EMOVE Touring Review

Design

Handlebars

The Touring sports a set of straight, folding handlebars, which – while they haven’t been designed for ergonomic efficiency as curved ones are – do give the scooter plenty of points for portability. They make the Touring super easy to pack down and store or stow away with you on public transport.

To the left, you’ll see a dial-type switch (marked on/off) that controls the headlight. Below that is a yellow button for the horn and above it is the lever that controls the rear drum brake. Over to the right, the Touring’s QS-S4 display and finger throttle take pride of place – here’s where you’ll view your trip distance, battery life, and riding mode, as well as regulate your speed and acceleration.

Speaking of this device, one fun thing the EMOVE Touring allows you to do is to switch out your finger throttle for a couple of different (and, depending on your preference, more ergonomically friendly) variations: either a thumb throttle ($59) or a twist throttle ($69). Both of these still come attached to a QS-S4 display and allow you to ride in the way that’s easiest for you.

Frame

Frame-wise, there’s not a huge amount to distinguish the EMOVE Touring from the likes of other portable scooters such as the Apollo City, Zero 8 & 9, and Horizon 10 & 13. It even holds resemblances to its older brother, the EMOVE Cruiser. Like those scooters, the Touring sports a telescopic stem and foldable handlebars. It also touts the same long-lasting rubber handgrips that offer up enough space to rest your palms on for increased control.

What sets the Touring apart, though, is its aesthetic. Available in a series of vibrant colors, the Touring adds a touch of playfulness to what would otherwise be a relatively simplistic, functional design. Plus, color varieties are all too rare on scooters – particularly as you move up the spectrum of performance – so it’s great to see so much choice on offer.

As you would expect for the price, each component of the frame – from the stem to the deck, suspension, and fenders – has been well built and feels sturdy as opposed to fragile (which can be the case even on models above the Touring’s price tag – I’m looking at you Kugoo G2 Pro).

Deck

As I’ll unpack in more detail later in the review, the EMOVE Touring is a comfortable ride – and this is in no small part down to its deck.

First of all, it’s long. The Touring’s deck measures 22 inches in length and 7 inches in width. By comparison, this is around 2.5 inches longer than the Apollo City and around 1 inch less in width. Add to that the generous 5 inches of ground clearance – which allows you to clear the curb with ease – and you’ve got yourself a spacious, comfortable platform upon which to ride. The main benefit here is that it affords you the room to strike a stance with a decent gap between both feet – you’d be surprised how much this can affect ride quality. Take a look at my review of the INOKIM Quick 4 to see how a short deck can cause you to almost trip up on your feet.

The second design feature that makes the deck perfect for keeping you glued to it, is that it is slathered in a liberal coat of sandpapery-type grip tape. That said, I’d prefer an all-over coating of silicone or grippy rubber – it’s easier to clean, and gives you more traction at higher speeds.

Wheels

Considering how impressive the EMOVE Touring’s triple front and dual rear suspension system is, it’s hard not to feel let down by its tire setup…at least until you ride it. Here, EMOVE has opted for a mix-and-match approach, with the Touring sporting a front pneumatic tire, paired with one of the solid rubber variety at the rear.

Now, while both these types of tires have their respective pros and cons – solid tires, for instance, are puncture-proof – having dual pneumatics offers far more dampening and traction. As a result, they form a kind of stoic, shock-absorptive vanguard against the jolting, jarring impact of potholes or cracks in the concrete, whilst also remaining pliable and molding with the ground below to increase grip for improved braking performance (as we’ll soon see, braking isn’t the Touring’s strong suit). For this reason, I’m reluctant to recommend riding your Touring around in wet conditions.

On further iterations of this scooter, I’d like to see the Touring take a leaf out of Apollo’s book and equip it with two air-filled tires. Even cheaper models from Turboant – including the X7 Pro and M10 – sport plush 10-inch pneumatic tires. Both models are highly affordable and ideal for commuters, although neither have suspension and thus can’t measure up to the Touring for overall ride quality.

Ultimately, though, with everything considered, the Touring still manages to deliver a pleasant riding experience that I place between the comfort of riding the Apollo City (with its front single spring, dual rear springs, and 8.5-inch air-filled tires) and the VSETT 8 (with its rubber, spring, and swingarm suspension alongside an air-filled tire at the front and a solid one at the rear).

