Life At 65: Comparing The F65, G65, P65, and N65

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If we had a dollar for every electric scooter that featured 65 somewhere in its name, we’d still only have $4, but it’s weird that it happened four times. It’s a little confusing, particularly when three of those scooters are produced by the same company, and the fourth one is touted as a replacement for one of the first company’s earlier models. 

So today, we’re talking about the following four models:

• Segway-Ninebot F65
• Segway-Ninebot G65
• Segway-Ninebot P65
• Navee N65

Some are continuations of existing product lines, some are replacements for earlier models, and others are totally new scooters in their own right.

So what’s the difference between them all? Which is the best? Which is the much-anticipated official replacement of the Segway Ninebot Max? Which is actually the best replacement for the Ninebot Max? Read on to find out.

What Does the 65 Represent?

Something all these scooters have in common is that they all have a range of 65 km on a single charge. For the most part, all of these scooters are capable of getting very close to 65km provided you don’t ride them at their maximum limits at all times. For the purposes of the review, we can safely say that in terms of range, there isn’t really any difference between them.

The Models

Let’s start by taking a look at each scooter on its own.

Segway-Ninebot Max F65

The F65 was announced towards October 2022, landing in Australia shortly before Christmas. It’s the latest in Segway’s incredibly popular F-Series lineup, where it sits as the top-of-the-range. The F-Series in general has a large following among budget-conscious commuters, and the F65 plays true to its heritage by being a perfect balance of quality and features for a very affordable price. 

Sporting the most powerful motor (400W), longest range, widest deck, and the highest rider weight limit (120kg) the F65 is perfect for commuters and last-mile journeys. It’s also the only model of the range to feature indicators, which is something some Australian states are mandating in the coming years. 

With a factory-standard speed of 25 kph that can be unlocked to 32 kph, the F65 is surprisingly punchy with its acceleration despite having the lowest powered motor of all the models on this list. It reaches its top speed quickly but smoothly, so it all feels very controlled and comfortable. 

What you don't get on the F65 is suspension, but this is only a real issue depending on how you ride the scooter. We found during our testing that for “sealed” surfaces such as roads, the tyres handled the bumps just fine even travelling at the unlocked top speed of 30+kph. 

When we hit gutters or transitioned from road to pavement, however, the shocks were quite jolting. Normally, most riders wouldn’t hit any sort of bump at speed, but suspension would make this a little more versatile. That said, suspension would also push up the price by a few hundred dollars and increase the weight. At that point, it would be deviating from what it is: an excellent value-for-money commuter scooter. 

Despite its 65 km range, it works best for short journeys around the 5 km mark. Riding any scooter, suspension or not, can get uncomfortable for long rides, and the F65 is no different. It’s great for last-mile commutes, or short journeys to and from train stations/ car parks. 

Its 22kg weight makes it the heaviest of the F-Series but the lightest scooter in this guide, so if you’ll be regularly lifting the scooter (either to walk onto a train or place in your car) this is the one to go for. It's still a large scooter, however, so if you own a hatchback you may find you need to place it across the back seats rather than placing it in the boot. 

Overall, it represents excellent value for money, and if the staying power of older F-Series models is anything to go by, the F65 promises to be around for a while. 

Quick Stats

Segway-Ninebot G65

This is the latest scooter to join Segway’s lineup, and is officially touted as the brand as the new Ninebot Max. This places an enormous amount of pressure on the G65 as the original Ninebot Max (G30) was a global favourite, so the shoes the G65 has to fill are large. 

For years, riders of the Ninebot Max all said the same thing - that their e-scooters would be just that little more perfect if they had suspension. In fact, companies such as Monorim started producing suspension kits specially designed for the Ninebot Max and they sold well. 

Unless you were brave enough to fit them yourself, however, you had to accept that your scooter had no suspension. It was a common suggestion that the successor should have some sort of shock absorption, and the G65 delighted fans around the world when it was announced it would have not only front, but rear suspension as well. 

The G65 sports a 450W motor with a peak output of 600W, which is an improvement on its predecessor’s 350W motor. It doesn’t use that extra power to go faster, however, but what it does provide is a higher rider weight limit of 120 kg compared to the G30’s 100 kg. This makes the Ninebot Max more accessible to a larger audience, and the motor gives it the power to back this up. 

It’s a little larger in all directions as well, which produces a more stable ride and improves rider balance. The softer deck rubber contributes to an all-round more comfortable experience, and the wider handlebars give it a certain stability that taller riders found was missing from the G30P. 

Beyond that, the G65 is quite similar to the G30P. It borrows a very similar design with a couple of additions around the rear wheel to house the dual suspension pistons. You get the same water resistance (IPX5), the same puncture-resistant tyres, the same LCD screen and the same electronic/ drum brake combination. 

In terms of performance, you’ll be getting similar statistics as well. Top speed is 25 kph (locked) or 30 kph (unlocked), and range is 65km. Due to its suspension, it is a little heavier weighing in at 24.4 kg, also making it the heaviest entry in this list. 

