Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
The INMOTION AIR PRO is the better all-round choice for most riders: it's quicker off the line, keeps up with city traffic more easily, costs dramatically less, and still feels like a mature, well-engineered commuter rather than a toy. It hits that sweet spot of real performance, reasonable weight, and low maintenance.
The 8TEV B12 ROAM, on the other hand, is for riders who care more about feel and craftsmanship than about bang-for-buck: it rides beautifully on rougher tarmac, looks special, and oozes "boutique" charm, but you pay a lot for that charm and live with quirks like throttle lag and modest power.
If you want maximum value and speed for your commute, go Air Pro. If you're happy to spend big on design, smooth carving and year-round robustness - and don't mind paying extra for it - the ROAM can still make sense.
Stick around for the full breakdown before you drop several hundred euros on the wrong kind of "perfect" scooter.
When you put the 8TEV B12 ROAM and the INMOTION AIR PRO side by side, they almost look like they come from different planets. One is all longboard deck, big wheels and steel tubing, the other a stealthy, cable-free spear built for slicing through bike lanes. Yet on paper, both target the same everyday commuter who wants something serious, not a throwaway rental clone.
The ROAM pitches itself as the connoisseur's commuter: big 12-inch rubber, maple deck, steel frame - all about stability, feel and weather-proofing. The Air Pro counters with a lighter chassis, stronger motor, higher real-world pace and a price tag that doesn't make your accountant cry.
Think of the 8TEV as the artisan café of scooters, and the InMotion as the efficient, well-run espresso bar that somehow pulls a better shot for half the price. Let's see which one actually deserves space in your hallway.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
Both scooters live in that "serious commuter" band: proper adult machines that can replace a chunk of daily car or public-transport mileage, without straying into 30-kg monster territory. They're quick enough to feel exciting, light enough to carry up a flight of stairs, and built by brands that actually answer support emails.
The 8TEV B12 ROAM targets the rider who romanticises the commute a bit: you care about carving, road feel and gorgeous hardware, and you like the idea of a scooter that rides more like a board or a small bicycle than a gadget.
The INMOTION AIR PRO goes after the pragmatist with a need for speed: you want something that pulls harder than the average rental, folds quickly, fits on a train and doesn't need constant fettling - but you still want quality, not a disposable toy.
Same weight class, similar top speeds and ranges on the spec sheets - but very different philosophies in how they get there and what you actually feel on the road.
Design & Build Quality
In the hand, the 8TEV B12 ROAM feels like a lovingly over-engineered passion project. The chromoly steel frame is slim but dense, the TIG welds look like they were done by someone with OCD, and that maple deck could have been stolen off a longboard boutique. It's elegant and genuinely distinctive - you don't confuse it with anything else at the bike rack.
The INMOTION AIR PRO feels more "industrial design department" than "garage genius" - in a good way. The hidden wiring, clean stem and matte finish make it look sharp and modern. You grab the stem and it feels reassuringly stiff; no cheap hinge creaks, no rattling plastic. It's not trying to be art, it's trying to be a tool you don't think about - and it mostly succeeds.
Where the difference shows is in priorities. On the ROAM, everything screams "mechanical fetish": Japanese bearings, fully sealed battery box, big hydraulic discs... but the electronics package (display, throttle response, interface) feels a generation behind what the chassis deserves. On the Air Pro, the frame and parts are less exotic, but the system as a whole feels more cohesive: motor, controller, brake logic and app all talk to each other in a very modern way.
Touch each scooter and the ROAM wins on "wow, that's nicely made" per square centimetre. Step back and look at how each euro is spent, and the Air Pro's more utilitarian build starts to feel smart rather than cheap.
Ride Comfort & Handling
If your daily route is a patchwork of cracked tarmac, old paving slabs and the odd gravel shortcut, the 8TEV B12 ROAM quickly explains where your money went. Those large 12-inch tyres and the flexy maple deck work together like a passive suspension system: instead of sharp jolts, you get a muted, rolling "thump" that your knees can live with for long distances.
After ten or so kilometres of scruffy city streets, I stepped off the ROAM feeling surprisingly fresh - feet relaxed, hands not buzzing, back uncomplaining. You can ride it like a surfboard, shifting weight and carving into corners, and the geometry keeps everything calm and self-correcting. It's very hard to spook this chassis.