Build Quality & Durability

For a scooter with so many moving parts, it feels solid to ride. There’s little stem wobble and like most scooters, the frame is made up of an aluminum alloy – a precipitation-hardened, stress-tested metal that manages to be both sturdy and lightweight. For the consumables, the deck is covered in grip tape and handlebars in a traction-toting rubber. Reinforced plastic has been used for some of the Touring’s element-facing components, like its front and rear fenders.

Oh, and let’s not forget the water-resistance rating. IP54 is good classification, and – as I’ll discuss later, in the ‘Extra Features’ section – isn’t something all the models in the Touring’s class come equipped with as standard. Plus, as a result of feedback from the Touring’s riders, all the scooter’s cabling is waterproof – so you shouldn’t have any worries about showers interfering with your circuitry.

Weight & Load

The EMOVE Touring weighs in at 39 lbs, which (just about) places the scooter within the 42 lbs upper weight parameter that I set for commuter scooters. That said, the Touring is by no means heavy – in fact, it’s what you’d expect a scooter of its performance and specs.

Of the alternatives I recommend, the Touring weighs the same as the Apollo City, is lighter than the comparatively chubby VSETT 8 (46 lbs), and heavier than the budget option, the Turboant X7 Pro (33 lbs).

Heavier riders will love it too because it can support a payload of up to 308 lbs, which is the greatest load capacity across all commuter scooters. Here, the Touring comfortably outstrips the scooters I recommend as alternatives, including:

• Turboant X7 Pro (275 lbs)
• Apollo City (265 lbs)
• VSETT 8 (265 lbs)

Heck, the Touring’s load even outshines scooters far beyond its commuter tag and price class: most high-performance models, for instance, can only support up to 265 lbs. One scooter the Touring’s payload fails to surpass, though, is its big brother – the EMOVE Cruiser. The Cruiser can support up to a phenomenal 352 lbs of rider weight, so it’s a top pick for heavier riders.

Folding & Portability

Make no bones about it – the EMOVE Touring is an ultra-portable scooter. Setting aside for a moment its telescopic stem, the Touring has the slick, intuitive folding mechanisms – and the thin, lightweight frame – to make it a commuter’s dream.

The stem folding mechanism can be best described as a small lever located on the neck of the scooter. Pulling this lever down will disengage the stem from its locked position and allow you to lower it gently down until it’s parallel with the deck where it, again, locks into place. Using the locking lever, at first, can seem difficult but this is because it is tight and there isn’t enough wiggle room to easily release it. Top tip: place one foot on the back of the deck applying downward pressure then push the stem forward. This gives you the tiniest bit of room needed to easily push the lever down and fold the stem.

The key components that make the Touring so portable, though, are its foldable handlebars that each collapse down by the side of the stem and the telescopic stem that shrinks down to just 38 inches.

As a result of its thin stem, locked folded position, and narrow profile, the Touring is one of, if not the, easiest scooter to carry.

Assembly

The EMOVE Touring arrives assembled – though you’ll still want to double-check that all the handlebar accessories are tightened into place.

After unboxing it, you’ll want to make sure that your front tire is inflated to the right pressure and that its telescopic stem is set at the right height to fit your size and posture.

I also recommend using the included manual to familiarize yourself with the range of P-settings in the QS-S4 display (I’ll cover what these are in greater detail later in the review), as well as ensuring it’s fully charged before hitting the road.

Ride Quality

Is the EMOVE Touring Comfortable to Ride?

The Touring’s suspension is unlike any other I’ve reviewed on a commuter scooter.

It is the only model to forgo the standard single spring at the base of the stem, instead opting to triple down on the shock absorption capabilities of all those that came before it by adding another two springs alongside it. In cahoots with the dual rear springs, the Touring delivers a supremely smooth ride and that’s why we awarded it with the best-in-class suspension (which is quite the accolade considering we have 46 commuter-style scooters in our 100+ strong database).

