Electric scooter setup: unboxing, first charge and first ride

When the box arrives

Look the box over before you open it. Every order ships free to the lower 48 states, and most electric scooters arrive in one large box. Check for crushed corners, holes, punctures or anything loose rattling inside.

• Take photos of every side and the shipping label before you cut the tape, whether or not you see damage.
• If the box is badly damaged, photograph it and contact us before you go further. Our shipping policy explains how delivery and shipping damage are handled.
• Get help with heavy boxes. Commuter models are easy for one person, but performance models can weigh 100 lb or more.

Unpacking and checking the parts

Open the box on a clear floor and cut only the tape. A blade pushed in too far can scratch the paint or nick a cable. Lift the scooter out by the frame or deck, not by the handlebar or the cables.

Remove the foam, plastic wrap and cable ties, and set the small parts aside. Then check what is in the box against the parts list in the manual. Most boxes hold:

• The scooter, usually folded, with the handlebar attached or packed separately.
• The charger.
• Bolts for the handlebar or stem, and the hex keys to fit them.
• The manual and any accessories that come with your model.

Then inspect the scooter itself: the deck, stem and frame for dents or cracks, the cables for kinks or cuts, the battery case for damage, and the wheels and brake rotors for bends. Some models arrive almost ready to ride. The Gyroor C1 Plus, for example, arrives about 90% assembled.

Unfolding and fitting the handlebar

Unfold the stem slowly until the latch clicks, then close the folding lock and any safety catch. The fold is the most important joint on the scooter, so take your time here.

• Fit the handlebar. If it comes separately, line it up with the front wheel and fit the bolts supplied. Tighten them a little at a time, in turn, so the clamp closes evenly.
• Tighten to the manual figure. If the manual gives a torque value, use a torque wrench. Overtightening can strip a thread or crack a clamp.
• Check for play. Hold the front brake and rock the scooter forward and back. The stem should not knock or move. If it does, adjust the folding latch as the manual explains before you ride.
• Route the cables. Make sure no brake or throttle cable is pinched, stretched or wrapped around the stem, and that the handlebar turns fully left and right.
• Set the height if your model allows it, so you stand upright with a slight bend at the elbows.

The first full charge

Give the battery a full charge before the first ride, unless the manual says otherwise. Batteries usually ship partly charged, and many makers ask for a full first charge.

• Use only the charger supplied with your scooter. A different charger may have the wrong voltage or connector.
• Let a cold scooter warm to room temperature first. Lithium-ion batteries should not be charged in freezing conditions: Gyroor, for example, lists a charging range of 32 to 104°F for the C1 Plus.
• Charge on a hard, dry surface, away from doors and anything that burns easily, with someone at home.
• Unplug when the charger light shows full. Times vary by model: Segway lists about 6.5 hours for the Segway F2, and INMOTION about 4.5 hours for the INMOTION Air.

While it charges, find the safety mark on the battery or charger label. Our guide UL 2272, UL 2849 and UL 2271 explained shows what to look for, and our battery care guide covers charging habits for the long term.

Tire pressure

Air-filled tires lose pressure in transit and storage, so check them before the first ride. Use a gauge and pump to the figure in the manual or on the tire sidewall. Soft tires cut range, make the steering feel vague and are more likely to get a pinch flat.

• Air-filled and tubeless tires need a pressure check every week or two. Self-sealing tires, like the 10-inch tubeless tires on the Segway F2, still need the right pressure.
• Solid and honeycomb tires never need air. The Hiboy S2 Pro, for example, rolls on 10-inch honeycomb tires. Just check them for cuts and wear.
• Spin each wheel and look for wobble or rubbing.

Brakes and lights

Test the brakes before you ride anywhere. Squeeze each lever: it should feel firm and stop well before it touches the grip. Walk the scooter forward and pull each brake in turn to check that the wheel stops.

• Disc brakes. Spin the wheel and listen for rubbing. New pads and rotors need bedding in: make 10 to 20 gentle stops from low speed before you rely on them for a hard stop.
• Drum and electronic brakes. Check the lever travel, and check that pulling the lever cuts the motor.
• Foot brakes. Press the rear fender brake and check that it meets the tire squarely.
• Lights and signals. Switch on the headlight, check that the brake light comes on when you brake, and test the turn signals and horn or bell if your model has them. The Segway F2, for example, has turn signals front and rear.

Pairing the app and choosing settings

Many electric scooters connect to a maker app over Bluetooth. The NAVEE V25 works with the NAVEE app, and E-TWOW models with the E-TWOW app. Download the official app named in the manual, pair it, and register the scooter if the maker offers it.

• Activation. Some models need to be activated in the app before the motor runs at full power. Check the manual if your scooter seems stuck in a slow mode.
• Firmware updates. Install them before your first ride. Some change real performance: the Segway E2 Pro, for example, reaches its full top speed only after a firmware update.
• Settings. Choose mph, the lowest speed mode, and the start mode if your model offers one: some start from a standstill on the throttle, others only after a kick.
• Tracking. If your model supports it, set it up now. The Segway F2 works with Apple Find My, and the NAVEE V25 Pro has a hidden AirTag slot.

Your first ride

Pick a quiet, open space, such as an empty parking lot or a smooth, quiet path. Wear a helmet, closed shoes and, ideally, gloves. Our safety gear guide covers what to wear.

• Start in the lowest speed mode.
• Stand with one foot forward and one back, knees slightly bent, weight centered.
• Practice smooth starts, gentle stops and wide turns before you add speed.
• Practice an emergency stop: both brakes, weight low and back.
• After the first ride, check the stem, handlebar bolts and folding latch again. New parts can settle.

Before you ride on the street, read electric scooter laws: what to check before you ride. Setting one up for a teenager? See choosing an electric scooter for teens. After the first few weeks, our maintenance checklist takes over.

If something is not right

Do not ride a scooter that has a problem. If a part is missing, the stem will not lock, a brake does not hold, the battery case is damaged or the scooter will not power on, stop and contact us with your order number, photos and a short video. Never open the battery or try to repair it yourself.

Our warranty page explains what is covered. If the scooter is not right for you, see our returns and exchanges page for the 14-day return process.

Questions riders ask