The INMOTION AIR PRO is more honest: it's a hardtail scooter with one cushy front tyre and a solid rear. On smooth cycle paths, it glides beautifully - almost silent, with a direct, sporty feel. The front tyre takes the edge off smaller imperfections, but once you venture onto cobbles or broken patches, the rear lets you know exactly what you just rode over. On a long stretch of rough paving, you will start instinctively bending your knees like a snowboarder to avoid your spine filing a complaint.
Handling-wise, though, the Air Pro is a delight. The slightly narrower deck, shorter wheelbase and rear-drive setup make it feel flickable and eager. You can thread through traffic or slalom around pedestrians with minimal effort, and at speed it stays impressively stable for a scooter in this class. It just doesn't iron out bumps as gracefully as the 8TEV - comfort is very much "good city asphalt only".
So: rougher cities and longer rides? The ROAM keeps your body happier. Smooth bike lanes and more agile, sporty steering? The Air Pro edges it, as long as your roads aren't war zones.
Performance
On paper, the 8TEV's motor rating looks timid, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Once you're rolling, the ROAM builds speed in a composed, linear way. It doesn't yank your arms out of their sockets; it just gathers pace smoothly until you're cruising at a respectable clip that feels quite natural for its big-wheeled chassis. The higher power mode gives it a nice shove out of corners and enough muscle to feel brisk in city traffic.
The caveat is that annoying throttle delay off the line. In stop-and-go traffic, that half-beat pause between pushing the thumb lever and feeling the motor wake up gets old quickly. You adapt, but it never truly feels "snappy". Once moving, however, the drive is consistent and the motor holds its pace nicely even as the battery bar drops.
The INMOTION AIR PRO, by contrast, feels alive the moment you prod the throttle - especially in its sportiest mode. That rear-wheel drive digs in, and the scooter surges ahead with a satisfying, confident push. You out-drag the usual rental fleet without even trying, and short city sprints become genuinely fun rather than merely functional.
Top speed on both is in the same ballpark, but the Air Pro gets there with more urgency. On a flat bike lane, it will happily sit at its upper cruising speed without feeling nervous, and the throttle mapping is nicely judged: progressive enough not to be jumpy, yet quick enough that you can dart through a closing gap without planning five seconds in advance.
Climbing is another area where the numbers speak loudly once you ride them. On steeper ramps and flyovers, the Air Pro maintains momentum better, especially with heavier riders or backpacks involved. The ROAM copes, but you feel it working harder and bleeding speed sooner on the really mean gradients.
In daily commuting terms: the ROAM is relaxed and capable, the Air Pro is properly brisk. One feels like a refined cruiser, the other like a lightweight hot hatch.
Battery & Range
Both scooters live in the same real-world range universe: a solid commute each way and some detours, but not cross-country adventures. The ROAM's battery is physically larger, and that does translate to more headroom when you're riding aggressively - especially if you're using the top power mode a lot or dealing with hills. On mixed terrain, you can comfortably knock out a medium-length round trip without obsessing over the battery indicator.
The INMOTION AIR PRO, despite its smaller pack, is impressively frugal when ridden sensibly. Cruise at moderate speeds and the consumption is very reasonable; it doesn't drain itself just because you touched the throttle a bit enthusiastically. If you live in a flatter city and can resist hammering sport mode the whole way, you'll get a very usable distance out of it before you need to plug in.
Charging is where the ROAM quietly claws some life back: its larger pack doesn't take dramatically longer to refill than you'd expect, while the Air Pro's smaller pack asks for a rather leisurely overnight session. Both are very much "plug in when you get home, forget about it until morning" devices, but the InMotion does feel unnecessarily slow to charge for its size.
Range anxiety? On the ROAM, almost none for typical urban use. On the Air Pro, only if you're constantly flat-out or pushing towards its published maximum range day after day - in which case you should probably be shopping in a different category anyway.
Portability & Practicality
On the scales, the two are essentially twins. In the real world, they carry very differently.
The 8TEV B12 ROAM's big 12-inch wheels and long frame give you a superb ride, but they also mean you're wrestling more physical volume on stairs, in lifts and on trains. Folded, it's still a long, slightly awkward piece of sculpture. The hinge itself is confidence-inspiring and free of wobble, but this is not the scooter you casually swing under one arm while juggling a coffee and a laptop bag.
The INMOTION AIR PRO, by comparison, feels purpose-built for multi-modal commuting. The fold is quick, the package is slimmer, and the stem hook makes it easy to grab in one hand and shuffle down a train corridor without stabbing anyone in the shins. The absence of dangling cables makes a bigger difference than you'd think; there's just less to snag as you move through crowds and doorways.
