Dualtron Popular

The Dualtron Popular is a 52-volt electric scooter that tries to sit in a sweet spot between tiny commuter toys and huge heavy beasts. It has real power, real brakes, and real range, yet it still feels manageable for city life. If you want a scooter that can handle daily rides plus weekend fun, the Dualtron Popular deserves a closer look.

What Is the Dualtron Popular?

The Dualtron Popular is a mid-power model from MiniMotors, built around a 52 V system. It comes in two flavors. You get a single-motor version with one rear hub, and a dual-motor version with a hub in each wheel. On top of that, there are three battery sizes, so the same frame can serve short commutes or long mixed days.

In the single-motor trim you get a rear hub rated at 450 W nominal, with peak power up near 1450 W. The dual-motor version uses two 450 W hubs that pull together. So it climbs better, holds speed on slopes, and feels livelier off the line.

Top speed depends on where you live. Many units ship with a 25 km/h (15.5 mph) limit, since that matches local rules in a lot of countries. When limits do not apply and settings are wide open, the Dualtron Popular can reach around 55 km/h (34 mph). That is fast enough for wide bike lanes and calm roads, but it still feels like a compact city scooter, not a full blown racing machine.

How the Dualtron Popular Works

Inside the deck, a 52 V battery pack stores energy in high-density cells. Then the controller under the deck takes that energy and sends it to the hub motor or motors in short pulses. When you press the thumb throttle, the controller ramps up current, and the scooter rolls forward with a smooth, steady push.

The EY2 display on the handlebar acts as your dashboard. It shows speed, battery level, mode, and trip stats. At the same time, it lets you switch between power levels and riding modes. So you can ride in a calm setting for crowded bike paths, then bump up the power for open boulevards. The display can pair with a phone app over Bluetooth, which adds extra tuning and ride logs for people who like to tweak things.

Braking is handled by a mix of hardware and electronics. Each wheel hides a drum brake inside the hub. When you pull a lever, the cable squeezes the drum and slows the wheel. At the same time, the controller adds electronic braking and a kind of ABS style pulsing, which helps the wheels keep grip. You feel a strong yet smooth slowdown, without sudden lockups.

Lighting runs off the main electrical system. Two front headlights sit at the base of the stem and throw a bright beam on the road. A rear light glows for tail visibility and brightens under braking. The scooter also has turn signals plus side LEDs on the stem and deck. So drivers and cyclists notice you more easily in low light.

Key Specifications

Here is a compact look at the main technical specifications for the Dualtron Popular family.

These specifications put the Dualtron Popular in the upper tier of 52 V commuters, with stronger power and more complete equipment than basic entry models.

Design & Build Quality

The Dualtron Popular looks a lot like a trimmed-down version of bigger Dualtron scooters. The stem is tall and straight, with a solid clamp and a locking pin at its base. Foldable handlebars keep the cockpit wide during the ride, then fold in so the scooter takes up less room at home or in a car.

The deck has a rubber top that feels grippy even with slightly wet shoes. Then the raised rear footrest over the back wheel gives you a place to brace when you lean back under hard braking or strong launches. Because the deck is fairly slim, you can stand with one foot ahead of the other without feeling cramped.

Cables for brakes and electronics follow the stem in a neat bundle. So nothing rattles or flaps around as you ride. The hinge area at the base of the stem feels tight when locked. There is very little play there, which helps the steering stay true at speed.

Finish quality is quite good for this class. Welds look clean, paint sits even, and panels line up well. The scooter feels like a single sturdy unit on the road, not a pile of parts that twist against each other. Over time, that kind of solid feel usually makes daily rides less tiring.

Performance

On the street, the Dualtron Popular feels quick without getting wild. In the single-motor setup, the lower power modes give soft and friendly starts. So new riders can learn without surprise wheel spin. When you move to higher modes, the rear hub pulls harder, yet the throttle still feels smooth and easy to modulate.

With the dual-motor version, sprinting from a stop feels much stronger. Then the scooter holds higher speeds on long hills with a heavier rider on board. That extra motor makes a clear difference if your city has many steep ramps or flyovers.

Straight-line stability is solid. At 20 to 25 mph, the long wheelbase and low deck help the scooter track in a steady line. The tall stem can flex a little on rough ground at higher speeds. Even so, the movement stays predictable as long as the tires sit at a sensible pressure. So a relaxed grip and a staggered stance work well here.

Hill behavior lines up with the numbers. On grades around 7 to 10%, the single-motor version keeps a decent pace for an average-weight rider, as long as the battery has some charge left. The dual-motor version pushes harder and holds speed better, especially near the top of longer climbs. So riders in very hilly areas will likely prefer that trim.

Battery, Range & Efficiency

The 52 V system gives a nice blend of punch and range. The 14 Ah pack fits riders with short daily routes, like a simple trip to work and back plus a few errands. Then the 20 Ah pack stretches that routine for longer suburbs or more side trips. The 25 Ah LG pack targets people who like long city loops or who share the scooter between family members.

On paper, the three packs claim about 30, 45, and 60 km at 25 km/h with a light rider on flat pavement. Real life is messier. So it helps to think in ranges. Many riders see roughly 12–18 miles (20–30 km) on the 14 Ah pack with mixed riding. Then they see around 20–25 miles (32–40 km) on the 20 Ah pack. For the big 25 Ah pack, 25–30 miles (40–48 km) at mixed speeds is common when you avoid full-throttle hammering all the time.

Charging uses a 58.1 V 2 A wall charger. From low battery, the 14 Ah pack takes about 7 hours to fill. The 20 Ah pack needs around 10 hours, and the 25 Ah pack needs around 13 hours. So topping up after each ride can keep charge times shorter and kinder to the pack.

