shock absorption in future models.

Lycaon GR 2021

ESC & Remote

This board uses a Hobbywing 10S (HW9005-ZYD030) electronic speed controller. It runs with an 11A*2 current and DC36V voltage. It pairs with the default Hobbywing Gen2 controller that most entry-level brands use.

Electronic Speed Controller

The ESC is the brain behind the works. The fact that Lycaon uses Hobbywing 9005 is no surprise. You'll see variations of this model used on over 50% of electric skateboards under $1,000 USD.

It is reliable and effective, and the performance is solid. It is the best bang for your buck ESC on the market with smooth performance. How it is configured does lack nice features like customizable acceleration curves and braking modes. Still, Lycaon has already balanced this well from the get-go to accommodate most riders.

While it isn't as cool as a VESC, this is what you can expect at this price point.

Remote Controller

The ESC pairs with the default Gen2 version remote from Hobbywing. You'll see this exact remote across many brands with various brand logos plastered on, but it is essentially the same product. I find it to be super smooth and simple to use.

The speed wheel is precise, and making minor, gradual adjustments is easy. I always love to see a wrist strap on remotes, as the chance of dropping it mid-ride is slim to none.

The remote lets you cycle through 4 different speed/acceleration modes, lets you change direction, and you can even turn on the board with the remote only. This is something not all Hobbywing ESC boards are configured to do.

Unlike the Gen1 remote that ships with boards like the Maxfind Max2 Pro, this one has a neat LCD screen. This means you always have relevant riding information at your fingertips.

Lastly, you also have cruise control. Although I don't use it much myself, it is a crucial feature to have for some riders.

Where brands like LingYi may beat a Hobbywing setup on features, this setup rides smoother and feels more reliable. As an example, there is little to no voltage sag, which is something I struggled with in a LingYi setup on the Skatebolt Tornado 2.

Final Verdict - Who Is The Lycaon GR 2021 For?

This electric skateboard is for riders who prioritize motor performance and range over ride quality. It is ideal for beginners and more advanced riders on a budget.

The Lycaon GR 2021 holds its own in terms of sheer performance. The acceleration and top speed are impressive, and the range is easily the best in its class.

I was pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail in the build and the overall solid construction. Highlights include the well-greased truck components, speed washers, and smooth ABEC-9 bearings.

However, even with additions like shock pads, a reasonably flexy deck, and soft wheels, I still felt road vibrations hitting my legs even on roads in decent condition to the extent that I had to slow down a lot at points. While I don't have the solution to the problem myself, I hope Lycaon will focus on this if they ever do a new version of this board rather than focus on more power.

All in all, this is an extremely capable board that only really falls short on ride quality. The performance tests, however, speak for themselves.

Lycaon GR 2021

I’ve tested this electric skateboard across more than 100 miles and benchmarked its;

• Top speed
• Acceleration
• Range

All my exclusive data and findings will be shared below, but let's quickly establish an overview of the main specs.

Main Specs At A Glance

It all sounds good on paper, but let’s jump into my benchmark tests and talk about its real-world performance.

Alternatives to Maxfind Max4 Pro

8.3 / 10

Possway T2

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8 / 10

Skatebolt Tornado II

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8.4 / 10

Lycaon GR 2021

Read Review

Speed & Motor Performance

The Maxfind Max4 Pro uses two 750W M5 hub motors yielding a 1500W nominal power output.

Top Speed Test

Maxfind advertises a 25 MPH (40.2 KMH) top speed. Using racing-grade GPS performance logging gear, I put that to the test.

As a 170 lbs (77 kg) rider, I was able to reach a top speed of 23.1 MPH (37.2 KMH). It should be said, however, that the weather is quite cold here in Denmark at the moment, which affects power delivery from the battery and the road surface was wet when testing.

Also, this test was run using the regular PU wheels - you can generally expect a slightly higher top speed with Cloudwheels. In better conditions and with Cloudwheels, I’m confident I would be able to reach about 25 MPH (40.2 KMH).

Stacking it up against comparable models, it outperforms the Backfire G2, while the Possway T2 and Skatebolt Tornado 2 score higher top speeds. All in all, these are fairly good results that place it somewhere in the middle of similarly priced models across the industry.

Acceleration Test

The Max4 Pro motors have 5 N.m (Newton-meters) of torque each which is quite good as torque has a lot of influence on acceleration.

It’s the same M5 motors you see on the more expensive Maxfind FF Street so it should have similar acceleration performance - maybe even slightly better thanks to the Max4 Pro being about 20% lighter.

Running 5+ acceleration tests, I averaged 0-15 MPH (24.4 KMH) in 4.67 seconds and 0-20 MPH (32.2 KMH) in 8.02 seconds.

These results follow suit with the top speed test - it once again beats the Backfire G2 while falling milliseconds shy of the Possway T2. The Tornado 2 once again wins this test.

Hill Climbing Tests

Maxfind states that the Max4 Pro can handle inclines of up to 30%. We don’t have that steep inclines in my area, but I managed to test it on an 800 ft (244 m) incline that peaks at around 20%. 

As the Maxfind Max4 Pro has a good amount of torque and motor power, it handled the incline surprisingly well.

The Skatebolt Tornado II is arguably slightly stronger on hills but it is notably less smooth to ride. Apart from that, I haven’t tested any boards in this price class that clearly outperforms the Max4 Pro on hills.

Maxfind Max4 Pro

Avg: $462.82

$44900

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Range & Battery Performance

The Maxfind Max4 Pro is geared with a 36V 10S2P Samsung battery with 158.2 Wh of capacity.

Without getting too technical, 10S2P means the battery pack is made up of 2 series of 10 battery cells which is 20 in total.

Maxfind uses Samsung 22P cells for this battery which is a reliable cell that has been on the market for more than ten years. It provides solid value for your money and stable performance. While there are better-performing cells out there today like the Samsung 30Q cells, they come at a higher price, making the Max4 Pro a better value option in most cases.

The Max4 Pro is unique in its design in that it has a fast-swap battery setup as we see on the Maxfind FF series as well. This means you can buy additional battery packs and get as much or as little range as you’d like.

Battery Capacity Comparison

When stacking the three battery options up against comparable models, it becomes evident that you don’t get a whole lot of battery capacity for your money with the single-battery edition.

The two-battery version goes neck to neck with the Backfire G2 and G3 in value while the triple battery bundle offers is some of the best value you’ll see in the industry.

We’ll touch further on what I think of the battery setup later.

Range Tests

Maxfind advertise 12 miles (19.3 km) of range per battery pack.

I put the battery to the test in three range tests at various speeds.

In the first test, I bottom out the throttle to go as fast as possible most of the time - this gave me 8.3 miles (13.4 km) of range.

In the second test, I cruise at an average of 14.9 MPH (24 KMH) and this gave me 10.2 miles (16.4 km) of range. This is what I consider the most accurate real-world estimation for others to compare to.

In the last test, I prioritize getting as far as possible by riding slower, coasting and making use of re-gen braking. This yielded 13.3 miles (21.4 km) of range.

Performance Retention

All electric skateboards will drop in performance as the battery level gets lower. This drop is often more pronounced with poor-quality cells while the performance remains more stable on higher-quality cells. 

As the Max4 Pro uses reliable Samsung 22P cells, I expected the performance to keep up nicely as the battery level diminished and my results support that well.

All in all, the battery performance is quite good. The performance retention is solid and there isn’t a lot of voltage sag except towards the very end of the charge. 

Board Design & Ride Quality

When it comes to the overall board design, there are a lot of great things to highlight. Maxfind have come a long way in refining their products since they first entered the market in 2015 and that comes to show on the Max4 Pro.

Weight

The weight is one of the Max4 Pro’s strong points. Weighing a humble 16.3 pounds (7.4 kg), it’s lighter than all the previously mentioned boards.

It seems to be a core value of the Maxfind business as the majority of their boards are lightweight and several of them have the quick-swap battery functionality.

If you’re after something lightweight in this price class, the Max4 Pro should be at the frontline of your considerations.

Deck

The Maxfind Max4 Pro features a sizable 8-layer Canadian maple deck. This is the ideal recipe for a sturdy and durable deck.

It’s not going to provide as much flex as a bamboo or fiberglass combination but the flex level still suits the ground clearance and makes for an overall stable ride while reducing vibrations felt from the road a bit. Higher flex boards will absorb more shocks but it comes at the expense of stability (particularly at higher speeds).

The deck is completely flat with no concave. I tend to prefer having at least a slight concave but it still does a solid job at keeping my feet comfortably in place.

The deck measures 37.8 inches (96 cm) in length and 8.3 inches (21 cm) in width. The ground clearance up to the electronics enclosure is 3 inches (7.6 cm).

Wheels

The Maxfind Max4 Pro comes with 96mm 78A PU wheels by default. It’s a fairly standard size for electric skateboards and the quality seems to be decent.

Through 100 miles with these, I’ve seen minimal wear although I’ve read some people saw them break down over time (which just about all PU wheels will through extended riding). 

78A is a fairly soft durometer rating for electric skateboards and it typically translates to a slightly more comfortable ride with more road grip though it trades in a bit of top-end speed and durability for that.

If you have a little extra money to spend, you may consider going for the 105mm CloudWheels. Although they’re a little slower off the line, you’ll get a higher top speed. They’re more heavy-duty and deal better with rough roads than the standard PU wheels. 

Although I didn’t get to test these exact CloudWheels, they’re immensely popular and work with a wide range of electric skateboards.

Trucks & Bushings

This electric skateboard uses proprietary Max II 45-degree trucks. They measure 10.6 inches (270mm) and they’re forged and CNC’d, which is a pleasant surprise. This is how high-end e-skate trucks are manufactured for optimal strength and precision.

The trucks are equipped with 98A elastic cone and barrel bushings. They’re fairly stiff which improves stability while still providing some of the cushioning and bounce you’ll be looking for when you want to carve.

The trucks were a little loose for me out of the box, so I simply tightened them a bit and now the board feels really stable across the speed spectrum. It carves quite well, but I generally prefer to ride with a stiffer truck setup as I don’t carve a whole lot.

All in all, the truck and bushing setup feels high quality and responsive with solid bounce to center. Whether you ride loose or tight, this setup does the job well.

Quick-Swap Battery

The Maxfind Max4 Pro is unique in that it utilizes a fast-swap battery setup. This is also seen on their FF series and it is quite an interesting feature with both pros and cons. 

The main positives are:

• You can get as much or as little range as you need by purchasing battery packs accordingly (with the option of upgrading later).
• An overall lower board weight as it relies on smaller battery packs.

The main negatives are:

• That you’ll have to charge all battery packs separately (an extra charger is included with each battery)
• You’ll have to stop on your ride to swap batteries from time to time

I personally think the sheer flexibility of this setup outweighs the cons that there may be. It’s not gonna speak to everybody but for those who value a lightweight board with the option to add more range down the line, the Max4 Pro is, in my opinion, the best board in this price class.