For storage, the Air Pro also wins on footprint. It disappears neatly under a desk or into a hallway corner. The ROAM needs more floor space - and ideally a household that appreciates its looks, because it's going to be visually present.
Day-to-day maintenance is also a practicality issue. The ROAM's tubeless tyres and sealed bearings make flats and faff relatively rare, but you are dealing with a more complex braking system that may require a competent shop if you don't enjoy bleeding hydraulics. The Air Pro's front drum plus solid rear tyre combo is deliberately lazy-owner-friendly: not quite as sexy, far less drama.
Safety
Pure braking hardware? The 8TEV B12 ROAM is over-armed. Proper hydraulic discs front and rear on a scooter in this weight class are frankly luxurious. The lever feel is excellent, modulation is superb, and full-force stops come with the sort of confidence you usually get from much heavier, faster machines. Combine that with large tyres and an inherently stable geometry, and the ROAM feels incredibly planted when you have to shed speed in a hurry.
The INMOTION AIR PRO takes a more pragmatic approach. The front drum plus rear regen system won't impress anyone on a spec sheet, but on the road it does the job smoothly and consistently. The logic that engages regen first, then brings in the drum, keeps the rear settled and reduces the risk of front-end drama if you panic-grab the lever. It doesn't have the sheer bite of the 8TEV setup, but for its speed range and typical use, it's more than adequate and wonderfully low-maintenance.
Lighting is another split. The Air Pro's headlight is legitimately useful for seeing the road at commuter speeds, not just being seen. On dark paths, it punches a proper tunnel of light ahead. The ROAM's integrated lighting is perfectly fine for visibility, but more "respectable commuter" than "mini searchlight". You'll see and be seen, but nighttime speed confidence is higher on the InMotion.
Weather protection is a closer call. The ROAM's high body water-resistance and fully sealed battery feel almost over-engineered for drizzle - you really can ride through nasty weather without that twinge of guilt. InMotion's IP strategy is nearly as serious: solid body protection and a properly sealed battery pack. Both scooters treat rain as an inconvenience, not an existential threat, but the 8TEV does feel built for British winters in a very literal sense.
Stability at speed? The ROAM's big-wheel geometry is hard to beat for outright calmness. The Air Pro, however, feels reassuringly solid for its size and still confidence-inspiring at top pace, provided you're not bouncing over broken tarmac.
Community Feedback
| 8TEV B12 ROAM | INMOTION AIR PRO |
|---|---|
|
What riders love Exceptionally smooth, "carvy" ride; very stable big-wheel feel; gorgeous maple deck and frame; powerful hydraulic brakes; strong weather protection; personal, responsive customer service. |
What riders love Surprisingly fast for the size; strong acceleration; very clean hidden-wire design; low-maintenance drum brake/solid rear combo; good water-proofing; reliable build from a trusted brand; great value for the speed. |
|
What riders complain about Noticeable throttle lag from standstill; audible motor whine; no real suspension for rough off-road; bulky folded size; high price for the performance; tiny display; no app; lack of an integrated lock. |
What riders complain about Harsh ride on bad roads; rear tyre grip and comfort in the wet; long charging time; folding latch feeling a bit "afterthought"; kick-start requirement annoyance; display visibility in bright sun; occasional deck scraping on tall curbs. |
Price & Value
This is where the conversation gets a bit uncomfortable for the 8TEV B12 ROAM. It sits in a price bracket more commonly associated with scooters that are either significantly faster, go dramatically further, or pack in chunky suspension hardware. What you're paying for with the ROAM is not raw performance but build, geometry, materials and that distinctly non-generic design.
If you're the kind of rider who gets genuine joy from that - who will stand in the hallway and admire the welds and the deck before every ride - you can absolutely justify it as a "buy once, enjoy for years" object. But if you're simply trying to maximise commuting performance per euro, the maths isn't kind. You can feel where the money went, but you don't always feel it at the throttle.
The INMOTION AIR PRO, by contrast, looks almost underpriced in context. For what many big brands would charge for a timid entry-level scooter, InMotion gives you proper grown-up speed, a punchy motor, good waterproofing, app integration and a well-sorted chassis from a serious PEV manufacturer. It undercuts many of its natural rivals on cost while matching or beating them on real-world pace.
Value isn't just about initial purchase - it's about how much scooter you feel you're getting every time you ride. On that metric, the Air Pro punches far above its ticket. The ROAM feels premium, but you do need to want the romance to ignore how much you paid for the poem.
