INOKIM Quick 3 Review

Design

Handlebars

Small and sleek, the handlebars on the Quick 3 are perfectly-sized for the frame. As with all the INOKIM range, including the Quick 3’s bigger brother, the Quick 4, the handlebars are made from cast aluminum, as is the stem, which adds to their quality.

As you can expect from most commuter scooters, the telescopic stem allows you to adjust the height of the handlebars to suit your preferences, and it’s quick and easy to do.

One area that isn’t so great though, and is usually one of the strongest features on many other INOKIM scooters, is the linear-shaped hand grips. These lack the ergonomic shape and quality of those on its big bro, the INOKIM Quick 4.

The thumb throttle is nice, though. It’s the same one you’ll find on premium INOKIM models, such as the Ox Super and OXO. Unfortunately, it’s not as premium as the thumb throttle on the Quick 4, though this will be hard to beat as it’s one of the best throttle’s we’ve used. As for the display, unfortunately, the Quick 3 won’t win any awards here – it’s basic and outdated.

Frame

INOKIM’s styling is second to none, and the Quick 3 is no exception. From the sleek frame to the smooth rear fender, every component seamlessly flows into the next.

Sporting a black frame with red and lime green accents, the combination of colors and branding gives the Quick 3 a similar look and feel to all the other INOKIM scooters — and it’s one of quality.

Deck

The deck is a good size, and it’s relatively easy to find a stance that feels natural and comfortable.

Thanks to two strips of grip tape that run the entire length of the deck, there is enough coverage for your feet to find traction and stay planted. While it would be nice to see the entire deck covered in grip tape, or better, made from a premium quality rubber, the strips offer a decent level of grip.

The deck also has two redeeming features. The first is the carry handle. The placement of the handle is great and makes the scooter easy to carry once folded. It must be noted, though, that if you use the handle it leaves the underside of the deck open to rub against you as you carry the scooter.

The second feature is the rear fender (or mudguard). It wraps around the tire protecting you from water and mud debris. And whether it’s intentional or not, it also doubles up as a handy kickplate, extending the area where you can place your feet.

Wheels

Like the Quick 4, the Quick 3 sports two 10 x 2.5-inch pneumatic tires.

As I’ve said in my other reviews, pneumatics are my go-to tire choice. As well as offering the most comfortable ride, they provide good traction and soak up undulations in the road. And it’s a good job, as the Quick 3 relies solely on its tires for shock absorption (but more on that later).

The increased surface area of the plush tires also delivers reliable stopping power, which comes in handy because the Quick 3 doesn’t sport the most powerful brakes.

When looking at the scooters I recommended as alternatives, nothing separates them in the tire department. All five scooters are equipped with pneumatics.

Build Quality & Durability

Build quality is where the Quick 3 shines.

There are very few brands that can compete with INOKIM in this area, and as such, compared with other similarly-priced commuter scooters, the Quick 3 is lightyears ahead in this area.

Each part of the Quick 3, whether it’s the stem, joints, switches, or adjustment levers, feels superior in build quality. Part of the reason for this is the use of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machinery, which means the stem and base are forged from a single piece of aluminum alloy, rather than lots of different pieces being welded together. This is great news for a commuter scooter as it results in a longer-lasting model.

There is one big flaw, and that’s the lack of water-resistance rating. That being said, it’s not unique to the Quick 3, since all INOKIM scooters are void of IP ratings.

Weight & Load

The Quick 3 hits the scales at 36.4 lbs, which is 11.3 lbs lighter than the Quick 4. But looking at weight alone can be deceiving as the Quick 4 has a ton of upgrades that make it a much better scooter all-round. 

At 36 lbs, the Quick 3 is, in the grand scheme of the scooter world, relatively light. And, thanks to the carry handle and portable design features, its impact once folded, making it ideal to carry and stash away.

As for load-bearing capacity, the Quick 3 has the lowest (220 lbs) of all the scooters in its price class. Because of this, if you’re a heavier rider, you will want to opt for a different scooter. As a rule of thumb, I suggest choosing a scooter that can support 40 lbs more than your weight to get the best performance from it. So, in the case of the Quick 3 (and Quick 4), if you weigh over 180 lbs, I’d look at the alternative scooters that I’ve recommended – especially the EMOVE Cruiser (352 lbs) and Apollo Ghost (300 lbs).

Folding & Portability

If you plan to use this scooter daily and are concerned about how it’ll cope with copious amounts of folding and unfolding, don’t be. All of the folding mechanisms are superb.'

Aside from the mechanism itself, the Quick 3 sports an array of great practical features, such as its folding handlebars and telescopic stem.

In fact, the main mechanism used to fold the scooter is very similar to that used on the EMOVE Cruiser – one of the most intuitive mechanisms of its kind.

Assembly

As with most electric scooters, the Quick 3 comes pretty much ready to go out of the box.

There are a few simple steps you’ll need to complete:

1. Unfold the scooter.
2. Loosen the quick-release lever on the stem and pull the handlebars up to a height that suits you. Then, close the lever to lock them into place.
3. Pull down on both tension cuffs (the red cylinders) and bring both sides of the handlebars up before letting them slot over either side of the T-bar.
4. Ensure that the brake levers, throttle, and scooter controls are all secure.

