INOKIM Quick 4 Review

Design

Handlebars

Slim but sturdy, the Quick 4’s handlebars are exactly what you want from a commuter-style scooter. Like all of INOKIM’s scooters, they’re made from the same cast aluminium as the stem, so quality is in abundance.

Everything, including the handlebar grips, are second to none. They're perfectly shaped to fit the palm of your hand, grippy and free from rotation.

And then you have the thumb throttle, which is an improvement on the ones we’ve tested on the INOKIM Ox and OxO. Instead of being completely plastic, there’s a triangular-shaped piece of rubber embedded into the throttle that provides a more tactical experience. Unlike other scooters that use finger throttles that can cause hand cramps, the Quick 4’s throttle position is natural.

The brake levers, too, are on point — thanks to a strip of rubber that offers excellent grip.

Moving to the centre of the handlebars, the LED display is one of the best we’ve seen on an electric scooter of its ilk. Compared to the displays on the INOKIM Ox and OxO, this one is in a different class — and I’d even go as far as saying it’s better than the Q4-S4 display that you see on most high-end scooters.

Frame

If you’ve read any of my other INOKIM reviews, you’ll know how much of a big fan I am of their styling. And the Quick 4 is no different.

From the sleek, slender stem to the super smooth rear fender, the Quick 4 sports an industrial aesthetic that is hard not to like. True to INOKIM form, it has a shape that is unlike any other scooter I’ve reviewed.

Boasting a silver and black finish with red accents on the swingarms, stem lever and tension cuffs, the combination of colours and branding, alongside its smooth edges, gives it the premium finish other models in the INOKIM range are known for.

Deck

Without a doubt, the biggest flaw is its deck. Of all the scooters we’ve tested, it has one of the smallest. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, this hinders the ride quality.

Measuring up at just 15.5 inches, it is notoriously short. When riding the scooter, I found myself fidgeting more than normal, trying to cram my feet between the limits of the stem base and carry handle. Due to the lack of space, my feet were in a ‘L’ shape most of the time, which wasn’t the most comfortable (or practical).

It’s only when you compare the deck to its competitors that you realise just how small it is. Take, for instance, the EMOVE Cruiser which is arguably the Quick 4’s biggest rival, it has a deck that measures 23.1 inches – a whole 7.6 inches longer. Similarly, when riding both the Mantis and VSETT 8R, it’s far easier to find a natural stance that feels comfortable.

The only plus point is that it's grippy thanks to the strips of grip tape that run the entire length of the deck.

Wheels

The Quick 4 sports two 10 x 2.5-inch pneumatic tires which are mounted on split rims.

Pneumatic tires provide the most comfortable ride and are the best tires for maintaining traction and soaking up bumps. Plus, the increased surface area delivers reliable stopping power despite the Quick 4 not having the most advanced brakes (more on that later.) The traction generated by the tires also means you can carve easily side to side. This not only makes riding the Quick 4 fun but also enables you to take corners more effectively.

In the tire department, the Quick 4 does have one over on its competitor, the VSETT 8R, though. The VSETT 8R has just one air-filled tire at the front, with the rear being solid rubber. While air-filled tires are more prone to punctures and require more maintenance, the increased performance and comfort is worth it. Luckily, the VSETT 8R comes equipped with dual swingarm suspension which makes up for the lack of its shock-absorbing rear tire.

Build Quality & Durability

Just as Porsche consistently wins the title of the best car manufacturer as a result of their premium design and quality, INOKIM delivers on the goods in the world of scooters. There’s not many brands that rival it and the Quick 4’s seamless build is above and beyond the vast majority of its competitors.

From the moment you lay your hands on the Quick 4, you can feel its superior build quality oozing out of every joint, lever and switch. This is largely down to CNC machinery which resulted in the stem and base being forged from a single piece of aluminium alloy. This ensures a high-quality, high-precision finish with zero weldings. So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting scooter that’s perfect for everyday use, the Quick 4 is a great option.

Aside from the already mentioned areas that could do with improvement (i.e. the size of the deck), the lack of water-resistance rating is somewhat underwhelming. For me, if INOKIM are branding the Quick 4 as a ‘commuter scooter’ then you’d expect it to be able to withstand the challenges of weather that come with riding 5 days a week. This is a common issue across all INOKIM scooters.