Waterproofing

With a quick-swap battery system, manufacturers have to be particularly careful with waterproofing. The ESC is rated at IPX7 while the motors and battery are rated IP65. These are, by all means, very impressive ratings.

An IP-rating refers to a tested level of protection against ingress for electronics. The above scores essentially mean that the ESC is waterproof while the battery pack is completely dust-proof and protected against low-pressure jets of water from all directions.

The hardware enclosure was my initial main concern as it seems to be just metal on metal but I found I could easily ride on wet surfaces for an extended amount of time without any water entering the enclosure. However, I highly recommend you wipe it down if it is wet after usage as water has an annoying tendency to creep in through small openings over time.

Honestly, the battery and ESC are both well-protected. Through use in the rain, I think it’s more likely that the power button or the connection wires to the motors will wear down before any crucial components are affected.

It should be said that, like all other manufacturers, Maxfind does not cover water damage so to get the most out of your board for the long term, definitely dry it after riding.

Drive Kit

The Max4 Pro is actually based on the M5 drive kit also offered by Maxfind. It’s all the same hardware apart from the deck. For those who are looking for customization options, you can get exactly the same performance with your preferred deck by getting the M5 drive kit instead.

Build & Ride Quality Summarized

While there are boards that offer similar performance at a slightly lower price, I think the Maxfind Max4 Pro shines brighter than most when it comes to the build and ride quality.

From the reliable truck setup and the sturdy and stable deck to the flexible battery setup and strong ingress protection, Maxfind have clearly paid attention to the small details that elevate the riding experience.

Maxfind Max4 Pro

Avg: $462.82

$44900

Get Deal

ESC & Remote

The Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) is the brain of your electric skateboard. If the ESC isn’t up to the task, you can have the most reliable motors and battery but your ride will still suffer.

Maxfind utilizes a Hobbywing 9005 ESC that they’ve customized to optimize the performance with the other electronic components.

On electric skateboards in this price range, I always look for ones that use Hobbywing ESCs as I find the acceleration and braking performance to be smoother and more responsive than other options like Wahndt or Ying Li ESCs.

Though some of the alternatives offer features like push-starting and different braking modes, the Hobbywing boards I’ve tried always win on operation smoothness - and the Max4 Pro is no exception.

The Max4 Pro utilizes a fairly standard ZYD7002 remote compatible with most Hobbywing ESCs. This is a tried and tested design that many different brands use and I’ve always had a good experience with it. 

The remote feels great in the hand. Its surface is smooth without being slippery and the wrist strap is a detail I love to see as you won’t lose the remote while riding which could otherwise result in an accident.

The remote has an OLED display that’ll show important information like the board and remote battery, speed mode (1-4), current speed, riding direction, and an odometer.

The throttle wheel at the top works really well. It is easy to make small and precise adjustments and the overall latency to communicate that to the board is really low.

The braking level follows the speed mode well, so you’ll experience softer braking in the slower modes with more stopping power applied in the faster modes.

All in all, the ESC and remote control are solid. It’s a proven design that many popular brands in the sub $1,000 category abide by for good reason. 

Final Verdict - Who Should Buy The Maxfind Max4 Pro?

The Maxfind Max4 Pro is a versatile full-sized electric skateboard with smooth operation and a solid powertrain.

While there are several competing boards that match it on specs at a lower price, the low weight and quick-swap battery functionality make for a unique offering ideal for those who prefer something portable with adaptable range. 

The Max4 Pro shines in its built quality - all parts seem to play together really well from the strong deck and truck setup to the high-torque motors and Samsung battery packs.

The customized Hobbywing ESC provides smooth acceleration and braking through the responsive low-latency remote and all in all it’s just a really pleasant ride.

I don’t have any particular issues with the Maxfind Max4 Pro - it’s a well-finished product all around. If you value portability and smooth operation over raw power value (like the Skatebolt Tornado II), this is likely one of the best options out there for you.

If the idea of having a quick-swap battery setup speaks to you the Max4 Pro is gonna be hard to beat in this price range. 

Maxfind Max4 Pro

Avg: $462.82

$44900

Get Deal

The answer is yes! In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about electric skateboard conversion kits, including their pros and cons, the best electric skateboard kits on the market, buying considerations, and frequently asked questions. By the guide’s conclusion, you’ll be ready to decide on the conversion kit. 

Pros & Cons of Electric Skateboard Kits

Knowing both the advantages and downsides of conversion kits helps you make the right choice.

On the plus side, attaching a motor and battery to a skateboard lets you test out a motorized ride on a deck you’re already familiar with. If you aren’t sure how to ride an electric skateboard, it’s pretty much the same as a regular skateboard in terms of balance and turning. The main difference is that you’ll use a remote control to accelerate, slow down, and brake. Check out our guide here for more riding tips. The other advantage of DIY skateboard or electric longboard kits is that many of them are more affordable than pre-made electric skateboards. There’s also the fun of putting it together and customizing everything. For many riders, customization is the main reason why they opt for a kit instead of a regular e-board. 

What about cons? If you aren’t into DIY, the work it takes to put the motor, battery and ESC on your board will be a downside. Pre-made electric skateboards are pretty much good to go out of the box, while that’s obviously not the case for a DIY kit. There’s also safety to consider. Each part in a good electric skateboard kit is safe, but if you put parts together incorrectly on your board, it could turn out poorly. Consider your DIY knowledge and how much time you want to spend learning before purchasing a kit. If the price is what draws you to conversion kits but you aren’t otherwise sold on the idea, we have a guide on the best cheap electric skateboards that might interest you. 

Top 10 Electric Skateboard Conversion Kits

Specs at a glance: 

• Range: 12-20 miles (depends on motor and wheels) 
• Top speed: Stock setup is 28 mph (can get up to 40 mph with 20T motor pulley, 40T wheel pulley, 275M belt size, and 120mm wheel size) 
• Motor type: Belt-driven
• Motor power: 4900W 
• Battery: 216 Wh /324 Wh 
• Electronic speed controller: VESC 

Our pick for best electric skateboard conversion kit has a single-motor and dual-motor option. Both use a high-quality Samsung battery, the size of which you can choose. You can be confident in the reliability of either choice. With the 216wh battery size option, you can choose a 12-mile range with Cloud wheels or a 14-mile range with 97mm wheels. With the 324wh option, the cloud wheels get you an 18-mile range and the 97mm-wheels get you an impressive 20 miles. The dual 3000W motors put out a combined maximum of 6000 watts at peak power, which equals great torque. Stock speed is 28 miles per hour (can get up to 40 mph with 20T motor pulley, 40T wheel pulley, 275M belt size, and 120mm wheel size).

The modular drivetrain (which delivers power from the motor to the wheels) is easy to pair with hundreds of wheel types. You get a Tayto deck with the kit, too, which is compact and great at making tight turns. The motor controller is VESC-based and lets you customize just about everything, including the remote you use, motors, different batteries, etc. You can purchase a Bluetooth adapter separately. 

Specs at a glance: 

• Range: 10-20 miles (depends on motor and wheels) 
• Top speed: Stock setup is 28 mph (can get up to 40 mph with 20T motor pulley, 40T wheel pulley, 275M belt size, and 120mm wheel size) 
• Motor type: Belt-driven
• Motor power: 4900W
• Battery: 324 wh 
• Electronic speed controller: VESC 

Another BKB kit, this one offers the option of 6-inch pneumatic tires, which are great for off-road riding. With the 324wh Samsung battery, you can expect a 10-14 mile range. The dual 3000W motors provide a combined max of 6000W power, so you'll get great torque and fast top speeds. The stock setup gets you 28 mph, but you can mod the electric skateboard to get to a speedy 40 mph. 

The VESC-based motor controller is perfect for DIY fans as it lets you swap the standard battery, motor, remote, and more. You can tune the acceleration and brake curve any way you want. BKB also provides a Bluetooth module that wirelessly programs the VESC. The deck's design accommodates mods, as well, so it stays stable even at the highest speeds. It flexes down, up, and returns to center after going over an obstacle, which is more likely if you’re off-roading. There are two flex levels for riders heavier than 240 pounds. 

Specs at a glance: 

• Range: 14-16 miles 
• Top speed: 26 mph
• Motor type: Belt-driven
• Motor power: 1000W
• Battery: 30Q, 9.0Ah - 324 Wh
• Electronic speed controller: Hobbywing ESC 

If you want to build an electric skateboard on a budget, this kit is a good choice. It uses a customized Hobbywing ESC with a sensor and Samsung 30Q, 9.0Ah, 324 Wh battery. Thanks to a high discharge rate, you get hill-climbing capabilities of 30%. The 5045-270Kv motor is belt-driven. The braking system is regenerative. Different riding modes (controlled by a 2.4G wireless remote) determine the board’s speed, so if you’re a beginner, you’ll start with 12.5 mph. As you progress, you’ll end up at 26 mph. On a full charge, you can expect a great range of 14-16 miles. As with all e-boards, the faster you go, the less range you’ll get.

There are three kit options that come with different materials, so be sure you’ve selected the one you want. None of them come with a deck; you’ll be installing everything on a regular skateboard deck. The full Ownboard W2 Kit (which costs about $550) comes with the dual belt motor installed on the trucks, the ESC, the battery installed, the front wheels, the remote, an extra belt, screws and nuts, and so on. 

Specs at a glance: 

• Range: 12-36 miles 
• Top speed: 25mph top speed 
• Motor type: Hub 
• Motor power: 1500W
• Battery: Samsung 10S2P, 4.4Ah, 158Wh, 36V
• Electronic speed controller: Hobbywing ESC 

This impressive kit employs a high-torque, 750-watt dual motor system and Samsung 4.4Ah lithium battery. You can expect 30% climbing abilities and a 25mph top speed. To customize the range, you can quickly swap in different batteries that provide between 12-36 miles of ride time per charge. A new Hobbywing ESC powers the entire kit, combining powerful acceleration with an electronic brake system. There are four safe riding modes accessible by the 2.4G signal range remote control with an LCD screen. Another cool feature? The ESC has an IPX7 certification, which means it can handle being submerged 1 meter in water for 30 minutes.

The other noteworthy feature is the new Max Truck II. It uses special forging and CNC milling, which improves its stability even at the electric skateboard's top speed. It has a 45-degree angle and anti-scratch coating. For kits with hub motors, the Maxfind M5 was our favorite. 

