VSETT 9R Review

Design

Handlebars

The VSETT 9R sports a set of curved, ergonomic handlebars, which make handling the scooter’s steering column – and accessing its dual hand-operated disc brakes – a cinch.

They’re plenty comfortable, too. At 25.5 inches wide (the same as those on the 10+R) the 9R’s handlebars are up there with the longest you’ll see on any electric scooter – let alone in its price bracket.

The handlebars also outstrip some more premium models – such as the Dualtron Ultra and Kaabo Wolf Warrior, which dwarf the 9R for price – by boasting a clever folding functionality.

In brief, the handlebars look cool, collapse neatly, and are super stable to boot. There’s none of the distracting wobbliness I’ve seen with foldable handlebars on other models, either. Though, this is due, in large part, to the triple stem locking mechanism, which I’ll discuss later on.

From the 9R’s handlebars, you’ll also be able to access important info about your scooter and journey.

To the right, you’ll find the scooter’s QS-S4 display – which doubles as both a throttle and a screen for your speed, mileage, and ride mode, as well as for keeping tabs on your battery life. There’s also a place for unlocking your scooter with NFC technology, and – to the left side of the handlebars – a button that activates the 9R’s horn.

Frame

No discussion of the VSETT 9R’s frame could hope to be complete without talking about that color palette.

With splashes of eye-popping, electric teal highlighting the scooter’s handlebars, swingarms, deck, and triple stem locking mechanism – and contrasting with the scooter’s inky black body – the 9R does more than enough to catch the eye.

A little too garish for me, perhaps (as I noted in my review of the 9+R, which has the same color scheme – I’m a much bigger fan of the black and yellow getup of the 10+R), but the 9R will still appeal to plenty of cooler riders than I.

Plus, it’s hard not to love the attention to detail that has gone into the chrome highlights lining the grooves of the 9R’s motor hubs, and the slashes of silver scything through the color on its swing arms.

While the cut of the 9R’s jib certainly won’t be for everyone, you have to still admire VSETT’s willingness to change things up. From the 8R’s gunmetal grey frame to the teal of the 9R, all the way to the red and blue monstrosity that is the 11+, do we dare to wonder, what’s next?

Deck

At 28 inches long and 8 inches wide, the deck is the joint-second longest in the VSETT range – outstripped only by the 11+ (30 inches) – so it’s fair to say there’s plenty of room to stand comfortably. The reinforced kickplate plays a pivotal role here, too. It lets you strike a stance where you can lean into the ride for a more exhilarating experience. There’s also 8.5 inches between the deck and the floor (1.5 inches more than the VSETT 8), while a full 6 inches of clearance keeps you from bottoming out.

Made from a hard rubber material, the 9R’s deck is super simple to wipe down after use – even including the branded strip of silicone running lengthwise. Importantly though, it provides good grip. On future models, I’d prefer to see the whole deck coated in a grippy rubber veneer, like the matted surface of the Kaabo Wolf King for even more grip.

The 9R’s charging ports – somewhat unconventionally – are also located on the top of the scooter’s deck, rather than the side. This has caused no small amount of controversy in the electric scooter community, mainly because it’s been suggested that water can pool up in and around the charging ports, and cause them damage.

Thankfully, however, this isn’t something you should have to worry about when it comes to the 9R. Unlike the sliding charge port covers of the 11+ – which are more likely to pick up damage as a result of the elements – the 9R’s ports are protected by waterproof seals.

The ports are also positioned in a way that means your feet never come into contact with them while riding, so they’re unlikely to pick up damage from knocks, either.

Wheels

With a pair of wide, chunky pneumatic tires at its disposal, the VSETT 9R’s wheels deliver both safety and comfort in spades.

After all, with measurements of 8.5 x 3 inches, the 9R’s tires boast not only plenty of surface area with which to keep you on the road but have an extremely similar profile to those on the highly lauded Mantis 8 (8.5 x 3.1).

Being of the pneumatic variety, the 9R’s tires collaborate with the scooter’s spring suspension to deliver a stellar ride experience. Because they’re filled with air, they help to soak up most of the impact of the road – particularly when navigating less well-maintained terrain.

The stocky build of the 9R’s tires also provides you with a large contact patch on the road. Increasing the amount of traction with the ground below improves grip and braking performance.

