ESkuta SX250 Review
If you’ve never come across the ESkuta, most people would think that the Eskuta SX250 was a moped. It has motorcycle-grade wheels, suspension, and a seat that isn’t like a regular ebike. But the term moped comes from ‘motor pedals’ on old-fashioned 50cc internal combustion engines, some of which are still around to this day. But, notice the pedals? This implies that it’s legally classified as an electric bicycle and not something you see every day unless it’s an eskuta!
Eskuta review: What do you get for the money?
The ESkuta SX250 weighs in at (61kg), including the rear storage pod and tech bars. This costs extra to the advertised price of £1975 with the discount code. With the weight of the ESkuta SX259 the company claims you can get between 40-50 miles of range. Customers need to realise that this estimate was tested in perfect conditions. Unlike perfect conditions, you can expect between 20-30 miles of range with the 48v 26amp battery. Factors to reduce your range, from the claimed 40-50 miles including but not limited to:
- Colder riding conditions. Any temperature below 10 Celsius makes the battery cells work harder to move energy around
- Inclines – any hills or inclines that you are travelling up
- Luggage and rider weight – the more weight on your ESkuta will result in less range, including carrying a pillon.
- Incoming wind travelling towards you creating resistance.
With the plastic fairings you won’t notice that the ESkuta comes with a steel frame. One more obvious parts is the padded moped style seat, with a large central LCD display various control options near the grips, that you would not expect to see on a regular e-bike. There are also two rear-view mirrors, and these also act as a bolt to hold the tech bar on the the bike.
The Eskuta SX 250 has one gear with a traditional bicycle chain drive, and there’s also a key for “ignition”. The Eskuta does have modes, but they don’t work as the bike comes restricted in speed to 15.5mph to make it legal to use on roads. The modes would effectively enable you to control the speed. Mode 1 brings you to 10mph, mode 2 to 20mph and mode 3 to 24mph. The key system is needed to make the system “live” so no-one can activate the power without the key. The Eskuta does also have a immobiliser, alarm and a system that enables you to start the bike without twisting the key.
Eskuta SX250: What is it like to ride?
On turning the key and pushing the green button, the ESkuta moved away with instant torque powering this beast from the rear hub motor. Once I was upright, I let go off the green button and started pedalling. While pedalling the Eskuta got me to speeds of 15.5mph, that is compliant with UK legislation but more on that later.
Once I was up to speed it really didn’t feel like I was pedalling. It felt equivalent to riding in 1st gear down a hill, on a normal bicycle. Starting and stopping was simple enough in traffic, as the green button allowed me to get going.
The SX250 has a good ability to climb hills but as mentioned eariler this will ultimately draw more energy from the battery pack. On some hills you will need to push the bike up, but most it can handle. The bike is near impossible to pedal without any electrical assistance from the motor
Eskuta SX 250: Is there anything it could do better?
There isn’t much ESkuta needs to do to improve their bikes In my opinionz ESkuta could implement the following into their next models:
- Regenerative Breaking – whereby you let go off the throttle and you come to a stop without using your breaks as the power goes into the battery.
- Dual Battery Option / Increased Range – The ability to double the range by carrying an additional battery under the seat, or by simply making a larger battery pack.
Eskuta SX 250 review: Should you buy one?
The ESkuta is restricted to 15.5mph, can be ridden without a license, road tax and insurance. It’s legally classified as a bicycle, this means anyone from the age of 14 can ride one of these.
This could be a good stepping stone if you are of a younger age and considering to do motorcycle training once you reach the age of 16 to give some experience on the roads.
If you however want something quicker that is capable of going speeds above 15.5mph you may want to consider the companies SX800 model that comes with a 800w rear hub motor and a top speed of 28mph. You will however require a provisionally driving license with completion of a CBT, learner plates and insurance / road tax for the motorcycle if you choose the SX800 route.
Currently Ebike’s and electric motorcycles are exempt from the new pay per mile the government is introducing in years to come at a rate of 3p per mile to recoup fuel duty.