Specs at a glance: 

• Range: 14-16 miles 
• Top speed: 26 mph 
• Motor type: Hub 
• Motor power: 500W
• Battery: 144 Wh / 216 Wh / 288 Wh
• Electronic speed controller: Hobbywing ESC 

This kit comes from the same brand as the W2, but uses a dual hub motor instead of a belt drive. The benefit of hub motors is that they tend to be quieter and need less maintenance. The kit includes everything you need (except a deck), including SHR85A 250W dual motors, 52-mm wheels, trucks, a 2.4G wireless remote, and Hobbywing ESC. As with the belt version of this kit, there are different kit options, including one without a battery. For batteries, you can choose a version with a 4.0Ah battery or a larger 8.0Ah battery size. While we couldn’t find specific specs like range and miles per hour for this kit, it seems like it’s comparable to the belt drive motor version. 

Specs at a glance:

• Range: 10-30 miles 
• Top speed: 23mph
• Motor type: Hub 
• Motor power: 2400W
• Battery: Samsung 10S2P, 6.0Ah, 216Wh, 36V
• Electronic speed controller: Hobbywing ESC 

If you’re looking for powerful torque, this kit from Maxfind is a great choice. It boasts a 35-degree top climbing ability, as well as an off-road dual hub motor with 2400W total power. That gets you a top speed of 23 mph and range options of 10, 20, or 30 miles, depending on the battery you choose. It takes just 10 seconds to swap in your preferred battery. For the kit’s brain, it’s got a new Hobbywing ESC with a max turbo mode and electronic brake system. The 2.4G signal range remote with an LCD screen lets you choose between 4 safe riding modes. For a smooth ride, play around with the power output. 

The wheels and trucks are the last features to discuss. At 6.5-inches, the honeycomb rubber tires are great for off-roading conditions like rocks and stones. The double Kingpin trucks with an anti-scratch coating are also built for rugged roads.

Specs at a glance: 

• Range: 13 miles 
• Top speed: 26mph
• Motor type: Hub 
• Motor power: 1680W 
• Battery: 180 Wh
• Electronic speed controller: Unknown

This conversion kit is expensive but comes with impressive performance specs that justify that price. It features two motors and two lithium-ion batteries, which give you a 13-mile range and 26 mph top speed. Torque is good for a 20-degree hill climb. There’s regenerative braking, too. Considering that power, the kit is fairly light at just 9 pounds. Adjust the speed, acceleration, and braking settings to your liking with the remote control, which also offers three rides modes - Snail, Eco, and Pro. For an extra boost, hit the nitro setting. 

What about the wheels? The kit has Orangatang Caguama standard wheels, which have been a leader in e-skate urethane for many years. We also liked the durable enclosure material and the IP65 rating. You can buy this Race kit in three forms: just the bare-bones kit or with Icarus or Tesseract decks. 

Specs at a glance: 

• Range: 7.5-10 miles 
• Top speed: About 25 mph 
• Motor type: Hub 
• Motor power: 1000W
• Battery: Voltage 99 Wh
• Electronic speed controller: Unknown

We’re calling this a classic kit because Mellow began as a Kickstarter years ago before other companies realized the market for conversion kits. Mellow Drive has two in-wheel motors with good torque and a maximum hill grade of 15%. At its fastest, it can get your board to around 24 mph. The range is a bit on the low side at 7.5-10 miles. The lithium-ion battery cells come from Tesla and have a 99Wh voltage. With the fast charger, it takes just 45 minutes to fuel the kit. 

Construction-wise, it’s a good product with a solid magnesium single-frame click-in mechanism for the battery pack, and a standard 6-hole, 180mm truck. The kit has an IP65 ingress protection rating. From the remote, you can switch your riding mode, see your battery life, and update the technology. There’s an encrypted Bluetooth connection, too.

Specs at a glance:

• Range: 13 miles 
• Top speed: 23 mph 
• Motor type: Hub 
• Motor power: 840W 
• Battery: 180 Wh 
• Electronic Speed Controller: Unknown

What makes the Cruiser kit unique is its size and efficiency. It weighs just 6.6 pounds and works on just about any truck and deck. It has one motor (with a max power of 840 watts) and two 2.5Ah lithium-ion batteries that are air travel-friendly. With those performance specs, you can get up to 13 miles of range and a 23 mph max speed.

The FOC drive system has regenerative braking, which helps with the range. To control the board, the remote lets you adjust the settings to your liking and choose between three riding modes. Worried about durability? All the components are high-quality, including the carbon plate and urethane Orangatang wheels. You can choose to get the Cruiser kit on its own or with either the Icarus deck or the Tesseract deck. 

Specs at a glance: 

• Range: 6-15 miles 
• Top speed: 28 mph 
• Motor type: Direct-driven 
• Motor power: 1100W
• Battery: 144 Wh / 216 Wh
• Electronic speed controller: Unknown

Fairly affordable with all the essentials, this Revel kit is available with two battery options: a standard and extended range. With the standard range, you can get between 6-10 miles per charge. The extended range gets you 10-15 miles. There’s regenerative braking, too, which helps you get that longer range on both batteries. Both options hit a max speed of 28 mph. Because of the good torque on the 1100W dual brushless motors, the kit can hit a max hill climb of 20%. As a direct-drive kit, it works similarly to a hub motor, but because the motor isn’t inside the wheel, you can swap out wheels easily with the right adapter. The stock wheels are a standard 90mm, but the Revel kit is compatible with wheels ranging from 85mm to 120mm. Switching the wheels (and the batteries) is simple. 

The remote is impressive, too. It’s 4WD-ready, which means it can be paired with another Revel kit at once for a four-wheel drive experience. It also has a Bluetooth Low-Energy connection. When it’s at low battery or out of range from the board, it vibrates. 

Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Skateboard Kit

We’ve given you ten options for conversion kits, but if you want to consider what else is out there, what buying considerations do you need to think about? Let’s break down what you should take a closer look at: 

Battery and range 

The battery that comes in the electric skateboard conversion kit is very important. It determines how fast your skateboard will go and how far it can go on one charge. One of the nice things about conversion kits is that more often than not, you get different choices for batteries. This lets you customize your board’s speed and range. There are different aspects of a battery you want to know about. The voltage impacts torque, speed, and range. The higher the voltage, the more torque you get. You want to be sure the motor is compatible with the voltage. If you get too high of a voltage, it might not work with the motor. 

Another aspect is the Ampere, which is abbreviated as “A.” This affects the top speed that the battery can support. “Ah” refers to how far the electric skateboard will go. If you want to prioritize range, Ah is one of the most important specs to look at. A battery with 5Ah will take you about 6 miles while 10Ah can go about 18 miles. WattHours is another good indicator of a range because it refers to the battery’s size. For general battery quality, companies like Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung are the best. 

Motor, speed, and acceleration 

The motor, speed, and acceleration of an electric skateboard kit relate to the battery, but they’re worth considering on their own, too. There are two kinds of motors: belt and hub. Belt motors are more traditional.

An electric motor drives the motor pulley and is connected by a belt, thus the name “belt motor.” Because these motors have more air exposure, they don’t need built-in cooling systems. They’re also more water-resistant.

Hub motors are quieter than belt motors and are found inside the wheel. They get overheated more easily, so there are holes in the motor casing. This reduces its resistance to water, so you shouldn’t ride an electric skateboard with a hub motor through wet areas.

There are also direct-drive motors, though they're less common. They're very similar to hub motors, but the motor is embedded differently and mounted right on the rear trucks. 

What about speed and acceleration? All electric skateboard conversion kits will let you know their speed. Depending on the battery and motor performance, there’s a wide range. Some top out at 10mph while others are really fast at 24 miles per hour or more. As a general rule, the faster you go, the less range you get.

As for acceleration, this refers to how long it takes the skateboard to speed up. Acceleration is linked to the power to weight ratio, which means if you’re brushing the skateboard’s top weight capacity, it will take longer to get those top speeds than if you were lighter. Larger wheels can also impact acceleration; the bigger the wheels, the slower the acceleration. 

ESC (Electronic Speed Controller)

The ESC is the electric skateboard’s brain. It’s very important because it controls the drive and speed of the motor, as well as the braking system and acceleration.

If you get a conversion kit and the ESC isn’t very good, you won’t be happy with your converted e-skateboard, no matter how impressive the other parts are. You don’t want to end up with a great motor and battery that a poor ESC can’t support.

So what does a good ESC do? It allows more voltage and bigger Ampere to pass through the skateboard. Good ESCs also give you better control over acceleration and braking. When looking for DIY electric skateboard kits, be sure to look at the ESC to see what battery series it can handle and how much Ampere it can support. 

Ease of assembly

How much work do you want to put into creating electric longboards or skateboards? Some people want a really quick, easy experience. There are conversion kits that require very little work, while others are more labor-intensive.

For many people, the allure of a conversion kit lies in getting their hands a little dirty and seeing how everything works. If that’s you, you can find conversion kits that take more effort. If you’re interested in a conversion kit more because of the comparably lower price and not the DIY aspect, you can also find kits that only ask you to turn some screws. 

Component quality

All components in a DIY electric skateboard matter. If the components are inferior, the entire set-up is inferior. You don’t want an electric skateboard made of frail, weak parts. To find the best electric skateboard kit, look at each part in a kit before purchasing.

That includes the grip tape, screws, wires, and tires, along with the bigger parts like the battery pack and motor. Price is a good indicator of quality to a certain point, meaning that if it’s dirt-cheap, the quality probably isn’t amazing. You can still find high-quality electric skateboard kits that save money, though, so don’t feel like you have to buy the most expensive one.

Support and warranty 

Never underestimate the value of good warranties and reliable customer support. The warranty is included in the product description (as an example, the Maxfind M6 Drive Kit has a 270-day warranty), so check out the specifics so you don’t miss anything.

Limited warranties are common, meaning that if it’s a quality issue, the company will help you resolve the problem. That might mean repairing or replacing a part if necessary. Warranties are separate from returns, which means the warranty doesn’t apply if you simply don’t like the electric skateboard kit. 

As for customer support, some companies are better than others. You can often get a sense of the brand’s reputation through reviews or places like the BBB. Many brands these days also maintain social media pages where they give advice, video walkthroughs, and more. These pages are especially useful if you’re new to DIY and want something more than the traditional instruction manual. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are some of the most commonly-asked questions about electric skateboard conversion kits:

Decided that you want to look into complete electric skateboards? Check out our list of the 'best electric skateboards' round-up. 

Conclusion 

There’s nothing quite like building something with your own hands. Electric skateboard conversion kits let you transform a regular skateboard into something totally new. Best of all, you get pretty much total control over your ride experience and how your board operates. With pre-made electric skateboards, it’s all done for you, so if there’s something you don’t like, you’re kind of stuck with it. That’s not the case with kits.

In this guide, we went over ten of the best electric skateboard kits, including the best overall, best budget kit, best torque, best hub motor, and more. When looking at kits, pay attention to factors like the battery and range, ease of assembly, the ESC, and so on. Every part matters. With the right know-how, you can DIY an electric skateboard that rivals what big brands are producing.

