The question comes up a lot in Kaabo threads: Mantis or Wolf? In photos they look equally tough, and most models in both families have two motors and suspension all round. The difference only shows in everyday life – when you carry the scooter up to a third-floor flat, lift it into the car boot or change a tyre on a Sunday. Here we go through the families based on how you will actually use the scooter, with figures from our product pages and the manufacturer’s manuals.
Kaabo Mantis vs Wolf – the short answer
Choose a Mantis if the scooter must fit in the hallway, lift or car boot: Mantis models weigh 22–33 kg and still have power for hills. Choose a Wolf for long rides or gravel and poor roads – if you have ground-level storage, since a Wolf weighs 35–67 kg. For short trips, the 20 kg Urban is simplest.
Mantis vs Wolf day to day – weight, wheels and storage
Our Kaabo models fall into three groups, and they differ more in weight and size than in equipment. Every Kaabo model we sell has pneumatic tyres and suspension front and rear. What decides it is how much scooter you can handle and have room for.
| Models | Weight, wheels and motors | Suits you if you … |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 20 kg, 8.5-inch wheels | want a Kaabo that is easy to carry and put away |
| Mantis 10 Eco | 22–24 kg, 10-inch wheels, one motor | want bigger wheels but still need to carry it |
| Mantis 8 Plus and 8 Pro+ | 27.5–27.8 kg, 8-inch wheels, two motors | want two motors in a compact format |
| Mantis 10 Plus and Mantis King GT | 30–33 kg, 10-inch wheels, two motors | ride long distances and want more comfort and power |
| Wolf Warrior X Max | 35–38 kg, 10-inch off-road tyres, two motors | want a Wolf in a lighter format |
| Wolf Warrior 11 Max, Wolf Warrior King GTR and Wolf King GTR Max | 52–67 kg, 11–12-inch off-road tyres, two motors | ride long distances, on poor roads or off-road, and have a garage |
You’ll find every model and the current specifications among our Kaabo electric scooters. Where and how fast you can ride is covered in our overview of electric scooter laws in Europe.
Mantis 8 or Mantis 10?
Within the Mantis family, this is a common question. The Mantis 8 Plus and 8 Pro+ have two 800 W motors in a shorter chassis: 1,160 mm long according to the product pages, against 1,267–1,270 mm for the Mantis 10. The difference between the 8 Plus and the 8 Pro+ is the battery – 18.2 or 24.5 Ah, with a stated range of 60 and 80 km respectively – at almost the same weight.
The Mantis 10 comes in two versions. The Eco has one motor and is the lightest of the Mantis models, 22–24 kg depending on the battery. The Mantis 10 Plus has two 1,000 W motors and a 60-volt battery but weighs 30 kg. Bigger wheels roll more calmly over kerbs, tram rails and patched tarmac, so the worse the roads, the more there is to be said for 10 inches.
A simple rule of thumb: if you mostly ride on smooth tarmac and want something compact, 8 inches is enough. If the roads are worse or the rides long, 10 inches is worth the extra kilos. The Mantis King GT is the biggest Mantis model we sell, with off-road tyres, a 60 V 24 Ah battery and a weight of 33 kg – at least as big as a Wolf Warrior X Max, but a couple of kilos lighter.
When a Wolf is right – and when it’s too much
The Wolf is Kaabo’s big format. The Wolf Warrior X Max is the lightest, 35–38 kg with 10-inch off-road tyres. The Wolf Warrior 11 Max, Wolf Warrior King GTR and Wolf King GTR Max are in another class: 52–67 kg, 11- to 12-inch off-road tyres and batteries from 60 V 36 Ah up to 72 V 40 Ah. They are built for long rides and rough surfaces. If you’re a heavier rider, check the maximum load in the manual for the exact version you’re looking at – it differs between models and versions.
The question is rarely whether you want the power – most people do – but where the scooter will live. You won’t lift a 67 kg Wolf King GTR Max up a flight of stairs or into an ordinary car boot on your own. If you live in a flat without a lift or ground-floor storage, a Mantis is usually the wiser buy. The Wolf Warrior King GTR and Wolf King GTR Max also have a removable battery, which makes it easier to charge indoors while the scooter stays in the garage.
Heading mostly for gravel and rough ground? Compare with other brands among our off-road electric scooters and fast electric scooters. We compare the models from Dualtron and Teverun the same way in their own guides.
