Koowheel D3M 2nd Generation Electric Longboard Review

Last updated 04. October 2019

The Koowheel D3M 2nd Generation electric longboard is also known as the Kooboard. This skateboard measures about 36 inches and weighs 17 lbs. The electric longboard deck may seem short but practically both feet sit pretty well on the concave-shaped deck. The concave shape makes turning the board a breeze compared to a flat board. This shape also makes carving easy and fun.

The Kooboard has an impressive design with an array of features that will attract any skateboarding enthusiast, much like this MEEPO electric skateboard.

This electric skateboard is appropriate for riding on pavements and on the road. It is shipped with a user manual, t-tool, remote, USB cable for charging the remote, board charger and an extra set of spare wheels.

It achieves a top speed of 26 miles per hour and a range of 15 miles. This is perfect for your daily commute to work, college or for cruising around your neighborhood.  Its compact size enables you to navigate tight corners and across crowded alleys.

This board is great for riders learning how to use an electric skateboard for the first time. As a beginner, once you find your footing on this board your confidence will grow quickly. Those who have some experience snowboarding, skating or surfing will have an advantage and will find it much easier to use the Koowheel.

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Koowheel D3M 2nd Generation Electric Longboard with Remote

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Key Features

Concave Shaped Deck

The Koowheel comes with a deck made of 7-layers of Canadian maple wood. It is a super flexible deck measuring 36 inches with a concave shape where the edges along the side of the deck are raised slightly. This ensures stability and the flexibility needed to make carving easier.

This unique design creates a surface that cradles your for great support when you are riding and turning ensuring stability through dispersion of shock. When the board bends, the elastic structure of the deck helps to protect the electronic components and battery from getting spoilt.

This design is exceptionally solid giving the board the necessary tensile strength for flexible maneuvers and beautiful carving with minimal risk of breaking.

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Motors

The Koowheel is equipped with two 350W in-wheels brushless hub motors.  The twin motors pack in enough torque to power the board at speeds of up to 24 mph (40km/h). This in-wheels feature helps the rider to push the board when the battery runs out.  The acceleration may not be at par with belt motors, but the board has considerable thrust and the rider should be careful not to be jerked off the board immediately it’s powered.

Top Speed

The Koowheel zooms to a speed of 20 mph (32km/h) in normal mode. The other mode is a hidden secret that unlocks the full potential of this incredible skateboard. When the board is off, press the power button 7 times in quick succession. It will power on with the extra top speed of 24 mph (40km/h) enabled. 20 miles per hour is the default speed when the board is turned on in the normal way. It is important to note that this speed is quite high and riders should take precaution by wearing protective gear such as helmets.

Range

The range is a very important factor for any rider of a skateboard.  It is very disappointing when your plans are cut short because the board you are using has reached its limit. The Koowheel can cover a total of 25 km (15.5 miles) on a single charge. This board has another advantage that gives you more mileage – you can swap batteries in less than a minute, just turn the board upside, unscrew the battery, remove it then place in the fully charged one, and off you go.

Controller

On the controller, there is a button that lets the rider switch between forwarding and backward movement. Although this is now a standard feature across hub motors, the switch for Kowheel isn’t that sleek for a board that boasts of style. The remote has a few connectivity issues using the Low-Energy Bluetooth function. This may affect braking at high speeds. Hopefully, this is something the manufacturer will address soon.

Design

The Koowheel D3M has a beautiful design that is unique and elegant in every aspect. The deck is made of 7-ply Canadian maple wood, giving it the flexibility to carve as you cruise along and turn in tight spaces. The curved shape which appears like an arch in the center of the deck helps with stability on rebound while absorbing any resultant shocks. The deck has black grip-tape and the bottom of the deck is also painted black giving matching both sides in elegant style.

Swappable Battery

Not many boards offer the option of swapping batteries. The Koowheel D3M comes with two 36V 5500mAH Lithium batteries that can be swapped quickly to give the maximum mileage. Swapping the batteries takes a few minutes and involves loosening a couple of holding screws on the casing, pulling out the battery, sliding in the new one and tightening the holding screws. The convenience of carrying extra batteries and quickly swapping them is a great advantage for this board’s capability to cover long distances.

A point of note is for the rider to take precaution not to ride in rain or wet conditions. This is due to the location of the battery compartment. Located beneath the deck it is not well protected from the elements and the risk of damage is high.

Hills

The specifications for the Koowheel indicate that the board can scale hills inclined at 25%. In reality, this skateboard can manage hills at a gradient of 20%. Even at this angle, the motors struggle to keep up an acceptable pace. Although you have at your disposal two 350 Watt motors, attempting hills steeper than this will be a difficult endeavor.

Replaceable Hub Wheels

Some boards and previous Kooboards are equipped with wheels that are directly attached to the motors. This means that when the wheels wear out, you have to replace both the wheels and the motors. The Koowheel D3M is different because it employs a design that allows the 97mm wheels to be detached from the motors. This makes it easy to replace worn out tires without necessarily replacing the motors and vice versa.

So for those who ride long and often, the detachment means that you will save big time with this arrangement.

PU Tire Hardness

The tires are made of polyurethane and the tire hardness is rated 85A. The urethane quality of these tires is exceptional and the experience even on rough surfaces is that of a smooth ride.

Weight & Dimensions

The board weighs 7.7kgs and measures 920mm by 240mm. It is made up of light components that make it exceptionally easy to carry like a backpack and can fit in a car’s trunk.

Pros

¡      Decent range – The Koowheel can cover a total of 25 km (15.5 miles) on a single charge.

¡      High top speed – The Koowheel zooms to a speed of 20 mph (32km/h) in normal mode and a hidden extra top speed of 24.8 mph (42km/h).

¡      Easily swappable battery – The convenience of carrying extra batteries and quickly swapping them is a great advantage for this board’s capability to cover long distances.

¡      Replaceable Hub wheels – This makes it easy to replace worn out tires without necessarily replacing the motors and vice versa.

Cons

¡      4 hour charge time – the battery takes a whopping 4 hours to fully charge.

·      Not waterproof – you cannot ride in the rain or in wet conditions since the battery and electronics may be damaged.

Who Is It Suitable For?

This board is great for riders learning how to use an electric skateboard for the first time. As a beginner, once you find your footing on this board your confidence will grow quickly. Those who have some experience snowboarding, skating or surfing will have an advantage and will find it much easier to use the Koowheel.

The Koowheel D3M is a great option for someone who would like to try electric skateboarding and is not willing to spend a lot of money.

Why We Like It

The Koowheel D3M is an evolving skateboard that will help you in your daily commute. Its performance is impressive albeit with a few connectivity issues and the lack of power when handling steeper hills. If you are working with a limited budget then this board will give you excellent service at an affordable price.

With top speeds of 35 km/h and a range of 25 Km, this electric skateboard is a perfect machine to help you move around your neighborhood, commute to work or get to school.

The improved PCB board with electronics potting and a stronger casing assures you of its durability. The added smart chip ensures that you can avoid sudden acceleration or braking. This is important to ensure your safety since speeds of 35 km/h can be quite fast on a skateboard.

The 97mm wheels are big enough for comfort on bumpy terrain yet light giving this skateboard the versatility and simplicity to thrill newbies and experienced riders alike.

Altenative Product: Boosted 2nd Gen Dual+ Standard Range Electric Skateboard

Boosted 2nd Gen Dual+ Standard Range Electric Skateboard

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