Before we start, I just want to give a friendly disclaimer: I was sent this board by Possway for testing purposes. I have not been paid to do this review, and Possway does not get any input on this video’s production. They do not get to preview it before it’s posted.

Before we get into the hands-on performance test data, let’s establish a quick overview of the Possway T2. The T2 is a budget-friendly introduction into the world of e-skating with a classic design, a sizable deck and plenty of power to unlock as you gradually improve your riding skills. It is geared with two 480W hub motors, a 280Wh battery, and 90mm polyurethane wheels. It has a concave deck for maneuverability and 3mm shock-absorbing foam grip tape to dampen road vibrations.

It all looks good on paper, but let’s see how it performs in the real world and compares to similarly priced models.

Alternatives to Possway T2

8.2 / 10

Maxfind Max4 Pro

$449 USD

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8.4 / 10

Lycaon GR 2021

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8 / 10

Skatebolt Tornado II

$479 USD

Read Review

Possway T2

$41900

Get Deal

Speed & Motor Performance

The Possway T2 is equipped with two 480W hub motors that yield a specified top speed of 26 MPH (42 km/h). The speed can be gradually unlocked through four different speed modes on the remote control and it is set to be able to handle up to 30-degree inclines when at peak power.

Top Speed Tests

Using my pro-grade performance logger, I went out to test the top speed. At 165 pounds, I was able to reach a speed of 23.8 MPH (38.3 km/h) on a flat surface. While it isn’t 26 MPH like advertised, it still stacks up very well to similarly priced models, just falling short of the slightly more expensive Skatebolt Tornado 2. Interestingly, however, the Possway T2 offers the best value in terms of speed versus cost out of the bunch. So if you wanna have the ability to go fast without breaking the bank, the T2 may be your ideal match.

Acceleration Tests

On paper, two 480W motors should yield solid acceleration. I tested it out and was able to go from 0-15 MPH in 4.65 s and 0-20 MPH in 7.75 s. The full top speed was reached in 12.44 s.

Comparatively, these stats are better than the Maxfind Max 2 Pro by a comfortable margin. It falls slightly short of the Skatebolt Tornado 2 which got to 15 MPH in 4.04 seconds.

Unless you’re really experienced on an electric skateboard, you’ll find the acceleration of the T2 to be more than enough. The acceleration in the fastest speed mode is almost enough to get the wheels slipping so it definitely packs a punch.

Hill Climb Test

Depending on where you live, hill climb ability may be very important to you. Possway advertises that this board is able to handle 30% inclines. There’s often a lot of misconceptions between percentages and degrees. 30% does not mean 30 degrees. It requires a bit of math but actually, it translates to a 16.7-degree incline - which the Possway T2 and any of the other boards mentioned can definitely handle. 

The steepest hill in my area is 24 degrees which is very steep. I found the Possway T2 was able to climb it at 7.2 mph at full charge. Comparatively, the Tornado 2 hit 8 mph on the same hill while the Backfire G2 hit 5.5 mph and the Skatebolt Max 2 Pro snailed its way up at just 3.4 mph.

Range & Battery Performance

Range and battery performance are essential factors for many riders, and it’s usually where the budget-friendly boards fall notably short of the more premium ones.

As the battery is the single most expensive component of an electric skateboard, it’s essential to do your research and not just go off by the manufacturer's range specification as it is often an overestimation. It’s also important you make up your mind on how much range you actually need, as you may end up with the wrong purchase otherwise.

The Possway T2 has a 36V 7.8Ah battery which translates to an effective battery capacity of 280 Wh. That’s more than the Backfire G2 and Max 2 Pro and 10% smaller than the Skatebolt Tornado 2 battery. 

If you stack the battery capacity up against the price, the Possway T2 actually wins once again - slightly beating with Tornado 2 and with the Max 2 Pro offering the least value.

Range Test

Battery capacity on paper is one thing but actual battery performance and quality is just as important. So how far can you go on a full charge with the Possway T2? I set out to test this using my GPS data logger. 

I rode the battery empty on a full charge at three various speeds to see how far I could get.

In the first test, I ride pretty much as fast as I dare most of the time, really prioritizing speed over range. This resulted in a range of 12.9 miles.

In the second test, I ride like I normally would when I’m out cruising. This is a more moderate average speed and what I’d consider the most useful real-life range test for others to compare to. In this test, I got 15.8 miles on a charge.

In the last test, I really tried to push the range as much as I could by riding slowly from start to finish and minimizing stops and fast accelerations. This gave me a range of 17.9 miles.

Stacking the results from the 2nd up against the bunch it once again beats out the Backfire and Maxfind boards while losing out slightly to the more expensive Tornado 2.

Based on my knowledge of the industry as a whole and the models available, I would say the T2 offers some of the best value in terms of range in the sub $600 price range.

Possway T2

$41900

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Board Design

Board Weight

The official site states that the Possway T2 weighs 17.5 pounds but I weighed it to be 19 pounds. Still, it’s relatively lightweight considering the dimensions and the fairly large battery capacity. Giving it the benefit of the doubt (as the other boards may also be off from the specified weights) it stacks up nicely to comparable models. The Backfire G2 doesn’t have anywhere near the same battery capacity and the Exway Flex Hub runs you more than $200 extra.

Deck

The Possway T2 has a relatively large deck that’ll accommodate riders of all sizes. It measures 37” by 9.17”. The deck has a distinct concave that I really like. It helps with control and traction and makes it quite easy to shift your weight safely if you want to carve.

The deck has a unique 3mm layer of foam grip tape said to absorb road vibrations. And I’d say it actually works pretty well to an extent - it’s not magic or anything like that but it does seem to dampen the ride a bit. The grip tape is actually quite nice as well. It provides solid grip without being the annoying old-school type of grip tape that’ll scratch your skin or clothes. As it is raised at the edges, I find that it’s a little prone to taking damage compared to flat grip tape that’s sanded down.

The deck itself is made of 5 layers of Canadian maple and 2 layers of fiberglass. It feels super strong and the two layers of fiberglass help reduce the weight slightly.

It isn’t as flexy as some of the bamboo decks I’ve tried but it is still plenty more than the likes of the Tornado 2. It’s a solid midway that mitigates quite a lot of road vibrations without compromising stability at higher speeds. In my opinion, the level of flex on this board is very suitable for newer riders who are still finding their way and personal preferences in the e-skating scene as it’s a very balanced midway of flex and stiffness.

You have about 4.45 inches (11.3 cm) of ground clearance up to the deck itself but only 2.09 inches (5.3 cm) up to the battery enclosure, which may be worth noting for heavier riders when going over potholes or down a curb as the battery housing could potentially scratch against the ground. As I’m a 165-pound rider, I didn’t have this issue myself but I imagine riders over 220 pounds (100 kg) should be a little wearier in this regard.

Wheels, Trucks & Bushings

The T2 uses 90x52 mm SHR urethane wheels with a solid balance between softness and durability. They have an 82A durometer rating which is right down the middle for balancing grip, durability, shock absorption and speed. Personally, I prefer riding 90mm like these or 96mm ones on electric skateboards as it makes it much easier to go over cracks and small obstacles. They’ve been doing their job well and after 100 miles of riding, I haven’t really noticed much wear on them.

There isn’t that much to say about the truck and bushing system. It’s a fairly generic 45-degree 7-inch truck setup. It’s responsive and stable but not as smooth as some higher-end boards which is expectable at this price. After about 30 miles I loosened up the trucks a bit and that helped make the ride more comfortable overall with better shock absorption.

Other Design Notes

I was a little confused by the way the grip tape was placed. I’m not sure if it was a printing error with the batch or intentional but usually, you’ll have the logo text pointing towards you but that wasn’t the case here. You always want to have the motors at the back and not the front so just make sure you check which way you’re riding to get optimal performance and stability.

Lastly, it has an IP54-weatherproof rating which means it’s protected against splashes and most dust so if you ever get caught in the rain, the board should survive just fine.

Remote Control & ESC

The ESC is the brain of your electric skateboard. This is where the functionality and reliability come from. This functionality is extended into the wireless remote from where you can operate your board.

Electronic Speed Controller

The Possway T2 uses a Wanhdt ESC that is also used by brands such as TeamGee, Blitzart, Maxfind, Skatebolt and Lycaon. This means that a lot of these entry-level boards essentially work the same way. It also means that whatever pros and cons the ESC has may very well apply to a wide range of models across all of these brands. 

I’m pleased to say that, most of the way, this ESC works very nicely. There’s solid speed linearity, smooth acceleration and using the OLED remote, you can choose between four different speed modes. The ESC also features cruise control which can be super useful on those longer rides.

Additionally, you can also toggle between four different braking modes which is a really nice feature to have - it’s something I feel every e-skateboard should have because as a beginner you want more forgiving braking until you get enough experience to stop on a dime in braking mode four.

The only slight issue I found with the ESC is that the initial braking can feel a bit abrupt - even when you’re in the lowest braking mode. While the braking itself is pretty linear, it does feel jumpy right when you engage it, which is definitely something I hope they’ll address in the future. Ideally, braking should be completely linear and smooth from beginning to end but it does kick in a little abruptly.

To be fair, a lot of budget-friendly boards suffer under this issue but that doesn’t make it any less daunting when you’re just trying to go slowly downhill. All in all, a solid ESC but there’s room for improvement with the initial braking.

Bluetooth Remote Control

Now, the remote itself feels really nice. It is shaped nicely to ensure a comfortable and strong grip and the trigger-style throttle feels smooth.

It has an OLED display that shows remote and board battery levels, current speed along with an odometer. In the settings, you can toggle between imperial and metric units.

A small detail that’s often overlooked is the attachable wrist strap - It’s added safety which is nice to see.

Final Verdict - Who Should Buy The Possway T2?

All in all, the Possway T2 is a very good budget electric skateboard. It’s definitely amongst the top contenders as far as value goes and it balances different use cases quite well throughout its build. It has plenty of range and speed for the majority of skaters. With several speed and braking modes, it serves as a solid option for both beginners and well-versed riders. I especially like the concave deck and the fairly large 280Wh battery capacity and it doesn’t feel too heavy to carry around either.

The board isn’t perfect - as with any budget option, there are a few weak points. In this case, I’d say that the slightly abrupt initial braking is the biggest con but overall I think the pros outweigh the cons greatly. After all, this type of jumpy braking is seen across a wide range of entry-level boards. I have ridden boards with better shock absorption and smoother truck and bushing setups but the stability is quite good at high speeds and it is pretty easy to carve as well.

Possway T2

$41900

Get Deal

*These specifications are based on our own tests and may differ from those specified by the manufacturer/retailers.

Full Specifications

Do you dream of exploring the woods on an electric skateboard, unhindered by bumps in your path? Or maybe you want to speed down the beach on a beautiful day, knowing that your board is safe from the sand? If you want to take your riding beyond city roads, you want an off-road electric skateboard.

