Varla Eagle One Pro Review

Design

Handlebars

At 24.8 inches, the handlebars aren’t as wide as on other performance scooters that I’ve tested. This isn’t a deal-breaker, however, because stability at fast speeds is accounted for by the built-in steering damping.

Along the bar, everything is clean, tidy, and ergonomically designed. The thumb throttle is perfectly positioned to allow for excellent modulation over your speed, while the brake levers and buttons are within easy reach.

It must be noted, however, that the button console is cheaply made and this was evidenced in my tests. While riding off-road, I noticed that the speed setting changed without any input. This is because each button has a spring underneath it and so as the scooter rolled over bumps it shook the frame, causing the button springs to rattle, compress, and change the setting.

As for the grips, they mold to your hand and their grippy texture ensures firm control. I did notice that the right handgrip was a little loose and could be twisted, though.

Finishing the cockpit is a large centrally-located display that’s deserving of its centerpiece status. It features all the key stats you need to see at a glance, but under direct sunlight, it gets washed out.

Frame

The frame looks like a million dollars. I’m a big fan of the deep red highlights that juxtapose satisfyingly with the minimalist metallic charcoal shell.

Combined with its colossal stature, the Eagle One Pro is a scooter made for turning heads.

Deck

Super wide and grippy, the deck is perfectly formed for maintaining control no matter where you’re riding.

In an attempt to make the scooter look clean, Varla made the rubber matting a tan color. Is it better than a standard black design at hiding dirt? Not really, but it looks cool.

Another feature that I particularly like, however, is the grip-slathered kickplate. This is the first time I've seen and tested a scooter with this integration and while it sounds trivial it makes a big difference to the amount of control you have when scaling treacherous off-road routes.

As for the size of the deck, I’ve seen some reviewers say that it’s short, but from my experience riding this beast, I encountered no such issues. It measures 22.8 inches in length, and the kickplate adds an extra 3 inches of space.

Wheels

The tires are a bit of a mixed bag.

On one hand, you have their size. Measuring 11 by 4 inches, they’re certified ground crushers that lay waste to practically any terrain. Tough and durable, there’s more chance of a snowstorm in Hawaii than these bad boys letting you down on a dirt track.

But then you have their profile. Simply put, they don’t keep their edge when leaning into corners at speed. This inhibits your confidence in the scooter, which is quite exasperating if you want to burn rubber.

Build Quality & Durability

Don’t be fooled by the playful embrace of color – this is one tough cookie. It's irrefutably tank-like, with the aluminum casing nigh-on indestructible come rain or shine.

I’m also a fan of the tidy, unobtrusive cable management and securely fastened front and rear fenders.

Elsewhere, the tall and sturdy stem is wobble-free.

But, no scooter is perfect. One area of its design that deviates away from the big imposing build of the rest of its frame, is the kickstand. This thing is puny. For such a large scooter I would have expected a beefier kickstand. But, to give credit where it’s due, it does its job by keeping the scooter upright and stable, which is more than what can be said for scooters with kickstands four times the size (I’m looking at you Wolf Warrior X GT).

The only other areas that don’t quite hit the mark are the cheaply made button unit, the handgrips that can be twisted, and the fact that there’s a misalignment of the rake and trail which leads to jittery steering responses (I’ll explain this in more detail in the “Ride Quality” section).

Nevertheless, for what the Eagle One Pro delivers, its build quality is where I would expect it to be for a scooter of its price.

Weight & Load

Weighing 90 lbs it could masquerade as a bulldozer. It’s hefty – which you’ll soon become acutely aware of if you need to carry it up a flight of stairs.

But we’ll let it off the hook because it also has a magnificent maximum load capacity of 330 lbs. Few scooters can match this and Varla deserves credit for delivering a model that’s inviting to all riders.

Folding & Portability

You may have beaten me to the punch by concluding that the Eagle One Pro isn’t a commuter scooter. It’s a toil to carry, won’t fit in any car trunks, and isn’t exactly office-friendly. I suspect Varla is fine with all of this.