Taking a close look at the suspension, the dual-pronged set of coil-springs that flank the front wheel for maximum cushioning act as the primary damping force as they take the brunt of the shocks. Any residual compression is then fed into the single spring above and remaining vibrations are softened and smoothed out by the rear springs.

Not only are the front springs large and robust, but they’re also visible – meaning they add as much to the scooter’s aesthetic as they do to its shock-absorption. It’s also worth mentioning that the spring rate of each set of springs is different. This gives the suspension a more dynamic, adaptive feel; keeping it responsive and helping stop it from bottoming out.

Ultimately, the Touring is a super comfortable ride. Not only does it offer the best suspension I’ve reviewed on a commuter scooter, but it also has a long deck, offers plenty of clearance, and the handlebars afford great control, letting you enjoy the ride. Oh, and there’s even an optional seat attachment – so you can be comfortable whether you’re standing or sitting down.

If I had to pick one area of the scooter that affects ride quality, it would be the brakes – or should I say brake since it lacks two. By having just a single rear drum brake, its stopping power is weaker than other scooters. However, I think we can let this slide because the brake is reliable and, after all, the Touring only has a 500W motor capable of hitting 24 mph. If the motor was larger and its speed was higher, having dual brakes would be far more important.

Performance & Safety

Speed & Acceleration

The EMOVE Touring’s 500W motor endows it with a healthy top speed of up to 24 mph and a competitive acceleration rate to match. But how do its velocity credentials measure up to its closest rivals when we introduce the metrics of price and weight?

Speed vs Price Comparison

Let’s start with price, applying a $500 range with the EMOVE Touring’s $899 price tag in the middle.

Of the 16 other comparable models in this pricing bracket, the Touring’s 24 mph capacity places the scooter in the middle of the pack, beating out the likes of the EVOLV City, INOKIM Light 2, and Unagi models. Based on this assessment alone, for the price you pay, the Touring offers slightly above average performance – but which scooter is the best?

That’d be the Kugoo G2 Pro…or would it?

With an 800W motor that outstrips the size of the Touring’s by a whole 60%, the Pro’s 31 mph top speed dominates the rankings. That said, the G2 Pro isn’t without its flaws. Not only will it set you back an extra $131, but its build and ride quality is inferior to the Touring. While the Touring benefits from a total of five springs to soak up undulations, the Pro feels rickety to ride – and, for that reason, I can’t recommend the G2 Pro as my top choice here.

Moving down the list, the silver-snatching VSETT 8 (15.6A) is a stellar option. With this model, you’ll get your hands on a scooter that’s a more well-rounded performer. Not only does the 8 leverage a pair of dual springs and swingarm suspension to deliver a more comfortable ride, but it also flaunts a larger 600W motor and greater stopping power than what the Touring’s single rear drum brake is capable of.

And, when it comes to build quality, the VSETT 8 blows the aforementioned Kugoo G2 Pro out of the water. After all, the VSETT line was built as a vastly improved evolution of the popular Zero range – so this kind of all-around excellence is to be expected.

Finally, it’s worth paying lip service to the stalwart that is the WideWheel Dual. Though the WideWheel falls short of the VSETT 8’s maximum speed, it’s worth noting that this classic model is still able to deliver a more rapid acceleration rate than all the other scooters in this list as a result of its dual 500W motors. That said, it is no spring chicken – at the time of writing, it’s almost three years old. So, if a zippy acceleration rate piques your interest, you’re better off spending a little more, and opting for the newer (and improved) WideWheel Pro model, instead.

Speed vs Weight Comparison

Shifting our focus now to weight, let’s take the 16 other models in the EMOVE Touring’s 34 to 44 lbs class for comparison.

Though the Touring performs well, its 24 mph falls short of a first-place ranking as it sinks behind the likes of the slightly pacier Horizon models, Apollo City, and EVOLV Tour 2.0.

There is an elephant in the room, though…the EVOLV Tour 2.0 and Apollo City both sport the same 48V 600W motor – so why is the EVOLV 3 mph faster? Well… it’s not. You see, this is a case of Apollo being humble. The City has previously hit 28 mph in speed tests. With this in mind, and the fact that both benefit from high-quality batteries, deciding between the two becomes a whole lot easier since the City retails for $150 less. I know which one I’d pick.

