sturdy and reliable - review update - Gotrax APEX XL Electric Scooter, Internal Honeycomb Solid Tires 250 Watt motor up to 15.5mph-March 30, 2024 Update - updated solid tire version-EXECUTIVE SUMMARYWith modifications such as its new honeycomb internal structure solid tires (see photo figure 6), its new base of tiller reinforcement band (see photo figure 5), disc brakes, cruise control, real 15 mph flat surface top speed, and the all metal undercarriage plate it had already (see photo figure 4), this 250 Watt entry level Electric Kick Scooter is a five star product.-Among the most important attributes of the entry level Gotrax APEX XL Electric Kick Scooter are its sturdiness and its reliability.-CONSTRUCTION FEATURES (UPDATED)- sturdy all metal undercarriage base plate (essential for any and all e-scooters!)- heavy duty reinforcement band at the base of its tiller (its vertical mast) (see photo figure 5)- Superbly designed folding mechanism that folds at its base platform, not higher up (see photo figure 3)- large bright LCD control panel- stainless steel disc brakes.- honeycomb internal structure solid tires (no more flat inner tubes) and actually a smoother ride!- (see photo figure 6)--USER INTERACTION FEATURES- drive by wire acceleration with cruise control.- stainless steel disc braking combined with electric eABS integrated with its motor- LCD control display with accurate and easy to read speed and battery consumption.-EASE OF ASSEMBLYThe Gotrax APEX XL electric scooter arrives mostly assembled.All that needs to be done to complete assembly is to attach the handlebar unit and the brake cable.Gotrax provides the required Allen Wrench in the Gotrax APEX XL electric scooter box.-INTENDED USAGEThe entry level Gotrax APEX XL Electric Kick Scooter appears to be intended for people who live in flatter cities. For people who live in cities such as Chicago, Houston, Manhattan, and so on, and even cities with hills but with some flat sections, such as Seattle, this entry level scooter is a fine choice. Don't expect a 250 Watt motor scooter to be able to travel quickly up steep hills. That isn't this scooter's intended capability. For anyone who lives in cities with hills such as San Francisco, Gotrax makes scooters such as their G4 model with dual front and back 600 Watt motors and full spring suspension.-EXPECTATIONS SPEED AND RANGEThis is a 250 Watt entry level electric scooter. The Gotrax APEX XL Electric Scooter is a scooter for use around relatively flat areas, such as city riding. The Gotrax APEX XL Electric Scooter is great for a work commuter to put into a car's trunk, park upon city arrival, and then use to get around the city quickly. The Gotrax APEX XL Electric Scooter is also a scooter that does not weigh so much that it cannot be carried on a subway. It's fine to carry onto a subway like Seattle's Link light rail, the Washington, D.C. Metro, or the Boston T subway lines.-After using the Gotrax APEX XL Electric Scooter, even before the updated version of the Gotrax APEX XL Electric Scooter, I had already been planning to purchase the dual 600 Watt motor Gotrax G4 (see item B0C32PDRKJ), to be able to take on the steep hills of the city where I live. Yes, planning on owning more than one electric scooter!-SUGGESTIONS FOR GOTRAX- For the next update to the Gotrax APEX XL Electric Scooter, Gotrax needs to move the front reflector up higher on the forks cover so that it does not cover the Allen bolt underneath it. (see photo figure 7)- Add the front forks cowling units to the parts available on the Gotrax website.- List Gotrax electric scooter replacement parts on the amazon website, in addition to the Gotrax site.-GOTRAX CUSTOMER SUPPORTAmong the most important things Gotrax has done is to provide replacement parts for sale on their website. Much like owning a car, motorcycle, or bicycle, vehicles will eventually need replacement parts, such as the plastic fenders, and most importantly their battery (e-scooter batteries do not and cannot last forever).-CONCLUSIONSThe updated Gotrax APEX XL Electric Kick Scooter is a good choice for anyone looking for an economical entry level electric scooter. For someone who would like to try out the Electric Kick Scooter experience before investing in a high-end scooter such as the dual 600 Watt motor Gotrax G4 the Gotrax APEX XL Electric Kick Scooter is a smart starter scooter choice. With the sturdiness of the Gotrax APEX XL Electric Kick Scooter and its reliable day to day riding experience, its a keeper.============================previous review version October 20, 2023============================review of - Problematic Design - Gotrax APEX XL Electric Scooter, 8.5 inch Pneumatic Tire, 15 Mile Range 250W motor up to 15.5mph, Foldable, Headlight and Taillight-This otherwise nice, low powered, electric scooter, has some serious design flaws.-CHANGING TIRE INNER TUBES IS EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT-Gotrax does not provide any information about how to change a tire inner tube on their Gotrax APEX XL scooter. Changing the air filled pneumatic tire inner tubes on this electric scooter is an absurdly difficult process.-Buyers beware that with any electric scooter that has pneumatic tires, you will get flat tires from time to time. The Gotrax owner’s manual does not provide any instructions or information about how to change the tires on their electric scooters. It took me over 3 hours to change the rear tire on my scooter the first time it went flat. The process involves disassembling the entire rear section of the scooter. Also, unlike large bicycle wheels, the geometry of the eight (8) inch wheels is such that getting the tire back onto the wheel after changing the wheel was nearly impossible.-Changing the inner tube of the front tire of the Gotrax APEX XL electric scooter is even worse than the back tire / wheel. First of all, and worst of all, one of the bolts that needs to be removed to gain access to the axle nut is covered by the glued on front fender yellow reflector. There are videos on the internet of misguided Gotrax scooter owners who end up destroying the plastic yellow reflector in order to try to gain access to the Allen bolt underneath. It is possible to remove the yellow front reflector without damaging the scooter (not too much anyway) by heating up the reflector with a hair dryer on high heat, which softens the glue underneath. Once the glue is soft the yellow reflector can be removed. What incompetent product designer / engineer made the decision to permanently glue this yellow reflector over an Allen bolt underneath that MUST be removed in order to change a front flat tire on this scooter? For this design scooter incompetence alone, Gotrax gets a one star review.-GENERAL FEATURES-In general, the Gotrax APEX XL is okay for a low powered scooter, notwithstanding the serious design flaws described above that makes tire inner tube changes a ridiculously involved, much too difficult, time consuming process.-Don’t expect to be able to travel up steep hills with the Gotrax APEX XL, because it will slow to a near walking pace on any hill steeper than a minor incline.The Gotrax APEX scooter under carriage is a solid aluminum material. This is important. Some other scooter manufacturers are cheaping out with a plastic under carriage plate, which means that scooters can’t last for long.-At first use expect to need to adjust the brakes. You’ll need your own Allen wrench to do it, but brake adjustment isn’t difficult.-CONCLUSION-The absurd scooter disassembly process required just to change a flat tire on the Gotrax APEX scooters earns them a one (1) star review. In fact, based on this experience, it seems like all electric scooters should use solid tires. The solid tires available provide as good a ride, and even a better ride than pneumatic tires. Please take notice Gotrax, and stop advertising scooters with air filled tires as though that is a beneficial feature, because it is not.