It does come with a folding mechanism, of course, but this hasn’t been as well designed as, say, the Mantis King GT. It takes a while to compact it down, the stem doesn’t lock to the deck, and the display hits the kickplate. The taillight is mounted to the underside of the kickplate, too, so it gets in the way when you try to grab hold of and lift the scooter.

It’s fair to say then that the Varla Eagle One Pro isn’t a portable scooter – it's more of a keep it upright in the garage type of affair.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. The mechanism and safety pin that holds the stem in place ensure that the scooter feels rock solid, no matter how aggressively you ride.

Ride Quality

Is the Varla Eagle One Pro Comfortable to Ride?

When you initially step foot on the scooter and take it out for its inaugural ride, it feels very unnatural.

This is a result of two design choices.

The first is the stiff steering damping, and when I say stiff, I mean it. This makes it difficult to turn the handlebars, meaning you need to adopt a style of riding that requires you to lean into corners as though you’re riding a motorcycle.

The second issue – which exacerbates the first – is to do with geometry. The steering column doesn’t line up with the center of the front wheel and as a result, it creates what is known as a negative trail. This leads to jittery steering responses. You’ll become accustomed to it, but it does take a while.

Combined with the issue of the tires lacking control around corners, it’s fair to say that the Eagle One Pro isn’t the best scooter for carving at speed.

On the other hand, the large tires and steering damper certainly provide stability when burning rubber on the straights. Where they shine, however, is when you’re riding off-road and need additional control to ensure you remain upright.

Performance & Safety

Top Speed

Armed with dual 60V 1000W motors and 30A controllers, the Varla Eagle One Pro is capable of reaching a gurn-inducing 45 mph. This is uncharted territory for the brand.

Speed vs Price Comparison

Compared to 7 other models within a range of $500, the Eagle One Pro is the category’s top performer… on paper, at least.

Despite its impressive spec sheet, the Pro feels slower than the likes of the Wolf Warrior X and Mantis V2 models. Two factors explain this. First, its 2600W peak power output is lower than the four scooters trailing it in the table. And second, it’s heavier.

Acceleration

The Eagle One Pro hits 0-15 mph in 2.5 seconds and 25 mph in 5.0 seconds. In isolation, these are pretty impressive stats, but chart-topping? Certainly not.

The Mantis King GT rules the roost among the similarly priced models, with its more powerful motors leaving the Pro in a cloud of dust.

The Mantis V2 (24.5Ah), on the other hand, has the same-sized motors and smaller 25A controllers; crucially, however, it weighs less, so can accelerate quicker.

Likewise, the SPLACH Titan beats the Pro to 25 mph. It has 52V 1000W motors, shares the same peak power output of 2600W, and is considerably lighter. It’s also $810 cheaper.

So, what can you take away from these comparisons? Well, there’s no getting around the fact that while this scooter certainly has a fast top speed, its acceleration makes its performance feel somewhat muted. For riders seeking the unfiltered shot of adrenaline that high-performance scooters specialize in, spending a few extra dollars may be a wise move.

Range

Equipped with a large 60V 27Ah Lithium-ion battery, the Eagle One Pro keeps the wheels rolling for 45 miles (or 36 miles when riding fast, according to my tests).

Made of energy-efficient 21700 battery cells, its 1620Wh of stored energy means it’s 71% larger than the unit found on the Pro’s predecessor, the Eagle One. This performance is further enhanced by the presence of a smart battery management system that regulates the flow of energy in and out of the battery.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Compared against 7 alternative models that sit within a $500 range, the Eagle One Pro finishes as runner-up to the Wolf Warrior X GT.

While its battery is almost identical in size to that of the Wolf (1620Wh vs 1680Wh), its rival delivers a superior 50-mile range. Plus, thanks to the Wolf’s superior Sine Wave controllers, it manages to achieve a longer real-world range of 43 miles.