But importantly, the 9R’s tires never stray into the territory of being too large.

Unlike the seriously jumbo 11 x 4 inch wheels of the VSETT 11+ – the smaller profile of the 9R’s tires allows it to retain greater agility and nimbleness when it comes to making sharper turns.

Build Quality & Durability

True to form, the 9R follows the rest of the VSETT range by serving up a scooter constructed from the highest quality materials.

The 9R’s shaft is made of a robust, reliable carbon chromium alloy steel, called SCM400. The deck is silicone, while the scooter’s ergonomic handlebars are coated in a patina of rubberized material for grip and comfort.

For the 9R’s frame, VSETT has again relied on 6082-T6 – the same hard-wearing aerospace-grade alloy that’s also used by civil engineers to build cranes, bridges, and other structures that are exposed to extreme stress.

Durability? Check.

But the VSETT 9R also has some other neat facets to its build quality that are worth mentioning.

Firstly, the kickplate. Not only is this great for portability – the stem hooks into it when folded, making the 9R easier to carry – it’s also ideal for when you’re riding the scooter.

Standing with your back foot on a kickplate allows you to lean into a ride, and strike a stronger, more stable pose while hitting the 28 mph top speeds. Having your weight positioned over that rear tire will also give you better traction; helping you slow down comfortably when you need to, and come to a quicker, safer stop.

Secondly, it boasts an innovative triple stem locking mechanism. Exclusive to the VSETT range (even the cream of the crop of the electric scooter industry still relies on collar clamps), this canny feature helps secure the handlebars from stem wobble. But more on that in the ‘Extra Features’ section.

Weight & Load

The 9R weighs in at 51 lbs. That’s 5 lbs heavier than the VSETT 8R, and 4 lbs lighter than the 9+R.

While 51 lbs is by no means heavy – particularly not for a scooter with the 9R’s features and functionality – it’s still a little too heavy for me to endorse it as a commuter scooter. Even though its smart folding mechanism makes it easy to store, it’s certainly not the easiest device to be lugging around on trains and buses or up multiple flights of stairs at your office building or apartment block.

Where load is concerned, the 9R can support a maximum rider weight of 265 lbs. This places it on a par with most entry-level performance scooters. That includes models such as the Zero 8X and 10, the INOKIM Ox Hero, and the Mantis 8 Base – as well as scooters well beyond the 9R’s capabilities, such as the Mantis Pro and Dualtron Eagle Pro.

If the amount of rider weight your scooter can support is a big sticking point for you, you may be better off dipping into the Apollo range. The Ghost and Phantom both support 300 lbs of weight, while the title of the second-best scooter in the load-bearing category goes to the EMOVE Cruiser – it supports a remarkable 352 lbs of rider weight. It is beaten only by the Wolf King which can support 400 lbs – but, compared to the 9R, this scooter is in a league of its own capable of hitting 0 to 50 mph in 4.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 60 mph.

Folding & Portability

The VSETT 9R folds in half at the stem, utilizing a unique folding mechanism. This is secured by an equally unique – and even more impressive – triple stem lock, which ensures that there’s no chance of the stem wobble or the scooter folding in on you while you’re riding.

When your 9R is folded, the stem locks into the kickplate via a small hook at the back of the top of the handlebars. This means the scooter stays folded making it easier to pick up and maneuver.

Unlike some of the top models in the world of high-performance scooters – such as the VSETT 11+, Wolf King, and Wolf Warrior, as well as models with less extreme performance specs like the Zero 10X – the 9R’s handlebars fold. While certainly a nifty addition from an aesthetic point of view, they make the 9R more compact.

All this, in combination with the 51 lbs of weight – which, for a scooter of its specs, is to be expected – means it is relatively portable. However, as mentioned, I still don’t recommend it for commuting. I find the maximum weight for a commuter scooter to be 42 lbs. For that matter, I can’t recommend any of the scooters in the VSETT range for commuting since they start at 46 lbs – (unless you simply need to go from door-to-door without carrying your scooter often).

Assembly

Because there’s no manual for the VSETT 9R available online, it’s not possible to have a peek before you buy, and get an idea of how intensive the assembly is.

