Inmotion RS Review: The 68mph Transforming eScooter Beast

Jun 07, 2023

It's pricey, but the adjustable deck height and powerful motors make it suitable to tackle anything and ride how you want.

The Inmotion RS aims to push the limits of an electric scooter beyond casual travel and everyday commutes by offering a sheer powerhouse of a device. While Inmotion has shown a continual power upgrade among its newest scooter releases, the Inmotion RS takes it further by introducing a transforming system to optimize its ride for both those after extreme speed, or a stable ride on off-road terrain.

But does the sheer amount of options in one device and its price point make the Inmotion RS undesirable for anyone but the most passionate of escooter riders?

The INMOTION RS provides a plethora of power while also featuring a four-gear system that allows its rider to adjust for optimal usage whether that be longer range or tackling off-road. With an impression 68mph maximum speed alongside an range of 100 miles, those after longer, faster journeys can easily accomplish this.The INMOTION RS also offers quick acceleration, hitting 30 mph in 3.5 seconds with its peak motor power of 8,400 watts. In addition, the ability to conquer 50% grade hills and protect its crucial components with its IPX6 rating makes it able to handle an astonishing amount of situations.

As with most scooters, there are a few steps to do after pulling it out of the box.

After removing the six connecting buckles of its box and revealing the inner packaging, you'll need to tussle with the handlebars as you unfold the folding stem. The folding wrench mechanism, which locks the scooter's neck upright, can also prove a bit sticky, so you'll want to ensure you get a good fit when locking the safety buckle in place by its screw.

Of particular note, a series of color-coded waterproof wires snap together by aligning the directional arrows on them.

While a relatively simple affair, the green wire doesn't connect to anything and is intended for future smartphone connection. To keep it out of the way, you'll need to tuck it away alongside the wire wrapping at the front of the scooter.

At the rear of the scooter, there's also the option to install the rear mudguard. Overall, it's a nice addition from a protective standpoint, but it's not a necessary component for those uninterested in its inclusion.

For those familiar with Inmotion from its electric unicycle line-up (our V11 EUC review), the Inmotion RS follows the same path as their more premium EUC offerings from both a pricing and power standpoint. Inmotion has focused on offering on a well-rounded riding experience for all use cases. This comes in the form of its four-gear transforming system, allowing for an adjustable footstand height adjustment from ~7.2 to 12 inches (183 mm to 303 mm).

If you're most interested in speed, the Inmotion RS features dual 2000W motors with a peak 8400W power output. This allows for speeds up to 68 mph (110km/h). Similarly, the RS boasts up to a maximum range of 100 miles (160 km).

For someone thus far experienced only with lower power scooters, the acceleration rate from 0 to 30 mph in 3.5 seconds can prove breathtaking For more experienced riders, you'll want to enable the zero start option, so you can get up to speed even faster.

Like with the Inmotion Climber, the Inmotion RS has also pushed forward on climbing potential, with a claimed ability to conquer slopes of 50% (26 degrees). As always, riders must consider that weight, wind, and road conditions will all influence the max speed, range, and climbing potential.

Within the Inmotion app, you can check on detailed battery information alongside a larger detailed breakdown of your riding data. But for those not wishing to monitor or compare data, the general settings of the RS contains a few essentials worth checking out.

In particular, you'll want to enable or disable the zero start and cruise control. There's also the option to adjust the time before the scooter automatically returns to park mode. This can be adjusted between five seconds and two minutes.

Unless you have a specific need, your use of the Inmotion app will be limited. However, its always worth checking out initially and if you want an alternative way to view your essential data outside your display screen.

The 4.3-inch LCD screen provides all the essential information within its dashboard. It's also adjustable, so it can be raised or lowered to a more appropriate eye level for the rider. And this can also be utilized to allow for better protection of the screen when folding up the RS for transport.

Speaking of handlebars, Inmotion has distributed the functionality evenly, with the right handlebar housing the throttle twist grip, power button, and shift buttons. Meanwhile, the horn, turn signals, headlight, and cruise control buttons are on the left. Long-pressing the cruise control button will also allow you to toggle between dual (2WD) drive, rear drive, and front drive.

Everything feels adequately spaced in terms of hand feel; the throttle twist grip can take some adjusting to get used to relative to its position. As the RS departs slightly from the more standard class of minimal e-scooter handlebars, there's a little more to get used to in terms of functionality at your fingertips. However, the intended purpose of quickly accessible button shortcuts and easy-to-reach brakes was clearly considered.

For those curious as to the usefulness of the turn signals in practice, the indicators can be clearly seem from both the front and back. When the headlights are on, both the front headlight, rear brake light, and supporting lights are illuminated. When braking, the rear brake light will also blink.

Additionally, the headlight is adjustable, so you can tailor its illumination path slightly versus the typically fixed location of e-scooters. However, the light beam is ever so slightly too narrow for my tastes, albeit still adequately bright.

When it comes time to ride the RS, there are four active driving modes to swap between. In typical fashion, these ride modes follow a simplified abbreviation scheme with ECO, D, S, and X distinguishing them. In Eco mode, speed is capped at around 20 mph (32 km/h); D up to ~40 mph (64 km/h); S to ~62 mph (100 km/h); and finally, X features no speed limit.

