Kukirin G4 Review: Is This £729 Scooter Worth It? UK Test

Electric scooters are everywhere in UK cities, but the rules about where you can ride them are strict. The Kukirin G4 is a high performance private land scooter, not a legal commuter on public roads. This review looks at the published specs, UK law and value at £729.

We have not ridden this scooter on a test track. We have studied the manufacturer's data, the current UK legislation and the price in our shop. What follows is an honest assessment for a buyer who wants a fast scooter for private land, not a false promise about road legal commuting.

What Is the Kukirin G4?

The Kukirin range includes several electric scooters, and the G4 sits near the top for power. This Kukirin G4 is designed for adults who want strong acceleration and a high top speed away from public roads. It is sold at £729, which is a mid-range price for a performance scooter.

Kukirin quotes a peak motor output that is far beyond the 250W limit for legal e-bikes, and that tells you the G4 is not an e-bike. It is a scooter built for private land, track days or large private estates. If you want a legal electric bike for UK roads, look at our city bikes instead.

The G4 has dual suspension, disc brakes and a deck big enough for two feet side by side. The stem folds for storage, but this is still a heavy machine. It is not a last mile scooter you will carry up stairs. The tyres are pneumatic, which helps with bumps on rough tarmac.

Who Should Consider It?

You should consider the G4 if you have private land, a farm, a large industrial site or access to a closed track. It is also fine on your own driveway, but that gets dull quickly. If you want to ride to work or the shops on public roads, this scooter is not legal.

The G4 is not a toy. It accelerates quickly and can reach speeds that will hurt if you fall. A full face helmet, gloves and sturdy shoes are sensible. Kukirin does not sell protective gear, but any motorcycle helmet will do.

UK Law and Where You Can Ride It

The law on electric scooters in the UK is simple but poorly understood. A privately owned e-scooter cannot be ridden on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements. The only exception is a rented scooter in a government approved rental trial. The UK government guidance is clear on this.

You can ride a private scooter only on private land with the landowner's permission. That means your garden, a private car park, a farm or a track day venue. Riding on a public road risks a fine, penalty points on your driving licence and seizure of the scooter. The police do enforce this in many areas.

Some people think a scooter with a 15.5 mph limiter is legal, but that is wrong. There is no legal speed for private e-scooters on UK roads, because they are all banned. E-bikes have a 250W motor and a 15.5 mph assisted limit, but a scooter does not get the same treatment. The law is different for scooters and bicycles.

Below is a quick reference for where you can legally ride the G4. This is not legal advice, but it summarises the current position.

What About Insurance and Licence?

Because the G4 is illegal on public roads, you cannot insure it for road use. No insurer will cover an illegal vehicle. If you ride on private land, your home or landowner insurance may cover third party liability, but check the small print.

You do not need a driving licence to ride on private land, but if you are caught on a public road the police can treat it as driving without insurance. That carries six penalty points and a fine. The safest approach is to treat the G4 like a motocross bike and keep it off the road entirely.

Build Quality and Comfort

The Kukirin G4 uses an aluminium alloy frame that feels solid on paper. The stem folds at the base, but once locked it should not wobble. At £729 you are not getting carbon fibre, but the finish looks tidy for the price. Kukirin does not publish a maximum rider weight, but similar scooters handle up to 120kg.

The deck is wide enough for both feet, which adds stability at speed. The handlebars are fixed height, so tall riders may hunch slightly. The grips are basic rubber, but you can swap them for aftermarket ones. The folding mechanism is a lever and clamp, which is easy to use but needs occasional tightening.

Tyres and Suspension

The G4 has pneumatic tyres, which absorb small stones and rough tarmac better than solid ones. They are also less likely to skid in the wet, although they can still puncture. Check the pressure each week. Kukirin quotes a tyre size suitable for light off road use, but this is not an off road scooter.

Dual suspension, front fork and rear shock, helps on gravel paths and potholes on private land. At high speed the suspension stops the deck from bouncing you off. If you ride on smooth tarmac you may not notice it, but it is a real benefit on uneven ground.

Lights and Visibility

The G4 has a front LED light and a rear brake light. The front light is fine for being seen in daylight, but it is not bright enough for fast night riding on unlit land. Add a helmet light or a handlebar mounted floodlight if you ride after dark.

There are no indicators, so signal with your arm. A high visibility vest is a cheap addition that makes you easier to spot. Kukirin does not include a bell, so shout a warning if you approach pedestrians on shared private paths.

Motor, Speed and Acceleration

Kukirin quotes a peak motor power that is far above the UK e-bike limit. That means the G4 accelerates hard from a standstill. It can climb steep hills on private land without losing speed, which is the main reason people buy a performance scooter.

The top speed quoted by Kukirin is not legal on public roads, so we will not repeat it as a selling point. On private land it is your choice, but start in the lowest speed mode. The throttle is responsive, and the first time you twist it you will understand why this is not a commuter scooter.

Speed Modes

The G4 has at least three speed modes, selected on the display. Eco mode limits acceleration and top speed, which helps beginners. Normal mode is fine for open fields. Sport mode releases full power and should be used only when you have space to stop.

Kukirin does not publish exact speeds for each mode, but expect Eco to feel gentle and Sport to feel aggressive. The difference is noticeable. If you let a friend ride it, keep it in Eco and warn them about the throttle before they start.

Climbing Ability

The G4 can climb steep gradients on private land without pedalling. That is useful on a farm or a hilly estate. The motor does not overheat quickly, but sustained full throttle on a long climb will drain the battery faster than flat riding.

