How to Speed Up an Electric Scooter

You can add aftermarket upgrades to increase the speed of an electric scooter.

You don't have to settle for riding at slow speeds on an electric scooter. There are several ways to speed it up. You can upgrade the motor, increase the voltage or alter the gear ratio, advises Eric Leech of Planet Green.com. All of these methods require some mechanical skill and experience because you must make any technical changes according to your scooter's original specifications. Modifications that are not compatible with your scooter can result in extensive damage to essential parts; they could also void your scooter's warranty.

Things You'll Need

• Larger engine
• Larger or smaller tires
• Small or large gear ratio
• Higher voltage battery pack

Instructions

Changing the Motor

1. Check the specifications of the original motor. You can find this information in your owner's manual. If you do not have a manual, look on the engine. The size and model number should appear somewhere on its surface. If you have problems figuring out the specs, consult with a dealership that specializes in electric scooters. Write down the engine specifications and take them with you when you purchase the new engine.

2. Inspect the engine to determine how it fits the scooter. This will help you determine how much work you'll need to do to remove the engine. Some engines are simply clamped down on the scooter using a band. Some are attached with bolts. In either of these situations you can simply remove the band or bolts, replace the engine, and clamp or bolt it down again.

3. Purchase a motor that is compatible with your scooter. The engine must have the same dimensions as your previous engine. Otherwise, it may not fit. If you are unsure about the best engine upgrade, take the scooter in when you purchase the engine to get an exact fit.

Altering the Gear Ratio

1. Check the size of your motor to determine how large your gear ratio replacement can be. Your engine must have enough torque to propel a bike with large gears. Otherwise, adding larger gears will simply overpower the engine and cause the bike to stall rather than gain speed, especially when climbing hills.

2. Replace the gear ratio. This part is usually bolted down on the scooter. Changing it requires unbolting it and replacing it with a smaller or larger sprocket. A larger sprocket increases the scooter's speed overall; a smaller sprocket helps it to take off faster.

3. Change the tire size on your scooter. This is one of the simplest ways to alter the gear ratio. Tires with a larger diameter increase the scooter's overall speed, while shorter tires boost its takeoff speed.

Boosting the Voltage

1. Call a scooter dealership to determine how much voltage your scooter model can handle. This is important because too much voltage can burn up the scooter's battery pack. It may be best to take the scooter to the dealership for inspection to make sure the voltage recommendations are accurate.

2. Purchase a battery pack. Make sure the size is compatible with your scooter and the voltage is within its limits.

3. Wire the new battery pack onto your scooter. This is an extremely technical task usually reserved for a seasoned mechanic. If you are unsure about doing this yourself, take the scooter to a shop that specializes in aftermarket scooter alterations.

References

• Planet Green: How To Make Your Eco Friendly Electric Scooter Faster, Meaner; Eric Leech; October 2008