Ride Quality

Is the INOKIM Quick 3 Comfortable to Ride?

It depends.

Smooth roads and sidewalks cause no problems for the Quick 3. The plush air-filled tires get to work soaking up small bumps and crevices. However, it’s a different story when the ground gets a little bumpier. Here, the Quick 3 begins to suffer. Because the scooter is void of a proper suspension system, it’s unable to deliver a smooth-sailing riding experience.

Usually, I’m not this harsh on scooters that don’t have suspension systems but do have air-filled tires, however, 98% of these cost significantly less than the Quick 3. Take the Turboant X7 Pro, for example – this scooter shares the same setup as the Quick 3 but considering it’s $749 cheaper and delivers the same level of ride quality, it makes the Quick 3’s performance look bad. Similarly, looking at the rest of the similarly-priced alternatives that I recommend – including the Apollo Ghost, EMOVE Cruiser, and Apollo City – all of these sport air-filled tires and full suspension systems. Against this backdrop, the Quick 3’s ride quality slides even further down the ladder.

Ultimately, if you are in love with the INOKIM brand but want a level of ride quality that surpasses that of a budget entry-level scooter (like the Turboant X7 Pro), then you should consider opting for the INOKIM Quick 4 which introduces a front spring and rear rubber suspension.

Performance & Safety

Top Speed

The Quick 3 has a top speed of 19 mph, but how does it compare against scooters in its price and weight class? Let’s have a look.

Speed vs Price Comparison

Taking the Quick 3’s $1,299 price tag and slapping $250 on either side there are 21 comparable models. Against the smorgasbord of scooters, the Quick 3’s performance is embarrassing, ranking last with a measly 19 mph – which is ironic, considering its moniker is ‘Quick’.

When you consider that the Apollo Ghost – the winner of this group – delivers a top speed that is 80% faster than the Quick 3, and the fact it doubles up on 800W motors to deliver an acceleration rate that is 56% faster to 15 mph, the Quick 3’s value can be considered to be poor.

The reason for the Quick 3’s downfall is that out of all the comparable models it has the smallest motor.

Speed vs Weight Comparison

Things improve slightly when we compare the Quick 3 to the 21 models in its weight class (31.4 – 41.4 lbs).

Here, the Quick 3 settles in the middle of the pack, improving on its performance in the Speed vs Price comparison.

Ultimately, the Quick 3’s weight bracket features much faster scooters. While the EVOLV Tour 2.0 takes the top spot, my choice would have to be the renowned Apollo City. It’s a well-rounded, reliable scooter that I consider to be the best commuter option (as well as one of the most portable models). It’s also $300 cheaper than the Quick 3.

Acceleration

Unsurprisingly, the Quick 3 has one of the slowest acceleration rates compared to the scooters that I recommend as alternatives. It does, however, beat the Turboant X7 Pro which has a smaller 36V 360W motor. While both these scooters share a similar top speed, the X7 Pro has a front-wheel motor as opposed to the rear motor of the Quick 3. Just like cars, rear-wheel-drive vehicles tend to accelerate faster than front-wheeled ones. This is evidenced by the Quick 3’s improved acceleration.

If rapid acceleration is a key factor for you, then the Apollo Ghost’s sizzling 2.3 seconds to hit 15 mph will satisfy your need for speed. The Ghost is the only dual motor model in this line up which explains its ferocious acceleration curve.

Alternatively, if long-range rides are more your thing, the EMOVE Cruiser is the king and packs a bigger punch than the Quick 3 where speed is concerned (because of its larger 52V 1000W motor).

And, if neither of those takes your fancy and you want a model that is as portable as the INOKIM, has a larger motor (600W), is cheaper, and quicker off the line, the Apollo City is ideal.

Maximum Mileage

The Quick 3 has a maximum mileage of 28 miles, but how does it compare to other scooters in its price and weight class? Let’s take a look.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

There are 21 comparable models within a $500 price range of the Quick 3. Much like the Speed vs Price comparison, the Quick 3 resides towards the bottom of the pack.

The EMOVE Cruiser takes the top spot, with a maximum mileage of 62 miles, more than double that of the Quick 3. Some 19 miles behind it is the Quick 4, with its 43-mile range.

As far as value for money is concerned, few scooters come close to the EMOVE Cruiser. It boasts a telescopic stem and foldable handlebars for a compact folded design like the Quick 3, however, it does weigh considerably more (+15.6 lbs).

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

Let’s dig a little deeper, and see how the Quick 3 compares to all the models that sit within 5 lbs on either side of its 36.4 lb weight.

Surprisingly, the Quick 3 performs better in this comparison, narrowly missing out on a podium position, joint fourth with the Apollo City.

The winner of this category is the GoTrax GMAX Ultra. Typically, Gotrax scooters are cheap and cheerful, but the GMAX ups the ante with a high-quality LG battery and deserves its placement as number one.

However, there is another scooter in the top 3 that I’d like to pull your attention to and that is the Turboant X7 Pro. This model benefits from not only being slightly lighter than the Quick 3 but it has a detachable battery, meaning you can double up on the 30 mile range for around the same cost as the GMAX Ultra by buying the scooter and an additional battery.

