In a world of generic electrical bikes, the JackRabbit is difficult to disregard. The micro, pedal-free experience blends the comfort of a scooter with the sitdown consolation of a bicycle. We cherished the unique, however there was loads of room for enchancment. That room has been dramatically decreased with the revealing of the JackRabbit XG — a more moderen, extra highly effective and barely (simply barely) greater model out there beginning at the moment.

The XG initially seems to be similar to the “OG” (because it has since been dubbed) that got here earlier than it. What you’ll discover is that it sports activities a extra typical diamond-style body. There are additionally two batteries this time round for as much as 20 miles of vary (double the unique). As talked about earlier, the wheelbase is a shade longer, however solely by an inch or two. The result’s a extra refined bike with not solely extra vary however, due to a brand new 500W motor, extra energy for going up hills with the identical 20 mph max velocity.

The standard-of-life enhancements additionally lengthen past additional energy and vary. The JackRabbit XG comes with an precise bike laptop so you may see actual time velocity, journey size and a extra refined battery life gauge. Earlier than, the one suggestions you had for something have been three LEDs to point remaining energy. Moreover, there are new all-metal footpegs, which is nice as the unique used rubber “sneakers” on its pegs and so they simply fell off — I misplaced each inside two quick rides.

The addition of the additional battery, mixed with that new motor are what actually makes the JackRabbit XG really feel like an enchancment on the unique. I acknowledged in my evaluation that the battery life was maybe on the shorter aspect and if you happen to ever ran out of juice, like I as soon as did, it wasn’t a really enjoyable time getting again house on, successfully, an grownup steadiness bike. Fortunately, with double the quantity of cells, the XG now reaches as much as, and possibly even past 20 miles of regular utilization placing it effectively on par with what you’d count on from a scooter. (There aren’t any pedals right here, in order that vary is motor-only.)

One of many first stuff you seen once you rode the unique was the upper heart of gravity which gave the JackRabbit a “vigorous” driving expertise. Fortunately, the XG feels much more secure and doesn’t appear to characteristic any of the twitchy physics at greater speeds. And because of the three energy modes, you may have extra management over the utmost velocity (and thus vary and experience really feel) of the bike.

Naturally, that additional battery and longer body add a little bit of heft. The OG mannequin weighed in at 24 kilos, whereas the XG provides one other eight to that. You’ll be able to nonetheless simply carry the bike with one hand although, and a splash up the subway stairs with it’s nonetheless completely manageable. By maintaining with the identical battery because the OG, upgraders would possibly even have some spares prepared, but additionally the double battery bay means you may experience on only one cell if wanted, or if you happen to simply fancy a lighter experience with much less vary. Fortunately, the batteries not require a key to unlock them for swapping out, with new everlasting clips on the underside of the XG as an alternative, which is way simpler and saves having to hold one other, simply losable, key.

Some smaller particulars present how the JackRabbit is maturing. For instance, whereas the bike doesn’t include a powered mild (there are reflectors), the XG has an additional energy port do you have to want to add one. There’s additionally a entrance brake now to reinforce the rear one so that you gained’t have to tug a rad slide in sure sturdy braking conditions. That mentioned, there are a few different listed options which are maybe extra artistic on the advertising aspect than sensible for the person. For one there’s a “stroll mode” — which usually has the bike roll itself alongside slowly as you stroll. However right here that mode is achieved not by holding down a button to have interaction the throttle barely, as an alternative you loosen the handlebars, rotate them 90 levels (in order that the bike is “skinny”) and Jackrabbit’s “stroll mode” is “activated.” That mentioned, the identical course of does simply enable for tidy storage of the bike.

It’s within the driving that the XG involves life. The OG mannequin would draw back once you pressed the accelerator, however the brand new mannequin requires you to push off first, very similar to on a scooter. It’s a minor change, however one which does cease the bike pulling away from you if you happen to by chance activate the throttle. In “excessive” mode, you don’t have to push off to start out shifting, so if that’s what you like you may maintain it in that setting. Having the three energy modes is a welcome approach of moderating battery utilization with out having to be as even handed with the accelerator. I gained’t lie although, “excessive” is probably the most enjoyable and that’s the place I discover myself maintaining it now that it sports activities the additional vary.

The OG mannequin had a couple of tough edges, however was a enjoyable different to scooters or small e-bikes. The XG feels rather more refined and sensible with all the most important ache factors addressed with little or no tradeoff — although it’s a shade bigger and heavier making it simply that a lot much less handy than a foldable scooter. With all these adjustments although comes a a lot greater price ticket. The unique was $1,200 after we wrote about it however has since dropped again to $1,000. The XG will price $1,750 at launch.

That’s a good step up, nevertheless it bests its youthful sibling in each conceivable approach. That additionally places it up in the identical worth vary as many common e-bikes. Should you’re contemplating the XG purely as a substitute for a scooter then it’s clearly a pricier choice. If, nonetheless, you need the flexibleness of a motorbike that may perk up your each day commute and go on adventures that scooters can’t, the JackRabbit XG out of the blue appears rather more enticing.