These boards go by a few names. Some brands call their product an “all-terrain electric skateboard” or an “electric mountain skateboard." Unlike your normal electric skateboard, these beasts can tackle any surface. Many of them are hybrids and are great on both smooth and rough ground.

In this buying guide, we’ll run down the best off-road electric skateboards and educate you on everything you need to know before making your buying decision.

Top 9 Best Off-Road Electric Skateboards

Packed with power, the Backfire Ranger X2 can handle just about any type of terrain you could throw at it. Let’s look at the wheels right off the bat. Wheels are important for any electric dirt skateboard. On the Ranger X2, they’re 6.5-inches, airless, and made with a honeycomb structure and special rubber. This rubber helps with friction, which gives you better shock absorption.

The dual-motor system gives you a total of 2400 watts. The battery is a 50.4V 454Wh battery. Together, they provide a top speed of almost 22 mph and range between 16-22 miles. Best of all, the system is sealed, so you don’t need to worry about sand, dirt, and other debris getting inside. The board is also water and dust-resistant.

If you’re new to riding, you’ll love the special curved, flexible deck on the Ranger X2. It reduces vibrations, which is essential on rough ground. This off-road electric skateboard isn’t cheap, but you’re getting features and quality that justify the price.

To turn this all-terrain electric longboard into an all-terrain ride, you do have to buy the all-terrain wheelset separately. The set includes four 120mm-wheels, 8 bearings, and 4 spacers. Once you have those wheels, you’ve got a great premium off-road electric skateboard. It has a Dual Direct-Drive brushless motor system with 3200 watts of power. The 10.4Ah battery gets you a long range of 25 miles per charge, which is perfect for rides in the forest, beach, and wherever else you want to go.

Durability-wise, the Halo Board Beast is made from maple with a carbon fiber blend battery case. That case keeps your battery safe on rough terrain, while the longer deck helps with stability and smoothness. Halo recommends this board for kids (10 and older) and adults.

The Maxfind FF Plus is one of the most unique offerings in the off-road electric skateboard space. Apart from its extremely impressive specs at a low price, it boasts itself on having a unique quick-swap battery setup. Fill up your backpack with as many or as few batteries as you want and change them on the go to unlock as much range as you need.

With double kingpin trucks, 98A elastic PU bushings and an extremely flexy fiber-glass composite deck you are in for an awesome riding experience that'll keep you stable at high speeds while maintaining the ability to carve and turn easily.

With its replaceable tire design, you can swap the wheels for 96mm ones or 105mm Cloudwheels (also from Maxfind) if you want to further maximize speed and range on smooth pavements. It's really an all-in-one package that answered to my deepest desires in a versatile board.

The torque and initial acceleration are incredibly good, making it an all-terrain monster capable of climbing steep hills of up to 35%. Apart from that, the Maxfind FF Plus uses a Hobbywing (HW9005) ESC which prides itself on offering super smooth acceleration and braking whereas other cheap boards using YingLi and Wahndt ESCs may suffer from jerky speed adjustments.

I would've liked to see a slightly larger battery option so I don't have to swap batteries so often on the go but at this price point, the FF Plus is almost impossible to beat.

Exclusive Discount: Save 5% on your Maxfind order using coupon code "ERIDEHERO" at checkout.

The Evolve Bamboo GTR All-Terrain model is a powerhouse dirt skateboard made for experienced riders looking for an upgrade. It has a dual 1500-watt motor, ceramic precision bearings, and big 7-inch all-terrain wheels. Those wheels are pneumatic, which means they do need to be maintained, but they offer a smoother ride. The battery is also large at 14Ah with a custom battery management system.

In terms of construction, the board is beautiful and durable. It’s made from 3-ply bamboo and 2-ply fiberglass. The forged trucks are made for carving. What’s special about this board is its hill grade. In GTR mode, it can handle hills with a 30% gradient. That’s incredibly steep. Thanks to the redesigned battery system, going up steep hills is also improved because the board won’t drop into ECO mode when it’s working hard.

A great choice for speed demons, this electric mountain board also has a terrific range.

Thanks to that powerful motor and battery system, so you can tackle just about any type of terrain the road throws at you. The wide trucks are also well-designed, so the board feels stable. The pneumatic wheels, which are huge, are made from real rubber. This allows them to absorb bumps and provide traction, which is crucial when you’re going off-road.

The deck is made of 11 layers of Canadian maple, so there’s nice flexibility. The motor and battery are protected by stainless steel plates. Considering all these features, the off-road electric skateboard comes at a good price. It does appear to be meant for experienced riders, though, so bear that in mind.

Looking for a board that doubles as a street e-skateboard and electric dirt board? The Atom Electric B18-DX wants to be that board. You have the choice of 90mm or 100mm wheels. There are four gear options. If you’re going for all-terrain with the wheels, the product page recommends gear ratio 2. For great acceleration and braking, the board uses FOC software.

For comfortable riding, the deck is made from a hybrid maple and bamboo deck. The maple provides the stiffness you need for precision carving, while the bamboo gets you flexibility for bumps. If you want to be able to transform your board back and forth between street and all-terrain, take a closer look at the B18-DX. It was designed with you in mind.

7. Atom B10X Electric Longboard

For under $500, this electric longboard is cheap compared to some of the other motorized skateboards out there. Its 1000-watt motor and Samsung 25R batteries get you up to 15mph and 7 miles of range. To tackle hills, the custom FOC sine-wave speed controllers and battery provide good torque.

A fairly light board at only 14 pounds, the deck is made from a bamboo/maple blend, which is strong and flexible. The electronics are cased in die-cast aluminum, so you can be confident the battery is protected when you’re on rougher terrain.

Because of its affordability and less powerful motor, the Atom B10X is a great choice for kids. It's also good for adult beginners who aren’t sure if they’ll love off-roading riding.

For an electric mountain board made for kids under 13-years old, the WesternPacific has some serious power. It uses a dual-motor system for a total of 3300 watts, which offers fast speeds and a decent range. The wheels are huge - they’re 8 inches. This makes the board great for gravel, dirt, and grass.

Since this board is meant for kids, it has some great features for beginners. These include four brake modes and four riding modes. There are also bindings, which can help the rider feel more secure. Considering the power on the board, it comes at a pretty good price.

There may not be anything especially unique about this board, but it’s impressive enough to talk about. It has large off-road pneumatic tires. These can get you over all kinds of rough terrain smoothly. With the hub motors, you can get up to 25mph. Thanks to the large 11Ah battery, the range is 19 miles.

Built to last, the deck consists of 11-ply maple and high-density emery non-slip, waterproof surface. You’ll feel grounded and secure even at high speeds. This all-terrain electric skateboard can even tackle the same hill incline as our pick for the “Best For Hills” board. The AZBO isn’t cheap, but after even a glance at the specs, you’ll see why. It offers quality and performance.

All-Terrain Buying Considerations

When you’re shopping for an off-road electric skateboard, here are the things you should consider:

Motor power

E-skateboards that are traveling over rough terrain need powerful motors. Dual motors are the best choice. Most of the time, an all-terrain electric skateboard will use that style.

For the power, look at the wattage. The higher, the better. Motor power will also impact the torque and acceleration of the skateboard. Going up hills and riding over uneven terrain will be much easier and smoother with high-wattage and high-torque motors.

Wheels/tires

Besides the motor power, the wheels/tires on an electric dirt board are the most important thing to look at. We include the trucks in this part of the board because the trucks combine with the tires to get you the ride you want. Wide trucks and big wheels get you over bumps and uneven ground.

You'll often see air-filled (pneumatic) tires on off-road electric skateboards and generally, that’s what most people prefer. These provide smoother rides with better absorption. Electric skateboards that use solid tires have benefits, too, so don’t discount an off-road option only because it doesn’t have pneumatic tires.

Suspension

Riding over uneven terrain can be uncomfortable and awkward. It’s easy to lose your balance. That’s why the skateboard’s suspension matters so much. This feature keeps your weight distributed evenly and absorbs shocks.

Basically, the suspension helps keep you and the board balanced. The suspension needs to be better on off-road boards than street boards. For beginners, the suspension is especially important because you’ll want all the help you can get. Take a close look at what the brand says about the suspension before choosing a board.

Water and dust resistance

When you’re going off-road, you’re dealing with the elements in a more intense way than if you’re sticking to the streets. No electric skateboards should be submerged in water. There are no “waterproof” boards. However, you want a board with good water (and dust) resistance. This is measured by the IP rating.

As an example, you’ll see a board with an IP54 rating. The first number refers to the dust protection. 6 is better than 5. 5 gives you partial protection. The second number is the water protection. The higher the number, the more protection you get. A 4 means the board is protected from water splashes, while a 5 gets you protection from “low-pressure jets.”

Durability

How sturdy is the board? Will it be able to handle hours of riding over gravel and rocky forest trails, or will it fall apart? Look at what the board is made of.

You’ll see materials like aluminum, bamboo, and maple. Often, board decks will use a hybrid blend of bamboo and maple, so you get the strength of one wood and the flexibility of the other. You can also get an idea of the board’s durability by looking at how much weight it holds and how much it weighs.

Speed and range

How fast do you want to go? How far? These are often the first things a person might think about when buying an electric skateboard. Remember that when boards give these numbers, they represent a rider with a specific weight riding in certain conditions.

Most of the time, the speed and range will be less than advertised. Also, if you want to prioritize speed, you won’t get as good of a range because the battery drains faster when the board is going fast. Features like regenerative braking can help a bit. On the high end, electric off-road skateboards can go up to 31 mph for speed and 19 miles for range.

Looking at the battery can help you figure out the maximum range, as well. The bigger the battery, the better the range.

Price

Last but not least, how much are you willing to spend? If you want to use the board a lot, it’s worth investing in a more expensive board. These pricier boards are higher-quality and more durable, so you can use them a lot without worrying about them breaking down.

If you are new to electric skateboarding and aren’t sure if you’ll love off-roading, it’s not a bad idea to start with a cheap board to get a feel of it. Prices can vary by brand, so if you do the research, you will find good deals for a great electric mountain skateboard.

If the prices on these models are throwing you off, you should consider checking out our in-depth guide on the best electric skateboards overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

In the past, electric skateboards were consigned to urban environments, but not anymore. With an all terrain electric skateboard, you can unleash the adventurer within and ride in the forest, in fields, on the beach, and more.

These boards are built for speed, range, and durability. Some electric mountain skateboards are not meant for beginners or young riders, so make sure any board you’re considering is a good fit for you. Take a close look at features like motor power, the tires and suspension, and price.

With these boards, you usually get what you pay for, so watch out for cheap boards if you’re looking for quality. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune; there are deals to be found. No matter what board you pick, there are risks.