It must be noted, however, that the Wolf Warrior X GT doesn’t stand up to the Varla’s all-terrain riding credentials.

Hill Climbing

Considering it's a dual-motored beast, you won’t be surprised to learn that the Eagle One Pro is a virtuoso when it comes to scaling steep slopes.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

Dovetailing effectively with the ultra-durable tires is the front and rear hydraulic suspension.

The dual shocks are well-calibrated to ensure a reasonably cushioned ride, while 6.7 inches of ground clearance means it rolls over challenging obstacles without incurring damage to the underside of the deck.

Sure, it’s not as smooth as premium all-terrain scooters like the Mantis King GT, but it certainly beats other revered models like the Wolf Warrior X GT.

Compared to the original Varla Eagle One, the suspension isn’t as plush, but the tightly packed springs make it ideal for heavier riders where the added preload ensures that the springs don’t bottom out.

For context, I’ve awarded the Eagle One Pro 7 out of 10 on the shock absorption scale, while other models like the original Eagle One scored 8 and the Mantis King GT scored 9.

Braking

The best brakes are invariably hydraulic. While the Eagle One Pro can be purchased with these or mechanical brakes instead, I recommend the former if stopping power is a valued commodity to you.

Armed with hydraulics, you can expect to come to a complete halt from 15 mph in 3.0 meters, which is in line with other good performers.

As an extra layer of assurance, you can activate the electronic brake and adjust its strength accordingly.

Charge Time

It takes 6-7 hours to re-juice if you use two chargers, or 13-14 hours if you employ one.

Extra Features

LCD Display

Home to all your key stats, including speed, mileage, and battery use, the display is the centerpiece of the ergonomically designed cockpit. It also lets you select from 3 riding modes and monitor the status of your lights, cruise control, and dual motors.

For all intents and purposes, it does its job well. The screen is around the same size as a credit card while the figures, icons, and characters are large and easy to read. However, under direct sunlight, it washes out.

NFC Card Reader

Integrated into the display is an NFC card reader. Built to deter thieves, you have to touch your card on the sensor to unlock the scooter. Without it, your Eagle’s flying nowhere.

What’s more, if you have an Android phone, you can turn it into an NFC card. Cool, eh? Commiserations if you have an iPhone, though.

Lighting Rig

Now, Varla says its 10W headlight can light up 500 meters of road in front of you. I appreciate the enthusiasm and imagination of its marketing team, but this is a stretch, to say the least – especially when you consider that the strongest sport stadium floodlights are capable of producing a beam that reaches just 300 meters.

It’s a great light, nevertheless, and will keep you safe during night rides.

The only issue with it is that, because it’s attached to the main frame – as opposed to the stem or handlebars – it doesn’t always point where you want it to. When you turn the handlebars, the light doesn’t follow.

At the opposite end of the scooter, the taillight is large, bright, and flashes when you pull on the brakes.

Smart Battery Management System

By protecting the battery against over-voltage, low-voltage, over-discharge, over-current, and over-temperature, the battery management system keeps the battery operating within set parameters.

Examples of this include the system limiting the power supply when the internal temperature of the battery exceeds a safe value.

IP54 Water-Resistance Rating

Like all good all-terrain scooters, the Eagle One Pro has a water-resistance rating.

IP54 means the scooter can be ridden in light rain, while it’s also protected from dust ingress. Just don’t go riding it through deep puddles or heavy downpours.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Varla provides a comprehensive and generous warranty policy.

The throttle, controllers, and frame are all covered for two years, while the motors, battery, and chargers receive a one-year warranty. The inner tubes of your tires, brake pads, kickstand, and fenders, on the other hand, are subject to a one-month warranty or the first 100 kilometers.

Within the time frames listed above, you’re entitled to free maintenance if there’s a manufacturing fault or damage caused by shipping.

As with all warranties, your claims will be voided if your scooter is found to have been subjected to abuse, neglect, improper repair, improper maintenance, alteration, modification, an accident, or other abnormal, excessive, or improper use.