Weight & Load

The Quick 4 weighs 47 lbs, which is 11 lbs heavier than the Quick 3. The extra weight brings some much needed benefits with it, though. For example, unlike its predecessor, the Quick 4 doesn’t just rely on air-filled tires for suspension, but instead introduces a front spring and rear rubber suspension system. Similarly, the Quick 4 injects more speed (+6 mph) with its more powerful 52V 600W motor vs the Quick 3’s 48V 450W motor. Last but not least, the larger 52V 16Ah battery contributes a decent proportion of the increased weight against the smaller 48V 13Ah of the Quick 3.

Compared to the scooters I recommended as alternatives, the Quick 4 is the lightest of the bunch. Though at 47 lbs, it's far from light, and you certainly won’t want to be lugging it on public transport for long periods.

In terms of load capacity, the Quick 4 can handle 220 lbs of rider bulk, which is often more closely associated with cheaper entry-level scooters. Against the scooters I recommend as alternatives, this is 45 lbs less than the VSETT 8R (265 lbs) and the Mantis Base (also 265 lbs), and a whopping 132 lbs less than the EMOVE Cruiser (352 lbs).

Folding & Portability

The Quick 4 may not necessarily live up to its moniker where performance is concerned, but it certainly does with its lightning-quick folding speed. We timed it, and it took us just 15 seconds to fold and unfold.

Aside from its fast-folding prowess, the Quick 4 sports lots of great practical features. Whether it’s the folding handlebars, telescopic stem, rear handle or the folding mechanism for easy carrying, there's a lot to get excited about. Though as we said earlier, it’s not the lightest, so carrying it for long periods can be strenuous.

Assembly

As with most electric scooters, the Quick 4 comes pretty much ready to go out of the box. Though there are a few tasks to complete.

First you’ll want to unfold it, then loosen the quick release lever on the stem to bring the handlebars up to a height that suits you and lock them into place by closing the lever. Next, pull down on both tension cuffs (the red cylinders) and bring both sides of the handlebars up before letting the cuffs slot over either side of the T-bar. Finally, make sure that the brake levers, throttle, and scooter controls are all fastened into place.

You may also want to double check the PSI of the tires – although they do come ready to ride.

Ride Quality

Is the INOKIM Quick 4 Comfortable to Ride?

The ride quality of the Quick 4 is good, especially for such a small package. It’s comfortable, secure, and handles bumps in the road well. This is largely down to its well damped suspension that features a spring at the front and rubber at the rear. It’s shock absorbing abilities beat out smaller commuter-style scooters like the Apollo City, EMOVE Touring, and Horizon, and match larger more powerful models like the Apollo Explore and EMOVE Cruiser.

Small details like the handgrips – that have been passed down by the INOKIM Ox and OxO, and surpass the linear-shaped grips of the Quick 3 – make the Quick 4 comfortable to ride. I’d even go as far to say that they are one of the best handgrips we’ve tested – evening outperforming those that come stock on far more expensive models like the Wolf King and Wolf Warrior.

The thumb throttle is also a welcome addition that we don’t often see on other scooters, furthering the comfort of the ride. Alongside the low-maintenance, yet reliable drum brakes, everything stakes in favour of the Quick 4 – that is, until you reach it’s deck.

As already mentioned, the deck is too short, which makes it difficult to find a stance that feels comfortable and natural when hitting top speeds.

Performance & Safety

Top Speed

The Quick 4 can reach up to 25 mph, but how does it compare against scooters in its price and weight class? Let’s find out.

Speed vs Price Comparison

Taking the Quick 4’s $1,499 price tag and placing a $500 range around it, there are 22 comparable models. And where speed is concerned, the Quick 4 is almost bottom of the pile.

Just like the Quick 3, speed isn’t the Quick 4’s strong suit.

The reason for its poor ranking is because the Quick 4’s price tag straddles the line between single and dual motor scooters. And as a result, the rankings feature a mix of both models, with the dual-motor scooters leading the way.

The Mantis Base, EVOLV Pro and Varla Eagle One all share the crown with a 40 mph top speed. Each model features dual 1000W motors, but the Mantis is the only scooter equipped with more powerful 60V motors rather than 52V. As a result, the Mantis is able to generate more torque than the other two which leads to a faster acceleration rate. Ultimately, the Mantis takes the crown because it can accelerate to 40 mph faster than the rest.

Having said that, it’s worth noting that the Mantis is a performance scooter, and doesn’t have the practicality of the Quick 4.