Always remember to be safe and wear protective gear like a helmet, knee pads, wrist guards and elbow pads. Also, remember to have fun!

Using pro-grade performance gear, I’ve benchmarked the top speed, acceleration and range. Today, I'll share my exclusive full review of this board and share all the pros and cons I've come across.

Time for a quick overview: The FF Plus is the one and only off-road board by Maxfind. It has large 6.5-inch wheels, two 1200W motors, double kingpins, a hobbywing ESC, and an extremely flexy deck.

On paper, this may look like one of the very best affordable e-skateboards for off-roading out there but does it hold up in the real world? Let’s find out.

Speed & Motor Performance

If you want to conquer all types of terrain and climb steep hills, a set of powerful motors is an absolute must. The FF Plus is geared with two 1200W rear wheel hub motors. It has a specified top speed of 24 mph (38.6 KMH) and according to Maxfind, it can handle up to 35% inclines.

Top Speed Tests

I ran several tests at full battery to see just how fast I could go and as a 170 pounds rider, I topped out at 21.8 MPH (35.1 KMH). I assume lighter riders will be able to hit the full 24 MPH (38.6 KMH) though.

Even though you may initially expect a higher top speed from a set of 1200W motors, the majority of sub-$1500 off-road boards top out between 20-24 mph so the FF Plus holds up to the competition very well.

There seems to be a general consensus among e-skate brands that off-roading isn’t as much about speed as it is about having a smooth ride even when the road gets bumpy. And I totally agree with that - you don’t really want to ride any faster than this dirt and trails.

Acceleration & Hill Climb Tests

Much more important for off-roading than top speed is acceleration and hill climb ability. This is where the 1200W motors really begin to shine.

Even though some of my street boards have a higher top speed, the FF Plus instantly put them all to shame in terms of acceleration and torque. It has an incredibly good initial pull which means you can easily accelerate as needed whether you’re on an incline or on a loose surface.

In the acceleration tests, the fastest time from 0-15 MPH was just 3.43 seconds, with the average over five runs being 3.53 seconds. This beats any acceleration test I've done with street-minded boards so far by over half a second!

The impressive acceleration translated over to the hill-climbing ability as well. I tried it out on the steepest hill in my area and it absolutely demolished the challenge, holding an average speed of 14 MPH all the way up. 

All in all, the motor performance is excellent. If you’re only in it for speed, you want to go for a different type of board. The FF Plus gets the off-road job done, and it does it well.

Range & Battery Performance

Now, the battery setup is where the FF Plus really differs from the competition. The Maxfind FF Plus uses a quick-swap battery system.  When purchasing this board, you can choose to get either a one-, two- or three-battery bundle depending on the range you need. It’s a very interesting setup - but whether I like it and think it works in practice, I’ll answer a bit later.

The quick-swap batteries are 36-volts 6-amp-hours Samsung 30Q packs with an effective capacity of 216 Wh. Samsung 30Q batteries are known to be very reliable and the battery pack itself is well-sealed against moisture and dust, carrying an IP65 rating. According to Maxfind, one battery will give you a range of about 10 miles, two batteries give you 20 miles and so 3 batteries give you around 30 miles. Before we get into my range test data, let’s compare the battery capacity value versus other popular off-road boards.

The base-version with only one battery is one of the most expensive in terms of battery capacity out of the bunch, but if you choose to add an additional battery pack to your purchase, you instantly get a lot more for your money’s worth. If you opt for the triple-battery pack bundle, the price versus battery capacity actually beats all the other contenders.

In my opinion, if you care about range at all, definitely get either the 2 or 3-pack bundle. The value is just a lot better and I think most people will find having very limited range on such a fun board is kind of a bummer.

Range Tests

Okay, on to my range tests. I rode a single battery empty from full charge at three different speeds to find out how much real-world range can be expected.

In the first test, I ride full throttle as much as I can and really try to push the speed as much as possible. At an average speed of 18.7 MPH I got a 6.6-mile range. It’s not alot but considering the small 216 Wh capacity, I was pleasantly surprised by the result.

In the second test, I ride around like I normally would when I’m just out cruising and this is what I consider to be the most accurate real-world test to compare other boards to. At an average speed of 15.2 MPH, I got a 7.8-mile range. 

Finally, in the last test, I try to push the range further by riding slowly and efficiently. At an average speed of 13 MPH, I got an 8.9-mile range.

It’s not quite the 10 miles Maxfind states on their website but I was still pleasantly surprised at the performance for such a lightweight battery pack - the battery quality itself is definitely solid.

Adding the numbers up, you can expect about the following range results depending on how you ride and rider weight.

Board Design & Ride Quality

Okay, so let’s keep talking about the battery setup for a bit.

Quick-Swap Battery Setup

These are the main advantages of having quick-swap batteries:

• You can get as much or as little range as you want
• You can buy more batteries later if your range demands increase
• The board portability is better because the on-board battery pack is lightweight
• If you have multiple chargers, you can charge all battery packs at once and get unlimited range in just 3 hours

This design comes with a few drawbacks as well:

• Having to stop several times during the ride to swap batteries can be annoying
• You have to charge each battery pack as opposed to just one big pack. If you have many battery packs and only one charger, this can be tedious and time-consuming.

Battery Housing Waterproof Test

The first thing that I was skeptical about when I saw the board was the housing for the battery compartment. I was a little scared that water on the deck would be able to creep its way in.

I decided to test this by pouring some water over it and wait a few minutes. I poured a cup of water over the battery compartment to the point where all the edges were fully covered by water. To my relief, I saw that no water had entered the compartment.

I would say that if the deck was submerged in water over several hours, it’s likely that some water would be able to make it in so always dry your deck after riding if any water splashed onto it. In truth, a little water in this compartment isn’t really a big threat because the battery pack itself is really well-sealed. The only issue I could see would be if water somehow made it into some of the connectors.

All in all, good job by Maxfind to make this design work so well in practice.

Ride Quality

Now, the ride quality is hands down the most important aspect of any off-road electric skateboard. If you want to conquer challenging terrain, slippery surfaces and uneven roads, you need large wheels with plenty of grip. Now, the FF Plus is geared with four 6.5-inch rubber tires. They have a large contact surface with the road for strong grip and their size gives you plenty of ground clearance so you can ride over sizable obstacles.

Some people swear by pneumatic tires but when you’re going off-road, I think it’s nice to have the peace of mind that you won’t get punctures or leaks with these solid ones - they’re just way less maintenance. Air-filled tires generally help dampen the ride but the FF Plus does so many other things right to provide a smooth riding experience that I don’t mind it at all.

The large double-kingpin trucks make it easy to carve and navigate up and down uneven slopes in tougher terrain while maintaining stability. The 98A PU bushings are fairly hard which makes sense for the kinda terrain and struggle they’ll be put against but if you aren’t a heavy rider, you may consider purchasing slightly softer bushings. The stability at high speeds is good and I did not really notice any speed wobbles while riding. The rebound to center when carving could be slightly better, but it’s not an issue at all. 

The FF Plus has a sizable deck with about 27.8 by 9.4 inches (70.5 cm x 24 cm) of usable space to plant your feet. The board itself is 37.4 inches long, 12.5 inches wide and 6.5 inches tall (95 cm x 31.7 cm x 16.6 cm). Because of the small interchangeable batteries, the battery compartment does not take up very much space. This results in a whopping 4.8 inches (12.2 cm) of ground clearance which is extremely good. This way you avoid scratching the beautifully carbon-fiber-style underside of the board when going down curbs or over stones. 

I was surprised to see that the deck was so flexible. It really aids in dampening road vibrations when riding off-road but it still provides enough strength to keep you in control. To my knowledge, the deck is made from fiberglass and some other material I am unfamiliar with. I don’t know what kind of magic this is, but it’s extremely fun to ride.

The deck does not have a concave like we’re used to seeing. Instead, it has what I’d call dropdown areas. This makes it easier to carve and helps keep your feet firmly in place which is really nice as the deck surface itself doesn’t provide that much grip.

The board weighs 24.7 pounds (11.2 kg) and has a max load capacity of 220 pounds (100 kg). Compared to other off-road models, it’s relatively lightweight. There are lighter options out there, but there are definitely also notably heavier ones too. 

A nice design choice that deserves to be highlighted is the carrying handle at the top of the deck. I’m a huge fan of this. It’s a smart design choice I haven’t really seen any of the other all-terrain board manufacturers use. It makes carrying around the board so much easier, as you can essentially let the majority of the weight of the board rest on the rear wheels. Big props for that.

All in all, the design and ride quality is two of the biggest highlights of the FF Plus. It’s an absolute blast to ride and it really dampens road vibrations a lot. I’m not sure if I’m completely sold on the quick-swap battery setup but admittedly it works quite well. I recommend you decide for yourself whether you feel the pros outweigh the cons in that regard.

ESC & Remote Control

The ESC is the brain behind the electric skateboard. It ties all the electronic components together and provides all the functionality to you via the remote control. Some ESCs are better than others. There’s a difference both in functionality, build quality and riding performance. 

The FF Plus, like all the other Maxfind boards, uses a hobbywing ESC. You’ll see hobbywing ESC utilized by a wide range of brands including Backfire, WowGo, Ownboard and Lycaon.

I find that the hobbywing ESCs are generally a lot smoother to ride with than the cheaper YingLi and Wahndt ESCs that are seen on a lot of entry-level boards. Particularly the acceleration and braking are a lot smoother on these hobbywing boards. The cheaper ESCs have a tendency to kick in abruptly when you brake and they generally feel a little more unpredictable. With the hobbywing ESCs, it’s smooth sailing from start to finish.

The Hobbywing ESCs do lack a few features that the cheaper ones provide, though. The most notable feature is push-to-start, which saves you from bending down to turn on your board. Additionally, you cannot customize the braking modes on the hobbywing ESCs either.

That out of the way, the hobbywing ESC just operates a lot smoother which makes for a safer and more pleasant ride. 

Moving on to the remote control. It’s a fairly standard remote but with all the information and functionality you need at your fingertips. It feels nice in the hand and is relatively sturdy and it’s a big plus that it has a wrist lanyard so you don’t accidentally drop it mid-ride. The throttle and braking wheel at the top feels smooth and responsive and the LCD screen shows battery levels, speed & speed mode, riding direction, trip and total mileage. When riding, you can enable cruise control by clicking the power button once. While the throttle is released, you may also click the second button to circle through four different speed modes. By clicking the second button two times in a row, you can change the riding direction.

The remote control is smooth to operate and it works together nicely with the ESC. There seems to be no latency at all and it’s easy to make fine speed adjustments. It would be nice to have push to start functionality but hopefully, we’ll get that in the future.

Final Verdict - Who Should Buy The Maxfind FF Plus?

