This wasn’t the first time I test rode the Brekr model B; I had previously test ridden the Brekr during one of the nationwide demo days, taking a 30-minute ride through Breda. And of course, a few laps at the EV Experience at Zandvoort 2021. However, the Brekr has since been equipped with a new battery, which we will definitely discuss later in the review. Now, I had the Brekr for practically a full week to truly experience it, both while riding and in all aspects of using an electric scooter. This presented a few challenges throughout the week, but above all, I noticed that it was actually quite simple, as last year’s experience with the Super Soco TS had also proven.
Keep in mind, the Brekr is an electric scooter, with a maximum speed of approximately 50 km/h, and a removable battery. The latter greatly contributed to ease of use and charging. Plus, there’s room for a second battery if range is a top priority.
The Brekr on the Dutch market?
Brekr may not be a major player in the Dutch market, as the shared scooters from various brands are all Super Soco and Niu scooters. However, it is an eye-catching player in the electric scooter market and one of Dutch origin. The name Brekr proudly carries the Achterhoek pride; “‘Brekken’ is all about having maximum fun in the Achterhoek dialect. ‘Høken, brekken en angoan’ are often mentioned in the same breath.“
The Brekr comes with 4 modes, with the sportiest mode accelerating quickly to 52/53 km/h and then maintaining stability at that speed. Acceleration with the new battery is noticeably faster than before, and compared to the Super Soco TS, the Brekr’s acceleration is quicker and more spirited. This is important for city riding, as being able to quickly accelerate away from a traffic light is quite convenient.
Since you no longer have to pay BPM (vehicle purchase tax) and motor vehicle tax (MRB) for fully electric scooters and motorcycles from 2022 onwards, it is expected that we will see more electric scooters on the roads. And some of them will be Brekrs, which stand out among all the ‘normal’ scooters due to the Brekr’s distinctive design.
Homage to the splendor of the past interpreted in the electricity of the future
Let’s start by saying that the Brekr doesn’t follow the standard look for scooters or motorcycles, and it’s partly because of this that the Brekr sometimes catches the attention of bystanders. When reading the website, it’s stated that ‘The Brekr Model B is both a tribute to the beautiful motorcycles of the past and an interpretation of electric driving in the future. The design of the Brekr Model B is timeless and cannot be pinned down.’ A bit of inspiration from the old Sparta GH 50 Tour from 1964, mixed with a futuristic touch and a minimalist character, gives it its unique appearance. From the rear, the Brekr, especially with the brown saddle, resembles a Caferacer with the taillight neatly integrated into/underneath the floating saddle. From the front, it’s big enough that if you wave, many motorcyclists will wave back. The large wheels and wide handlebars also contribute to this, and the 140mm LED Halo ring headlight gives it a motorcycle-like appearance. From the side is where opinions will differ the most. The Brekr frame covers are available in 12 different colors but can also be delivered blank for your own custom paint job. Ideal for business use with the Brekr.
Due to the scooter’s design, the seating position is quite ergonomic and can be maintained for long periods. The comfortable saddle and the slimmer profile of the Brekr also play a role here, ensuring that longer distances are no problem at all. Personally, I am 1.86m tall and was able to ride until the battery was empty without any discomfort, or commute between Rotterdam and Dordrecht. The handlebar is sturdy, reminiscent of an upgraded bicycle handlebar. All buttons and controls are easy to operate and feel solid. It’s nice that the handlebar isn’t excessively wide, which helps with city riding. The footrests are smaller round footrests, but with a coarse engraved profile. This provides good grip for your feet, even on less smooth roads.
Battery capacity and charging time
First, let’s address what was previously mentioned: in Mode 1, Eco mode, the dashboard indicates a range of 78 km on a full battery. This is a fairly accurate display. As the modes become more sporty, the range decreases, but there is little difference between Mode 2, 3, and 4. Mode 2 indicated 56 km, while Mode 4 still showed 48 km. This depends on your driving behavior and how much you allow the Brekr to regenerate energy. As for what the website states, “a battery has a capacity of 2.0 kWh, allowing you to travel 50 to 80 km. Or 100 to 160 km with two batteries.“
In daily use, few people will ride the Brekr in Mode 1. So realistically, for normal use, the range is around 50 to 55 km. In winter, this may be slightly lower. Not bad, and comparable to what many other electric scooter brands claim. It’s even slightly better than the real-world test of the Super Soco from 2 years ago. I used the Brekr every day in Mode 4, full power and full acceleration. On Saturday, I nearly depleted the battery while exploring Rotterdam and crossing several large bridges (Erasmus Bridge 2x, Willems Bridge, and the van Brienenoord Bridge). Eventually, there was still 5 km of battery life left after about 53 km. Sunday was a day of meadows and dyke roads, a piece of Hoeksche Waard (and thus the Heinenoord Tunnel 2x), and even some off-road riding. I arrived home with 6 km of remaining range and covered 53 km.