Service & Parts Availability
8TEV is a smaller, more boutique operation, and it shows in a positive and a slightly worrying way. On the plus side, owners talk about dealing with real humans, often by name, and getting genuinely personal help with issues and spares. On the flip side, you are somewhat at the mercy of a smaller distribution network. Getting specific parts outside key markets can mean waiting a bit longer and relying more on the brand than on a dense network of third-party shops.
INMOTION, by contrast, is a known quantity globally. You get a wide distributor network, decent parts pipelines and a large enough user base that third-party repair centres actually know what you've just wheeled in. It's not as warm and fuzzy as emailing the founder, but if you're thinking about long-term ownership and hassle, that scale matters.
Both brands have good reputations overall; the difference is between "boutique garage that really cares" and "big manufacturer that has its processes sorted". As a commuter who doesn't enjoy downtime, I know which one makes me sleep better - even if it's a bit less romantic.
Pros & Cons Summary
| 8TEV B12 ROAM | INMOTION AIR PRO |
|---|---|
Pros
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Pros
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Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | 8TEV B12 ROAM | INMOTION AIR PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Motor power (rated / peak) | 250 W / 700 W front hub | 400 W / 750 W rear hub |
| Top speed | 34,9 km/h | 35 km/h |
| Battery | 48 V - 624 Wh | 36 V - 438 Wh |
| Claimed range | 42 km | 35-48 km |
| Realistic range (mixed use, approx.) | 30-35 km | 25-35 km |
| Weight | 18 kg | 17,7 kg |
| Brakes | Front & rear hydraulic discs | Front drum + rear electronic |
| Suspension | No suspension (flex deck + tyres) | No suspension (tyre cushioning only) |
| Tyres | 12" pneumatic, tubeless, both wheels | 10" front pneumatic, rear solid |
| Max load | 120 kg | 120 kg |
| Water resistance | IPX6 | IP55 body / IPX7 battery |
| Charging time | 6 h | 8,5 h |
| Folded dimensions (approx.) | 108 x 42 x 46 cm | 112,5 x 44,5 x 52 cm |
| Price (approx.) | 1.601 € | 661 € |
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
If money were no object and we all rode on patchy, weather-beaten roads, the 8TEV B12 ROAM would be an easy sell: it rides with a sophistication that most "commuter" scooters never get near, and it looks and feels genuinely special. Its calm stability, big-wheel comfort and braking performance make every trip feel composed and controlled.
But we don't buy scooters in a vacuum. Put the price tags back on, and the INMOTION AIR PRO simply makes more sense for far more people. It's faster to accelerate, just as quick at the top, nearly as capable on range, easier to carry, much cheaper to buy, and backed by a big ecosystem. You give up some comfort on bad roads and a bit of braking theatre; in exchange, you get a scooter that feels like a daily tool rather than a delicate indulgence.
If your commute involves nasty, broken tarmac and you're the sort who falls in love with crafted objects, the ROAM can absolutely be your forever scooter - as long as you're comfortable paying a premium for ride feel and design rather than outright performance. For everyone else - the majority of urban riders who want a quick, reliable, modern scooter that doesn't drain the bank account - the INMOTION AIR PRO is the smarter, more future-proof pick.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | 8TEV B12 ROAM | INMOTION AIR PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 0,0026 €/Wh | ✅ 0,0015 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 45,87 €/km/h | ✅ 18,89 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ✅ 28,85 g/Wh | ❌ 40,41 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ❌ 0,52 kg/km/h | ✅ 0,51 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 49,26 €/km | ✅ 22,03 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ✅ 0,55 kg/km | ❌ 0,59 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ❌ 19,2 Wh/km | ✅ 14,6 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ❌ 20,06 W/km/h | ✅ 21,43 W/km/h |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ❌ 0,026 kg/W | ✅ 0,024 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (Wh/h) | ✅ 104 Wh/h | ❌ 51,5 Wh/h |
