INOKIM OxO Review

Design

Handlebars

The INOKIM OxO is pretty much identical to its predecessor – the Ox. In terms of build quality, it’s as you’d expect from an INOKIM scooter – the handlebars measure a wide 23.2 inches with a premium feel and thickness that provides great handling of the steering column. Just like the Ox, they are sturdy, durable, and wobble-free.

The handlebar grips are equally as good. Being the top-end model, the grips are slightly different from the Ox, though. Rather than all black, they have a flash of orange, and while they look fancier, they are, in fact, the same grips.

On the left side, there’s a small bell and a red button. The red button is INOKIM’s version of the motor selection buttons that we see on many other dual-motor models. Simply put, it allows you to engage either just the rear motor or both.

On the right, there’s an ergonomic thumb throttle that is lined with sensors that detect the photographic coefficient (light level) and switch your lights on/off accordingly. Above the throttle is the familiar LCD display, but I must say, compared to the next-gen display on the INOKIM Quick Super 4, it looks outdated.

Frame

The OxO is INOKIM through and through. Sporting the immediately recognizable orange and black colorway, its sleek paint job makes it one of the best-looking scooters. Of all the scooters I recommend, it is one of the most unique thanks to its cleverly designed single-sided swingarms that adorn the left side of the chassis.

However, I can’t help but feel this scooter has a sinister undertone with the motors sporting a design that is reminiscent of the swirling pattern on Jigsaw’s cheeks.

Nevertheless, everything from the slender stem, robust neck, and thick deck screams reliability. As I’ll explore in more detail in the “Build Quality” section of the review, the OxO is one of the few scooters that, well…just flows. Because each component fits seamlessly with the next, there’s no misalignment and unsightly seams.

Deck

Let’s start with the good things: the size and kickplate.

Like the Ox, its oversized platform is large enough for riders of all shapes and sizes to find a stance that feels comfortable. For context, it measures 20 inches in length and 8.5 inches in width (not including the kickplate). It shares these dimensions with the Ox, and by comparison to the scooters that I recommend as alternatives, it goes toe to toe with the VSETT 10+ while the Wolf Warrior adds 0.5 inches to the width. If you’ve seen rental scooters or similar commuter-style models, these tend to have decks that measure around 18 inches in length and 6 inches in width.

As for the kickplate, its tapered design extends the deck by a further 4 inches. While the additional space allows for even more room to find a stance most suited to your riding style, it plays a pivotal role in handling. Placing your back foot on the angled plate allows for a more aggressive riding posture and although the OxO doesn’t exactly burn-rubber off the start line, its 40 mph top speed and ability to tackle off-road terrain make the kickplate a welcome addition to keep you stable. Also, because of its size, it’s easy to shift your weight to the rear of the scooter when braking. This applies more weight over the rear wheel which increases the contact patch with the ground below and ultimately improves braking performance as a result of more traction.

Where the deck is lacking, though, is its material. Considering the OxO’s high price tag and INOKIM’s stellar reputation, you’d expect the deck to be covered in a grippy rubber or tape, but this isn’t the case. Instead, it's a hard, scratchy plastic. The design of it looks great – almost like a stone alleyway in Greece – but it's a simple case of style over substance. If you wear trainers with rubber soles you can keep your feet somewhat gripped to the deck, but as soon as the terrain becomes rough and bumpy, it’s easy to lose your footing. The only plus point is how easy it is to clean – though, I’d choose grip over this any day.

Against the backdrop of scooters that I recommend as alternatives, both the VSETT models and the Wolf Warrior feature anti-slip rubber mattings that provide excellent grip, no matter the weather or riding conditions.

Wheels

Measuring 10 x 2.5 inches apiece, the OxO has two pneumatic, air-filled tires. Surprisingly, these are fairly narrow for the size of the frame and while this seemed like a disadvantage at first, it proved to be beneficial. Thanks to their slender profile, the OxO’s steering remains nimble.

One thing worth noting, though, is that the narrow profile of the tires is smaller than similarly-priced competitors — with the majority sporting 10 x 3-inch tires. Being narrower, they are more primed for street riding than off-roading. Though I tested the OxO on light off-road tracks, and it performed well. However, if you’re using it on more challenging off-road trails, you might want to consider fitting off-road tires.