Acceleration

Though its performance in our speed rankings above wasn’t standout, the Touring is still a surprisingly sprightly accelerator. Out of the three scooters that I endorse as alternatives, the Touring’s 4.5-second acceleration rate loses out only to the 600W motor of the Apollo City, which can hit 15 mph in just 4.1 seconds – 9% faster than the Touring.

While the Touring’s acceleration rate just pips that of the VSETT 8 (at 0.1 seconds, it’s essentially unobservable in practice). Although, one scooter where the difference is noticeable is the X7 Pro where the Touring easily trumps the comparatively sluggish 7.3-seconds.

Still, that’s no reason to write the X7 Pro off just yet. Thanks to a detachable battery, the X7 Pro is a versatile scooter that can keep the wheels rolling to your heart's content (or when your bank account runs dry from buying so many batteries). Seriously, though, you can pick up an additional battery for the X7 Pro for around $200 to double its 30-mile maximum range. Predictably, though, that range comes at the cost of rapidity. Both the X7 Pro’s acceleration and 20 mph top speed suffer at the hands of its small 350W motor, which pales in comparison to the larger motors of the alternatives I’ve listed.

Range

The EMOVE Touring has a full 25 miles of range in its locker – though its maximum capacity on any given ride will, of course, depend on how hilly the terrain is, your riding mode, and how heavy you’re going on the finger-throttle. Realistically, you’ll get 17 miles.

Let’s take a look at how the Touring’s maximum range measures up against the competition.

Mileage vs Price Comparison

Of the 15 other models in the Touring’s $649 to $1,149 price range, the scooter hovers around the middle of the pack.

While the Touring fails to make a name for itself as far as mileage is concerned, there’s one scooter with no such trouble – the GoTrax GMAX Ultra. Offering a maximum of 45 miles off a single charge, the Ultra also flaunts high-quality LG battery cells – unlike the rest of its fellow GoTrax models, which use the cheaper Chinese cells. The only drawback is that the GMAX Ultra lacks suspension, which means it trails the Touring in the ride quality department.

With this in mind, I'd opt for the VSETT 8 since it has a range that is 20% larger (+5 miles) than the Touring and also provides better ride quality.

Mileage vs Weight Comparison

Moving onto our weight comparison, the Touring – as, by now, seems to be the trend – registers a relatively average performance. Sure, it comes joint second but it shares this accolade with 6 other models which account for almost the majority of all scooters in the rankings. There is a positive to this, though – at least it holds its own against the majority of its competition.

This time, however, it’s the 28-mile range of the Apollo City, EVOLV City Plus, and INOKIM Quick 3 hogging the plaudits, though the last scooter is one I’m quick to dismiss – it lacks suspension and doesn’t deliver as much value as the other two.

If a light weight and stacks of portability are at the top of your priority list (and I’m assuming they are, because they’re what the Touring is made for), then I recommend the Apollo City. It’s not only top of the list but offers excellent build quality with its Dynavolt battery cells that guarantee long-lasting performance.

Hill Climbing

Despite the EMOVE Touring possessing a smaller motor than the Apollo City and VSETT 8 (both 600W), it still manages to go toe to toe with its more powerful rivals where hill climbing is concerned.

The Touring is capable of handling inclines of up to 15 degrees, meaning it’s certainly no slouch. After all, this level of gradient-guzzling ability easily dwarfs that offered by the Turboant X7 Pro and its weaker 350W motor.

That said, even the relatively large motors (such as those offered by the VSETT 8 and Apollo City) aren’t the biggest – or the most powerful – on the market. In the wider landscape of electric scooters, no model in the EMOVE Touring’s class will offer truly excellent hill-climbing qualities, but they’ll certainly be sufficient to get you up gradual slopes.

Shock Absorption / Suspension

I don’t hand out these accolades willy nilly, so it’s not to be taken lightly when I say that the EMOVE Touring benefits from the best suspension system on any commuter scooter.

In fact, the Touring is the first electric scooter in the world to come with a triple front suspension system. This consists of a spring at the base of the stem and a pair of coil-over-springs adorning either side of the front wheel.

