Electric scooter vs electric bike: which one fits your commute?
One folds and goes under a desk. The other carries groceries and eats long miles. Here is how to tell which one your trip actually needs.
KUKIRIN G2 vs G4 vs G2 Max: which one fits your ride?
Three KUKIRIN models that look alike and ride very differently. Here is how the G2, G4 and G2 Max compare, and where the dual motor G-series fits in.
The short answer
In the KUKIRIN G2 vs G4 choice, the G2 is the lighter, simpler commuter at 57 lb, with an 800 W motor and a 48V 15Ah battery. The G4 is the fast one: a 2,000 W motor, a 60V 20Ah battery, 11-inch tubeless tires and a bigger deck, at 81.5 lb. The G2 Max sits between them with a 1,000 W motor, a 48V 20.8Ah battery, knobby off-road tires and a seat included, at 68 lb. Choose by the weight you can manage and the speed you actually need.
- G2: the lightest of the three at 57 lb, with 10-inch tubeless tires and a seat kit option.
- G2 Max: a bigger 48V 20.8Ah battery, knobby off-road tires and a removable seat in the box.
- G4: 2,000 W, 60V 20Ah, 11-inch tubeless tires and a 20.1 x 8.7 inch deck, but 81.5 lb.
- For steep hills, the dual motor G2 Ultra and G2 Master list steeper climbing than all three.
What the three share
All three follow the same basic recipe. Each has springs front and rear, front and rear disc brakes, three speed gears, a folding stem, an IP54 water rating and a maximum load of 264 to 265 pounds. Each also offers 12 and 24 month warranty options on the product page.
The differences are in the motor, the battery, the tires and the weight, and they add up to three quite different electric scooters. The KUKIRIN G2 is the everyday commuter, the KUKIRIN G2 Max the seated, rough road version, and the KUKIRIN G4 the fast one.
Motor, battery and speed gears
- G2: a single 800 W motor (KUKIRIN does not publish a peak figure) and a 48V 15Ah battery, about 720Wh.
- G2 Max: a single 1,000 W motor with 1,200 W peak, and a 48V 20.8Ah battery, about 998Wh.
- G4: a single 2,000 W rear motor and a 60V 20Ah battery, about 1,200Wh.
The G4 60V battery and 2,000 W motor are what make it so much faster. The bigger G2 Max battery is why it lists more range than the G2 from a similar size of motor.
Each has three speed gears. KUKIRIN lists 15, 21 and 27 mph for the G2, 9, 18 and 34 mph for the G2 Max, and 12, 24 and 43 mph for the G4. A low first gear helps while you learn, and the G2 Max starts slowest of the three.
The G4 top gear is fast. At that speed you need a full face helmet, gloves and protective clothing, and a clear idea of your local speed limits. Read how fast electric scooters go and our safety gear guide before you open it up.
On hills, KUKIRIN lists 20° climbing for both the G2 and the G4, and 22° for the G2 Max.
Tires and terrain
- G2: 10-inch tubeless air tires.
- G2 Max: 10-inch pneumatic off-road tires with a knobby tread.
- G4: 11-inch tubeless air tires.
Tubeless tires resist pinch flats and can take sealant. Knobby tires grip better on dirt and gravel, and feel noisier and less smooth on clean pavement. Ground clearance is close across all three: 6.9 inches on the G2, 7 on the G4 and 7.1 on the G2 Max. Our catalog lists the G2 and G2 Max as off-road capable and the G4 as a street model.
Planning to leave the pavement? Read off-road electric scooters first, and keep the tires at the pressure printed on the sidewall with our tire pressure guide.
Weight, deck and folded size
- G2: 57 lb (26 kg). Deck 18.1 x 7.4 inches. Folded 49.5 x 26 x 22 inches.
- G2 Max: 68 lb (31 kg) with the seat. Deck 18.1 x 7.1 inches. Folded 49.6 x 23.8 x 22.8 inches.
- G4: 81.5 lb (37 kg). Deck 20.1 x 8.7 inches. Folded 53 x 26 x 22 inches.