As the only scooter on this list with suspension, it is certainly the most comfortable ride and that is one of the biggest selling points of the G65. In fact, the best way of looking at the G65 is a Ninebot Max with suspension. As a successor, it isn’t imbued with technology and performance we haven’t seen before elsewhere in the Segway range, so it does almost everything you expect it to but with few new bells & whistles. What that means, however, is that it is a solid and reliable ride. For those that loved their Ninebot Max but just wished it was a little better, the G65 is a perfect choice. 

Quick Stats

The Segway-Ninebot P65

When Segway first announced the P65, we had our doubts. Initially, we couldn’t really understand its place in Segway’s lineup, or quite figure out its position in the wider e-scooter market. Borrowing heavily from the Segway GT’s design, there was no denying that it looked great and it had some cool features, but contrasted to its older brother, the P100, and tried-and-tested rides such as the Ninebot Max, it felt a little redundant, particularly given its lack of suspension. 

We were very, very wrong. It skyrocketed to the top of our favourites lists after only a couple of rides, and it’s still there. 

Coming in at $1,999, the P65 is easily the most expensive on this list, but it also has the highest top speed, the biggest range of features, the best design (in our opinion), and the best overall riding experience. 

The P65 has the highest powered motor on this list with a 500W BLDC (1,000W Peak) powerhouse churning out a top speed of 25 kph (locked) or 40 kph (unlocked), comfortably making it the fastest scooter on this list as well. 

With all its power, its acceleration is remarkably smooth, and despite the lack of suspension, so is the overall riding experience. Without suspension, shock absorption goes entirely through the tyres instead, and the 10” x 3” self-healing puncture-resistant tyres do a surprisingly efficient job at soaking up the bumps. 

Because of its generally larger size it is a stable and balanced ride, but still still manoeuvrable. 

Despite all of that, some of our favourite aspects of the P65 relate to its features, and there are plenty to mention. The LCD screen inspired by the GT’s dashboard is modern and unique. It has full lighting that includes turn signals, and even atmospheric lighting that projects the Segway logo onto the ground behind it. It has NFC communication and can be unlocked with a swipe card and password. It has an alarm that goes off if the scooter is moved without being turned on. It even has a USB-C charging port under the LCD screen so you can charge your phone while you ride. 

While its heavier weight may turn some riders away, it's generally more comfortable ride makes it the best A to Z commuter. If you plan on riding from home directly to work, the P65 is the best option on this list. Of all the scooters of this list, this was also the best hill-climber, carrying a 100kg rider consistently up a very steep hill around 5-6 kph. Of all the entries here, the P65 was the only one that passed this hill climb test. 

It’s a very well-thought out electric scooter, and if you can afford its $1,999 price tag, it’s the one we’d recommend. While it is available with the standard configuration that brings you a 25 kph top speed, it’s well worth springing the additional $100-200 to get the Global Edition. This increases the top speed to 40 kph and makes it a whole lot more fun. 

Quick Stats

Navee N65

The Navee N65 joined us mid 2022, and was touted in reviews as the “Segway-Ninebot killer.” This was a bold but ultimately not unjustified claim. As a relatively new brand into the electric scooter market, Navee knows that’s not a claim they can just throw around, so they made sure the N65 was actually a genuine contender. That doesn’t mean it’s a totally unique ride, but it takes many things that made the G30 excellent and made them just a little better. 

Just like the Ninebot Max, it has a 65 km range. Similarly, it has a top speed of just over 30 kph, and it also has no suspension either. What it has that the Ninebot doesn’t is a handful of key features that make it a generally better ride.

Firstly, its motor is almost twice as powerful, putting out a nominal 500W with a peak output of 900W. While the resultant speed of 32 kph isn’t a marked improvement on the Ninebot’s 30 kph, what that extra power brings you is a higher rider weight of 120 kg and a 25% climb angle. The rider weight is also supported by its strong tubular construction which looks more like a reinforced F-Series.. 

In terms of ride comfort, its tyres are more similar in size to those found on the P65. 10” by 3” pneumatic tyres do an effective job of absorbing bumps in the road, while the knobbly texture makes it a little more grippy on both wet & uneven surfaces. 

It also has a two-point folding mechanism that allows the stem to collapse and the handlebars to twist 90°. This is great for space saving & general portability as it means the handlebars don’t catch on anything or bang into you while you’re carrying it. This folding mechanism also means that out-of-the-box, the N65 is the easiest to set up. Simply unfold, pump up the tyres, charge, and ride. No assembly required. 

The Navee N65 is the only entry on this list that is front wheel drive as well. This is somewhat of a rarity in electric scooters, but this contributes to overall grip. This also means that acceleration is much smoother as riders are being pulled rather than pushed. 

