Hiboy MAX V2 Review

Design

Handlebars

With budget scooters, there isn’t much that differentiates between good and bad handlebars, some are a little bigger, some are smaller, but the top speed of all models under $500 never exceed 20 mph so the size difference doesn’t play a huge role in control (compared to models that push 30 mph and need wider handlebars for enhanced stability).

The key factors though are the features and materials. On the MAX V2, you get a textured rubber design on the handgrips. With this, you get good grip, control, and peace of mind that your handlebars will stand the test of time against wear and tear, especially when compared to cheaper foam alternatives.

Hiboy has made a point of displaying the dual braking system on their handlebars and they don’t back down from that with the MAX V2. On the left side, you will find the thumb-operated electric braking system, while on the right you will find the rear disc handbrake. On other similar scooters, you usually find that if you use the handbrake it activates the electronic brake simultaneously, however here the brakes work independently.

Also, on the right, you will find the thumb throttle. A move from the MAX to the MAX V2 is that the button on the display has moved onto the throttle, this allows you to adjust things like riding mode or control the lights comfortably as your thumb is already in place.

The LED display can be found in the center of the handlebars. It has an egg-shaped screen that is angled downwards at a slight angle to prevent sunlight from glaring off it and reducing visibility.

Frame

Just like on most other electric scooters, the V2 fashions the ever-elegant matte-black finish which has become the go-to design in the scooter world.

Made from an aviation-grade aluminum alloy it has durability in spades. Taking on day-to-day wear and tear is not a problem for the frame of the V2.

The scooter is 35 lbs, which is a tad chunky, however, folding it up and carrying it for short periods shouldn’t be a drama.

Deck

The deck comes lined with a grippy rubber which provides stability. The matting is easy to clean and sealed tightly to the deck so doesn’t peel away easily.

Hiboy promotes an “extra-wide” standing platform that measures 5.8 inches but in reality, it’s the same size as many of the GoTrax and Turboant models that we’ve reviewed. However, where the MAX V2 has the upper hand is in its length. Measuring 21.6 inches, it is around 2.5 to 3.5 inches longer than the standard deck on budget scooters. As a result, the extra legroom affords a comfortable stance.

Unlike other scooters in the Hiboy range, most notably, the S2 lineup, the charging port is along the side of the deck as opposed to being at the top of the handlebar post.

The same blue deck lights that we saw on the Hiboy MAX made their way over to the V2 to add a dash of flair to the scooter's design.

Wheels

Like the majority of Hiboy’s budget scooters, the MAX V2 is plagued by dual 8.5 inch solid rubber tires.

The solid tires mean that flats are a thing of the past and the reinforced fender prevents rubbing against the tread keeping the rear tire in good condition. But, their downfall is their lack of cushioning. Despite having a honeycomb design and sporting a dual suspension system in the front and rear, the V2 fails to deliver comfort, obliging you to ride on only perfectly paved roads and sidewalks.

This is a real shame when you consider how good this scooter could have been if it upgraded to air-filled tires

If you do want to keep a low budget but benefit from a superior riding experience, then changing direction towards a scooter with plush pneumatic (air-filled) tires would be best. For this, I recommend the Turboant X7 Pro.

Build Quality & Durability

The aluminum alloy that is used to construct the scooter makes it durable and robust. For the price you pay, the finish of the frame is the best you can get. However, the same can’t be said for the suspension. The springs make a clanking sound as they depress.

The deck also ends up laying low so you should be cautious to take on any rough hits as your battery is stored here.

The reinforced fender on the rear is slightly questionable for me. I doubt it can take that much weight so if you are used to resting your foot on the rear or even pressing it down to brake like an old-fashioned scooter, you could end up damaging it. This will not only make the fender useless but could end up damaging the tires. You have to be vigilant of your riding technique – it may take some getting used to.

Weight & Load

Weighing in at 35 lbs, it is the 3rd heaviest scooter under $500. For context, in our database of 100+ scooters, the Hiboy MAX3 lays claim to the heaviest budget scooter (40 lbs), with the GoTrax G4 taking second place (36 lbs).

However, as mentioned in my review of the Hiboy MAX, when you put the weight into context against all electric scooters (budget, performance, and extreme performance models), it is on the light side.