As you’d expect from a premium scooter, tires play a pivotal role in ride quality, and in the case of the OxO, they deliver that much-coveted smooth-sailing sensation on all types of terrain. Even in the wet, the tires offer good traction (although the deck doesn’t).

Build Quality & Durability

The OxO’s build quality is second to none. There’s no other way to put it other than it's solid. Unlike some of the scooters we’ve reviewed which look like they have been put together like Frankenstein, the OxO has been carefully crafted and the attention to detail is clear to see. The screws and bolts sit flush to the frame, the cables are tucked away, and the smooth edges make each component flow into the next.

Overall, the OxO, like the rest of the INOKIM range, is one of the best-built electric scooters.

So, how do they do it? Well, it’s all down to the manufacturing process. Each part is forged from a single piece of aluminum alloy using precise pre-programmed computer software – otherwise known as CNC manufacturing. There are three key benefits to this:

1. There’s no welding, meaning there are no weak points
2. Each piece is flawless in its design which aids the sleek aesthetic
3. Consistent product quality

What’s more, INOKIM is vertically integrated. In layman’s terms, INOKIM owns all the components used in their scooters, meaning they fit together seamlessly – as opposed to other brands that take components from different manufacturers and join them together.

There is one area that needs improvement, though. None of INOKIM’s scooters come with a water-resistance rating. This is acceptable on scooters lower down the price spectrum, but for the price tag of the OxO, I feel it's a letdown. For instance, both VSETT 10+ models and the Wolf Warrior 11 have official IP ratings.

Weight & Load

The OxO weighs in at a whopping 74 lbs, so it’s pretty heavy.

Compared to the scooters I recommended as alternatives, it is on the lighter side with the VSETT 10+ models weighing 79 lbs and the Wolf Warrior coming in at a scale-busting 101 lbs.

In comparison to its younger brother — the Ox — it is a full 13 lbs heavier, but it does have dual motors and a bigger battery.

So how about load capacity? Well, it can support 265 lbs of rider weight. This has become the standard for scooters of its ilk but it does fall short against some of its competition. It’s important to note that I always recommend opting for a scooter that has a load capacity that is 20-40 lbs above your weight. If the OxO won’t be a good fit for you, I suggest taking a look at my guide to the best electric scooters for heavy riders or checking out either of the alternatives I recommend – VSETT 10+R (285 lbs), VSETT 10+ (285 lbs), and Wolf Warrior (330 lbs).

Folding & Portability

As far as folding mechanisms go, the one on the OxO is faultless. It’s strong, durable, and wobble-free. It uses a red lever to control a claw-like mechanism that secures the stem in place, and a rubber collar that wraps around the stem to lock the lever into place.

You can also use the red dial on the opposite side of the stem to tighten or loosen the mechanism.

Another useful feature is the cut-out in the kickplate. This acts as a latch where the ridge on the back of the handlebars slots into. Once the ridge is hooked in, you can lift the OxO by its stem.

While the folding mechanism is simple in its approach, it delivers where it needs to. Other performance scooters rely on collar clamps which are notorious for not being tight and causing the stem to wobble back and forth. This isn’t an issue on the OxO.

Assembly

Like with most scooters, it doesn’t take much setting up. There are a couple of things you’ll need to do, but nothing strenuous. Set aside 20-30 minutes to get everything done.

Unboxing the scooter is the first thing you’ll need to do. Once you’ve done this, simply lift the stem and lock it into place. And then, using the multi-tool provided, attach the handlebars and rear mud-guard.

That’s pretty much it. You’ll find everything you need to adjust the suspension in the box too, including a socket spanner which you’ll use to higher and lower the suspension arms (there’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this in the manual).

Before you take your scooter for a spin, check that the brakes are working, the tires are inflated to the required PSI, and that the handlebar accessories are tight and properly fitted. I also recommend charging the battery fully, too.

Ride Quality

Is the INOKIM OxO Comfortable to Ride?

If I was to describe the OxO’s ride quality in one word, it would be luxurious. The OxO is the Rolls Royce of scooters in terms of build and ride quality.

The exceptional ride is largely down to the OxO’s unique suspension set-up, which features both rubber suspension and single-sided swingarms. The two combined do a fantastic job of soaking up bumps and undulations.