Hill Climbing

Usually, we like to give you a manufacturer figure here. But we couldn’t find one, not even in the manual. But don't sweat it – based on our database of 100+ models and years of testing scooters, we estimate the maximum hill climbing incline to be 15 degrees.

Overall, though, the Quick 3 isn’t built to climb hills. Its 450W motor simply doesn’t generate enough torque.

For a scooter that can eat up hills, opt for a dual motor model like the Apollo Ghost, or choose the single-motored EMOVE Cruiser that has a larger single 1000W motor.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

There’s not much to say about the Quick 3’s suspension. Not because it’s bad, but because it doesn’t have any. That’s right, zip, nada, zilch in the way of a spring or even rubber pads like you see at the rear of the Quick 4.

So it’s safe to say that the suspension (or lack thereof) is the Quick 3’s biggest flaw. It’s not uncommon for commuter scooters to rely on their tires to cushion the ride, but when you factor in that the 3 costs $1,299, its lack of suspension is embarrassing.

Having said that, the tires do a decent job soaking up some of the bumps in the road, just make sure you avoid the rough stuff.

Of all the scooters I recommended, the Apollo Ghost and EMOVE Cruiser have the best suspension systems.

Braking

The Quick 3 is equipped with dual mechanical brakes, there’s a front V-brake (braking pad system) and a rear disc brake.

Of all the scooters that are similarly-priced to the Quick 3, 86% (18) are equipped with dual mechanical brakes, and just one has semi-hydraulic discs (the EMOVE Cruiser).

For context about how the Quick 3’s brakes perform, they take just 3.7 meters to stop the scooter from a speed of 15 mph. This is pretty good for a commuter scooter.

Compared to the scooters I recommended as alternatives, the Quick 3 has more stopping power than the Turboant X7 Pro (mainly because it has a single rear mechanical brake) but is beaten by the rest of the lineup. The Apollo Ghost delivers the best braking performance (3.0 meters), followed by the Apollo City (3.1 meters), and the EMOVE Cruiser (3.4 meters).

Charge Time

The Quick 3 takes 7 hours to charge, which is on par with the Quick 4.

While the Quick 4 has a 52V 16Ah battery, the Quick 3 only has a 48V 13Ah battery, yet they have the same charge time. This surprised me somewhat. I expected the charge time to be less than 7 hours for the Quick 3.

There are some differences in the batteries, though. The 3 sports an LG battery, the same one used on the INOKIM Ox Super and OXO. The Quick 4, however, is equipped with a Samsung battery. This doesn’t affect performance, though, as they are pretty much identical and both high-quality.

Extra Features

LCD Display

Sadly, the display on the Quick 3 doesn’t cut it for me. Compared to the Quick 4, which has one of the best displays we’ve seen on a scooter of its ilk, the Quick 3’s is basic. It feels outdated and dare I say, cheap.

It does everything you want it to, including controlling the top speed, cruise control, battery status, speed mode, and more, but it lacks the premium feel that INOKIM is known for.

The thumb throttle, however, is good. But again, it’s not on the same level as the one fitted to the Quick 4. That said, it has a nice feel to it and it’s in a natural position, preventing hand cramps, something which is all too common with trigger throttle.

LED Lights That Turn on Automatically When Dark

Fitted with a headlight positioned over the front fender and small brake light at the rear, the scooter illuminates itself when it detects that it’s dark out.

Located on the throttle are light sensors that you can adjust. If you want the lights to come on when it's pitch black you can do that, or if you’d prefer them to turn on when the sun begins to set you can do that too.

While the addition of the light sensors is cool, you’ll need to attach additional lights for nighttime riding since the lights that come as stock aren’t bright enough.

Optional Seat Attachment

Standing isn’t for everyone. So you’ll be pleased to know that the Quick 3 has an optional seat attachment for those riders who prefer to sit. While it’s not for me, it's an incredibly handy bit of kit that I’m sure a lot of riders will find useful.

Out of the box, it comes with everything you need, and the setup doesn’t take long at all.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Warranty

When you purchase the Quick 3 through INOKIM’s official retailer, Fluid Free Ride, the scooter comes with a 12-month warranty.

As with most warranties, this covers manufacturing defects, including problems with the scooter’s battery. Fluid Free Ride goes one step further, though, by providing a lifetime service commitment of 50% off parts and labor even after the warranty expires.

As with all warranties, there is some small print but it's all pretty standard. Consumables like tires, tire tubes, and brake pads aren’t covered, and neither is general wear and tear. Nor is damage as a result of collisions, accidents, or environmental factors.

Post-Purchase Support

Fluid Free Ride is a popular retailer and one of the main reasons why is because of their post-purchase support. They have teams of experts that can troubleshoot any issues you may have – whether that’s with the buying process or fixing a technical issue with a scooter.

I’ve personally seen their service center where they repair and maintain scooters, and so I regard them highly for their technical support.

They also give you several different options to get in touch, including phone and email. They are one of the few retailers that have created an in-depth Support Hub, too.