Charging and range with big batteries
A big battery means a long charge. With the supplied chargers, a full charge takes up to around 10 hours on the biggest Wolf models according to the manuals, and the larger Mantis batteries also take many hours – the exact time for your version is in the manual. The Mantis King GT and the Wolf models have two charging ports, and charging with two chargers is quicker. Only use chargers made for your model.
Charge on a hard, flat surface where heat can escape, away from the hallway or exit you would need in a fire, and fit a smoke alarm where you charge. Let the battery cool down after a ride before you plug it in, keep it away from extreme heat and cold, and never leave it charging unattended or while you’re asleep. A battery that has been dropped or damaged should not be used. That is the gist of the London Fire Brigade’s advice on charging safely. How to charge so that the battery lasts is covered in our guide to charging an electric scooter battery.
The range on the product page is the manufacturer’s figure in good conditions. In the cold, into a headwind and with both motors at full power, you’ll get less – how much less depends on speed, rider weight and temperature. For tips on getting more kilometres out of each charge, see our guide on how to increase your electric scooter’s range.
Tyres, brakes and suspension – the jobs you do yourself
Tyres. Every Kaabo we sell has pneumatic tyres. They give grip and comfort, but they can puncture and need pumping up regularly. The size differs between models, even between two 10-inch scooters, so read the sidewall before you order a new tyre. How the job is done is explained in our guide on how to change an electric scooter tyre, and if you’re thinking of switching to a different type of tyre, read about solid vs pneumatic tyres first. If you ride in winter, studded tyres are available for some models – search for your exact model under tyres and wheels and read our tips on riding an electric scooter in winter.
Brakes. Every Kaabo has disc brakes front and rear, hydraulic on most Mantis and Wolf models – which type your version has is in the manual. All of them also have E-ABS, an electronic assist brake in the motor that does not replace the disc brakes. Hydraulic brakes need little hand force but tell you when something is wrong: if the lever travels further than before or feels spongy, they need bleeding, and the pads wear over time. Mechanical disc brakes are adjusted via the cable instead. Check the pad thickness whenever you’re working on the scooter anyway. BikeRadar’s guide to disc brake pads lists the warning signs – weaker braking, a scraping howl when you brake in the dry, more lever travel – and pads should never wear down to the bare metal.
Suspension and bolts. If your model has adjustable suspension, set it up for your weight – the manual shows how. In Rider Guide’s Mantis King GT review, the reviewers point out that its adjustable shocks can be tuned to the rider’s weight, riding style and terrain. Check the bolts in the wheels, the folding mechanism and the frame once a month if you ride every day. A heavy scooter on poor roads shakes things loose. If you feel play in the stem when you brake, the folding mechanism is the first place to look.
Rain. The Urban is rated IPX6 and the other Kaabo models IPX5. That does not make them waterproof – the Mantis manual, for example, advises against riding in heavy rain and through puddles. What the rating means in practice is explained in our guide to riding an electric scooter in the rain.
Spare parts and servicing for your Kaabo
Write down the exact model and battery version before you look for parts. Kaabo has many similar names – Mantis 8 Plus and 8 Pro+, Wolf Warrior King GTR and Wolf King GTR Max – and the parts don’t always fit between them. In the spare parts finder you search by brand and model and see which of our parts fit yours. If you can’t find the right part, send the model name and a photo of the broken part to customer service. Every electric vehicle we sell comes with a 2-year warranty.
Common mistakes when buying a Kaabo
- Choosing by motor power instead of weight and storage. You feel the power on the hills, and the weight every time you lift the scooter.
- Taking the range figure at face value. Expect less, especially in the cold, uphill and with a heavy load.
- Forgetting the lock. A Kaabo is expensive and easy to recognise. Read how to protect your electric scooter from theft before it has to stand outside.
- Skimping on protection. With this much weight and power, a helmet, gloves and sturdy shoes are a given. Choose a helmet that suits the way you ride, fits snugly and is replaced after a hard knock. On the faster Wolf models, an E-marked (ECE) motorcycle or moped helmet, ideally a full-face one, is the sensible choice. How to choose is covered in our guide to choosing a helmet for an electric scooter.
- Skipping maintenance. Tyre pressure, brakes and bolts are what most often cause trouble – and you can handle most of it yourself, such as keeping the right tyre pressure.
Still torn between two models? Tell customer service how far you ride, on what surfaces and where the scooter will be kept. That says more than the specifications.
