

The dual 12.5-inch air-filled tube tires are larger than what you'd typically find on an electric scooter, and they help provide a smooth ride despite the lack of suspension.


It has a 500-watt motor that had no trouble taking me up and down bridges and other slopes. I wish there was a slim grab handle affixed to the stem, like on Fluidfreeride's Mosquito. I should add that when it's folded up, the Taur is relatively lightweight to carry at 37 pounds, but the thick stem makes it unwieldy. Pushing down on the rear fender to unhook the stem also isn't intuitive when you aren't using the center stand, because it's easy for the whole thing to fall on its side. It's not my favorite folding system-the latch feels clunky and can require some force to move. It's not only space-saving at home, but it was immensely helpful in not taking up too much room on a crowded subway (more on that later). The latter is arguably one of the best features of the Taur. You can use the center kickstand to give it more stability or put the whole scooter upright. Align the metal peg on the stem with the hole on the rear fender, and the Taur stays folded. There's a little latch at the bottom of the frame you can twist to make the stem fold down. There's a front light, a taillight, a motorbike-styled center stand, and a decently loud horn that's sure to get the attention of that dolt in a car blocking the bike lane. It has a clean and minimalist design, with an off-white powder-coated aluminum tube that runs all the way from the handlebars down to the rear wheel. You probably don't want to feel like a beta tester after spending $1,195. The Taur does a few things right that I'd love to see extend to other scooters, but it very much feels like a work in progress. Unfortunately, my overall experience has been mixed. This also helps shave down weight and the overall size of the vehicle. You put your feet on these, and the Taur makes you ride with your legs parallel, instead of one in front of the other, which the company says is more of a natural stance. Instead, two pedals flap out from the tubular frame. There's no traditional “deck” on which to place your feet. It's the first escooter I've tested that has no trouble standing upright on its own. You can balance them upright by leaning them against a wall, but, speaking from experience, they'll come crashing down every so often. When folded up, they're often too tall to roll under a couch. She and I have tripped on the handlebars, knocked into the wheels, and-well, let's just say I'm surprised she didn't cite these daily hazards in our vows when we tied the knot.Įscooters are, yes, more convenient to stow away than a bicycle (not to mention a car), but they're not as compact as scooter manufacturers might have you believe. For the past few years, the entrance of my New York City apartment has been littered with one or two electric scooters for testing, along with a folding ebike.
