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IO Hawk Exit Cross E-Scooter in the off-road test

Off-road with the e-scooter

IO Hawk is promoting its Exit-Cross e-scooter legally and with an off-road character. Studded tires and stable workmanship invite you to take a special test: With the electric scooter through the terrain – it can go well?

Ok, now they finally think I’m stupid. In addition to my motorcycle, I also load an e-scooter out of the car this Sunday. Embarrassing, but not quite as embarrassing as bumping into the ankles of all the passengers in the subway. It’s drizzling, the ground is softened – perfect conditions for a two-wheel test that may never have taken place before. Conceivably unfavorable geometry, 10-inch wheels and simply the fact that it is a scooter speak against off-road suitability. But of course I want to know exactly.

Exit-Cross: The first impression

The XL scooter weighs almost 20 kilos, that’s a chunk. In the meantime, good electric mountain bikes easily undercut this value, but there is actually a lot more to it than a scooter, the batteries are bigger, everything is bigger. But well, that’s not a murderous argument. With the first steps on the extra-wide board, I mess it up completely, the mud sticks well on the rough surface. But the feet do not slip from the spot either and find a stable hold.

Mona pekarek

The wide running board is non-slip – but magically attracts mud.

The weight becomes noticeable over the first few meters, because the Exit Cross must first be pushed without a motor until the throttle grip brings relief. Accordingly, there is a slight delay or uncertainty as to when the support will intervene and how long it will last. Spontaneously adding a little "gas burst" is difficult. The height of the running board also forces the rider to do a serious one-legged squat to swing. Although this results in more ground clearance, which is always an advantage off-road, the center of gravity also shifts further upwards. In fact, the basics like driving with one hand to show the direction are not that easy to use. The manufacturer plans to deliver indicators for screwing into the handlebar ends free of charge in January 2020, which are currently still in approval.

Run alongside, then jump up

In order to finally pick up speed, the tactic is clear: I have to work with momentum. While at the beginning I tried to poke my foot to get the scooter rolling, a little later I discovered a better variant: run alongside, jump up and accelerate straight away. It works excellently on the straight, rather sluggishly uphill. The two disc brakes make the overall impression considerably more positive, brake reliably and easily controllable, but they seem to drag a little – so a slight noise suggests. But beware motorcyclists: right is at the back, like on a bicycle. With this in mind, there is another sweet surprise: The brake levers are rubberized on the outside so that the index finger – even with a glove – cannot slip off. The handles and braking system appear stable and should cope with minor falls. The handlebar ends are made of impact-resistant metal and can be screwed on to insert the turn signal system.

Mona pekarek

Unfortunately, we had to complain about the shock absorbers.

Difficulties in the field

Overall, the scooter also makes a robust impression, which in turn has a negative impact on the weight. So it lies well on the paved road, but is not as light-footed as you would like it to be in the field. But I have to go through that now. I chase the exit cross over gravel – it works solidly – then over coarser stones: the tires jump back and forth awkwardly and mean to me that this is not necessarily his natural habitat. In the meadow, on the other hand, I make good progress with the studded tires, they reliably compensate for small bumps. Slippery clay floor is and remains slippery: once you turn in too quickly, the grip is gone and with a jump off the step I just catch us both.

Mona pekarek

The handlebars have a throttle grip, light switch, on / off switch, speedometer and a bell.

Big, wide wheels and stable components

What, unfortunately, has an impact in many areas is the rock-hard "chassis". Both spring elements – i.e. the small shock absorbers at the rear and the spring at the front – do not move noticeably and therefore fail to perform their urgently needed function in the field. Even the ride over cobblestones turns out to be relatively bumpy – albeit much more pleasant than with a "normal" e-scooter. This is actually where its strengths lie: Large, wide wheels, a lot of weight, stable components – this model defies potholes and cracked asphalt with a lot of self-confidence and puts conventional models with small wheels and toy character in the shade.

At the end of the day, a dirty, somewhat overwhelmed e-scooter stands in front of me and would like to be picked up from Mona’s play paradise. Allow him to do that, he doesn’t have to be able to master any slippery slopes or climb any stone steps. So I fold the scooter in two easy steps, bend the handlebars and remember: Lift off your legs, not your back.

Prices and details

Maximum speed: 20 km / h
Net weight: 19.8 kg
Dimensions: Unfolded 115x53x120cm, folded 124x22x50cm
Battery: Optionally 48 V 10.4 ah (499.2 Wh) or 15.6 ah (748.8 Wh)
Engine: 500 watts
Max. Driver weight: 120 kg
Water resistance: IP54
Max. Tidy: 30-48 km
Wheel size: 10 inches
Street legal, license plate holder, lighting
Max. Charging time: Fast charger 110V-240V 50-60HZ, 5-6 hours with 15 Ah battery, approx. 4-5 hours with 10.4 Ah battery
Price: 1,099 to 1,199 euros

The latest version 1.6 will be available from autumn 2019. In contrast to our test model, improved shock absorbers and a stronger fender are now installed. The throttle response should also have improved. The criteria that we criticized in the previous version should now have been upgraded.

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Conclusion

Admittedly: I overdid it with off-road use. The scooter was certainly not built to cope with stony driveways in the field. It drives solidly on gravel and meadow, gets very far thanks to the studded tires and easily beats the conventional road versions. Only the chassis has to be criticized. It is estimated that it contributes to the high overall weight, among other things, but has almost no benefit in terms of driving comfort – better without it. The most positive thing was the braking effect and the leverage: two disc brakes and rubberized handles ensure a quick stop.

In summary, it is a much more stable, but also much heavier version of an ordinary e-scooter with slight off-road ambitions and poor chassis.

Unfortunately, we cannot say whether the specified points have improved in the new version. So it remains to be hoped that the 1.6 variant will keep its promise of better chassis and better throttle response.

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