In my review of the Ox Hero, I rated it a 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 was extremely stiff and 10 was super soft – the same is true of the OxO. It is, hands down, one of the best scooters I have ridden. There’s just something about its rubber suspension that makes it supremely smoother than other models that rely on springs – I put this down to the fact that rubber is more squishy.

Combined with the solid stem, super-wide handlebars, and extremely powerful brakes, the OxO gives you confidence while riding. However, as with all scooters, there are some hang-ups. Most notable is the non-grippy deck which detracts from the confidence acquired from the other components. I have seen some riders fix this by sticking a layer of grip tape over the plastic.

Performance & Safety

Speed & Acceleration

The OxO has a top speed of 40 mph, but how does that compare to similar scooters? Let’s have a look at how the OxO compares to scooters in its price and weight class.

Speed vs Price Comparison

The OxO’s price class isn’t a busy one. When we take a $500 price range (with the OxO’s $2,599 in the middle) there are 5 comparable models. So how does it perform?

As you can see from the chart, not very well. It's narrowly beaten by the Wolf Warrior X Pro, finishing last.

The OxO’s top speed is by no means slow, but there’s a significant gap between it and the top models in its price bracket. Specifically, there’s 10 mph separating the OxO and the leaders — the VSETT 10+R and 10+ (25.6Ah) — which both have a top speed of 50 mph.

These results don’t come as a surprise, though, because while the OxO is powered by dual 1000W motors, the VSETT models get their rubber-burning abilities from dual 1400W motors. Similarly, the EVOLV Pro-R sports dual 1200W motors and Wolf Warrior X Pro has 1100W motors. As a rule of thumb, the higher the wattage, the higher the top speed.

However, what may come as a surprise is that the VSETT 10+ (25.6Ah) costs $209 less than the OxO, making it the scooter offering the greatest value. Plus, it’s not only the higher top speed that you’ll appreciate but also the rapid acceleration that comes with it – more on this in the “Acceleration” section of the review.

Speed vs Weight Comparison

The OxO moves up the rankings when compared to 11 other scooters that sit within 5 lbs on either side of its 74 Ib bulk (69-79 lbs).

Here, the OxO shares its top speed with 4 other scooters, securing a middle of the pack ranking.

Like the Speed vs Price comparison, the ferocious VSETT 10+R yet again takes the top spot along with the entire lineup of 10+ models (50 mph). All of these models have the same setup aside from different battery sizes which affects mileage (the Ah figures depict battery size). The smaller the battery, the lower the price tag.

Below the VSETT scooters is the Wolf Warrior 11’s smaller yet insanely powerful sibling, the Warrior X Pro. This scooter takes everything good about the Wolf Warrior 11 and improves it to deliver a less bulky package that delivers serious top speeds, acceleration, and ride quality that made the former so popular.

Acceleration

Acceleration is where the OxO struggles. But it’s nothing new to INOKIM, as all its performance models including the Ox Hero and Ox Super, struggle in this department too.

As you can see, it’s slow off the mark. Or is it just that the VSETT models are super fast? Whichever way you look at it, it doesn’t look good for the OxO. Even if we compare it to a scooter like the Apollo Ghost – which has smaller dual 800W motors – the OxO’s acceleration is still 52% slower to 15 mph and 25% slower to 25 mph. And it's worth pointing out that the Apollo Ghost is $1,000 cheaper.

Taking a closer look at the scooters I recommend as alternatives, the OxO is no match for either of the VSETT 10+ models or the Wolf Warrior. Digging into the performance data, the 10+ has, on average, a 48% faster acceleration rate, and the Wolf Warrior is 45% faster.

If you want the power of the 10+R, but don’t need its 74-mile range and want to save some money, the 10+ (25.6Ah) with its 66-mile range and $2,390 price tag is a great choice.

Range

The large 60V 25.6Ah LG battery delivers a supremely long-range clocking in a maximum mileage of 68 miles. Combined with its excellent ride quality, we rate it as one of the best long-range electric scooters.

But how does this stack up against the competition? Let’s find out.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Unlike the Speed vs Price comparison, the OxO moves up the rankings, securing second place where it is piped to the post by the VSETT 10+R and its 74-mile range.

While it’s not a win for the OxO, it is only 6 miles behind the VSETT 10+R (74 miles) and when we factor in realistic conditions, the two deliver very similar ranges (averaging 37 miles). Ultimately, then, it comes down to which provides the best overall package.

