Control is everything I want on an electric scooter. Okay, that’s a lie, I also want decent range, good power, and a reasonable weight. Being able to control speed, regenerative braking, and how the turn signals work (if they are available) is not something found on most scooters. And even if you can accessing those things, modifying them is not always intuitive. The new Apollo Go changes all that.
I’ve tried Apollo scooters for a few years and the Apollo Go is my favorite so far. It’s fast, not too heavy, has a decent folding system, includes goodies like turn signals and a buzzer, and offers satisfactory range. Best of all, I can easily control some core functions through the companion app.
Good control
The sleek Apollo Go has a pretty simple setup process once you take it out of the box. Simply add a few screws to attach the handlebars to the scooter stem and you’re done. In the box, you get a nice set of tools to do basic repairs yourself.
It’s worth noting that while Apollo has service locations across the country, it recently closed its service center in New York City, citing “the current regulatory environment.” There is still a third-party service partner you can take your scooter to in Manhattan, but you can check this map to see if there is a location near you. It’s always smart to make sure there is some type of electric bike or scooter service shop in your area before purchasing one.
Photography: Julian Chokkattu
Connecting to the application is very simple and you do It is necessary to use the app to unlock the maximum speed of the scooter for safety reasons. Lo and behold, you can finally customize the speed modes on the Apollo Go. Most scooters have three speed modes that you can cycle through, but these speeds are usually fixed. Apollo allows you to set a preferred speed for Eco, Comfort and Sport. Now I no longer have to deal with speed modes that are too fast or too slow. I set the Comfort mode here at 15 miles per hour, the speed limit for New York City, and I can still switch to Sport mode if I need a boost. (It has a top speed of 28 mph, but you can reduce it if you wish.)
The app also lets you choose how much regenerative braking you want (this feature slightly recharges the battery each time you use regenerative braking), as well as throttle response to increase torque. I maximized both. You can choose a top speed for the Go, control how long it takes for the cruise control to activate (so you don’t have to keep pressing the accelerator), and even whether the turn signals should turn off automatically after seven flashes. or manually by pressing the signal button again. The best part is that I don’t have to worry about the app after doing all this initial setup.
Go! Go! Go
Photography: Julian Chokkattu
The aluminum Apollo Go weighs 46 pounds, which is manageable for me, but may be a little too heavy for some people. The good thing is that the stem is not too thick to carry comfortably and there is a handle at the end of the deck for two-handed carrying. If you will have to carry this scooter up and down more than two flights of stairs regularly, I suggest getting a lighter model.