If you weigh over 100kg or carry a heavy backpack, the range will drop and the motor will work harder. Kukirin does not publish a climbing angle, but real world reports from similar scooters suggest it handles 20 degree slopes with ease. Treat that as a rough guide, not a guarantee.

Battery and Range

Kukirin quotes a range figure for the G4, but real range is always lower. The quoted range is measured on flat ground, with a light rider, in warm weather and at low speed. In the UK, cold weather, hills and aggressive throttle use will cut that number significantly.

Expect the real world range on private land to be between half and two thirds of Kukirin's figure if you ride normally. If you use Sport mode and full throttle, expect even less. The battery is removable, so you can charge it indoors and leave the scooter in a shed.

Charging Time

The G4 uses a standard UK plug charger. A full charge from empty takes several hours, so plug it in overnight. The charger has a light that turns green when done. Do not leave the battery charging unattended for days, and never charge a wet scooter.

Battery capacity is measured in amp hours, and the G4's pack is large for a scooter at this price. That is why the range is decent when ridden gently. If you only need short bursts of fun, the battery will last a weekend between charges.

Realistic UK Range

In winter, below 5 degrees Celsius, lithium batteries lose capacity. You may see a 20 to 30 percent drop in range compared with summer. On a cold morning, the display may show a lower battery percentage than usual. Warm the battery indoors before riding if possible.

For a typical private land session of 30 to 60 minutes, the G4 will have plenty of charge left. If you plan a full day on a track, bring the charger or a spare battery. Kukirin does not sell spare batteries separately, so plan around the single pack.

Braking and Safety

The G4 has disc brakes on both wheels, which is essential at the speeds this scooter can reach. The brakes are mechanical, not hydraulic, but they stop the scooter quickly when adjusted correctly. Check the brake pads every few weeks, because they wear fast if you brake hard often.

The rear brake light comes on when you pull the lever, which helps anyone behind you. The front brake is powerful enough to lift the rear wheel if you grab it too hard, so brake progressively. Kukirin does not include ABS, but at £729 that is expected.

Stability at Speed

The G4 is stable in a straight line, but the small wheels make it twitchy on loose gravel or wet grass. The stem is not adjustable, so high speed cornering requires leaning carefully. If you hit a pothole at speed, the suspension helps but the scooter can still throw you.

Wear a full face helmet, not a cycle helmet. A cycle helmet is designed for 15 mph falls, not 30 mph plus. Gloves and knee pads are cheap insurance. Kukirin sells the scooter, but you must buy safety gear separately.

How It Compares to Other Kukirin Scooters

Kukirin makes cheaper and more expensive scooters. The Kukirin G2 at £429 is a lighter and slower scooter for private land, but it still is not legal on UK roads. The G4 is a big step up in power and range, and the price difference reflects that.

The Kukirin G2 Master is £729, the same price as the G4. It has more power and a bigger battery, but it is also heavier. If you want the fastest Kukirin scooter for the same money, the Master is worth a look. For most private land riders, the G4 is the sweet spot.

G4 vs G2

The G2 is almost half the price of the G4, but it has a smaller motor and less range. The G2 is fine for short rides on flat private land. The G4 makes sense if you want real acceleration and the ability to climb hills without slowing to a crawl.

If you are new to electric scooters, the G2 is a safer first purchase. The G4 can catch you out if you are not ready for the power. The extra £300 buys you more speed, better suspension and a longer range. Decide whether you need that before spending.

G4 vs G2 Master

The G2 Master costs £50 more than the G4, which is a small premium for a noticeable jump in performance. The Master has a higher peak power output and a larger battery, so it accelerates harder and goes further on a charge. It is also heavier and slightly longer.

Unless you specifically want the absolute fastest Kukirin scooter, the G4 is better value. The Master is overkill for a garden or a small track. If you have a large estate or want to ride with friends on motocross tracks, the Master is the one to buy.

Who Should Buy the Kukirin G4?

Buy the G4 if you have private land, a farm, an industrial site or access to a closed circuit. It is a fast, exciting machine that rewards careful riders. It is also fine for adults who want a hobby scooter and understand the legal limits. Do not buy it for commuting on public roads.

If you need a legal electric bike for UK roads, look at our all bikes range instead. An e-bike with a 250W motor and a 15.5 mph assisted limit can be ridden legally on roads and cycle lanes. The G4 cannot do that job, no matter how you set the speed limiter.

• Private land owners with space to ride
• Adults who want a high performance scooter for fun
• Riders who already own safety gear and understand the risks
• People who will never ride on public roads or pavements

Who Should Avoid It?

Avoid the G4 if your main need is a daily commute. It is illegal on UK roads, so you risk a fine and penalty points every time you ride it. A legal electric bike is a better choice for most people. The G4 is also not for children, even though it folds small.

If you live in a flat with no ground floor storage, the G4 is a burden. It weighs over 20kg and is awkward to carry up stairs. The folding stem helps, but the deck is still large. Check the weight before you order.

Verdict: Is It Worth £729?

At £729, the Kukirin G4 is a fair price for a high performance private land scooter. The build quality is good, the suspension works and the range is respectable when ridden gently. The motor delivers real acceleration, which is what you are paying for.

The big problem is UK law. Because you cannot ride it on public roads, its usefulness is limited. That is not Kukirin's fault, but it does affect value. If you have private land, the G4 is a lot of fun. If you do not, it will spend most of its life in a shed.

For the right buyer, the G4 is worth £729. For everyone else, a legal electric bike from our city bike range is a better use of money. Read our other guides to compare electric bikes and scooters before you decide.

Our verdict: buy the G4 for private land thrills, not for road commuting. It delivers on its performance promises, but the legal restrictions mean it is a toy, not transport.