The only thing really wrong with the Navee N65 is its availability. As a manufacturer, Navee doesn’t have a huge presence in Australia so at any given time there aren’t that many available. That isn’t unsurprising, however, as they are new to the market, so we fully expect Navee to become a real contender in the Australian e-scooter market over the next couple of years. 

The N65 is a thorough-bred commuter. While it can handle a bit of rough & tumble thanks to its tyres, it’s designed to navigate through the city with power & control, then fold up under desks & in apartments when not in use. 

Is it a Ninebot Max killer? Well, since the Ninebot Max has been discontinued and replaced with the G65, it doesn’t have to be, but if you’re after an electric scooter at a similar price to the Ninebot Max, you could do a lot worse than the Navee N65.

Quick Stats

Comparison Chart

So Which is the Best?

Context is important, so we’ve broken this down to which scooter you’d choose depending on what’s important to you, and how you plan on using your ride. 

The Best Last-Mile Commuter: Segway-Ninebot F65

Last mile commuters make lots of small trips generally in an urban environment. As they only make up a part of the overall commute, they need to be transported around, meaning that weight is a factor. Weighing in at 22 kg, the F65 is the lightest of the lot, and its stability and indicators make it very safe when nipping around city streets. 

It’s not ideal for long journeys as you’ll start to feel its lack of shock absorption in your limbs and back, but if you’ll be making the majority of your commute in a train or car and just need something zippy to finish off the final few kilometres, the F65 is the best option on this list. 

The Best A-Z Commuter: Segway-Ninebot P65 / G65

If you’re planning on using your electric scooter to get you from home to work in one journey, you should consider one of these two depending on how far you need to travel. As the only one with suspension, the G65 is the most comfortable ride meaning you can go for longer before you start to get tired.

On the other hand, the P65 is faster, and its tyres are surprisingly effective at shock absorption. Additionally, it is larger than the G65 in every way, so you get a very stable and well-balanced ride. 

The Most Comfortable Ride: Segway-Ninebot G65 Max II

This is an easy one to award as the G65 is the only model in this list to feature suspension, but beyond that, it is a more stable ride than its predecessor thanks to its wider handlebars, larger & more comfortable deck, and higher rider capacity. 

The Cheapest: Segway-Ninebot F65 / Navee N65

If price is the biggest factor for you in deciding which is better, then the F65 ties with the Navee N65. As the oldest model in the list, the Navee N65 has come down in price a little bit and can be regularly found between the $1,100 - $1,300 mark, but at full price it’s equal to the F65. 

Despite their lower prices, you’ll still be getting a lot of electric scooter, but don’t expect the features & performance of the more expensive scooters in this range. 

The Most Fun: Segway-Ninebot P65

The P65 takes this not just because it’s easily the fastest (when unlocked), but every feature makes you think “oh, that’s cool!” 

Whether it’s the colourful & futuristic LCD screen, the atmospheric lights projected onto the ground, the NFC connection & USB-C port, or even the flap for the charging port, it’s a lot of fun. It’s quite a bit more expensive than its compatriots in this list, but for that price you’re getting a lot of technology and a very reliable ride. 

Which is the best alternative for the Ninebot Max?

The answer to this question divided our team, and prompted a flurry of test rides and passionate debate. It's a very hard question to address as all the scooters in this list are good contenders. 

In terms of a literal replacement, the Segway-Ninebot G65 is the official answer as it shares the Ninebot Max moniker and 95% of its design. It’s a very good electric scooter that makes some solid improvements on its predecessor, but some might find the price a little off-putting.

If you look at this in terms of which scooter closest matches the performance, price & features of the Ninebot Max, you’d be looking at the Navee N65. It’s a no-fuss commuter that does exactly what you’d expect, and it comes at a similar price. While technologically it is at a disadvantage to the rest of the items in this list, if you just want a solid commuter and don’t care about paying extra for technology you’ll never use, this is a great alternative.

In terms of which scooter is better than the Ninebot Max, the Segway-Ninebot P65 easily wins thanks to its far greater range of features, significantly better performance, and more modern design. That said, while the P65 is the best overall scooter on this list, it isn’t really supposed to be a replacement for the Ninebot Max. Coming in at $800 more, it doesn’t really fit into the same category, so for this reason, we don’t feel this is the best alternative to the Ninebot Max. 

If you’re looking for which e-scooter makes a better replacement for the Ninebot Max’s commuting ability, the Segway-Ninebot F65 is the best option given its lower weight, wider deck, and indicators. 

The hard thing is that none of the above answers are wrong either, which makes this choice difficult, and if we had the option to buy any one of these rides money-no-object, you’d probably find us queuing up to buy the P65. But as we’ve mentioned, it’s not a Ninebot Max replacement. 

After an hour of testing, debate & flailing arms, we eventually settled on an answer upon which we all agreed. 

The electric scooter that serves as the best replacement for the Segway Ninebot Max is….

The Apollo Air 2022. 

But if you want to replace a Segway with a Segway, the F65 is the best alternative to the G30.