To sum up, the Maxfind FF Plus is amongst the best all-terrain electric skateboards at its price point. I particularly enjoyed the awesome shock absorption and the strong torque and acceleration. The FF Plus takes a very different path than most with its hot-swappable battery setup. Some will hate it, some will love it. I personally think it’s pretty cool - it has both pros and cons and which outweighs the other is up to each rider and their situation. I highly recommend getting the 2- or 3-battery version because it’s much better value range-wise. A single battery is not gonna be enough for most riders and it’s cheaper to buy extra batteries bundled with the board as opposed to buying a battery separately. 

The hobbywing ESC performs really well but I would’ve loved to see push-to-start functionality. The board is skinny, sleek and flexy and the weight is very reasonable for the hardware it’s packing. The carrying handle makes it one of the most portable off-roading electric skateboards. It’s definitely something for the competitors to take note of. 

* The below specifications are based on our tests and measurements and may differ from specifications shared by retailers/manufacturers.

Full Specifications

The first patent for a wireless electric skateboard was filed in 1999. Not long after, companies started releasing their versions of this fast, fun transporter. How different are electric skateboards from traditional skateboards? Are they hard to ride? Find out below.

What are the differences between electric skateboards and regular skateboards?

At first glance, electric skateboards and regular skateboards look pretty much the same. The big difference is that the electric board has one or more battery-powered motors. You use a remote control to operate the board using various buttons and a throttle to accelerate and brake. Some come with an LED display that shows important information like riding mode, speed, battery levels and more.

Because electric skateboards use motors, they’re generally much faster than regular skateboards. Today, even many of the affordable options can travel beyond 20 MPH. It’s also easier to go uphill with a motor-powered board and travel longer distances. The last main difference is because the electrical components (particularly the battery and motors) weigh the board down, most tricks are more challenging. We’ll talk about what tricks work with electric skateboarding.

How to ride an electric skateboard

Now that you know what an electric skateboard is, how do you ride it? If you already have riding experience with a regular skateboard, you're at a big advantage. There isn’t much difference between riding a motorized skateboard and one you propel with your feet, but because of the speed and remote control, it can take a little practice. If you are brand new to skateboarding, learning will be more challenging. Here's what to do: 

Step 1: Wear the proper safety gear

Before stepping on a skateboard - electric or regular - you need to put on the right gear. That includes a helmet that fits, wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Wrist injuries are very common in skateboarding because when you fall, you most likely put your hands out to catch yourself. Head injuries can be very severe, so always wear a helmet that’s snug, but not so tight that it hurts. It should rest level on your head (don’t tilt it back), so the front part is about one inch above your eyebrows.

If you usually use a regular skateboard and don’t wear much gear, we strongly recommend changing that. Because of how fast electric skateboards can go, they can be more dangerous than a regular board. The kind of shoes you wear matters, too. Closed-toed shoes that cover your feet (no sandals) are best. Cushioned shoes can even help dampen the impact of road vibrations felt in your legs as well.

Step 2: Check your trucks and settings

Skateboard trucks are two metal parts that attach to the bottom of the deck. There’s one at the front and one at the back. If you’re a beginner, it’s a good idea to make sure those trucks are nice and tight. This will help you keep your balance better and reduce speed wobbles. As you increase your skill level, you can loosen them gradually for increased flexibility and sharper turns.

You should also familiarize yourself with the remote before hopping on the skateboard. Boards have different modes available, such as “forward, “reverse,” and speed settings like slow, medium, and fast. Start with the slowest mode until you’re sure you feel comfortable. If your board has different braking modes (like the Skatebolt Tornado II), we recommend starting in the lowest, most forgiving setting as well. Make sure the remote control is actually connected to the skateboard, too.

Step 3: Choose a skateboard stance

If you’ve skateboarded before, you probably have a natural stance you’re comfortable with already. Your snowboard stance (if you snowboard) will also work. There are two main stances: regular and goofy. Regular is when you put your left foot forward toward the board’s nose. Goofy is when you lead with your right foot. Because most people are right-handed, leading with the left foot forward is common. That said, it doesn’t mean the regular stance always feels the most natural if you're right-handed. There’s no “right” stance, so just do what feels comfortable and stabilizes you the most. 

Once you have a stance, think about how you feel on the skateboard. Are you stiff? You don’t want to flop around, but if your body is too stiff and rigid you’re more likely to fall. Put your arms out to balance, but don’t hold them like iron rods. Be prepared to bend your knees a little when you slowly start riding; this bending will help you stay balanced. 

Step 4: Start riding

It’s time to ride! We recommend first starting your skateboard with a kick-push, which is how you would ride a normal skateboard. It isn’t necessary (you can just start the motors with your remote), but pushing off with one foot while keeping the other on the board strengthens your balance.

When you’re ready, start the motors gradually on the slowest setting. Remember to relax your body, bending your knees for better balance, and holding your arms out before the initial acceleration. If your stance feels weird now that you’re riding, switch it up. 

Step 5: Learn how to turn

How do you turn while riding a skateboard? It can take some practice if you’re not familiar. If you are, it’s the same as turning on a regular board. There are two types of turns: heelside or toeside. If you’re in a regular stance, heelside will turn you left and toeside will turn you right. It’s the opposite if you’re in a goofy stance.

For a heelside turn, bend your knees a little, put your weight into the heel of the front foot and push your butt out as you shift your weight. You’ll feel the board turn. For toeside, bend your knees and shift your body weight forward a little while placing some weight on the toes of your front foot. If you feel like you’re going to fall forward, don’t lean back; the board will shoot out from under you. Bend your knees more and lean forward into the turn. 

Kick-turns are another kind of turn that’s good to learn. To kick-turn, stand on your board and shift your weight to the back wheels, lifting the front wheels, and swing the front of your board in the direction you want to go. This is a good way to strengthen your overall balance but it is a bit more advanced.

What about carving? This fluid movement “carves” lines into the riding surface. If you’re on a narrow path, your carves will be small and fast, like drawing an “S” into the ground. Carving can also be very wide and flowing if you have a wide area to move in.

To carve, you want to keep your knees bent (you want a low center of gravity), your arms out, and head up. Look where you want to go and remember, your whole body is involved. If you want to go right, point your right arm. This guides your upper body while making turns. Your hips follow, and then your board. While carving, keep your speed consistent. Carving is an excellent and fun exercise to continually improve your balance and feel for the board.

Step 6: How to brake

Braking correctly on an electric skateboard is important. Thankfully, it’s fairly simple because you control the braking system with your remote. First, you’ll want to lean back a little since your weight will automatically shift forward when you brake. Leaning back compensates for that movement. Bend your knees a little, making sure your front foot is stable and slightly rigid. Gradually decrease your speed with your remote before braking.

What about foot braking? Shift your weight to your front/dominant foot, so you’re balancing on just that leg. Lightly touch your back foot on the ground, slowly adding pressure and as you start to slow down. The harder you brake, the more likely losing your balance is, so be careful. 

Most electric skateboards use regenerative brakes, which means the battery gets energy sent to it when you’re going downhill. The board can sense when it doesn’t need the motor and sends that energy to the battery. 

How to fall correctly

Falling is pretty inevitable on an electric skateboard. As you get better, it will happen less frequently, but learning how to fall properly reduces your chance of injuries. If you’re falling forward, bow your head and stick out your arms, rolling over your shoulder. This rolling helps protect your arms from injury. To fall backward, bow your head again and raise your legs, so you roll into your back and shoulders.

If you’re falling sideways, fall on one arm and roll towards your back, so the side of your head doesn’t take the impact. These rolling falls keep your body moving, which is important. Falls often cause injuries because your body is going from moving on your skateboard to abruptly stopping against the ground. With the right falling technique, you distribute the impact and avoid injury. To build your muscle memory, practice rolling in the grass.

Interested in more skateboarding tips? Check out our guide here. 

Can you do tricks on an electric skateboard?

As we mentioned earlier, the motors and battery make e-skateboards heavier than regular skateboards. Sometimes the weight distribution can be very uneven as well (some boards are very front-or-rear-heavy). That makes it harder to do tricks, especially ones that involve flipping the board into the air.

Most tricks on an electric skateboard keep the board on the ground; you’re the one shifting your foot positioning, dancing, carving, and so on. Practice footwork with the board standing still (start with grass so the board doesn't move away from you and then move to concrete) and wear all your safety gear. Here are three fun ones to try: 

Walking the plank 

This is a good trick for beginners. You literally just walk up and down your deck while riding. You’ll need good balance, so start with small movements until you figure out how to shift your weight.

Cross stepping

This is a good move for electric longboards. Shift your front foot to the middle of the board. Cross your back foot in front of your front foot, and then cross that foot under the foot in front to uncross your legs. At different points in this move, you’ll stand on your left foot only, and also your right foot only. The order depends on your stance.

Chop the wood

Begin in your normal stance. To perform the trick, move one foot to the edge of your board, pointing it forward. This will turn the board a little, so be prepared. Bend your knees a little for balance and extend your other leg off the board and into the air. Bring your leg back down to the deck to complete the move. 

Choosing an electric skateboard

You have an idea about how to ride an electric skateboard, but what options are out there? There’s a wide range of electric skateboards on the market these days, so whether you're after a portable penny board or a beefy off-road beast, there's a match out there for you.

If you like the idea of the tricks we talked about and other dancing tricks, an electric longboard is a great choice. These longer decks give you lots of room to move your feet around. If you live in a more rural area, an off-road electric skateboard with nice wide trucks and powerful motors will work well. Here are three big considerations to keep in mind when shopping: 

Speed and range

How fast and how far will an electric skateboard take you? You’ll find lots of electric skateboards with a top speed of 10-30 mph. Because the skateboards with high speeds need a lot of juice, they cost more. The same goes for range, which can be as little as 5 miles per charge or as far as 31 miles (and even beyond for some of the freakiest models out there).

If you want to use your electric skateboard for transportation, look at the product’s Wh (watt-hours) specification, which is the measurement for the held charge.

Construction

Is the skateboard built to last? Electric skateboards are made from materials like aluminum, ABS plastic, and wood. Maple and bamboo are commonly used for decks. The wood is usually sandwiched together to add strength, but without losing flexibility. Look for features like waterproofing too if you live in a rainy area.

In terms of weight, most decks can hold between 150-250 pounds, so bear that in mind when shopping. The construction also impacts the weight of the board itself. Really light ones can be 9 pounds, but 14-20 pounds is more common. Generally, the weight of the board is linked to the motor power and battery capacity.

Technology

All electric skateboards have remotes, but the cheaper ones are pretty minimalistic. If you’re into cool technology, look for an e-board that come with apps that connect your board to your phone, as well as multiple riding modes. An LED display on the remote that specifies speed and battery levels is also highly useful but it's not always seen on the cheapest boards around.