Given that the OxO’s biggest benefits alongside mileage are its build and ride quality, the 10+R needs to live up to these – so does it? It’s a resounding yes – the 10+R is an exceptional scooter. Reminiscent of Bumblebee from Transformers, it not only stands out from the crowd with its flamboyant stylish robotic, and geometric frame, but it negotiates a delicate balance between power and price to deliver a highly versatile and nimble scooter that’ll leave you with a smile stretching from ear to ear. Plus, it makes up for where the OxO let us down – a grippy, rubber-covered deck and blisteringly fast acceleration rate.

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

Weight can often be a key factor in the decision-making process when it comes to choosing which scooter is right for you, and with that comes further considerations like which model packs the most power. Taking a 10 lb bracket with the OxO’s 74 lbs in the middle reveals the scooters best suited for long rides.

Out of a comparable 12 models – including the OxO – it confidently takes third place with a range that is greater than 75% of all others in the list. In first and second, there’s the Speedway 5 (75 miles) and VSETT 10+R (74 miles).

While the Speedway 5 may seem like the best option on paper, it doesn’t paint the full picture. The Speedway’s biggest flaws are its telescopic stem, foldable handlebars, and, most of all, cheap Chinese battery cells.

While telescopic stems are effective on lighter commuter scooters where they enhance portability, they are a weird design choice to have on performance models – hence why you don’t see them on any other models. When you’re riding at speed the stem of your scooter is put under significant amounts of pressure, especially when you pull back on the handlebars as a result of jolts in the road. Telescopic stems simply don’t have the level of reinforcement needed to deliver a reliable ride at high speeds.

As for the foldable handlebars, there’s an exception to this, and that’s if they screw securely into place (like those on the VSETT 10+ models). Unfortunately, the Speedway just uses tension cuffs meaning the grips are only held in place by slotting over the T-bar in the middle of the handlebars. The last thing you want on a long-range is wobbly, unstable handlebars.

Finally, Chinese batteries are chosen by manufacturers to bring the cost of a scooter down, but they deteriorate quicker than high-quality batteries, like LG ones. Just as your phone battery decays the more you charge it, cheaper Chinese cells used in scooter batteries do the same. In brief, this means that higher-quality batteries hold their peak performance for longer.

With all of this in mind, the VSETT 10+R – with its large LG battery – is the true winner.

Hill Climbing

The OxO’s hill-climbing capabilities are pretty good as long as you build momentum.

Thanks to the dual motors, they generate enough torque to scale challenging urban inclines up to 25 degrees. However, if you start the scooter on a hill, it takes a while to pick up the pace because of its sluggish acceleration.

By comparison, both the VSETT 10+R (35 degrees) and Wolf Warrior (30 degrees) are certified hill-eating machines. No matter the incline, these guys will get you up and over it.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

Its suspension is one of its redeeming factors. Like the Ox, it sports the same rubber cartridge suspension and single-sided swingarms that are adjustable to either a High or Low setting. Despite having the two settings to choose from, the OxO comes stock with the Low setting and this is capable of delivering a buttery-smooth ride while gliding city streets and tearing up dirt tracks. The High setting is best suited for rough off-road terrain where you need more clearance and room for the swingarms to pivot allowing for deeper suspension.

Alongside its ability to soak up vibrations like a hot knife cutting through butter, the damping (i.e. the process of controlling the oscillation of the rubber cartridge when it compresses and rebounds) keeps the wheels in contact with the ground below. This is different from scooters that rely on springs since these can have a tendency to bounce the scooter up and down, meaning you lose traction.

Braking

I’ve tested numerous scooters and done many brake tests, and the OxO is up there with the best.

Equipped with Zoom hydraulic brakes, it can come to a stop in 2.7 meters from 15 mph. We consider this to be excellent and to give you more context as to why: the average performance scooter takes around 3.0 – 3.4 meters to stop.

Zoom hydraulic brakes are some of the best you can get and with a light feathering of the grippy brake levers, they kick into action. Unlike scooters such as the Wolf Warrior or Mantis Pro that have anti-locking braking systems, it's important to remember that pulling hard on the levers can cause the wheels to lock up and skid (as with all scooters without ABS enabled) – so it's important to bear this in mind if you are making the transition to the OxO from a scooter like these.

