Apollo Phantom 2023 in Ludo Mode: The Scooter That Turns Every Ride Into an Event
June 9, 2023
The Apollo Phantom 2023 is the kind of electric scooter that changes the vibe of a ride the moment you touch the throttle. I spent time setting it up, dialing it in with the Apollo app, and putting real street miles on it—from mellow neighborhood cruising to full-send Ludo mode pulls.
It’s a powerhouse, no question. But it’s also a scooter you need to approach with the right expectations: it’s heavy, it’s fast, and it has enough torque to remind you to gear up.
Getting It Set Up (and What Comes in the Box)
Setup was straightforward, and Apollo includes a surprisingly complete bundle of extras. I got the basics you’d expect (charger, tools), plus things I actually like seeing in a high-performance scooter package—spare tubes and extra brake pads.
The first impression lifting it out and moving it around: this is not a “toss it in the trunk without thinking” scooter. It feels substantial, and that matters later when you’re talking portability.
Design Walkaround: Built Like a Performance Machine
A few things stood out immediately once I had it assembled and did a proper look-over.
Wide, confident stance
The deck feels roomy, and the grip is excellent. I could plant my feet and forget about repositioning. The rear footrest is a big part of that too—once speeds climb, having that rear brace gives real stability.
Suspension that actually feels premium
The quad spring suspension (two springs up front and two in the back) gives the Phantom a “floating” feel over imperfect pavement. Even when I rolled over rougher sections and cut across grass briefly, it stayed composed in a way that feels more robust than a lot of scooters I’ve ridden.
Lighting and signals are legitimately useful
The integrated headlight is bright, and the turn signals are one of those features I wish every fast scooter had. The auto shut-off is quick, and the audible feedback makes it harder to forget your signal is still on.
Folding and Portability: The Tradeoff You Can’t Ignore
The folding mechanism is clean and feels secure once it’s latched down. I liked that it didn’t feel flimsy or wiggly when folded.
But let’s be real about the big headline here: the Phantom is 77 lb.
If you have a garage, elevator access, or you’re basically rolling it out of a storage space and straight onto the street, you’ll be fine. If your daily life involves stairs, carrying it into public transit, or regularly lifting it into a car, that weight can become the deciding factor.
App Tuning: Where the Phantom Becomes Your Phantom
The Apollo app is a big part of the experience. I used it to adjust practical stuff (units, settings) and, more importantly, to tailor how the scooter responds.
Here’s what mattered most in real riding:
Riding modes that feel meaningfully different
Eco felt genuinely beginner-friendly and calm, topping out around 15 mph in my riding.
Comfort immediately opened things up and felt like the “daily driver” sweet spot, jumping into the mid-to-high speeds without the intensity of Ludo.
Ludo mode is where the Phantom turns into a different animal.
Acceleration and regen adjustments you can actually feel
I’m glad the Phantom gives access to these settings because they change the personality of the scooter. Too aggressive on acceleration can make the scooter feel twitchy. Same with regen—if you crank it too high, braking can feel abrupt. Once I dialed it in, the scooter felt strong but predictable.
First Ride Impressions: Smooth, Controlled, and Seriously Fast
In Eco, the Phantom was easy to manage. It didn’t feel like it wanted to yank out from under me, and it’s the mode I’d pick for crowded areas or if I were handing the scooter to a newer rider.
In Comfort, it started to feel like a proper performance commuter—quicker acceleration, more speed on tap, still not “wild.”
And then I went for it.
Ludo Mode: The Adrenaline Button
Ludo mode is the reason people talk about the Phantom the way they do. The acceleration feels like an event—instant, urgent, and hilariously fun.
I hit around the mid-40s mph on the dash in the right conditions, and what impressed me most was how stable it felt when things got fast. Not “casual” fast—legit fast.
Two things made that possible:
The stance and rear footrest let me lock in my body position.
The suspension kept the scooter from feeling skittish over normal road imperfections.
Important note: at these speeds, gear is not optional in my opinion. Minimum: a real helmet. Ideally: gloves and more protection if you plan to live in Ludo.
Braking Feel: Confident and Customizable
The braking setup inspired confidence. Between the hydraulic brakes and regen braking, I always felt like I had options.
Regen braking, once tuned, was smooth and easy to modulate.
Hydraulic braking felt strong and controlled—when I needed it to stop hard, it stopped hard.
I also like the concept behind Apollo’s smart regen approach: less reliance on the physical brakes means less wear over time and a little energy recovery while riding.
Real-World Power: Hills Don’t Get a Vote
Where the Phantom really earns its “powerhouse” label is on inclines. I took it up steep hills and it didn’t feel like it was negotiating—it just went. That’s the kind of performance that changes route planning, because you stop avoiding climbs and start ignoring them.
A Quick Reliability Note (and a Small Fix)
I ran into a handlebar issue that initially felt sketchy at speed—turned out it was just an Allen bolt that needed tightening. Once it was secured, the front end felt stiff and confidence-inspiring.
On the support side, I had a throttle issue out of the box (a button sticking), and Apollo got a replacement out quickly. That kind of response matters with high-performance scooters, because small issues shouldn’t sideline a premium ride.
Heat and Ludo Mode: The One Asterisk
There have been community reports of the Mach 1 controller overheating during extended Ludo mode riding. I didn’t ride long enough in that mode to personally trigger overheating, but the reports are worth taking seriously if you’re the type to run Ludo for long stretches.
If Ludo is going to be your default, I’d plan to:
Give the scooter periodic breaks on longer hard rides
Pay attention to community-tested solutions (some riders mention a heat sink mod)
What We Like
Ludo mode acceleration is addicting, and the scooter stays surprisingly stable at speed
Suspension feels genuinely cushy and confidence-inspiring on real streets
Strong braking with regen + hydraulic options (and the ability to tune regen)
Wide, grippy deck and rear footrest make high-speed riding feel more controlled
Integrated signals, bright headlight, and a solid overall “premium” finish
App customization gives you real control over how the scooter behaves
Things To Consider
77 lb is heavy—stairs and frequent lifting could be a dealbreaker
Potential Mach 1 controller overheating has been reported by riders during extended Ludo use
Long charge time (Apollo quotes around 12 hours), though dual charge ports give you options if you add another charger
This is not a casual beginner scooter once you start using the higher modes—respect the power and wear protection
Final Thoughts
The Apollo Phantom 2023 feels like a performance scooter built for riders who want customization, comfort, and serious speed in one package. The moment I started pushing it—especially in Ludo—it delivered the kind of thrilling, grin-inducing ride that makes you take the long way home.
If you can live with the weight and you’re mindful about extended Ludo runs (especially given the community chatter about heat), the Phantom is an absolute blast and one of the more complete high-performance scooters I’ve spent time on.
Links
Apollo Phantom Electric Scooter US (Use Promo Code RIKCORDERO to get $50 Off Accessories): https://apolloscooters.co/products/apollo-phantom-2023?sca_ref=3490450.g3EOGmTIdL
Apollo Phantom Electric Scooter Canada: https://apolloscooters.ca/products/apollo-phantom-2023?sca_ref=3900750.ixWmmnGFVT
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