The G4 deck is longer and wider, which gives your feet more room at speed. The trade off is 24.5 pounds more than the G2, and a folded length of 53 inches that needs a large trunk. None of the three is light enough to carry up stairs every day with ease, but the G2 comes closest.
Seat or no seat
The G2 Max is the only one of the three with a seat included, and the seat is removable. It also has a stem with three height settings and six lights. The G2 and G4 take the KUKIRIN seat kit, which comes in one version for the G4 and G2 and another for the G2 Max and G2 Master.
Thinking about sitting for most of your rides? Our guide to electric scooters with a seat covers comfort, weight and storage.
Charging time
A bigger battery takes longer to fill on the standard charger. KUKIRIN lists 8 to 9 hours for the G2, 10 hours for the G2 Max and 10 to 12 hours for the G4. Plan to charge in the evening while you are home and awake, not overnight while you sleep.
Our battery care guide covers safe charging, and how long electric scooter batteries last explains how a pack wears over the years.
The rest of the G-series
If none of the three is quite right, KUKIRIN has dual motor G-series models too:
- G2 Ultra: two 800 W motors and a 48V 18Ah battery in a G2-sized frame at 67 lb, with a Turbo mode and 26° climbing.
- G2 Master: two 1,000 W motors, a 52V 20.8Ah (1,081Wh) battery, 28° climbing and 72 lb, with a key lock and a faster 3A charger.
- G3 Pro: two 1,200 W motors, a removable 52V 23Ah battery, dual hydraulic disc brakes, two charging ports for 5 to 6 hour charging and a 330 lb maximum load, at 87.3 lb.
| Model | Top speed (mph) | Range (miles) | Motor power (W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUKIRIN G2 Electric Scooter | 27 | 34 | 800 |
| KUKIRIN G2 Max Electric Scooter | 34 | 43 | 1,000 |
| KUKIRIN G2 Ultra Electric Scooter | 31 | 34 | 1,600 |
| KUKIRIN G2 Master Electric Scooter | 37 | 43 | 2,000 |
| KUKIRIN G3 Pro Electric Scooter | 40 | 49 | 2,400 |
| KUKIRIN G4 Electric Scooter | 43 | 43 | 2,000 |
Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.
See the whole lineup on the KUKIRIN brand page. Wondering whether a second motor is worth the weight? Read single vs dual motor.
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the G2 for a mixed commute where weight matters, with tubeless tires and enough speed for most bike lanes.
- Choose the G2 Max if you want a seat, more range from the same 48V platform, and knobby tires for gravel and park paths.
- Choose the G4 if you are an experienced rider who wants top speed, a roomier deck and 11-inch tires, and you can store it at ground level.
- Choose a dual motor G2 if your route has steep hills.
Every order ships free to the lower 48 states. Order by 2 PM ET and it ships in 1 to 2 business days, and you can spread the cost with Pay in 4 at 0% APR or monthly payments with Affirm.
Questions riders ask
What is the difference between the KUKIRIN G2 and G4?
The G4 has a 2,000 W motor and a 60V 20Ah battery against the G2’s 800 W motor and 48V 15Ah battery. It also has 11-inch tires and a larger deck, and weighs 81.5 lb to the G2’s 57 lb.
Does the KUKIRIN G2 Max come with a seat?
Yes. The G2 Max includes a removable seat, and KUKIRIN lists its net weight as 68 lb with the seat fitted.
Can I add a seat to the KUKIRIN G2 or G4?
Yes. The KUKIRIN seat kit has a version for the G4 and G2. Choose the version for your model on the product page.
Which KUKIRIN climbs hills best?
Of these three, the G2 Max lists the steepest climb at 22°. The dual motor G2 Ultra lists 26°, the G2 Master 28° and the G3 Pro 25 to 35°.
Are KUKIRIN tires tubeless?
The G2 and G4 have tubeless air tires, at 10 and 11 inches. The G2 Max has 10-inch pneumatic off-road tires.
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