The world of electric scooters has expanded outrageously, offering models for all uses and all profiles. The Navee N65i is located between two diametrically opposed categories: the practical compact and the big, enduring Bertha. She managed to do well, but not without some sacrifices.
Design: in the purest Mad Max style
Visually, the Navee N65i won’t turn heads at a parade. Closer to good old work overalls than to a tailored suit, it is adorned with a black anodized aluminum alloy. The deck, massive, wide (18 cm measured for 20.5 cm announced), long (57 cm measured) but without footrest, allows you to accommodate two size 45 sneakers, or to perform dance steps for more reckless. It is entirely covered with an excellent quality grip. It is durable and provides good grip.
Unfolded, the handlebars reach a height of 120 cm.
The screen in its center is extremely useless since it indicates the remaining autonomy by a system of almost reliable bars and the speed, which everyone laughs at, since you will be systematically limited to 25 km/h. You have to fall back on the application, equally dismal, which we will talk about later to have a little more information.
The chassis is strong. The welds are visible and rather ugly. No matter, the 42 mm diameter tubular structure is rigid and shows no play or signs of weakness. All of this allows you to place a bunch of anti-theft devices.
Navee opted for huge tubeless tires measuring 10.5 inches in diameter and 80 mm in width. Yes, two metric systems are needed here. These tires have a specific structure, with deep and profiled grooves, which adapt very well to wet, muddy and sandy surfaces.
But don’t think about doing cross country either. Firstly, because the N65i is devoid of any damping system (it is the tires which absorb everything), and secondly, because the ground clearance is only 86 mm, a consequence of the 600 Wh battery housed underneath, i.e. 110 Wh more than the Navee S60i whose autonomy disappointed us.
The overall design looks like it came out of a Mad Max movie and that gives it a certain charm. But who says design, says “form that serves function”. For this, the Navee N65i has a trick, not new, but still too rare: the handlebar pivots 90° to align with the steering column.
The gain in lateral space is real since we go from 61 cm in handlebar width to 10 cm, less than the width of the deck. Once folded, the column is perfectly aligned with the deck, a good point.
On the other hand, the attachment system is done from the side and does not lock. During the test, the column came loose, including once when removing it from the trunk. Fortunately, without any injuries. But it’s poorly done.
The general finish is above the S60i tested recently. Without reaching the best of its kind, the N65i looks more serious, and it is. Less plastic, better finished, better assembled, more robust, it did not suffer less than the S60i, but came out much better.
Regarding intermodality, the N65i is not ideal. But it’s not impossible. During the test, the 23 kg was difficult to carry, but the folding is quite practical. This will only be occasional and provided that the wagons offer sufficient space.
Driving: pleasant on smooth surfaces
On the road, the N65i imposes itself in tractor mode: it moves straight, calmly, and you can count on it to avoid involuntary slips.
The three braking systems (drum, disc and regenerative) form a solid combo, allowing you to go from 25 km/h to a complete stop in 3.5 m. A good score, especially as the braking is progressive and the wheels, particularly the one at the rear, since it has a disc, do not lock. Moreover, the rear brake is controlled by the right handle and the front, by the left.
The wide fatbike-style tires provide excellent grip, even in autumn rain. On the other hand, they do not compensate for the lack of suspension and the shocks and roughness of the road are felt intensely in the handlebars and, more problematically, in the knees. You have to be concentrated and keep both hands on the handlebars.
On the engine side, the scooter is shy on hills, and not just a little. On the flat, the 450 W of nominal power is present. But the acceleration weakens significantly below 60%. Uphill, we are very far from the 24% incline announced. Thus, on a 20% slope, the N65i struggled to exceed 10 km/h. The 1000 W peak does not last long enough (to avoid overheating and motor breakage surely).
But let’s put things into perspective: firstly, because not everyone weighs 100 kg, and secondly, because this kind of height difference is not that common. The strangest thing is still this ON/OFF side, since slopes of 10-12% are swallowed at 25 km/h without blinking. Let’s say that we find the 24% mentioned in the technical sheet to be misleading.
The lighthouse lighting lacks power, but its spectrum is wide and perfectly diffused. The taillight is bulky but, as usual, low. The indicators housed at the end of the handles are invisible during the day, but very visible at night. The hazard lights mode is missing. Too bad, it’s practical in circulation.
Application: very basic and annoying
Hell. The password must be systematically redefined. The code sent no longer applies once you have left the Navee application to, randomly, see the email containing the code…
Once connected (finally!), white is the key word. The fonts are tiny. The arrangement of the options is poorly thought out, in short, it is mainly used to configure a few small things and as a rather reliable indicator of the remaining autonomy.
The dashboard is useful, in that the screen offers no precision. The display remains too small. With the space available, it’s a shame. Problematic however: the handlebars are not suitable for a smartphone holder. So you have to tinker. Too bad again!
Battery life and recharging: it’s both very long and then too long!
Recharging is done via a rather well protected and well placed port, on one of the deck tubes.
One of the key arguments of the N65i is its autonomy. The manufacturer announces 65 km, the color of which you will never see. However, we completed a typical route several times, including when it was 0°C outside. Still the same, a 100 kg rider (weight + equipment). The average is 30 km. The lowest was 25 km. Enough to make a return trip to work while living in the inner suburbs of a metropolis, for example.
And so much the better, because you will need the patience of an angel to recharge. Allow 10 hours for a charge from 0 to 100%. It’s simple, the N65i recovers 10% per hour!
Verdict: a model reminiscent of the Ninebot Max G30, almost 5 years later
The Ninebot Max G30 has been a best seller and a popular model to the point of having a large community on Telegram. The Navee N65i is very reminiscent of this: massive, robust, durable, without suspension, takes a long time to load.
However, its clever folding system adds a little extra. There remains one downside: its current price is a little high considering what the competition offers. But it is worth adding to your list of reliable vehicles to get to the office at a lower cost.
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