“The Horizon is a solid sleek looking escooter. Decent suspension, acceleration and speed but the battery life's terrible. Got the 13Ah and it's supposed to go up to 30miles range but only got 8 miles from a full charge. I rode it over the Manhattan Bridge and back which is a total of 8 miles and was surprised to see only 1 bar left on my way back while on the bridge. My Segway E45 with 28 miles range only takes 1/3 of battery. I expect it to be about 60-70% of their quoted range (~20miles) so was really surprised to only get 8 miles.”
Hi Michael - Thank you for your review. We are happy to hear that you like your Horizon. Regarding the range: 8 miles on a full charge does not sound right at all. We would kindly ask you to contact our support team at https://fluidfreeride.com/contact so they can troubleshoot and find a solution. Thanks!
“I purchased the Fluid Horizon to commute in the DC area. It is my first personal scooter; in the past, I've only used ride-share scooters. After 100 miles, I'm generally quite pleased with my purchase. I believe the Horizon will suit the needs of many urban commuters and represents a reasonable compromise between price and performance.
1) The scooter performs as advertised. Top speed on level ground with a full battery is about 38 km/h (23.56 mph). On a slope, you may see speeds of 41 km/h (25.42 mph). Speed does drop as the battery drains. With around 50-60% capacity, I generally reach about 35 km/h on level ground (21.7 mph). I weigh about 130 lbs. and usually wear a 10-15 lb. backpack, so I'm a fairly light rider.
Braking is not so good; it's definitely one of the scooters biggest weaknesses. The rear tire will skid under hard braking, and stopping times are long (but not dangerous if you plan ahead).
I haven't tested the full range, but I believe it's somewhat shorter than advertised, perhaps 20 miles in real-world conditions. I purchased the larger battery size. I see no reason to choose the smaller one, given the minimal price difference.
2) Build quality seems good for the price, with a few squeaks and rattles. The folding mechanism is very tight on my model, though it can be adjusted. Unfortunately, the included multitool is made of low-quality, soft steel, and doesn't work very well. The scooter is not waterproof. I would not use it in the rain. It isn't heavy; 40 lbs. easy to carry up and down stairs for me (but I'm in fairly good physical condition).
The ride is merely so-so. The newer rideshare scooters have a better ride. But the solid rear tire should prevent flats. So far, I've had no trouble with the pneumatic front tire.
Lights are insufficient for nighttime riding, but that's expected in this price range.
3) The Horizon is fast enough to keep up with urban traffic. It will feel underpowered and unsafe on busier streets, though, especially since you'll need to slow down on rough pavement. On the other hand, it's faster than needed for really dense areas with lots of stop signs. If your commute is short, you may be fine with a cheaper scooter (or a Segway for the reliability and waterproofing). For a longer, faster commute, something with better brakes and a higher top speed makes sense. But for many commuters, the Horizon likely hits the sweet spot between price and performance.
4) If you're thinking about getting your first scooter, I strongly recommend going ahead, whether you choose the Horizon or something else. My own commute has dropped from 75 minutes with public transit or 50 minutes with car to 40 minutes (or less) with a scooter/subway combination. Plus parking isn't an issue. It's extremely convenient. Do wear a helmet for 20 mph+ scooters, and be sure you're physically fit and have decent balance. (Try the rideshare scooters first.) But I think it's a great option for many people.”
“The Horizon is a great scooter. I scoot from home to the commuter train, and then again to my office in the city. It's easy to fold, not too heavy, and the battery life is better than advertised (13ah model). It makes the commute fun instead of a drag every day. I weigh 160, and can get it up to 24 mph on flat ground and 18 mph up steep hills. It really is the perfect intro model, and it even folds compactly enough for a bus. The service at the Brooklyn shop is top notch. I also feel like the company has my back if I need anything. All around pretty happy with spending a substantial amount of money on this.”
“Mostly a good scooter for the money. I picked the horizon because of the weight and compact folding size. It seems well built but I did have an issue with a seal in the rear hub. It was installed incorrectly and was making a squeeling noise. I took it apart and reseated it and now it's fine. The performance on level ground is pretty impressive but going up hills, it can only maintain about 6 miles per hour. I weight 200# so I am well within the weight limit. The range on normal roads with uphill and down hills is about 12 -15 miles with the 13 ah battery. I would have liked to see a better charging port. The connector is in a bad place and the front tire hits it when it's connected. Also the type of connector really isn't the correct type but everything works so I am satisfied with my purchase.”
“Chose the horizon 13 for my first scooter and although I have only put 45 miles on it, its been perfect! Absolutely no issues and whatever questions I had were promptly answered by customer service . Definitely would recommend”
“This is one of the best scooters I have bought, I did a long range test and got 20 miles from the 13Ah one going full speed with some stops and hills, I live this scooter and can't wait to go further with it!
Update 1: I'm still loving the scooter and almost have 100 miles on it! There is some problems that I've came across 1 on some big bumps the bell will ring and 2 the suspension is to strong and I want to loosen it up a bit.”
“The Horizon with 13ah battery is a phenomenal electric scooter. Both GoTrax and Hiboy pale in comparison. Only scooter on the market that actually performs advertised range and top speed. Maybe even a little bit longer range. I did 26miles at top speed on one charge. Solid rubber rear tire is very smart. No flats. I recommend using a medium gage threadlocker on the folding handlebars so not to come loose. Honestly don't ever really need to fold down. So, lock them up tight for better ride.”
“I have put about 100 miles on this scooter since I first got it. It is quick at 23-24 mph. I have the upgraded battery version (13Ah). I am 160 lbs. It folds easily and the handlebars fold for easy travel. Range is impressive at 26 miles tested real world. I like this scooter. I really do. However, I was only disappointed by the suspension. There is so little give in it, I'd hardly call it a suspension. I may be too light. I do not think it's adjustable. I am comparing this to my Hiboy S2 Pro with a single rear spring suspension which is just as good if not better. I'd give this scooter a 5 if the suspension were better. It is fast enough for trails and commutes, has very decent range, and is relatively light and portable. It is definitely faster than my Hiboy S2 Pro with better range. The handlebars do start unscrewing during riding which has been a common complaint of this scooter. I simply tighten them really well the first time and check periodically. I am considering plumbers tape or something similar. It's really not much of a bother. Overall, if you are looking for a scooter a bit quicker than your average 15-19 mph scooter, then this is a great choice at the under 1 k price point. I also like the adjustable stem height. However, I am only 5' 7" and have to raise it 100% for a comfortable ride. If you are very tall, this scooter may be akward for you. Great scoot, well made, don't mind solid rear tire or single drum disk brake on rear. This is a good scooter at the price point. Spend 200$ less and you will give up speed and range. Spend 300$ more and you may get more speed and comfort. It's your call ladies and gentlemen.”