Commute from Rotterdam to Dordrecht and back could be done on one battery, but I had the opportunity to charge the battery at work, making it possible to make the ride home a detour. Of course, the range cannot be compared to gasoline scooters, but for many people, it’s more than enough for daily use. Charging is also very easy. And the fact that you never have to stop to refuel is ideal, especially with today’s gasoline prices. It’s important to note that when there’s about “15km” of remaining range, the motor noticeably restricts power. Both top speed and acceleration are limited to increase range. It’s helpful when needed to reach your destination, and it’s less aggressive than how the Super Soco behaves. However, it would be ideal if you could override the computer if necessary.
The website states that a battery can be fully charged in 5 hours, assuming it’s completely empty. The battery can be charged while still in the Brekr, at work for example, or by removing it from under the seat. So, when you get home, remove the battery and take it indoors. Charge it indoors, and while cooking and eating, the battery will be slowly charged. Remove the battery from the charger before going to bed, and you can use it fully charged in the morning.
During testing, we experienced two important things. The depleted batteries from Saturday and Sunday (roughly 5km remaining) were both charged between 4 and 4 ½ hours. Faster than indicated by the website. However, we also encountered a disadvantage during warm days, something that didn’t happen during the commute. The weekend was over 35°C outside, and on both days, the scooter was used for 2 to 4 hours to deplete the battery. This caused the battery to become considerably warm, safe to touch but not safe enough to be charged immediately. The charger indicated this with an error message. Both days the battery needed an hour to 2 hours to cool down sufficiently before it could be charged. This significantly delayed the charging process and meant that I couldn’t ride for a second round on Sunday. This heat situation is known by Brekr and is built in for the longevity of the battery. This will certainly not happen often; I just had bad luck (or good luck) with the exceptionally warm weekend. The day the Brekr went to Dordrecht and back, it did charge immediately, despite the even warmer temperatures. And both the first and last charges went smoothly without any problems. The charger and battery do not become warm(er) during charging, which is nice for any pets and/or children.
Road holding and the Brekr for everyday use
What stood out with the improved battery was how smoothly the Brekr kept up with other traffic. This made city driving very easy, as you often have to ride on the road instead of the scooter/bike path in many places. Moving forward between cars at traffic lights is easy, and in mode 4, the Brekr is sporty enough so that when you’re at the front of the line at the traffic light, you can take off quickly. Of course, more acceleration means less range, but the current range is comparable to the competition, despite the improved acceleration.
Within the city, the option to turn on the ‘motor’ sound is a nice addition, one that I expect to see on more brands/models in the future. Overtaking cyclists becomes much safer with this feature. When you approach, you turn on the sound, adjust your speed slightly, and in most cases, they give you the space needed to pass safely. If you approach quietly, there are cyclists who hear you and give you space outside the city, but within the city, the Brekr blends in with the urban noise, and the option to be heard is a safety feature. Personally, I only used the sound during overtaking maneuvers, and the rest of the time, I rode in silence.
Outside the city, the Brekr is even more enjoyable to ride. Here, the sporty side comes to the forefront, and you can fully utilize the motorcycle tires fitted under the Brekr. Yes, motorcycle tires on this electric scooter. Both front and rear have a 100/90 r17 tire. The large wheels help absorb uneven surfaces on the road. The front suspension fork and unique rear suspension system further dampen the bumps and effortlessly absorb most speed bumps. It’s important to adjust the suspension to your own use and weight as best as possible. Fortunately, this can be done by yourself both front and rear. The Brekr rides smoothly on most road surfaces. On certain cobblestone streets, you may be lightly tossed around, but that would be the case with most two-wheelers, especially at higher speeds. The suspension and grip were good on gravel and gravel roads, leading to some beautiful unpaved paths that we could explore in silence and tranquility. Hate it or love it, but it’s precisely on those kinds of paths that I personally find part of the strength of electric driving. Driving silently and unnoticed where it’s not preferred, to put it politely.