Speed vs Weight Comparison

As with the speed vs price comparison, the Quick 4 doesn’t perform great when compared to the 17 models in its weight class (42-52 lbs).

It’s the Dualtron Mini’s peak output of 1450W that takes the crown with a top speed of 32 mph. It’s also identical in price to the Quick 4.

There’s no denying that the Mini strikes a balance between speed and portability, but despite its name, its foldable dimensions are far from mini. This is mainly as a result of not having a telescopic stem or foldable handlebars. As a result, if we step back from the rankings and assess each scooter based on overall performance, I recommend the EMOVE Cruiser. It is by far the most well-rounded scooter of the entire lineup (portability, design, top speed, and mileage).

Acceleration

Unsurprisingly, the Quick 4 is last when it comes to acceleration.

Of all the scooters I recommend as alternatives, the Mantis comes out on top, leaving the rest in the dust. It hits 15 mph 47% faster than the Quick 4, and 25 mph 58% faster.

Ultimately, if you want the best bang for your buck and speed/acceleration are top of your list, the Mantis is the best scooter for you. Though, if you want a scooter that possesses the blueprint design of a portable scooter (i.e. a telescopic stem and foldable handlebars), and an unrivalled range, the EMOVE Cruiser is the best option. Plus, it has a larger 52V 1000W motor which delivers a faster acceleration.

However, if your eyes are set on the Quick 4 and its power and range are enough for you, then it's worth considering the VSETT 8R. It’s almost identical in its acceleration, top speed, and range, yet it is far more comfortable to ride thanks to its longer deck. The VSETT 8 has an elongated deck that measures 26.5 inches long, giving you an additional 11 inches of room (equivalent to 71% more space) to find a more comfortable stance.

Maximum Mileage

The Quick 4 has a maximum 43 mile range, and a realistic range of 28 miles if you ride it in its most powerful settings. But how does it compare against its stiffest competition? Let’s find out.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Thankfully for INOKIM fans the Quick 4 moves up the rankings and bags second place on the podium.

While it’s great to see the Quick 4 as a top performer in the rankings, it’s not the only thing worth shouting about. You see, the Quick 4 sports a Samsung battery, which is one of the best batteries you’ll find on a scooter. It’s on a par with the LG batteries found in the INOKIM Ox Super and OxO — which are high quality and long-lasting.

Having said that, there’s no denying that the EMOVE Cruiser offers the best bang for your buck where mileage is concerned. It’ll keep the wheels rolling for 44% longer than the Quick 4, which equates to an extra 19 miles.

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

Digging deeper, let’s have a look at how the Quick 4 compares to all the models that sit within 5 lbs on either side of its 47 lbs bulk.

Yet again, the EMOVE Cruise steals the show with its staggering 62-mile range. It is closely followed by the Quick 4 and VSETT 8R.

Hill Climbing

Unfortunately, we’re unable to give you a manufacturer-quoted figure for hill climbing as we can’t find one, not even in the manual. However, based on our database of 100+ models and years of scooter testing, we estimate the maximum hill climbing incline to be 15-degrees.

The Quick 4 isn’t the quickest hill climber, neither is it the slowest. It sits somewhere in the middle. It’ll get you up most gradual urban inclines but anything more challenging will see it slow. Ultimately, though, it hasn't been built to be a hill destroyer – after all, it only has a single 600W motor.

If tearing up steep hills is important to you, opt for a dual motor model like the Mantis Base, or choose a scooter with a larger single motor like the EMOVE Cruiser.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

The Quick 4’s suspension is one of its strong points, offering great shock absorption for urban terrain. The suspension set-up is unique compared to its competitors because it sports a spring upfront and rubber at the rear. It’s not unusual for INOKIM to use rubber for their suspension – I’ve tested INOKIM’s performance line of scooters – including the Ox and OxO – and was impressed with how good their rubber suspension systems were.

In my reviews of the Ox and OxO, I rated both their suspension systems a 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 was extremely stiff and 10 was super soft. In the case of the Quick 4, I give it a 5.

Before INOKIM introduced the Quick 4, all of their commuter-style scooters lacked suspension and relied on air-filled tires to take up the slack. As a result, it’s great to see that INOKIM has listened to rider feedback and equipped Quick 4 with the necessary shock absorption capabilities.

Braking

The Quick 4 comes stock with drum brakes that deliver a responsive feel when you pull the brake levers.