These metrics strip away emotion and look purely at how efficiently each scooter turns money, mass, battery capacity and power into speed and range. Lower "per-something" numbers mean you're getting more result for less input, while the higher-is-better stats (power per unit speed and charging speed) show which scooter offers stronger punch and quicker refills for the hardware it carries.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | 8TEV B12 ROAM | INMOTION AIR PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ❌ Similar mass, bulkier | ✅ Slightly lighter, slimmer |
| Range | ✅ Bigger battery, more buffer | ❌ Less headroom flat-out |
| Max Speed | ❌ Feels a touch calmer | ✅ Holds top speed eagerly |
| Power | ❌ Softer, with throttle lag | ✅ Stronger, more immediate |
| Battery Size | ✅ Larger pack, more Wh | ❌ Smaller capacity overall |
| Suspension | ✅ Deck flex + big tyres | ❌ Tyres only, harsher rear |
| Design | ✅ Unique, beautiful, characterful | ❌ Clean but less special |
| Safety | ✅ Hydraulic brakes, big wheels | ❌ Good, but less ultimate |
| Practicality | ❌ Bulky, harder multi-modal | ✅ Folds slimmer, easy living |
| Comfort | ✅ Much kinder on rough roads | ❌ Firm, rear quite harsh |
| Features | ❌ No app, basic display | ✅ App, smarter integration |
| Serviceability | ✅ Straightforward, bike-like parts | ❌ More proprietary elements |
| Customer Support | ✅ Very personal, engaged | ✅ Wide network, established |
| Fun Factor | ✅ Carvy, surf-style cruising | ✅ Zippy, hot-hatch energy |
| Build Quality | ✅ Over-engineered frame, welds | ✅ Solid, refined assembly |
| Component Quality | ✅ Brakes, bearings, deck premium | ❌ Sensible, but less fancy |
| Brand Name | ❌ Smaller, niche recognition | ✅ Big, widely respected |
| Community | ❌ Smaller, enthusiast pocket | ✅ Larger, active user base |
| Lights (visibility) | ❌ Adequate, nothing special | ✅ Strong headlight performance |
| Lights (illumination) | ❌ More "be seen" focused | ✅ Better road illumination |
| Acceleration | ❌ Throttle delay dulls punch | ✅ Immediate, satisfying surge |
| Arrive with smile factor | ✅ Carving, big-wheel grin | ✅ Speedy, lightweight buzz |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ✅ Very chilled, low fatigue | ❌ Can be tiring on rough |
| Charging speed | ✅ Faster for battery size | ❌ Slower overnight refill |
| Reliability | ✅ Robust chassis, sealed parts | ✅ Proven platform, low-fuss |
| Folded practicality | ❌ Long, awkward indoors | ✅ Compact enough for trains |
| Ease of transport | ❌ Big wheels, tricky carry | ✅ One-hand carry realistic |
| Handling | ✅ Stable, confidence-boosting | ✅ Agile, responsive steering |
| Braking performance | ✅ Strong hydraulic stopping | ❌ Good, but less powerful |
| Riding position | ✅ Wide deck, natural stance | ❌ Narrower, a bit sportier |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ Nice sweep, comfy grips | ✅ Solid, appropriate width |
| Throttle response | ❌ Noticeable lag from stop | ✅ Crisp, predictable mapping |
| Dashboard / Display | ❌ Small, basic information | ✅ Modern, app-complemented |
| Security (locking) | ❌ No integrated solutions | ✅ App lock, easy cabling |
| Weather protection | ✅ Excellent sealing, all-weather | ✅ Very good, battery superb |
| Resale value | ❌ Niche, smaller buyer pool | ✅ Strong brand helps resale |
| Tuning potential | ❌ Controller, motor conservative | ❌ Not really tuning-oriented |
| Ease of maintenance | ✅ Standard parts, mechanical | ✅ Few flats, simple brakes |
| Value for Money | ❌ Pricey for contained speed | ✅ Outstanding speed per euro |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the 8TEV B12 ROAM scores 3 points against the INMOTION AIR PRO's 7. In the Author's Category Battle, the 8TEV B12 ROAM gets 21 ✅ versus 26 ✅ for INMOTION AIR PRO (with a few ties sprinkled in).
Totals: 8TEV B12 ROAM scores 24, INMOTION AIR PRO scores 33.
Based on the scoring, the INMOTION AIR PRO is our overall winner. For me, the INMOTION AIR PRO is the scooter that simply makes more sense in real life: it's quick, modern, easy to live with and doesn't demand a luxury budget to deliver genuinely fun, fast commutes. The 8TEV B12 ROAM is lovely to ride and even lovelier to look at, but it feels like a heart purchase in a category where the head - and your wallet - strongly favour the InMotion. If you fall in love with the ROAM's carving, big-wheel charm, nothing else will quite scratch that itch. But if you just want a scooter that works hard every day, keeps you ahead of traffic and doesn't ask for drama or debt, the AIR PRO is the one you'll still be happy with two winters from now.
That's our verdict when we try to stay objective – but hey, riding is mostly about emotions anyway, so pick the one that will make you look forward to your commute every single day.