Apollo Pro Review

Cockpit

The Apollo Pro has one of the sleekest cockpits that I’ve ever tested, but this isn’t to say it’s lacking in features. Oh no, it’s home to much of the Pro’s magic.

The first thing to note is that the 28-inch wide handlebars inspire confidence. Not only are the controls for your different riding modes and turn signals within easy reach of your thumbs, but the concave shape of the cockpit makes you feel safely enclosed. With the ribbed rubber grips and ergonomically-finessed V8 accelerator and regen brake paddles, the Pro achieves best-in-class handling.

At the center is a simple, yet incredibly effective DOT Matrix display. Anti-glare and extremely bright, it’s one of the very few that you can read in direct sunlight.

Wondering what a DOT Matrix is? It sounds fancy, but to put it simply, it’s a screen that’s able to show characters, numbers, and graphics by lighting up different pixels (dots).

Unlike the pre-burnt units which are found on almost every other scooter, this one can be reprogrammed. This means it can receive new features via over-the-air updates. For example, Apollo could gather feedback from their riders about the types of metrics that they want on their displays, and then release new configurations for you to download.

Directly under this sits a QuadLock phone mount. The genesis of this feature lies in Apollo’s quest to make the integration of their scooters and mobile app as functional as possible. With it, you’re able to use the app via your phone as the primary display. Plus, with wireless charging, you can stay connected on the go.

Since I have one of the very first units of the Pro (the 8th, to be precise), it didn’t come with a QuadLock so I couldn’t test it. However, Apollo has informed me that you’ll need to buy an Apollo QuadLock phone case to use it. They are hoping to offer a 20% discount code.

Mobile App

Apollo has pushed the envelope this time around on what’s possible for an app to achieve. The capabilities available through it are so numerous, it’s easier to list them. You can:

• Record trips
• Get range estimates based on your most recent riding pattern
• Use it as a navigational device where you can follow a route to your destination
• Adjust the top speed of each riding mode
• View the health and status of your battery
• Toggle between kick-to-start and zero-start modes
• Turn cruise control on or off
• Turn the headlight on or off
• Adjust the intensity and color of the lights, including the deck, stem, turn signals, and brakes
• Change the sound of the start-up and power-down modes
• Change the sound of the alarm, one of which is a tongue-in-cheek ‘self-destruct’ mode
• Remotely lock and unlock the scooter, which immobilizes it by applying the electronic brakes
• Track your scooter via the built-in GPS unit (which I’ll cover shortly)

Then, if you go into the advanced settings, you can:

• Dial in the strength of your acceleration and regen brakes
• Set the time that it takes before cruise control automatically kicks in
• Set the time that it takes before the scooter automatically shuts down when not in use

Built-in Speaker

Adding to the Pro’s plethora of features is a built-in speaker. Integrated into the right side of the stem, its primary purpose is to sound the horn, alarm, power–on, and shutdown modes.

However, my favorite way to use it was to connect to it via Bluetooth and play music.

Frame

Apollo is a brand famed for its extraordinary attention to detail, and the unibody frame sported by the Pro is yet another slam dunk.

Taking inspiration from Apple’s MacBooks, it shuns the use of plastic in favor of high-quality, aviation-grade aluminum for a premium feel that’s cold to the touch.

Its AG geometry, meanwhile, ensures that each component perfectly aligns with the next to afford a perfectly calibrated frame that benefits from precise rake and trail measurements. This promises a finely-tuned balance of stability, steering, and maneuverability.

Aside from its awe-inspiring build, it’s also a certified eye-catcher. But don’t just take my word for it. After all, it’s been honored with a prestigious Red Dot Design Award. This accolade places it alongside esteemed past winners, including the Segway Superscooter GT Series, and even the Ferrari Daytona SP3.

Deck

Measuring 19 by 8 inches and covered in a thick layer of geometrically-patterned rubber, the deck not only affords plenty of grip, but it’s big enough to accommodate riders of all sizes. The kickplate adds a further 3 inches of space, too.

One small detail that I particularly like is that when you peel back the rubber matting it reveals the signatures of everyone who worked on the scooter.

It’s a declaration of pride from the Apollo team.

Tires

I was surprised to learn that the Pro came with 12-inch tires. They’re 9% larger than those found on its competitors and 20% bigger than the rest of the models that fall within similar performance categories.

By comparison, the NAMI Burn-e 2, Wolf King GT, and Segway GT2 all have tires that measure 11 inches.

The advantage they bring is balance, while they also offer more shock absorption, a solid gel self-healing layer meaning you can wave goodbye to flats, and thanks to the presence of a unique GripThread technology, they maintain traction while accelerating, braking, and cornering.

Plus, they disperse water more effectively and give the scooter 6 inches of ground clearance.

Portability

Weighing 93 lbs, the Pro hasn’t been built for portability. It does, however, feature a simple and secure quick-release folding lever.

Located at the foot of the sturdy stem, you simply press down on the safety catch, pull the lever back to release the locking claw, and lower the stem. Once lowered, the stem swings freely since there’s no way to lock it to the deck.

You can, however, pick the scooter up by grabbing the kickplate and placing your other hand under the front swingarm.

Load

Let’s just say the Pro is a dream for heavier riders.

Its load capacity of 330 lbs is a testament to the strength and durability that imbue this model from top to bottom – which, is what you would expect when you build a scooter out of the highest quality materials and stress-test them to within an inch of their life (more on that in the ‘Build Quality’ section).

Lights

The lighting rig offers 360-degree illumination that could make the catacombs of Paris look like a bright and breezy dining room – it’s one of the best that I’ve tested.

Fronting this merry band is a bright 1000-lumen headlight.

But, the stars of the show are the stem, deck, and kickplate lights that are seamlessly embedded into the frame. They create a futuristic profile that’s reminiscent of a Cybertruck, and because they’re RGB, you can customize their color.

This setup is further bolstered by the turn signals that flash along the deck, as well as at the end of each handgrip.

Here's the handgrip turn signal:

And, if that wasn’t enough, when you brake all of the lights turn red.

Built-in GPS (IoT) & Apollo Connect+

The Pro brings entirely new tech to the industry with its IoT unit and Connect+ service.

Combined, these give you access to 24/7 GPS tracking of your scooter, real-time notifications of any suspicious activity or movement of your unit, and the ability to remotely power it on or off, as well as arm and disarm it. You can even flag your scooter lost or stolen and activate a kill switch to make it unusable.

This makes it the most secure scooter on the privately owned market.

However, it’s worth noting that when you buy the Pro, you’ll get this service for 3 months for free. After this, it’ll cost you $9.99 per month. Or, you can opt for one of their yearly plans at a discounted rate.

Build Quality

Apollo is always improving the build quality of their scooters by choosing components that are optimized for longevity, low maintenance, and the future-proofing of hardware. And nowhere is this more evident than with the Pro.

On average, the key components that make up a typical scooter undergo 100,000 cycles of tests, while the scooter as a whole is expected to remain in optimal condition for a maximum of 3,000 km.

Those on the Pro, however, have been through an impressive 300,000 cycles, while it’s also been through 10,000 km of simulated road tests. So, it’s fair to say that Apollo has gone above and beyond to build a scooter that can withstand the wear and tear of continuous use.

They even broke the manufacturer's machine before the scooter gave up!

Accessories

To make the Pro a jack of all trades, Apollo’s working on several accessories.

These include a weather-proof body, a cargo attachment, a seat, wing mirrors, and a retractable cable lock that’s secured to the stem.