Unlike discs, these drum brakes are totally sealed, meaning they won’t fade in the wet, and are less likely to get damaged from stone chips and kerbs. What’s more, there’s very little maintenance. Drum brakes don’t need adjusting to keep the pads central to a disc. The result? They’re always tuned, bringing you to a stop from 15 mph in just 3.6 meters.

Of all the similarly priced scooters, 95% of them are equipped with dual mechanical brakes, and just 18% boast hydraulic systems. Two of the scooters to boast hydraulics are also 2 of the scooters that I recommend as alternatives – both the EMOVE Cruiser and Mantis Base have semi-hydraulic brakes that allow them to come to a stop in just 3.4 meters from 15 mph.

The other scooter I recommend as an alternative, the VSETT 8R has front and rear drum brakes to match those on the Quick 4, but these manage to bring it to a stop in 3.2 meters.

Overall, the Quick 4 has good stopping performance but if you want to increase the power of the brakes, opt for any of the alternatives.

Charge Time

The 52V 16Ah battery takes 7 hours to charge, which is what you’d expect for a battery of this size.

Because the battery uses Samsung cells, you can rely on it being high-quality and long-lasting, meaning you’ll get peak performance for an increased number of charge cycles over cheaper Chinese batteries.

Extra Features

Central Control Unit & LCD Display For Customized Performance Configuration

The Quick 4’s cockpit is as good as it gets. It’s well put together with the star of the show being the Central Control Unit.

I’m used to the minimalistic displays on other INOKIM models, but this thing is on a different level. It not only resembles a touchscreen phone in its design, but also in how simple it is to use.

The display controls all the things you'd expect, things like maximum speed, lights, the park feature, and controlling the units of display (km or miles).

Park Mode

One feature that is unique to the Quick 4 is park mode.

The Quick 4 will enter park mode and disable the throttle if the scooter is powered on and left idle for 30 seconds or more. This feature stops the scooter from running away from you if you accidentally bump the throttle.

There are several ways to exit park mode – you can either tap any of the scooter’s buttons or pull on either brake lever before setting off.

Telescopic Stem For Adjustable Handlebar Height

Like the scooters that came before it, the Quick 4 has a telescopic stem that makes it easy to fold, pack up and carry. Thanks to the adjustable stem, which allows you to alter the height of the handlebars, the Quick 4 is a great scooter for riders of all heights.

You can adjust the stem by unlocking (and locking) the quick-release clamp.

Folding Handlebars For Enhanced Portability

Like most commuter-style scooters, the handlebars on the Quick 4 fold down for enhanced practicality.

As I mentioned earlier, the Quick 4 is a little too heavy to be crowned the best commuter scooter. However, the foldable handlebars make it compact if you need to take it on public transport. It's small enough to fit in your trunk and under a desk, too.

LED Lights That Turn on Automatically When Dark

The Quick 4 is fitted with three lights — two at the front and a taillight.

Previously, INOKIM has lined the throttle of their scooters with light sensors that control the status of the lights (whether they are on or off). On the Quick 4, however, they moved the sensors to the display. Just as with INOKIM’s other models, you can adjust the light level at which you want the lights to turn on.

Overall, the lights are fairly good. However, due to the position of the front lights, which are low-mounted, they don’t cast enough light in front of you. If you plan to ride at night, you should fit an external light to the front of the scooter for increased visibility.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Warranty

When you purchase the Quick 4 through INOKIM’s official retailer, Fluid Free Ride, the scooter comes with a 12-month warranty.

As with most warranties, this covers manufacturing defects. Fluid Free Ride goes one step further, though, and handles the labor costs, too. This means that if you need to send your scooter in for repair, you’ll only need to pay for the shipping costs. And, if Fluid Free Ride’s support team is confident that you can fix the problem yourself under their guidance, they’ll send you the parts for free.

There is some small print in the warranty, though. Most notably, consumables aren’t covered (i.e. tires, tire tubes, and brake pads), and neither is general wear and tear. Nor is damage as a result of collisions, accidents, or environmental factors. As a result, I recommend not riding in the rain.

Post-Purchase Support

Fluid Free Ride is a big name in the scooter world and I am in constant contact with Julian – the Founder – to see what they are doing to support customers, whether that's improvements with the warranty or taking a look around the service center where they repair and maintain scooters.

They have a super helpful team stretching from the customer support team who help you with everything related to your purchase, to the technical experts that effectively troubleshoot to find solutions to any issues you may have.