Fear not, though – it won’t take any more 15-20 minutes to put the 9R together. Just be ready to unbox it, unfold it, and – following the paper copy of the manual included. As a rule of thumb, I advise checking – and tightening where necessary – the scooter’s nuts and bolts. Fortunately, a multi-tool is provided – saving you any last-minute trips to the hardware store.

Before you take your new 9R for a spin, don’t forget to check the pressure of both tires, and make sure its’ fully charged and road-ready. When you get a chance, it’s also worth exploring the P-settings of your scooter’s QS-S4 display, as well as understanding how its folding mechanism works.

Ride Quality

Is the VSETT 9R Comfortable to Ride?

No matter how many motors they have, the colors they sport, or the size of the batteries inside them, I generally find that there’s one cut and dry rule when it comes to VSETT scooters: they’re always comfortable.

The 9R is no different. Its chubby pneumatic tires combine with buttery-smooth swing arm suspension, which also happens to be completely adjustable. Plus, the 9R shares the long deck and wide handlebars that, by now, are a staple of this superb line of scooters.

Moreover, the 9R comes stacked with a whole locker of safety features. With the triple stem locking mechanism that eliminates stem wobble and no chance of handlebar over-rotation that could cause you accident or injury. The 9R isn’t just comfortable, it’s one of the safest rides on the market – period.

Performance & Safety

Speed & Acceleration

Top Speed

The VSETT 9R is capable of a respectable top speed of 28 mph.

Not particularly adrenaline-pumping or wind-whipping levels, sure. But let’s take a more data-driven approach – which includes looking at the metrics of price and speed – to examine exactly how the 9R’s speed stacks up against its closest rivals.

Speed to Price Comparison

How does the scooter measure up, for instance, when we apply a price range of $500 – with the 9R’s $1,299 price tag in the center, to comparable models?

The answer is… averagely. The 9R joins several other scooters (including the Speedway Leger, Mantis 8 Base, EVOLV Tour XL, Tour XL Plus, and Tour 2.0) in the middle of the pack.

When it comes to the amount of speed you get for your money, the 9R isn’t the best – that honor goes to the Apollo Ghost, with a 34 mph top speed and dual 800W motors. But nor is the 9R the slowest when compared to similar models. The unfortunate ‘winner’ of that particular wooden spoon is the Custom Unagi Model with a relatively snail-like 17 mph top speed.

Speed to Weight Comparison

If there’s anything that resembles a steadfast rule in the world of electric scooters, it’s this: as speed increases, so does weight.

Taking into account the 9R’s 51 lb weight, we assessed the speed to weight ratio of all the models that sit within a similar bracket – that is, 5 lbs on either side. The goal? To see how the 9R’s speed weighs up against its fellow models in that 46 to 56 lb class.

Here, the 9R comes in the lowest third of 15 comparable scooters. It has a speed to weight ratio of 0.55, where for every pound of scooter weight there is 0.55 mph of speed. Laying claim to the best speed to weight ratio is the Dualtron Mini at 0.67 – which is 22% more powerful than the 9R. The model with the smallest ratio is the WideWheel Pro with 0.48. Whilst the WideWheel Pro sports a top speed of 26 mph (2 mph slower than the VSETT 9R), it boasts dual 500W motors which deliver a more rapid acceleration rate hitting 15 mph in just 3.2 seconds.

Acceleration

Unsurprisingly, acceleration is one of the 9R’s biggest drawbacks.

With a single 650W motor, the 9R doesn’t burst out of the gates quite as strongly as the 9+R. The 9R’s acceleration rate also pales when compared to similar models, such as the EMOVE Cruiser which has a 1000W motor with a peak output of 1600W for a top speed of 30 mph and an acceleration rate that hits 15 mph in 3.4 seconds.

Similarly, the WideWheel Pro, which despite having an ever-so-slightly slower top speed and being cheaper than the 9R, generates more torque from its 500W dual-motors delivering a faster acceleration rate (as mentioned above).

The bottom line? If speed and acceleration are important to you, you’re better off opting for the VSETT 9+R, EMOVE Cruiser, or WideWheel Pro.

Range

In theory, the VSETT 9R is capable of traveling for up to a maximum of 33 miles off a single charge. However, as with all scooters, realistic conditions drastically affect mileage. With the 9R you should expect around 22 miles if you ride aggressively.