As for braking, the RS features dual 160mm full-hydraulic disc brakes and a regenerative braking system. Allowing you to stop on demand quickly, their responsiveness is good even for more uneven ground when offroad. Whereas some escooter brakes don't deliver as promised, and instead require more advanced anticipation before braking, the RS is incredibly responsive and can help you navigate potentially dangerous situations more safely.

Even with a heavier rider such as myself, I didn't feel any real downgrade in climbing potential or speed build-up even in Eco-mode. It quickly accelerates to top speed, and the Inmotion RS continues to deliver with less of a need for any build-up of speed on steeper hills. So for those looking to hit higher thresholds, the power behind the RS can easily get you there.

With its adjustable hydraulic damping, shock absorption proved excellent even on rougher terrain at high speeds. Plus, the IPX6 waterproof rating, puddles, and rain were less of a concern than typical.

Beyond the scope of its powerful riding specs, the transformative adjustable gear system allows for a more exact customization to the needs of its rider. By default, the escooter comes locked into its second gear (sedan form), which provides a default deck height of ~9 inches (232 mm). At the extreme ends, the fourth gear (303 mm) provides its best off-road experience, whereas the first gear serves as its sports car form (183 mm).

To transition between the different deck heights, two T-shaped hex wrenches are included. You'll need to turn one screw counterclockwise to loosen it and then remove the other screw from the connecting shaft. After, you'll install the shaft to the intended gear and tighten the previously loosened screw.

It's a very simple system at its core; you'll want to ensure everything is appropriately tightened for safety's sake.

Inmotion suggests an ideal pressure range between 2.5 and 3.5 bar. If you're intending to go for a longer riding range, a higher tire pressure will serve you better. But if you're looking to adjust the RS for off-road, rougher conditions, stick to the lower end of that range for better shock absorption.

While the fourth gear of the Inmotion RS and lower tire pressure are ideal for going off-road with the RS, there are a few other items to note. By default, Inmotion's included pair of 11 x 3.5-inch tubeless tires do a reasonable job.

However, during the Kickstarter campaign for the Inmotion RS, off-road tires were offered as add-ons. So if you're after an electric scooter primarily for off-road usage, you'll also want to consider changing out the original tires for even better performance.

For those that don't want to frequently change the gears of their scooter for occasional off-road usage, the Inmotion RS can still handle light off-road riding at its initially provided second gear.

In testing, it was able to handle both grass (uphill and down) and a rocky dirt road without any issues.

Compared to Inmotion's other scooters, the RS weighs in a lot heavier at 128 lbs (58kg). Whereas other e-scooters can be carried a limit distance by their neck, the Inmotion RS is not one of those. If you're moving it by hand, you should get someone else to assist.

Otherwise, if you're not careful, the sheer weight can easily result in a rollover foot injury or cuts if it rubs too close. When folded up to its 1473 x 716 x 684mm (58 x 28 x 27 inches), you can still fit it in the back of a sedan like a Honda Accord. However, you'll need to do so at an angle and adjust your seats appropriately to ensure everything is sitting safely.

In practice, you'll often find it easier to ride the RS to its intended destination if feasible. Otherwise, try to ensure some help is handy.

While a previous concern, Inmotion has already acknowledged that they'll be upgrading the RS kickstand. The new kickstand has already been designed and will be shipped alongside the RS. But by default, the weight of the RS and the adjustable deck height can make the original less ideal.

The Inmotion RS battery has a capacity of 2880Wh (72V 40AH). Typically, this ensures a variable riding range of 75 to 100 miles depending on the usual assortment of factors such as riding conditions, rider's weight, evenness of the ground, driving speed, and temperature.

So for all its power, how long does it take to restore the RS's battery to full? With a single charger, the charging process typically takes 8.5 hours. If using both charging ports, the two charging plugs can fast charge the RS within 4.5 hours. So you'll need to weigh your riding usage and charging time allowances before considering the additional purchase of a secondary charger.

Thanks to the inclusion of deck-level charging ports, it's a straightforward process where the charger can even rest comfortably atop the deck. The charging port also utilizes a plastic flap-style design, so you don't have to mess with any rubberized port covers.

The Inmotion RS is considerably more expensive than your average escooter, but for that you get an immense amount of power, and an adjustable deck height. If you're after a powerhouse of an electric scooter that can handle much longer distances than an everyday commute, the RS tries to include everything a rider could want.

Even if you're not after more extreme offroad riding thrills, the RS can provide you with a safe, smooth, and fast riding experience due to its reliable specs and build.

The Inmotion RS offers a thrilling alternative ride experience for the right rider if you're willing to invest some time into it.

James is a Senior Writer for MakeUseOf and a lover of words. After completing his B.A. in English in 2010, he entered into freelance writing and practiced tech application and online learning in public education. After personalizing tech for student and staff needs for nine years, he's gone forward and used the experience to better explain online entertainment, creative applications of tech, and hardware across a variety of everyday and specialized uses.