What is impressive about the MAX V2 is that it can hold up to 265 lbs. For context, the standard for most budget scooters, including the MAX, is 220 lbs, so the V2 does well to take on a heavier load. Again, if I look at our database, the MAX V2 sits in 2nd place for load-bearing where the Turboant X7 Pro takes first place with 275 lbs.

You should note though, the more load on the scooter, the weaker the acceleration, and the more toll it takes on the battery, thus decreasing your range.

Folding & Portability

The one-step folding mechanism on the original MAX was extremely stiff and hard to use, but on the V2, Hiboy has improved it. This mechanism works much better and is extremely efficient.

Simply hold the handbrake down to ensure the scooter isn’t going anywhere, press the folding lever down with your foot while you're pushing the handlebars outwards and voila, your scooter is ready to be folded and carried.

While it doesn’t fold into an ultra-compact package, you can carry it by grabbing hold of the stem once it is locked into place. Like the Turboant X7 Pro, the stem is fairly thick so it's not as easy to hold as thinner stems like on the Horizon 10.4.

Assembly

The scooter comes partially assembled, you simply need to attach the handlebars and tighten the handbrake into place using the Allen wrench provided.

Everything you need can be found in the box.

Ride Quality

Is the Hiboy MAX V2 Comfortable to Ride?

With Hiboy’s budget scooters the ride quality has been a bone of contention, and the V2 makes a strong effort to address these issues.

Upgraded from the MAX, it not only comes equipped with a front spring but also dual shock absorbers in the rear. The combination of front and rear suspension makes the MAX V2 Hiboy’s most comprehensive budget scooter when it comes to shock absorption.

Unfortunately, the solid tires from the older MAX model remain, meaning you can only enjoy smooth rides on well-kept surfaces. Realistically, the MAX V2 doesn’t have the pedigree to deliver a smooth ride.

The handlebar is slightly short, too, so if you are taller than 5 ft 7 inches, get ready to hunch over while riding.

Performance & Safety

Speed & Acceleration

The MAX V2 carries a 350W motor that drives up to a notable 18.6 mph when in Sport mode, making it one of the fastest budget scooters available.

Having three riding modes means it can accommodate more inexperienced riders. To change modes, you simply tap the button on the throttle. Once the color on the display changes, you will know which mode you are in – red for Sport, yellow for Normal, and blue for Beginner.

As for the acceleration, it is quite underwhelming. When you compare it to the Hiboy S2, the pickup of speed (or lack of) is very noticeable. To be precise, the MAX V2 has a 47% slower acceleration rate.

Range

Hiboy claims you get a 17 mile range out of the MAX V2 but under realistic conditions, you’re more likely to see 8-10 miles.

The 17 miles is based on a 165 lb rider, flat terrain, and keeping the scooter in its lowest speed setting. If you need to squeeze out as many miles as possible, you’ll be better suited riding in the Normal or Beginner modes.

17 miles is a reasonable maximum range when compared to most budget scooters but there are a few out there that manage more. The Turboant X7 Pro, for instance, has a max range of 30 miles (16 miles under realistic conditions).

Hill Climbing

The incline capability of the MAX V2 is promoted as 15% but it is a bit of a stretch. It will slow down considerably when going up hills, mainly due to the slow acceleration curve.

The more weight you put on the scooter, the weaker it becomes when climbing hills.

I don’t recommend it as a good hill-climber.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

As previously mentioned, the MAX V2 has been upgraded from the older MAX model to feature a front spring as well as dual shock absorbers in the rear.

While the MAX V2 is one of the few scooters to boast a full suspension system at such a cheap price, you’ll hear the springs clanking together as you roll over bumps. Ultimately, if you’re looking for the cheapest scooter with the best suspension system then I highly recommend the Horizon 10.4. Unlike the MAX V2, the Horizon serves up a system that absorbs vibrations from urban terrain with ease, letting you ride in comfort – as opposed to the bone-rattling ride of the MAX V2.

Scooters equipped with pneumatic tires and no suspension, like the Turboant X7 Pro and GoTrax G4, also provide a more comfortable riding experience than the MAX V2.

Braking

The dual braking system of the V2 is displayed on the handlebars with the electric thumb brake on the left and the rear disc handbrake on the right. The electronic brake’s responsiveness is based on the battery level of the scooter, so as you lose battery the electric brake is not as effective. Using both brakes together allows you to come to a sharp yet safe stop – this is mainly a result of there being a brake on either wheel.