Battery care is simple but important. Try to store the scooter indoors, not in a hot car trunk or freezing shed. If you plan to park it for weeks, leaving the battery around half full is kinder than leaving it at 100% or near zero. The built-in management system protects against most mistakes, yet good habits still help the pack age more slowly.

Ride Quality & Comfort

Ride comfort starts at the ground, with the 9 inch tube-type pneumatic tires. At the right pressure, they soak up sharp cracks and broken edges better than solid rubber. They grip tarmac and packed paths well and give enough feedback so you can feel what the front wheel is doing.

Suspension uses a front air spring and a rear coil spring. The front end feels a bit softer, so it handles pothole edges, speed bumps, and curb cuts at lower speeds. The rear feels firmer and keeps the scooter level when you brake or accelerate. Together they give a controlled ride that still takes the harshness out of typical city streets.

Ergonomics are friendly for a wide height range. Riders from roughly 5’6″ to 6’2″ usually find the handlebar height comfortable. The bar width gives enough leverage in corners without feeling awkwardly wide in tight gaps. The rubber deck mat helps your shoes stay put in wet or dusty conditions, and the rear footrest helps you brace your stance when the road turns rough.

Stem flex stays modest at normal speeds. At higher speeds on broken pavement you might notice some movement, yet it does not feel scary. So a simple rule helps. Keep speeds reasonable on bad surfaces, and the scooter rewards you with a calm, planted ride.

Braking & Safety Features

Braking is one of the stronger points of the Dualtron Popular. Both wheels use drum brakes, which sit sealed inside the hubs. In daily use that means less dirt, less water, and less frequent adjustment than open disc setups. Lever feel is firm and progressive, with a clear bite point halfway through the pull.

Electronic braking kicks in at the same time. When you pull the levers, the controller turns the motors into generators and uses that drag to slow the wheels. So stopping power gets shared between the drums and the motors. This mix keeps stopping distances short at city speeds and keeps the feeling smooth, not grabby.

Lighting covers most angles. Two front headlights throw a clear beam on the road. The rear light glows bright and steps up under braking. Front and rear turn signals let other road users guess your next move. Side LEDs on the stem and deck help car drivers and cyclists spot you from odd angles, which can matter a lot at junctions.

The IPX5 rating gives some peace of mind for wet roads and light rain. The scooter can handle puddle spray and daily commutes in typical drizzle. Still, deep water and pressure washers remain a bad idea. So it makes sense to slow down in heavy rain and give big puddles some respect.

Portability & Daily Usability

At around 65–72 lb, the Dualtron Popular is not a tiny last-mile toy. You can carry it up a short flight of stairs with both hands. Long stair climbs feel like a workout, though. So the scooter fits best for people who use elevators or only deal with a few steps at each end of the ride.

The folding system helps a lot with storage. The stem folds down over the deck, and the handlebars fold inward. Then the scooter becomes a long but low bundle, about 48 in in length. It fits in many car trunks, under some office desks, and behind a couch at home. The kickstand holds the weight well during regular stops.

Daily use feels simple once you get into a routine. The EY2 display turns on quickly and remembers your last mode. You can set a lower speed limit for crowded paths in the morning, then bump it up for a faster ride home. The rubber deck wipes clean with a damp cloth after wet rides. The charge port sits on the side of the deck with a rubber cap that helps keep dust and water out.

Security needs some thought too. The frame has solid spots for a heavy chain or U-lock around the stem base or front fork area. When you can, indoor storage at home or work reduces risk and protects the battery from weather swings.

Dualtron Popular vs Alternatives

The Dualtron Popular competes with a bunch of mid-range scooters. Lighter 36 V commuters weigh less and fold smaller, yet they often struggle on steep hills or under heavier riders. Bigger 60 V or 72 V machines smash the power numbers, but they tend to weigh 80–100 lb and feel like small motorcycles in a hallway. The Dualtron Popular tries to sit between those two worlds.

In the 52 V class itself, some scooters lack strong brakes or full lighting. Many rely on a single front disc and a simple tail light, with no turn signals and weak front beams. Here, the Dualtron Popular brings dual drum brakes, electronic braking, a full light package, and real suspension at both ends. So it feels more complete out of the box.

If you want to see how a simpler budget commuter compares, you can check the Gotrax Fusion deep dive review on ScooterPick. Then you can look at a bigger sibling like the Dualtron 3 for a step up in raw power and size. Together, these models help you place the Dualtron Popular on the spectrum from lightweight commuter to heavy performance scooter.

Who the Dualtron Popular Is (and Isn’t) For

The Dualtron Popular is a strong fit for riders who want a serious daily scooter without going full monster. City commuters with 5–15 mile round trips gain a machine that climbs well, stops hard, and deals with rough pavement. Students and workers who move between home, campus, and office on a mix of bike lanes and roads will likely enjoy the blend of comfort and power.

Heavier riders within the 265 lb limit can feel the extra torque from the 52 V system and strong hub motors. The scooter holds speed on hills far better than many small rental style models. Dual drum brakes and electronic braking give extra safety margin when traffic forces surprise stops.

There are cases where the Dualtron Popular is not ideal. Riders who carry a scooter up three or four floors every day will probably prefer a lighter 30–40 lb model. People who want to ride mostly on dirt, loose gravel, or rocky trails might find the tires and suspension a bit short for that job.

For many urban riders though, the Dualtron Popular offers a very solid middle ground. It has real power, solid range options, good comfort, and serious brakes, all in a package that still fits normal city life.

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