Kaabo Mantis 8 Pro Review

The Kaabo Mantis 8 Pro is relatively portable for a 60-lb dual motor scooter, with folded dimensions of 45 in long by 24 in wide by 19 in tall. 

Like most extreme performance scooters, the handlebars do not fold, but like its Manti family, the stem clips to the deck for easier carrying when folded. The simplicity and savings in weight for non-folding handlebars are worth the ergonomic benefit and cleaner cockpit. 

The Mantis 8 and 8 Pro have very similar cockpits with two main differences: the brakes (including the levers) and the throttle display. 

Both have a button console on the left handlebar that independently controls the headlight and turn signals, with a dual motor button on the bottom (only active on the Mantis 8 Pro). This console does not provide feedback (staying depressed or lighting up), so you won’t know what’s active until you start riding.

On the right handlebar is the trigger throttle, which is an EY3 LCD throttle display on the Mantis 8 Pro. Both the QS-S4 and EY3 throttle provide advanced performance settings.

On the Mantis 8 Pro, you swap rubberized brake levers with a built-in bell for Zoom brake levers, which are not rubberized and do not include a bell — but an aftermarket bell is an inexpensive addition that won’t take up much space on the handlebars.

Other than these buttons and controls, there’s really nothing else in the cockpit; it’s got a very clean, streamlined appeal with plug-and-play cabling that’s routed nicely into the stem.

Although the Mantis 8 Pro comes standard with white front deck lights, orange rear deck lights and white LED under-deck or swag lighting, it doesn’t provide enough illumination for you to see where you’re going.

In fact, the swag lighting won’t help you see potholes or other obstacles until you’re basically on top of them. 

Turn signals are a nice addition but don’t work quite as expected. Unfortunately, there are no indicators in the cockpit alerting you to whether or not your headlights or turn signals are on (or if you’re in dual motor mode), so you’ll have to look down at the deck (and rev the throttle) to tell. 

Another downside to the turn signal configuration is that the same lights that demonstrate that you’re braking (your deck lights) are used as turn signals, so if those are on there’s no brake lights.

The turn signals are still a benefit, but using them means drivers/riders behind and in front of you may not be able to tell the difference between turning and braking.

For riding a scooter at night, we recommend adding more lights, including a high-mounted headlight for better visibility and another light to attach to the back of your helmet or backpack.

The 8 Pro is known by its 8.0 in diameter by 3 in wide tires, which are about 0.5 in to 1 in wider than the tires of other high performance scooters with 10 in tires. 

The tubeless pneumatic tires on the 8 Pro have a great profile and are made for the road and are plenty fun to roll over ruts, but overall do not provide as much damping over big bumps as 10 in tires.

The rubberized deck is 8.3 in wide by 18.5 in long, which is the same width but about 1 in shorter than the decks on the Mantis and Mantis Pro with 10 in tires.  

Although there is a small hook at the rear of the deck, it’s very low profile and doesn’t get in the way or feel uncomfortable to stand on. Some other folding hooks, like the one on the Apollo Ghost, could easily trip you up when you’re changing footing. 

The deck material is thin but durable rubber, and is secured to the surface with adhesive that can age and become less sticky over time. We’ve never had the rubber fly off while riding, but sometimes it catches and flaps in the wind. 

The build quality of the Kaabo Mantis 8 Pro is pretty superb. It has an all-black, stealthy appeal that flies under the radar, as it doesn’t necessarily look like a scooter that hits 35-mph speeds. However, we’ve seen many Manti owners customize their rides with awesome, often colorful and eye catching results. 

Kaabo took the Manti to new heights (and speeds) by fortifying the stem, which in past models could be creaky or wobbly. With stronger and more welds along with durable, heavyweight components, the Mantis 8 Pro feels like a confident riding machine built for everyday travel. 

With such a solid build, you’ll experience a quiet and comfortable ride, and the hydraulic brakes mean stopping requires less effort on your part. The dual spring suspension is very firm and provides good damping for riders up to 270 lbs.  

There’s only one charging port with a GX16-3P connector on the 8 Pro, as with all Manti scooters, which is located at the front left corner of the deck. The kickstand is on the same side, and keeps the Mantis upright.

Although the build feels exceptional, the Mantis 8 Pro, like all other Manti, does not have an IP rating, so it is not recommended to ride in the rain. If you choose to do so, you run the risk of voiding your warranty. 

The Kaabo Mantis 8 Pro is a solid extreme performance scooter with road warrior power and a nimble, smooth ride. It’s not flashy, it doesn’t need to be; it’s fast and fun, and that’s what really matters for Manti. Quick acceleration, hydraulic braking and a bombproof build make the Mantis 8 Pro an excellent choice for experienced riders seeking an electric scooter that’s new, fast and fun. 

If the Kaabo line doesn’t fit your needs, check out our RG Editor’s pick of best electric scooters.