Taking a look at similar scooters in a $500 price range (with the 9R’s $1,299 in the middle), the 9R’s range comes out in the top third. Among the models that rank above the 9R – not many are a surprise – are the EMOVE Cruiser (62 miles), Apollo Ghost (39 miles), and Dualtron Mini (34 miles).

However, eyebrows may be raised that the 9R – engineered to be superior to the VSETT 8 and 8R – has a worse range than the whopping 42 miles the 8R boasts. It’s kind of like buying the latest iPhone, then realizing your friend’s older version has a longer battery life than yours.

The key takeaway? If mileage is your top priority, try the EMOVE Cruiser or VSETT 8R instead.

Hill Climbing

Though it’s no match for the 25 degree inclines its big brother – the 9R+ – is capable of, the 9R can still handle hills of up to around 20 degrees.

This is no mean feat, either – particularly when you consider that Filbert Street, San Francisco’s steepest, is well within the 9R’s capabilities at 17.5 degrees.

Unless you live or work on Filbert Street, the chances are that you won’t be tackling hills this steep every day. So, despite the shortcomings of its single motor, the VSETT 9R is still a good choice for hill climbs (although there are better models – see my guide below).

Shock Absorption / Suspension

The VSETT 9R – like the 8, 8R, and 9+R – relies on front and rear swing arms to provide the high-quality level of spring suspension these scooters are known for.

Combining comfort with customizability, the 9R’s front and rear springs are adjustable and it’s easy to tailor the scooter’s level of shock absorption to fit the terrain you’re taking on.

This – in combination with the scooter’s 8.5 x 3 inch pneumatic tires make the suspension setup superb. Because of this, the 9R is well-equipped to handle a diverse range of environments – forest trails included – although well-paved urban roads are where you’ll get the best results.

Extreme off-roading isn’t recommended – for that, try the Wolf Warrior or Wolf King.

Braking

Graduating from the drum brakes of the VSETT 8 and 8R, the 9R upgrades to a pair of hand-operated mechanical disc brakes.

While these don’t have a patch on the hydraulic brakes you’ll find on the VSETT 10+R and 11+, they’re responsive enough to offer superlative levels of control, especially at high speeds.

In the future, it might be nice to see more scooters in the 9R’s price bracket sporting hydraulic brakes – the cheaper EMOVE Cruiser, for instance, already does this – but for now, you’ll be content with the sharpness and smoothness of the disc brake setup.

Charge Time

The VSETT 9R has a couple of charging ports, so how long it takes to reach full charge will depend on how many sockets you’ve got it plugged into.

With a single standard charger, you can have your 9R juiced up and turned around within around 8.5 hours. Double it up, and your scooter will be ready to go in as little as 4.5 hours – the quickest charge time of any scooter in the VSETT range.

Extra Features

QS-S4 Display & Throttle for Customized Performance Configuration

As is the case with the rest of the VSETT line, the 9R’s brainpower comes in the form of its QS-S4 display. Doubling as the finger trigger throttle you’ll use it to accelerate, and on the display screen, you can monitor your riding stats. The QS-S4 is a reliable, indispensable device to have attached to your handlebars.

It’s where you’ll be able to check in on how fast you’re going, and how far you’ve traveled – for your current journey, and all time. You can also take a glance to remind yourself of what riding mode you’re in, and how your battery is holding up.

As seasoned scooter stalwarts will know, the QS-S4 isn’t unique to the VSETT line. It’s an industry veteran, and you may have already seen what it can do on scooters at all ends of the performance spectrum: from the Horizon 10.4 to more heavy-hitting models such as the Varla Eagle One and Kaabo’s Mantis 8 Base.

It’s no surprise that the QS-S4 is in such hot demand by so many renowned scooter brands. With a slick black design and backlit screen reminiscent of Dualtron’s epic EY3 display – plus a range of P-settings allowing you to customize aspects of your scooter’s performance – the QS-S4 is a scintillating blend of style and substance.

When you unbox your 9R, the first thing you’ll want to do is get it straight out onto the road – and understandably so. But I recommend having a play around with the P-settings first. They’re not quite as exciting, sure: but they’re where you can tinker with your 9R’s regenerative brake settings, toggle the strength of its acceleration, and configure its cruise control and auto-turn off mode to your liking.

Cruise Control

Navigating to the P17 setting on your QS-S4 display will engage the scooter’s cruise control function.

