Fluid Horizon Review
Quick summary: The Fluid Horizon is a very formidable pick for commuters. With 30 miles of range and 25 mph top speed, it suits commuters and urban dwellers perfectly, and thanks to the light weight it’s perfect for navigating public transport.
FFR Horizon Specifications
Imperial Metric
- Top speed: 40 km/h 25 mph
- Range: 40 km 25 mph
- Power: 500W
- Climb angle: 11°
- Battery: 624 Wh, 48 V
- Charging time: 6 h
- Weight: 18kg 39.7 lbs
- Weight limit: 120kg 265 lbs
- Tire size: 8.5 in
- Folded dimensions (L * W * H): 98*18*37cm 38.58 * 7.09 * 14.57 in
- Unfolded dimensions (L * W * H): 109*59*120cm 42.91 * 23.23 * 47.24 in
- Deck to handlebar height: 98cm (est) 38.58 in (est)
- Adjustable handle bar: yes
Scores, Tests, Measurements
Overall score
Ranked #12 in price range $ – $
68
Pros
- solid build quality
- strong resistance to flats
- good brakes
- decent shock absorption
- good value
CONS
- no IP rating
- not the best for climbing hills
- average performance
When to buy
The Fluid Horizon offers a great balance of quality, value, and user-friendliness, making it perfect for newbies and casual commuters. It’s also great for carrying around if needed, and having fun adventures and cruises.
When not to buy
Coming with one solid tire, the ride comfort won’t be at a maximum. The performance is balanced and geared towards beginners, so don’t expect to break any speed records.
I had the chance to test the Fluid Horizon, aka the FFR Horizon, for a few days. In this review, I’ll take you through every detail I observed, and what my thoughts are on when you should consider it.
Performance
Here are the most important aspects of Fluid Horizon’s performance you should know about.
Engine
The Horizon has a 500 W brushless motor in the rear, with a peak power output of 800 W.
While the scooter isn’t the fastest and doesn’t have exceptional acceleration, I think that this power is more than enough for the average daily commuter.
Speed ​​and speed test
The Horizon has an official top speed of 25 mph / 40 kmh.
I mostly had no trouble reaching this speed, and even surpassed it on a downhill ride.
So, pretty standard top speed. If you need a faster scooter, check out my list of the fastest electric scooters.
Range and range test
The manufacturer claims that the Fluid Horizon has an official range of 23 mi / 37 km for the 10.4Ah version, and 30 miles / 48 km for the 13Ah version. During my tests with the 13 Ah version, I only managed to reach a range of 27 miles / 43 km. This is lower than advertised, but still with the norms of the expected.
More importantly, this should get the job done for the average commuter, but if you happen to want or need longer ranges, go on and see my guide on the longest-range electric scooters.
Climbing and climbing test
The brushless motor offers a good official climb angle of 11 degrees, which I managed to accomplish with no difficulties weighing around 200 lbs / 90 kg.
After that, I went to a hill of about 15 degrees and the scooter struggled a bit but in the end, it managed to climb it.
The tests were done on a fully charged battery.
So, this scooter should be enough for most environments, except for cities with lots of steep hills. If that’s your situation, check out my guide on the best climbing electric scooters.
Ride experience
It’s been enjoyable doing my daily commuting with this scooter. It provides a good blend of commuting performance and comfort and won’t make your rides boring like other commuters.
The scooter has an excellent dual hydraulic suspension, add to that the front air tire for comfort, and the result is not really feeling any bumps.
The scooter is made from high-quality materials that ensure reliability in various riding conditions.
Fluid Horizon vs other scooters
Let’s see how the FFR Horizon compares to other scooters.
FFR Horizon vs Ninebot Max
The FFR offers 500W brushless motor for 800W peak power and an amazing 30 miles / 48 km range with its 48V 13Ah battery.
For comparison, the Ninebot Max features a 350W BLDC hub motor, reaching 700W peak power, and an exceptional 40 miles / 64 km range from its battery.
Both prioritize ride comfort, with the FFR having dual hydraulic suspension and the Max doesn’t have a suspension but its large 10.0-inch tires make up for it.
This is a tough choice. I would go with the Ninebot Max for more range, and stick with the Horizon for speed.
If you are leaning towards the Ninebot Max more, check out my review of it here.
FFR Horizon vs Levy Plus
The FFR offers a 500W brushless motor and an amazing 30 miles / 48 km range while the Levy PLus has a 350W motor and 19 miles / 32 km.
The Levy Plus stands out with its emphasis on portability, featuring a lightweight build and a convenient foldable design. Both models have exceptional handling that comes in very handy in city traffic.
