Gotrax Eclipse Ultra Electric Scooter

I spent a few weeks researching scooters including different brands and models. I decided to give this one a shot especially after reading many helpful reviews. The item description stated that it was sold and shipped by Amazon so I expected to arrive within a few days of ordering. I ordered it on 6/21/2023, was supposed to arrive by 6/28 and didn't arrive until 7/5. It was super easy to assemble: move vertical tube that connects to handlebar upright, insert brake wire into brake lever mechanism on handlebar, connect the power cable to the handlebar, insert handlebar into top of vertical tube, secure handlebar to vertical tube using 4 screws and the included allen key, charge until the battery is full and voila! That night, I took it out for a test drive and immediately heard a nonstop grinding noise emanating from the rear wheel; it looks like, but I'm not sure, that the brake disc on the rear wheel is warped so it's grinding against the calipers. Next, it struggled to reach and keep 9mph even though I was riding on a largely flat smooth asphalt surface; it got uglier on slight grades; it reaches max speed of about 15mph only on down grade; the battery lasted all of about 40 mins, about 6 miles at mostly 9mph flat grade!!! This is going back! Either this is junk and/or I need to pay more to get better specs such as 40 miles range, true 15mph or greater speed and motor stronger than 350W. I weigh 215 lbs. UPDATE 11/06/2023: On 7/25/2023, I received to my surprise an unsolicited email from GoTrax responding to my disappointing Amazon review that I posted on 7/7/2023 regarding the XR Elite MAX; they gave a heartfelt apology including a promise to work with their shipping partners to improve the shipping and to refer the performance issues to their product development team; in addition, to make things right, they offered and I happily accepted a complementary upgrade to their Eclipse model; I received it about 2 months ago and it is perfect for my needs, wants and expectations; and I don’t say this just because it was complementary; I’m comparing it to the Segway G30P that I also purchased from Amazon a few days after I received and used the disappointing XR Elite MAX; IMO the Eclipse edges out the G30P and it costs about 25% less; both are simple to assemble, operate and fold; both have simple looks; both have cruise control; the Eclipse feels more powerful and the G30P feels a bit more sturdy; the Eclipse has front suspension and dual brakes; the G30P has no suspension so bumps are more jarring and only a rear brake; both have weak front lights; both have rear red brake lights; the handlebar on the Eclipse is about 2 or 3 inches higher than on the G30P; the G30P can be locked using the app and the Eclipse can be locked with a security code; the battery lasts longer on the Eclipse; I normally ride at about 11mph average on flat asphalt and battery lasts between 2 to 4 hours on both although the Eclipse lasts about 20 minutes longers than the G30P; both weigh about the same and fully charge in about the same time; the charging adapter comes built-in on the G30P but the Eclipse comes with a separate AC adapter; both are fun to ride and I alternate between the two; while one charges, I use the other; when family is over, two of us go out cruising and maybe a third if we use the local e-bike sharing. Thank you to Mr. Chou at GoTrax for his initial email and constant followups! This was exemplary customer service. Whatever misgivings I held of the GoTrax brand after the terrible XR Elite MAX experience vanished with the Eclipse model. Hope this helps my fellow Amazoners. UPDATE 02/29/2024: Around November 2023, the plastic sleeve that slides over the kickstand and gives the kickstand/scooter stability when parked came off during a ride and was crushed into pieces by an oncoming car. I learned today that the sleeve is secured onto the kickstand by a screw with a hex head so it's my guess that the screw loosened over time and finally came off resulting in the sleeve also slipping off; I'll have to keep in mind to regularly tighten all of the screws on the scooter. On 02/23/2024, I finally sent an email to GoTrax Tech Support and Mr. Chou (that previously helped me as described above) reporting the issue and asking for a replacement kickstand. Within about 12 hours, I received a reply from Mr. Chou reporting that they're sending me a replacement kickstand without charge. Today, 5 days later, I received the replacement via USPS, just replaced it onto the scooter and we're good to go again! Tks again Mr. Chou! The customer service continues exemplary.