Handy for longer rides, the 9R’s cruise control enables you to keep your scooter ticking over at a steady pace, without running the risk of finger cramp by having to keep the trigger throttle pulled down the whole time.

Battery Voltage Display

While voltage readers are more or less a mainstay on scooters of the VSETT 9R’s caliber, they’re still great to see. After all, they provide a more accurate reading of your scooter’s remaining battery life than the bars on the QS-S4 display.

If you’re planning on pushing the 9R to the upper limits of its 33 mile range – and don’t fancy having to turn your new machine into a kick scooter halfway through your ride – a battery voltage meter is a big bonus.

Adjustable Suspension

Like the 8 and 8R before it – and the 9+R after it – the 9R boasts front and rear spring suspension. While this was superseded by the hydraulic shock absorption of VSETT’s later models, the 10+R and 11+ (and doesn’t soak up the terrain quite as well as those scooters do), the 9R’s swing arm suspension does have one big thing going for it – it’s completely adjustable.

You can customize the tightness of the 9R’s springs to fit the type of terrain you plan on riding over. Whether that’s a stiffer shock absorption for high-speed rides over urban terrain or softer suspension for the rough-and-ready nature of forest trails and dirt roads, the VSETT 9R has you covered.

NFC Key-Lock Immobilizer (Anti-Theft Function)

During my time reviewing electric scooters, I’ve come across a lot of smart anti-theft functions – so it’s telling that this one is my favorite.

The entire VSETT range boasts NFC (near-field communication) readers, located just below the battery voltage meter on the right side of the handlebars. Featuring identical technology to what you’ll find in a contactless credit card – as well as the locks of some apartments and office blocks – the VSETT’s NFC readers mean you just have to wave a card in front of the reader to unlock your scooter.

The convenience benefit here is that you can keep the card to unlock your 9R in your wallet, alongside your credit cards, so there’s less chance of losing it. The anti-theft advantage is as equally as impressive – since there’s no lock to pick, or key that can be duplicated, your scooter is more secure.

LED Lights and Turn Signals

On top of button lights and rear, responsive tail lights, the VSETT 9R boasts a headlight. Having both a headlight and button lights is a rarity on performance scooter models which tend to stick to button lights alone.

Yet it’s not all butterflies and rainbows. Because the 9R’s headlight is located on top of the front fender, rather than higher up on the stem, it suffers from the same low placement seen across the rest of the scooters in the VSETT range (except for the VSETT 11+). This means it isn’t able to cast light as far and therefore, I recommend picking up an additional headlight to attach to the handlebars.

On the other hand, the 9R is one of just a handful of electric scooters to boast turn signals. The eagle-eyed among you will also notice that – unlike the VSETT 11+ – its turn signals are placed on the front and back of the deck, rather than the sides, which makes them far more visible to the traffic behind and in front of you.

Wave Goodbye to Collar Clamps, Say Hello to a Secure Triple Stem Locking Mechanism

While it’s unlikely to be a feature that hogs the limelight, the VSETT 9R boasts a neat innovation when it comes to securing the stem.

Rather than relying on collar clamps – traditionally one of the most over-utilized and underwhelming features in the scooter industry – the VSETT 9R showcases a secure triple stem locking mechanism. As well as adding a touch of class from an aesthetic point of view, this triple stem lock stamps out stem wobble altogether, which helps make the 9R one of the safest, smoothest, and most secure rides going.

Fortunately, the triple stem locking mechanism is also something you’ll see on all VSETT 9 and 10 models. The only exceptions are the 11+, which utilizes two collar clamps, and the 8 models which fold at the neck rather than the stem (the folding mechanism on the 8 models is like an improved, more secure, version of the Horizon’s folding mechanism).

Range of Stem Turning Motion is Locked to Prevent Accidents

The last time I over-rotated a scooter’s handlebars – causing them to turn 90-degrees, lock up, and throw me to the ground – was in my teens. Yet I still remember the accident and the injuries it caused.

Moral of the story? Steering column over-rotation isn’t fun. This is why it’s such a relief to see that all VSETT scooters – the 9R included – limit the range of turning motion. This stops you from turning too tightly to keep you upright and Band-Aid-free.