If you’re new to skateboarding, an electric board with a beginner mode can make things easier for you. As you improve, you can move to the more advanced modes. Some boards also come with an eco mode. 

Conclusion

Electric skateboarding takes the thrill of a classic sport and adds in motor power. You can ride much further and faster than on a regular skateboard, making it an option for short commutes as well as fun rides. If you’re moving from a classic skateboard to an electric one, the transition isn’t too difficult.

For beginners, we hope this guide demystified how to ride an electric skateboard! No matter what your experience level is, always wear safety gear and stay aware of your surroundings. You’ll enjoy your electric skateboard so much more. 

We spent three months with the Skatebolt Tornado II, testing its limits and capabilities across more than 120 miles. Discover all the exclusive takeaways in our in-depth review below.

Skatebolt was nice enough to supply us with their Tornado II electric skateboard which is the mid-tier priced offering in their lineup.

Looking at the specifications, I was extremely excited, but also a little skeptical. This is the first time I've seen a $550 board that should be able to do 25 MPH and cover a 25-mile range on a single charge. Evidently, I had to put it to the test to see exactly what it was capable of with my own eyes.

Motor Performance

The Skatebolt Tornado II has two 350-watt hub motors that work together to reach a specified top speed of 25 MPH. It features four different speed modes that can be controlled via the Bluetooth remote and Skatebolt boasts that it has a 25-degree hill-climbing ability which is quite impressive. Let's see how it performs in practice...

Tested Top Speed & Performance Drop-Off

Using my pro-grade Racelogic VBOX Sport performance meter, I was able to clock a top speed of 25.2 MPH (40.5 km/h), so the electric skateboard definitely delivers on speed.

Every electric skateboard will see a performance drop-off as the battery level diminishes. This happens because the voltage gets lower, thus the motor output weakens. On some boards, this is very noticeable - on others, not so much. The performance drop-off as the battery level got lower was minimal and it was only really felt when dropping below 20% battery.

If you don't have anything to compare with, let me tell you that these benchmarks are excellent. You'll only really see an effect on maximum speed when the battery is close to running dry.

Tested Acceleration

There are no acceleration details specified on the Skatebolt website, so I took the effort to test how fast the acceleration is from 0 - 15 MPH (24.1 km/h) measured in seconds.

The speed modes are as follows:

• Low mode: 7.2 mph (12 km/h)
• Medium mode: 17.4 mph (28 km/h)
• High mode 22-25 mph (40 km/h)
• Pro mode: Faster acceleration

So the high mode actually unlocks the full speed but for the thrill-seekers and speed demons out there, you can bump it into Pro mode (4th) to get the fastest acceleration possible... So that's what I did, and here are the results.

4.04 seconds is an incredibly good average. Especially considering the relatively modest 700W of nominal motor power. With such swift acceleration, it performs almost on par with the much higher-priced Halo Board Beast and comfortably beats the Maxfind Max 2 Pro.

I recommend you start out in the lower speed settings and work your way up to get used to the Skabolt Tornado II because, as the name suggests, it's capable of causing carnage.

Hill Climb Test

Skatebolt states that the Tornado 2 can handle 25-degree inclines. According to my tests (again with advanced GPS tracking technology), I found that I was able to go at 8 MPH (fastest speed setting) up a 24-degree incline. The Skatebolt Tornado II delivers as promised on uphill performance too.

Range & Battery Performance

If you use your electric skateboard for commuting, you know just how important range and battery quality is.

The Skatebolt Tornado II is fitted with a high-potential 42V 7.5Ah lithium-ion battery. This translates to a battery capacity of 315Wh - more than the Backfire Zealot and Backfire G3!

Importantly, the battery management system (BMS) seems to provide all the essential safety needed for the power-dense 18650 battery cells.

The battery charges in about 3 hours and the life expectancy is around 500 charging cycles.

According to Skatebolt, the Tornado II is capable of covering 22-25 miles (32-35 km) on a single charge. That's practically unheard of at this price point, so let's just right into the test results.

Tested Real-World Range

When e-skateboard brands conduct speed and range tests, they usually do it in extremely perfect settings. The rider is lightweight, they ride on an even and flat surface without very many stops - all at a slow speed to maximize the range as much as possible.

These clinically impossible range tests usually don't translate well into the real world. You can't blame them, because this is what every company does to stay competitive in a tough market. We have traffic lights, steeps hills and turns, and varying road conditions that greatly affect range.

I rode the electric skateboards at three different speeds from full battery to empty to see how far I could get. These are the results:

As you can see, I didn't exactly get 22-25 miles on a single charge, but during my slow cruise ride (3rd run) I actually got an impressive 20.9 miles. During my first run at 19.7 mph, I was pretty much pushing the speed beyond what I'd regularly do to really put the motors and battery at work. 15.4 miles is, once again, a solid range.

The second run (15.3 mph average speed) is what I'd consider the most accurate real-world range. This is the speed I usually ride at whether I have to run errands or go for a joy ride. Therefore, my real-life range test ends at 18.2 miles. Just shy of the 22 miles but having tried dozens of similarly priced electric skateboards, I can't recall anything matching this mileage.

Deck

The Skatebolt Tornado II has a large deck measuring 38 x 11 inches. It is fitted with 8 layers of northeast maple which is a material known to pass the test of time and provide unmatched solidity. The only drawback here is that it is lighter than materials like bamboo but still, the whole thing isn't too heavy.

Its very mellow concave gives you the benefit of better grip and control without sacrificing space for your feet. Compared to the Backfire G2, the Tornado II is notably easier to carve and make sharp turns on - partly thanks to the deck design.

The deck is rounded in at the corners to avoid wheel bite which is when you turn so hard that the deck catches the wheels. This is a welcome safety addition that totally eliminates the chance of a nasty surprise.

The deck itself has little to no flex which makes sense as electronic components (battery pack, ESC, etc.) are fitted through the entire board length below the deck. I do like to see a bit of deck flex on electric skateboards, but despite that, it actually rides surprisingly smoothly and road vibrations are dampened considerably well.

The grip tape is forgiving against your skin and clothes but it still provides lots of grip for your feet when you are riding.

Wheels

The board is fitted with stock 90mm x 52mm polyurethane (PU) wheels. They are fairly generic but there has been no notable wear and tear through my first 120 miles of riding.

90mm seems to be a go-to size for many electric skateboard manufacturers. The argument is that it's a good balance between rideability, control, and stability. I agree with that. It's enough to easily handle small rocks and cracks in the road.

The wheel hardness durometer score is at 83A which is pretty much right in the middle for e-skate wheels. It balances both grip and drag excellently.

There is plenty of PU around the hub motors to create a seamless and stable ride quality. Some argue that hub-fitted wheels won't perform as well as regular ones and so they opt for belt-driven skateboards but I'd say it gets pretty close with the Skatebolt Tornado II.

Trucks

The Tornado II uses very big trucks to accompany its sizable design. The wide trucks make the board extra stable and easy to control. They're made from steel which is an incredibly strong material. They are then covered with aluminum alloy.

The trucks and bushings effectively eliminate wobbles at high speed and yield solid return-bounce when turning. It just feels really nice to ride and it carves like butter.

The only downside to the steel-constructed trucks is the added weight. They are quite hefty and add some extra weight to the board, so if you're really picky about portability, you may want to consider that.

Remote Control

I really like the remote control design as it houses plenty of functionality at your fingertips.

The display is packed with information: remote and board battery level, odometer, trip mileage, direction, speed and brake modes, cruise control, speed and signal strength.

Note: If you change the wheels for a different diameter (100mm ones can be bought separately), the display data will be off.

The remote control fits nicely in the hand and the design makes it easy to access the throttle at all times.

Almost all the buttons feel like good quality but I did notice the forward/backward switch had quite a bit of resistance.

The remote has heaps of neat features. Here are a few I'd like to highlight:

• Swap the speed modes using the H/L-button
• Swap the brake modes using the H/L-button while engaging the throttle brake
• Turn on two bright rear LED lights by holding the LED button
• Enable cruise control by pressing the LED button (brake to disengage cruise control)
• The board itself can be turned on via the remote. Simply slide it along the ground while the remote is turned on.

As a nice addition, the remote will give off a signal to notify you when your battery drops below 25% (both for the remote and skateboard) so you don't end up stranded out in nowhere because you forgot to keep an eye on it.

The remote itself takes around 30 minutes to charge via the included USB cable.

Overall Build

I've talked about individual parts, but I wanted to comment on the build as a whole.

The Skatebolt Tornado II weighs 19 pounds (8.5 kg) which isn't too bad considering its big size and strong construction. This beefy construction also means the board has a high max load capacity of 264 pounds (120 kg) which should be sufficient for most adults.

The overall build is quite impressive and it's evident that longevity and safety is paramount to Skatebolt both looking at their design choices and their informative product manual.

The bulky construction does come at a cost. It isn't as portable as I would've liked it to be. 19 pounds isn't bad but it quickly becomes heavy to carry around. Whether it's a worthy trade-off comes down to personal taste and opinions. I think it's well worth it any day of the week if you have commutes longer than 5 miles.

Pros & Cons

I don't blame you if you're just here for the main takeaways. Let's take a look at the main advantages and disadvantages at a glance.

Conclusion - Who Should Buy the Skatebolt Tornado II?

The Skatebolt Tornado II is a versatile, value-packed offering ideal for beginners and advanced skaters alike. With its 25.2 MPH top speed and four separate speed and brake modes, there's plenty of room to grow accustomed to the speed before unleashing the full power of this beast.

It's a solid option for commuters with its tested 18.2-mile range in a real-life scenario and the 25-degree hill climb ability ensures you can handle whatever is in front of you.

The board is extremely stable and the truck and bushing system effectively absorbs road vibrations and keeps you steady when carving around the streets.

It has all the most important features you'd want - all at your fingertips with the ergonomic and intuitive remote control that you'll quickly get used to.

If you're after a lightweight and portable solution, there are probably better options out there, however. The Skatebolt Tornado II weighs 19 pounds which isn't crazy overboard it isn't gonna be as easy to carry around as smaller penny-board-like options.

Lastly, if you want something with a lot of deck flex, this isn't it either. However, the design still does a great job at absorbing shocks despite this. It also helps a lot with stability and eliminating wobbles at high speeds.

My verdict is that the Skatebolt Tornado II is one of the best electric skateboards at its price point. It's the best sub-$700 electric skateboard I have tested hands-on and I'm still dumbfounded by the sheer amount of value they've been able to pack into this beast at such a low cost.

If your budget, doesn't stretch for the Tornado II, check the other top-rated cheap e-skateboards instead.

What's In The Box

• Product manual
• Wireless remote control
• T-tool
• Hex wrench
• Charger (Input: AC100V-240V, 50-60HZ, Output: 42V 2A)
• USB Cable (for charging the remote)

Full Specifications