Charge Time

It takes 13.5 hours to fully charge the 60V 25.6Ah battery.

Extra Features

LCD Display & Thumb Throttle

The cockpit is clean and minimalistic.

Its primary role is to provide insights into basic riding stats while you can also dig deeper into the scooter’s settings to control the screen’s brightness, maximum speed, cruise control function (on or off), units of display (km or miles), and photocell settings (which I’ll discuss in more detail further down).

One feature that can make a big difference to your riding enjoyment is the type of throttle and those of the thumb variety are best. You’ll often see scooters with QS-S4 and EY3 displays that have integrated trigger-style throttles that you pull with your finger. Over the past few years, these became the go-to design but with the evolution of the scooter industry, newer models are opting for thumb throttles as a result of their more ergonomic shape and placement. INOKIM was one of the scooter brands to incorporate these into their scooters and it paid off. It’s the cherry on top of the ride quality cake – you won’t get hand cramps as is the case with finger throttles, but, instead, enjoy long rides.

Front Motor On/Off Button

The small red front motor on/off button is on the left of the handlebars. When you press the red button, it puts the scooter in dual motor mode, giving you extra power from the second motor. When the button is disengaged (popped out) you know you’re using one motor (the rear).

LED Lights That Turn on Automatically When Dark

The OxO has low-mounted lights that turn on automatically when it’s dark. There are two lights at the front (one on either side of the deck) and one at the rear.

The front lights do an average job of letting pedestrians know you’re there, but they aren’t bright enough to light the road ahead. Another slight annoyance is the positioning of the rear brake light. Because it’s only on the right side of the deck, not everyone can see if it flashing when the brakes are engaged and so it’s not the best in terms of safety.

I recommend adding extra lights to the front and rear.

While the lights aren’t the greatest, a cool feature is that they turn on automatically when the scooter detects it's dark out. It uses Photocell sensors in the throttle to detect the light level. You can either disable this although (which I don’t recommend) or adjust the light level.

2-Step Adjustable Suspension System

Just like its younger brother, the Ox, it sports the same adjustable swingarms.

If you’re traveling off-road on lots of loose rocks, the High setting will soften the blow of more impactful shocks whilst also providing more clearance so you’re not scraping the underside of the deck.

For street riding, the Low setting hugs the road more, making it better suited to high-speed pursuits.

Adjusting the suspension isn’t a quick job, but all the tools to do it are included in the box. A word of warning: don’t use two different settings, i.e. don’t set the front swingarm to Low, and the rear to High, or vice versa.

Tire Hugger

As far as tire huggers go, the one on the OxO is one of the best we’ve seen. It covers a large surface area of the tire and does a great job of protecting you against water and mud splatter.

What’s more, because of the large kickplate, you get even more protection when it’s wet.

Bell

The bell is basic and cheap.

I’d liked to have seen something a bit more premium, like the motorcycle-grade horn you get on the Wolf Warrior. Instead, the OxO is fitted with a bicycle-grade bell that’s relatively flimsy.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Warranty

I highly recommend making sure you purchase the OxO through a reliable retailer like Fluid Free Ride who is one of INOKIM’s official retailers. Purchasing through them means you’ll receive a 12-month warranty that begins the date that appears on the purchase invoice.

The warranty covers manufacturing defects (including the battery), which is fairly standard. However, Fluid Free Ride goes a step beyond other warranties because they take care of the labor costs, meaning that if you need to send your scooter in for repair you’ll only have to pay for the shipping costs. Plus, they recently introduced their Lifetime Service Commitment meaning that you get 50% off parts and labor even after your warranty expires.

As with all warranties, there are a few things that aren’t covered, including:

• Consumables – which include components like brake pads, tire tubes, and the tires
• Wear and tear
• Damage as a result of collisions, accidents, or environmental factors like water
• Any attempts to alter the electronic programming
• Neglecting proper care and maintenance

Post-Purchase Support

Fluid Free Ride has earned its popularity as a result of its excellent after-sales support.

Not only are they on hand to help you via email and phone, but they are one of the few retailers that have created a useful Help Center for self-help. In the Help Center, you’ll find guides on basic introductions to the scooter like how to set it up, and even more advanced technical guides like how to adjust the hydraulic brakes.