One big advantage of the Levy Plus is the removable battery. If that sounds useful to you, check out my review of the Levy Plus.
Build quality
When you see the Horizon it really doesn’t look fancy, it looks like any other budget commuter but, I was truly amazed by the build quality of the scooter.
It has a robust frame, ergonomic handlebars, and a durable deck. The scooter is made for durability, reliability, and excels in stability during rides in urban environments.
Features
Here are some of the features of the Horizon you should know about.
Battery and charging
The Horizon has two battery options. The first one is a 48V 10.4Ah lithium-ion battery, while the second one is a 48V 13Ah lithium-ion battery.
The scooter that I tested had a 13 Ah battery, but even if you buy the scooter with the weaker battery, the scooter has a decent life span and good range. I still recommend the longer range version
Recharging to full capacity takes about 6 hours, which isn’t really bad in my opinion.
Brakes
The scooter is equipped with a drum and regenerative break that ensures riders can confidently bring this scooter to a quick stop.
These are one of the best brakes I have ever tried on an affordable commuter scooter, at least for my preference.
The braking performance is further exemplified by a short stopping distance, measuring just less than 8 meters.
Suspension
The suspension system sets a new standard for comfort and adaptability for the commuter category of scooters.
The Horizon features a dual hydraulic suspension that absorbs bumps and cracks effortlessly even on uneven terrains.
Still, if you want to ride off-road, check out my guide on the best off-road scooters, as this scooter is not meant for that.
Tires and fenders
The scooter features an 8.5-inch front air tire and an 8-inch rear solid tire, which provides optimal stability during extensive rides, ensuring a comfortable and controlled experience.
These tires and the scooter’s dual hydraulic suspension provide a smooth and controlled ride. I was quite surprised by this, since regular diameter tires with mixed configuration can often lead to mediocre stability.
Additionally, it is equipped with well-designed fenders that serve to protect against splashes and debris, keeping both the rider and the scooter clean during various weather conditions.
Lights
The Horizon features a headlight, two sidelights, and two tail lights.
They are decent enough, and will get the job done of providing visibility for you during night rides.
Screen and controls
The Horizon’s screen and controls are pretty standard. Nothing too original here, we’ve seen this setup in many other scooters, but the most important thing is that it gets the job done and is tested and reliable.
Weight, dimensions, and portability
The Horizon weighs 40 lbs / 18 kg, which is a normal weight for daily commuters and it’s easy for extended carrying.
The scooter’s dimensions when folded are 49.2 x 10.8 x 22 in, and 40 x 7 x 13.8 in while unfolded. I managed to easily place the scooter in the trunk of my car (I tried a Ford Fiesta for this trunk test), and it didn’t take up a lot of space.
Weight limit
The weight limit of the Horizon is a substantial 265 pounds / 120 kg. That’s pretty standard these days, and should work for most people.
If you are above this weight limit, check out my guide on the best electric scooters for heavy-riders.
Water resistance and waterproof
The manufacturer hasn’t classified what is the IP rating of this scooter. For that reason, I decided not to ride it during rainy days, and I suggest you do the same.
If you live in a city where it consistently rains and don’t want to worry if your scooter will survive and not break down, check out my guide on the most waterproof electric scooters.
Accessories and customization
The build of the scooter is fairly standard, so most of the generic scooter accessories will fit easily. It doesn’t lack a lot of important features, so maybe I’d just throw in a phone mount on there, or maybe a louder horn if you frequently ride in busy traffic.
This is not a very fast scooter, so a half-helmet will get the job done. See my guide on the best scooter helmets for some solid picks.
Security and locks
You probably don’t need to overspend on a lock, but a medium-strong scooter lock will help you sleep better.
Issues and downsides
Some users have reported concerns that the battery was draining fast from the first day. I believe these are some isolated incidents, since I didn’t find anything like that, in fact quite the opposite.
Another concern is the unclassified IP rating. This is a downside, and if you live somewhere rainy, you should probably consider another scooter.
Some users have found the handlebars to be a bit soft, opting to replace them for a more customized experience.
I personally didn’t have any problems with the Horizon for the week I was testing it.
Verdict
The Horizon presents a compelling package for commuters seeking a reliable and efficient electric scooter.
Its robust frame and ergonomic design will provide exceptional durability and stability. The mixed tire configuration will give you a nice balance of ride comfort and resistance to flats, and the longer-range version of the scooter (which is the one I recommend) does have a pretty decent range.
All in all, the Fluid Horizon is a solid-quality, good-value commuter that would fit beginners and first-time owners perfectly. Consider it if that’s you.
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