Because the battery is low in the frame, which helps with a low center of gravity, and the frame is made entirely of aluminum, light but strong, the Brekr maneuvers easily. Nevertheless, the Brekr weighs almost 80 kg and has a ground clearance of only 146mm. On the other hand, the seat height is a comfortable 790mm, which helps with agility. This means that in sharper corners and beautiful roads, you can quickly push to the max and scrape your toes and/or footrests on the asphalt. The powerful engine braking in mode 4 greatly helps with sporty riding outside the city and is often powerful enough that actual braking is hardly necessary. A small drawback is that the system seems to increase engine braking to a certain value. This means that when going off a bridge or steep slope, the Brekr brakes just as hard as on a flat road. Letting off the gas and using engine braking to keep your speed relatively constant when going off a bridge or slope would be a nice way to promote electric regen, but now it brakes too hard and you have to give gas going down the bridge.
I had already briefly experienced the Brekr before, but within the first 2 minutes, the Brekr gives you the confidence you need. You also notice this when it has rained; the grip of the tires and the seating position are good enough for wet Dutch days. On the day of return, consciously rode around in the rain for an hour, and could still ride relatively sportily through the rain and puddles.
The Brekr is not just a scooter for city use and/or commuting. Looking at the design and how the Brekr rides, the origin and underlying idea is noticable; having maximum fun. A Brekr celebrates life, doesn’t take itself too seriously, doesn’t have its head too high, and often has a love for motorized wheels. So the idea of a joy ride or even a sporty group ride doesn’t sound so strange at all. Playing around on a (electric) scooter on a weekend day isn’t something people think of quickly, except for the youth. But playing around with the Brekr, that’s exactly the mindset I left with on a Sunday and came home with a nice remaining 6 km range. Is the Brekr therefore the middle ground between a more traditional scooter, like Niu and Super Soco, and the fairly off-road/BMX-oriented electric Sur-Ron?
Conclusion
For a week, I had the opportunity to ride the Brekr with the latest battery. What stood out was the noticeable difference in acceleration compared to the test ride I did in 2020. I consciously left the motorcycle parked all week to accumulate kilometers on the Brekr for the best experience, and unconsciously because spending an afternoon on the Brekr was just as enjoyable. Truly embracing the Brekr lifestyle.
The battery isn’t very heavy, and with the convenient handle, carrying it up or down is easy enough. Plugging the battery into the Brekr, putting on the helmet, and off you go— it has its advantages.
The actual range of 50 km is comparable to the competition and can be boosted with a second battery. For 9 out of 10 rides, however, this is more than sufficient, especially for daily commuting. But it remains a limitation compared to gasoline scooters.
The aesthetics are very personal; from the rear, you’re looking at a nearly cafe racer style, including the motorcycle tire underneath. From the side, some find it strikingly minimalist, while others consider it somewhat dull and modern. More important is how it rides, and I’m convinced. If I were to purchase a new scooter, the Brekr would be one of the top contenders.
Specifications
Engine
Type of engine | Hub Optimized for Brekr |
Maximum Power | Nominal power 2500W Peak power 4000W |
Range | 50-80 km |
Battery | 1 (expandable to 2) |
Battery Voltage | 50,4 V |
Capacity | 40,2 Ah |
Loading time | 4 – 5 hours |
Max engine torque | 140 N·m |
Security | 3 layers: BMS (2x) + fuse and a waterproof design |
Vibration and shock resistance | IEC 32133 |
Chassis
Front brakes | Hydraulic disc 220 mm |
Rear brake | Hydraulic disc 180 mm |
Front Tire | 100/90 r17” |
Rear Tire | 100/90 r17” |
Front Suspension | Upside down, 100mm travel |
Rear Suspension | Fully adjustable coil spring, 60 mm travel |
Dimensions
Length | 1900 mm |
Width | 750 mm |
Height | 1050 mm |
Wheelbase | 1250 mm |
Seat height | 790 mm |
Ground clearance | 146 mm |
Weight | 79 kg |
Bonus; Sound | AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) |
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