Surprisingly, this feature isn’t more widespread, so it’s a big plus that it appears in force on the VSETT range. Trust me, it’s a godsend – particularly when you’re traveling at the considerable 28 mph speeds that the 9R is capable of.

Horn

No self-respecting performance scooter would be complete without a horn. How else would you:

a) Let people and cars know that you’re coming through?
b) Show off your shiny new VSETT scooter to the world?
c) Whip the local neighborhood’s pets into a frenzy?

Fortunately for the elderly, the 9R’s horn isn’t of the same 105-decibel, motorcycle-grade variety that we saw on the VSETT 10+R or 11+. However, it’s still loud enough to make yourself heard while out riding. You’ll find the button to activate it located to the left side of the 9R’s handlebars, for easy access.

Foldable Handlebars for Enhanced Portability

While the 9R is at the lower end of the VSETT performance spectrum and can’t lay claim to all the bells and whistles of those at the higher end, there’s one big benefit they all share (minus the 11+): foldable handlebars.

With its folding ergonomic handlebars and 51 lb frame, the 9R is geared towards portability. It can fit comfortably into the trunks of most cars, and collapse neatly down into a compact package (for a performance scooter, at least), making storage easier.

Oh, and there’s none of the instability you sometimes see with folding handlebars when it’s time to ride. They lock into place firmly and feel as stable as any one-piece handlebar would.

IP54 Water-Resistance Rating

The VSETT 9R is one of the few scooters to sport an IP54 water-resistance rating. This isn’t something you’ll see on the lion’s share of the industry’s top-performing brands – such as Dualtron, Kaabo, and INOKIM. So the fact that the 9R is certified water-resistant – particularly when it costs a fraction of the above brands’ best models – is impressive.

An IP54 rating indicates that the 9R can withstand splashes of water from all angles, which, in turn, means you should have no qualms about taking your 9R out for a spin on a wet day.

Still, I’d always recommend thinking twice before riding in the rain – as we’ll see in a second, water damage isn’t covered under warranty. If your scooter does happen to pick up an issue as a result of weather damage, you’ll be responsible for the costs of replacing or repairing it yourself.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Warranty

When you purchase your VSETT 9R through REV Rides – the brand’s official distributor in the U.S. – it’ll come with a 12-month warranty.

Now for the small print. The main things you need to know about when it comes to the limitations of the warranty are that it doesn’t cover wear and tear, or any damage to the scooter deemed to be your fault. This includes:

• Any unauthorized modifications you’ve made to the scooter
• Any damage that results from a collision or accident
• Any issues that arise from abuse or neglect of the scooter

Labor also isn’t covered under REV Rides’ warranty. This often isn’t the case so it is pretty standard, but there are one or two retailers that cover labor costs such as Fluid Free Ride. (For clarity, Fluid Free Ride doesn’t sell VSETT scooters – this is just to give an example of what you can expect when it comes to warranties for electric scooters). Ultimately, this means that you may still be required to pay for the labor costs involved in replacing or repairing your 9R, even if the damage itself is covered under warranty.

One more thing to note – REV Rides gives you the option to extend the standard 12-month warranty for an additional period of between one and three years. Costs are as follows:

• One year: $249
• Two years: $369
• Three years: $489

This additional protection is provided by ‘Extend’, a third-party product protection company.

Post-Purchase Support

Across the board, REV Rides’ customer support is excellent. Should any issues with your VSETT 9R crop up, you can get in touch with their dedicated Washington-based phone-based support team on 1-360-8887433. They’re available weekdays, from 8 am to 4 pm PST.

For email inquiries, ping them at contactus@revrides.com.

There are also FAQs, videos, tutorials, advice, and an online form that you can use to submit requests for support or maintenance. REV Rides also has a YouTube channel where they add new videos relating to “box to road” starter guides and scooter maintenance.

There are areas in which the self-serve post-purchase support could be improved, though. There’s no way to view the manual online, for instance, and it’d be great to see a few more guides and videos for the entire line of the VSETT scooters – particularly some which shed a little more light on how to use and maintain the 9R.

Discover What the VSETT 9R Has to Offer

With splashes of eye-popping, electric teal highlighting the scooter’s handlebars, swingarms, deck, and triple stem locking mechanism alongside its feature-rich makeup, discover why you won’t want to step foot off the VSETT 9R until you’ve run the battery dry.