Fortunately, the MAX V2 comes with regenerative braking, so when using the electronic brake you can squeeze out extra range. What happens here is that when you brake, wasted kinetic energy is converted back into stored energy in the battery.

Charge Time

In 6 hours you go from empty to full, which when you put it into context is a little on the long side. In the same amount of time, the Hiboy S2 Pro delivers 25 miles and the Turboant X7 Pro provides 30 miles. Similarly, the GoTrax XR Elite has a maximum range of 18.6 miles and takes just 4 hours to charge.

Extra Features

LED Dashboard

In the center of the handlebars is the smartly designed LED display. This has been upgraded from the MAX’s oblong-like shape to be molded into a more egg-like shape. Plus, the button used to control your riding mode, lights, and whether the scooter is on or off, has been placed on the accelerator throttle rather than on the actual display. This makes the scooter much easier to control.

The design of the display is at a slight downward angle so it doesn’t attract glare from the sun or street lights, meaning it’s clear to view both day and night.

At a glance, you’re able to see your speed, battery level, and riding mode, as well as the status of the cruise control function and whether the lights are on or off.

LED Lights

The MAX V2 has one of the coolest lighting setups in the budget scooter bracket.

Coming to the foreground with a triple LED light system, there’s a front headlight, rear taillight, and blue deck lighting.

The front light is just about strong enough for you to see oncoming traffic and pedestrians, while the rear taillight keeps those behind you aware of your presence. However, I still recommend investing in another headlight as a precaution.

The rear taillight also works as a brake light so those behind you are aware if you are slowing down or coming to a halt.

The side deck lighting isn’t the strongest but more of an aesthetic touch.

Cruise Control

The MAX V2 doesn’t break the unwritten rule among electric scooters by delivering a cruise control function. What’s nice about the MAX V2 is that it automatically kicks in which is extremely convenient as it’s not always easy to press a button while riding. For example, the Hiboy NEX has a one-button operation that gets a bit ridiculous – you have to click the button seven times to put the scooter into cruise mode.

With the MAX V2, you simply have to maintain your speed for 6 seconds with your thumb on the accelerator, and then you’ll hear a beep to let you know cruise control is engaged. To deactivate, simply press the accelerator again or pull on the brakes.

Mobile App

Just like on the Hiboy MAX, the MAX V2 comes with a mobile app to give you a more detailed breakdown of your riding statistics. It's available on both iOS and Android and pairs to your scooter through Bluetooth.

Inside the app, you can view your speed, riding mode, battery life, and even change the start style from kick-to-start or zero-start.

Digital Lock

Another feature of the mobile app is the digital locking system. Simply enable it on the app to disengage the motor and lock the wheels into place. This thwarts anyone just pushing the scooter off and riding away with it.

However, it is still light enough to pick up and carry. So I would advise getting a strong physical lock, too.

Bell

On the left side of the handlebars, you can find the handy bell which gives passers-by a quick heads up as you glide by.

Water-Resistance Rating

With the IP54 water-resistance rating, it is protected from small puddles, light rain, and dust ingress.

Although, as mentioned in my review of the Hiboy MAX, the solid tires lack the traction needed for riding in wet conditions. You should also be mindful that any water damage to the scooter will not be covered under warranty.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Warranty

With the MAX V2, you are given a 12-month warranty covering scooter defects from the date of purchase. It is important to note that the battery is only covered for 6 months, meaning that if it is defective, Hiboy will repair and replace it at no cost to you. However, after the first 6 months of warranty, you will have to buy a new battery.

Hiboy also only covers purchases when ordered directly from Hiboy or any other authorized retailers.

Ultimately, any damage that is caused by you, or that is not caused by you (i.e. environmental factors like rain damage), is void from the warranty.

Post-Purchase Support

Hiboy alleges to “respond to every email within 24 hours”. However, as I have said in my other reviews of Hiboy scooters, I have been made to wait for over a month for a reply.

To get in touch with them, you can send an email to us.support@hiboy.com.

Overall, I would have preferred to see a support telephone number and although they have a bunch of FAQs for each product and an online library of manuals, their support pales in comparison to likes of Rev Rides, Varla, Fluid Free Ride, Voro Motors, Apollo and many other retailers.

Although the support isn’t the greatest, if you are still considering a Hiboy scooter, then I recommend buying directly from them to ensure you are covered by the warranty.