Predictably, this innovative, trail-blazing triple threat – alongside the dual rear springs – provides a good amount of travel and does an excellent job at soaking up the undulations and uncertainties of urban terrain – though I’d still advise against trying your luck on more ambitious off-road surfaces.

For more information about the Touring’s shock-absorbing capabilities, see the ‘Ride Quality’ section of the review.

Braking

The EMOVE Touring’s braking setup comes in the form of a rear mechanical drum brake that provides a stopping distance of 4.9 meters from 15 mph.

Now, while I’d prefer to see a dual braking setup here, this kind of braking performance is what you’d expect from a scooter with a rear-wheel brake alone. Plus, there are mitigating circumstances for the Touring – namely, that less than a third (31%) of scooters in its pricing bracket sport dual mechanical brakes.

Two of these – which also happen to be the top alternatives I recommend over the Touring – are the Apollo City and VSETT 8 (15.6Ah). As you may remember, the VSETT line was originally created as the Pro line of the popular Zero range and this is evidenced in its braking specs. The 8 – thanks to its dual drum brakes – will bring you to a stop in an impressive 3.2 meters from 15 mph – a whole 35% faster than the Touring. Similarly, the Apollo City can bring you to a stop in 3.1 meters with its front disc and rear drum.

Charge Time

The EMOVE Touring takes 8 hours to charge. This is standard for its battery size – for instance, the Apollo City also has a 48V 13Ah battery that takes 6-8 hours to charge.

Extra Features

QS-S4 Throttle Display for Customized Performance Configuration

Mounted on the right side of the handlebars is the QS-S4, which doubles as both a display screen and finger throttle. Like the MiniMotors smart EY3 display, the QS-S4 is a standardized device seen on similar models from the likes of Apollo, Kaabo, VSETT, and Horizon.

So, what does it give you?

First up, it offers insights into your speed, riding mode, and remaining battery life, as well as the distance you’ve traveled on both your current trip and all time. But take a deeper dive, and there’s a whole other layer of more advanced functionality that the QS-S4 is capable of, which comes in the form of ‘P-settings’.

P-settings allow you to engage cruise control, as well as customize the strength of the regenerative brake. Some of its battery-saving features also include an auto-turn-off function, and an ability to tinker with the screen’s brightness.

Cruise Control

As I’d expect for a scooter of its class, the EMOVE Touring comes with a cruise control feature. When activated – which you can do by heading to setting P6 on the scooter’s QS-S4 display, and toggling it on – you’ll surrender manual control of the scooter, allowing you to maintain a constant speed without having to hug the finger-throttle.

To regain control, you just need to squeeze the brakes.

Headlight, Taillight, and Button LEDs

The EMOVE Touring sidesteps the extravagance of the Kugoo G2 Pro and Apollo City (which boast impressive deck and stem strip LEDs, respectively), in favor of a simple, stripped-back approach.

At the front, a low-mounted headlight provides good visibility in low-light conditions. However, for pitch-black scenarios, you’ll want to consider an attachable light for the handlebars – particularly as higher-mounted lights tend to offer better penetration. The button lights embedded into the four corners of the Touring’s deck look good – and will help you be seen by traffic and pedestrians – but won’t do much to help your vision when riding at night.

At the rear, there’s a fender-mounted responsive tail light to let others know when you’re slowing down or coming to a stop.

Telescopic Stem for Adjustable Handlebar Height

With its folding stem, collapsible handlebars, and relatively light 39 lbs frame, the EMOVE Touring’s portability credentials are well-documented. Yet still, the Touring ups the ante with a telescopic stem, which allows you to adjust the level of the handlebars to fit your height, and ensure a comfortable ride (plus a posture your chiropractor would be proud of). The handlebars can be extended from 38 to 50 inches.

It’s super easy to use, too. Simply loosen the quick release lever on the lower part of the stem, modify the height of the handlebars to your unique preferences (or those of whoever’s going to be riding it), and then securely re-fasten the lever to lock the stem in place.

Refreshingly, the Touring shows little of the stem wobble you see on other scooters with telescopic stems – this is down to upgrades that were made to the folding mechanism in 2020.

