Apollo City Pro Review: My First High-Performance Scooter (And Why It Doesn’t Feel Like a Toy)
April 27, 2023
I’ve ridden plenty of “scooters” in the ride-share sense—those clapped-out rentals that feel sketchy, underpowered, and basically designed to survive abuse more than deliver joy.
The Apollo City Pro is the opposite of that.
This was my first real high-performance electric scooter, and after putting time on it, I get why people treat these like legit commuter vehicles instead of last-mile toys. It’s quick, planted, and surprisingly comfortable… while also being the kind of scooter that makes you rethink where you’re going to store it.
First impressions: substantial in the best (and worst) way
The City Pro feels big the moment you step up to it. The stem is tall, the deck is wide, and the whole scooter has that “overbuilt” vibe.
The frame is 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, and paired with the dual-motor setup it comes off sturdy and confidence-inspiring—like it’s meant to take real miles, not just a short hop to a coffee shop.
It does fold, and the folding mechanism works the way you’d expect for a scooter in this class. But let’s be honest: once you pick it up, you immediately understand the trade-off.
This thing is not light.
If your lifestyle involves carrying a scooter up stairs every day or hauling it onto public transit constantly, you’ll want to think hard about the weight and bulk.
The ride: smooth, cushy, and way faster than it looks
The ride quality is what hit me first.
The suspension is genuinely plush. When I stand on the deck I can see it compress, even with my lighter weight, and that translates into a cushy ride that smooths out the rough stuff. The setup is a triple spring suspension (two springs in the back and one in the front), and it gives the scooter that “floating” feeling you usually don’t associate with 10-inch wheels.
And yes—speed feels different on a scooter.
Apollo rates it up to 32 mph, and even the high-20s already feels spicy because you’re standing upright on a relatively small platform. It’s the kind of speed that makes good gear feel non-negotiable.
Dual motors change everything (especially on hills)
The dual 500W motors are the reason this scooter doesn’t feel like it’s going to run out of breath the moment the road tilts up.
If you’ve ever ridden a basic single-motor scooter, you know the story: flat ground is fine, then you hit a hill and suddenly you’re crawling.
With the City Pro, the power feels immediate and torquey—more like “go” than “wait… eventually.” That extra shove also makes it more fun than I expected. It’s responsive enough that I started thinking about little playful moves (wheelies, bunny-hop-type energy), even though the scooter’s size and weight definitely keep things grounded in reality.
Throttle feel and control: smooth, tunable, and actually useful
The right-side thumb throttle is smooth and controllable, especially in the lower power mode. It’s easy to ride casually without the scooter feeling twitchy.
Then you bump it into Sport mode and it wakes up.
What I really like is that the app control isn’t just a gimmick. I could adjust the acceleration and braking response, and that matters because the City Pro has real power. I even tried increasing the acceleration curve (from 4 to 8 in the app), and it made the throttle response feel better to me.
You can also set a top-speed limit in the app, which is a smart feature if you’re sharing the scooter with someone else, or if you simply want to keep yourself out of trouble.
Braking and regen: extremely strong (and worth dialing in)
Braking performance surprised me.
The City Pro uses dual drum brakes plus regenerative braking, and it stops hard. Like, “whoa” hard.
The regen brake on the left side is especially strong—strong enough that it actually felt more aggressive than the physical brakes during my testing. Personally, I didn’t love how sensitive it felt at the default setting, but the good news is you can tune regen behavior through the app.
If you’re new to a powerful scooter, take a few minutes in a safe area to recalibrate your hands. It’s easy to overdo it until you get the feel.
Everyday details that matter
A few things made the City Pro feel more like a real commuter than a toy:
Integrated anti-glare handlebar display for speed, battery, and distance
Wide, grippy deck that feels stable underfoot
Fender setup, plus lighting and signaling features (including an audible indicator beep so you don’t forget your signal is on)
It’s also running 10-inch self-healing tubeless tires, which is exactly what I want on something meant for real-world commuting. Flats are a buzzkill on any PEV, so anything that helps reduce that risk is a win.
The big trade-offs: portability and charging reality
Here’s the elephant in the room.
The City Pro’s beefiness is awesome when you’re riding, but it’s not awesome when you’re carrying it. Storing it indoors can be a hassle depending on your space.
Also, the battery isn’t removable. So if you can’t roll the scooter near an outlet, you may have to get creative with how and where you charge.
To me, that’s the price of admission for a scooter that feels this capable—but it’s still something you should plan for before you buy.
What We Like
Dual-motor power makes it feel like a legit commuter, not a last-mile scooter
Suspension is genuinely comfortable and smooths out rough roads
Strong brakes and very strong regen (with app tuning available)
App features are practical: acceleration/braking response + speed limit + settings
Tall bars and wide deck feel stable and comfortable
Turn signals and the audible indicator beep are a surprisingly useful touch
Things To Consider
It’s heavy and not the easiest scooter to carry or store
Non-removable battery can make charging inconvenient depending on your setup
Regen braking can feel overly sensitive until you tune it (and retrain your muscle memory)
High speed on small wheels feels fast fast—protective gear is worth it
Final Thoughts
The Apollo City Pro feels like a serious machine. It’s fast enough to keep up with traffic in the way high-performance scooters are intended to, comfortable enough to ride longer without feeling beat up, and powerful enough that hills stop being a constant worry.
If you want an EV that’s more thrilling than a bike but still compact enough to live in a city lifestyle, this one makes a strong case—as long as you’re honest about the weight and your charging situation.
Links
Apollo City Pro Electric Scooter (Use Promo Code RIKCORDERO to get $50 Off Accessories): https://apolloscooters.co/products/apollo-city-2022?sca_ref=3490450.g3EOGmTIdL
Bell Super 3R MIPS Bike Helmet: https://amzn.to/3TJ1vTR
Fox Racing Bike Gloves: https://amzn.to/40P5SyQ
Hafny Handlebar Bike Mirror: https://amzn.to/3FVubmN
Veeape Electric Air Pump: https://amzn.to/3LPLTf9
Denlix Military Sling Bag: https://amzn.to/3LTKN2c
Lamicall Bike Phone Mount: https://amzn.to/3LXmD6O
Onvian Wireless Bike Alarm: https://amzn.to/42KUgyE
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/