2023-07-09 18:01:20
When it comes to buying an electric scooter, you often have to make a compromise between design, price and performance, otherwise the bill quickly approaches 10,000 euros. Fortunately, the choice is getting bigger and bigger, with new interesting and less expensive models appearing on the market. This is particularly the case with the Horwin SK3, which offers very good value for money and a neat design.
Let’s see what it’s worth on the road and if it’s on par with its more expensive competitors.
Horwin SK3 Datasheet
Model Horwin SK3 Dimensions 199.3 cm x 75 cm x 113 cm Motor power 6.2 kW Battery technology Li-Ion Advertised range 110 km Advertised recharge time 270 min Removable battery Yes Number of battery slots 2 Bluetooth No GPS No Electronic screen Yes A1 license Color Black, Gold, Blue Product details
This test was carried out using a model lent by the brand and Electric Moov Paris 15.
Horwin SK3 A successful sporty look
The look of the SK3 is very elaborate, with racy and sporty curves, underlined in particular by a plunging front end and good integration of the front and rear optics. The LED headlights offer a distinctive light signature, with two double red curves at the rear and straight lines at the front to highlight the sporty character of the design.
The 14-inch rims also accentuate the dynamic character of the two-wheeler, not unlike those found at Mercedes-AMG. Finally, the cheeks are also hollowed out to give it a more slender and muscular appearance. As you will have understood, the style is one of the strengths of this model, especially since it is available in black, blue or gold for further customization.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
As for the finishes, Horwin has done a good job overall with decent alignments and beefy plastics that feel sturdy and durable. It’s a good surprise compared to the limited price of the machine, even if certain details and alignments suggest that it is not a top-of-the-range model either. The quality of the fairing is also not excellent, but it passes well and blends well with the design of the scooter.
Despite a mid-range positioning and limited performance, the dimensions of 190 × 69 × 113 cm are generous and can accommodate a passenger without difficulty. The saddle is large, the driver is well installed, although the footrests are too far forward, which causes the passenger’s feet to interfere with the calves of the driver when stationary.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
The layout of most of the buttons is classic, with the driving modes and the switch on the right, while the control of the optics, the warnings, the horn and the indicators are on the left. However, some buttons are not intelligently placed, in particular the reverse gear which is not easy to access, but which in addition is on the right, which forces you to use the same hand to accelerate and to hold the button down.
Likewise, the warning lights and the horn are too close and not easy to distinguish while driving. Sure, it’s easy to get used to, but a more relevant layout would have been better.
Source: Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
As for storage, the space under the saddle is quite limited. Indeed, the battery(ies) of the SK3 are placed under the saddle, which limits the remaining space. If you only use one battery, it is still possible to accommodate a jet helmet, but carrying two batteries and the charger will reduce the space available under the saddle to nothing.
Fortunately, Horwin provided a small hook between the driver’s legs to carry bags, as well as a large closable glove box, but without a lock.
Horwin SK3 A nice central screen, but no app
The Horwin SK3 suffers from the lack of an application with which the scooter can be paired. Despite this, the brand has however worked on the technological aspect of the two-wheeler, starting with the central screen. This is of good quality and very readable in direct sunlight, but displays little information in addition to the speed and the driving mode, namely the odometer, the time and the trip counter.
There is therefore no display of the estimated remaining range or the outside temperature, unlike what can be done on other competing models.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Hands-free unlocking, on the other hand, is offered as standard, despite the fact that you have to press the beep and therefore take it out of your pocket to be able to use the two-wheeler. Starting is done using the selector, similar to that found on a Honda Forza, for example. The advantage is that the scooter locks automatically once stopped, without the need to access the beep, which is a plus to save time.
Finally, let’s finish with the standard on-board alarm, which is powered by an auxiliary battery. This means that the scooter remains protected even if the main batteries are removed for charging, for example.
Horwin SK3 A nervous electric scooter but limited to 90 km/h
Despite its muscular appearance, the SK3 is not the most dynamic scooter on the market, especially since its maximum speed is only 90 km/h. The accelerations are good, without however being breathtaking. On the other hand, the two-wheeler is quite nervous and offers good pick-up, making it very pleasant to drive. Regenerative braking is very discreet and does not come to a complete stop, which can be disappointing, especially when you get used to it on other machines.
Three driving modes are offered, namely mode 1 which restricts acceleration and the maximum speed to 50 km/h and is suitable for urban use, mode 2 which limits to 70 km/h and is sufficient for the Paris ring road, and finally mode 3 which allows to go up to 90 km/h. You have to gauge whether this will be enough for you, since the SK3 is not suitable for use on the motorway, but is perfectly suitable for suburban journeys.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Despite this limited power, the SK3 is really very pleasant and fun to drive, in particular thanks to its stability, its handling, its good wind resistance, but also by its effective braking, despite the lack of ABS. The suspensions are correct, without erasing all the defects of the road. We also feel the imperfections of the road if it is degraded, but we must keep in mind that the SK3 is not intended to be an ultra-comfortable top-of-the-range model.
In town, the two-wheeler slips very easily between cars, in particular thanks to its maneuverability and despite the fact that the mirrors are wider than the handles. We forgive them this defect, however, because their visibility is excellent, which is rare enough to be underlined.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
As you will have understood, the SK3 is very pleasant to drive whether on the fast lane or in town, even if you have to keep in mind that its maximum speed is quite limited. On the other hand, it is not devoid of faults, since it is noisy when driving, which is a shame for an electric scooter. It obviously does not reach the sound level of a thermal, but it remains unpleasant and audible on a daily basis.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
When it comes to parking, the reverse gear is poorly placed and therefore impractical. In addition, the central stand is very poorly thought out, since it gives the impression that the scooter is going to fall to the ground and lacks stability. It’s a shame, because the rest is really very well done.
Horwin SK3 Too modest autonomy
The SK3 is available with one or two batteries of 2.59 kWh (72 V/36 Ah) each, providing a maximum range of 65 km per battery. In fact, these figures seem utopian and are barely achievable in eco mode. During our tests, we observed a range of approximately 40 km per battery, or 80 km with the two accumulators.
It should also be remembered that even if the saddle is designed to accommodate two batteries simultaneously, only one can be connected to the scooter, which means that you have to stop on the roadside to disconnect the empty accumulator and connect the second. battery manually when the charge level is not sufficient. It is truly unfortunate that Horwin did not provide a second cable to simplify matters.
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Source: Hagop Kavafian for Frandroid
Each accumulator weighs 16 kg and has a handle with charge indicator. It is possible to recharge them using a Chogori connector and the supplied charger, whose transformer is imposing and noisy. You will also have to be patient since only one battery can be charged simultaneously. It is also possible to connect the Chogori charger directly to the scooter, although only one battery can be charged at the same time.
Horwin is therefore disappointing, both in terms of the complexity of recharging and the SK3’s perhaps a little too tight autonomy. This is unfortunate, because the two-wheeler is pleasant to drive and deserved more investment on this point.
Horwin SK3 Pricing and Availability
The SK3 is available in two versions, the first with a single battery and the other with a double accumulator, sold respectively 4490 and 5990 euros, excluding promotions. An ecological bonus of 647 euros relieves the bill, which makes the price of the scooter quite interesting.
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