Foldable Handlebars for Enhanced Portability

Foldable handlebars can be a double-edged sword. While they offer great aesthetic benefits and bestow a scooter with more portability, they can also be unreliable; wobbling and failing to feel secure during a ride.

Fortunately, though, there’s none of this instability with the EMOVE Touring. They not only fold down in a quick, simple motion but are unwavering in their rigidity and reliability. While you may have to tighten the adjustment screws slightly straight out of the box, it’s unlikely you’ll have to do it on an ongoing basis – as is the case with the folding mechanisms on other (more premium) models.

IP54 Water Resistance Rating

Courtesy of its IP54 water-resistance rating, the EMOVE Touring is certifiably able to withstand water spray from any direction. An IP54 rating offers good mid-range protection from the elements and is a nice upgrade from the more basic IPX4 rating.

A quick word of warning, though – while water resistance ratings offer you a layer of protection against rain, riding in it is never recommended. Not only is it a safety hazard, but you also run the gauntlet of damaging your scooter and voiding its warranty.

Battery Management System

The EMOVE Touring backs up an already impressed LG cell-equipped 48V 13Ah battery with a smart battery management system. This helps safeguard the battery from overcharging, overheating, and short-circuiting to ensure the longevity of its lifespan.

Horn

This feature is about as self-explanatory as it gets, but on the left side of the handlebars is a yellow button. Pushing this sirens its horn, which – while it doesn’t get anywhere near the decibel levels you see on performance-oriented models – is still plenty loud enough to get you heard by pedestrians.

Available in a Range of Colors

In an industry characterized by matte-black paint jobs (with the occasional splash of color), a scooter like the Touring – which is available in a range of sumptuous colors – is a much-needed breath of fresh air.

The Touring comes in five colors:

• Orange
• White
• Purple
• Red
• Stealth Black

Optional Seat Attachment

The Touring can be fitted with an optional seat that affixes to the rear of the deck via a base plate. While it resembles a bicycle seat in shape and size, it’s worth pointing out that its hydraulic post gives you extra suspension and comfort alongside its plush saddle.

You can get your hands on the optional seat for $65, or pay a little more ($95) and have it installed. Choosing the former option isn’t too labor-intensive – the seat only requires some light screw and Allen wrench work. You can check out this handy video guide to see how to fit it.

Warranty & Post-Purchase Support

Warranty

Buy your EMOVE Touring through Voro Motors, and it’ll come with a one-year limited warranty. You can even lengthen the duration of your Touring’s warranty period by between one and three years, courtesy of third-party product protection company ‘Extend’.

So how about the small print? Well, as with all electric scooter warranties, the Touring’s policy comes with its fair share. Things Voro Motors’ policy won’t cover include:

• Environmental damage, such as rain, sea breeze, or submersion
• Unauthorized modifications to the scooter, or any additions to it you make (such as batteries or tires) that aren’t sold by Voro Motors
• Wear and tear, which includes any superficial or surface defects, cosmetic damage such as rips or tears, and product aging
• Improper maintenance, abuse, or neglect
• The application of harmful chemicals, such as solvents
• Corrosion of your the nuts and bolts

Similarly – and unlike some other retailers, such as FluidFreeRide – labor isn’t included. That means that you may still be liable for fees incurred during the repair or replacement of your scooter’s parts – even if the damage itself is.

Post-Purchase Support

What Voro Motors lacks in the generosity of its warranty, it more than makes up for in the quality of its help and support.

That’s particularly true of its online self-support resources, which include a dedicated support center for owners of the EMOVE Touring, as well as a huge bunch of video tutorials, FAQS, and in-depth guides to maintaining your scooter. You can also access Voro Motors’s live chat feature to speak with an assistant instantly, as well as order spare parts for your Touring directly through the site.

For phone-based support (something Voro’s rivals, such as Apollo, don’t offer) you can get in touch at +1 323-709-7329, or try the team via email at support@voromotors.com. Alternatively – if you don’t require technical support, but do want to immerse yourself in the world of everything EMOVE – check out Voro Motors’s YouTube channel.

And, for even more top-of-the-range EMOVE and general electric scooter-related content, check out our own YouTube channel – you can start with my unboxing of the Touring’s big bro, the EMOVE Cruiser.