INMOTION S1F vs APOLLO Explore 20 - Which "Comfort Cruiser" Actually Deserves Your Money?

Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)

The INMOTION S1F takes the overall win as the more sensible, commuter-focused package: better real-world range, lighter weight, and friendlier day-to-day usability make it the easier scooter to live with, especially if you actually need to go far, not just fast for a bit. The APOLLO Explore 20 fights back with stronger punch off the line, a more sophisticated suspension feel, and higher weather protection, but you pay for that in weight and efficiency. Choose the S1F if you prioritise long, worry-free commutes and practicality; pick the Explore 20 if you want a comfier, more "premium-feeling" ride and don't mind hauling a heavier scooter with slightly shorter legs. Stick around for the full breakdown before you drop several hundred euro on a mistake you'll have to carry up the stairs.

Now let's dig into how these two behave when the road gets rough, the battery bar shrinks, and reality hits harder than any marketing brochure.

Electric scooter brands love to promise "car replacement" status, but most mid-range models quietly run out of breath long before your actual day is done. The INMOTION S1F and APOLLO Explore 20 both try to be the exception-comfortable, long-legged commuter machines with proper suspension, big batteries, and the looks to match.

I've spent enough kilometres on both to know where the brochures start lying and the metal starts telling the truth. One of these scooters is the long-range workhorse that just gets on with it; the other is the plush "techy" option that feels great under you, but asks a few more compromises than its price tag really should.

If you're torn between them because "on paper they look similar", keep reading-that illusion doesn't survive the first week of real commuting.

Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?

Both the INMOTION S1F and APOLLO Explore 20 sit in the mid-priced, serious-commuter segment: not rental-clone toys, not 35 kg dual-motor missiles either. Think proper daily vehicles for adults who actually need to be somewhere on time, preferably with their spine still intact.

They share a similar headline top speed, generous batteries, proper suspension and full lighting packages. Both target riders doing more than just a quick hop to the bakery-commutes in the 10-20 km range each way, possibly with some hills and dodgy city surfaces thrown in. Both brands also pitch them as "car-replacement lite": long-range, all-weather city cruisers.

So they're absolutely direct competitors. The S1F leans more toward distance and practicality; the Explore 20 leans into refined ride feel, app integration and "premium" touches. Same class, different priorities. Your job is to know which priorities match your life; mine is to tell you where the trade-offs actually land once the novelty wears off.

Design & Build Quality

Pick up the INMOTION S1F and what stands out is its "solid but utilitarian" vibe. The frame is a chunky aluminium affair that feels like it was designed by someone who commutes, not someone who needed a new Instagram post. Cables are reasonably hidden, the tall stem looks purposeful, and the deck is a huge, rubberised slab that says "stand anywhere you like, you'll fit". It's not delicate, it's not boutique - it's more appliance than art piece, in a good, slightly boring way.

The APOLLO Explore 20, on the other hand, clearly spent more time in the design studio. The tubular frame wrapping the deck gives it a distinctive, almost motorcycle-like silhouette. Internally routed cabling, black-and-orange accents, and that high-mounted stem light make it look more expensive than it actually is. The folding latch is big, industrial and reassuringly overbuilt; when locked, the stem feels like a fixed frame.

In the hands, the Apollo feels denser and more "engineered", while the INMOTION feels straightforward and functional. The S1F's plastics and finishing are decent but a touch more "consumer electronics"; the Explore's cockpit, with its dot-matrix display and well-shaped grips, feels more polished-though the display can still wash out under harsh sun, so it's premium in look more than perfection in practice.

If you like your scooter to look like a finished product from a design-led company, the Explore 20 has the edge. If you care more that everything feels tight, rattle-free and ready for abuse, both are good-but the S1F does it with less drama and, frankly, fewer things to worry about breaking.

Ride Comfort & Handling

Both of these are "plush city cruisers", but they prioritise comfort slightly differently.

The INMOTION S1F has a traditional dual-spring setup front and rear, paired with chunky tubeless tyres. The suspension is tuned on the soft side: cruise down a patched-up urban street and it genuinely soaks up the little chatter. Hit cobblestones or those lovely "temporary" roadworks that have been there for two years, and the S1F doesn't beat you up. You float more than you dance. At higher speeds it can feel a bit boat-like over big undulations - you feel that long wheelbase gently porpoising if you really provoke it - but never in a scary way.

The APOLLO Explore 20's triple-spring arrangement feels a bit more sophisticated out of the box. It handles sharp hits - pothole edges, raised manhole covers - with a more controlled thud and less after-bounce. It's still comfortable, but there's a sense that it's managing weight transfer more gracefully. Combined with the self-healing tubeless tyres, it feels like the scooter wants you to stop worrying about the next crack in the road and pay attention to traffic instead, which is exactly what good suspension should do.

Handling-wise, the S1F's long deck and tall stem give it a very stable, almost lazy steering feel. It's planted and confidence-inspiring in straight lines and sweeping curves, less eager to dart around. That's brilliant for relaxed commuting and for heavier riders, but if you like to thread gaps aggressively, it feels more limousine than sports hatchback.

The Explore 20 feels more compact under you and reacts quicker to steering input. Not twitchy, but more eager to turn. Stand with your rear foot braced against the kick plate and it starts to feel almost sporty for a single-motor commuter. Long rides are easy on both, but the Apollo's deck geometry and kick plate make it more natural to shift weight for braking and cornering.

Comfort crown? Slight nod to the Apollo for its better-controlled suspension and ergonomics. But if you prefer a very relaxed, sofa-like ride with lots of deck room, the S1F is hardly suffering.

Performance

On paper, the APOLLO Explore 20 has the stronger heart: a motor with more nominal and peak output, driven by a smart controller. In practice, you feel that advantage every time you twist your thumb.

The Explore 20 launches with noticeably more urgency than the INMOTION S1F. From traffic lights up to typical city speeds, it has that satisfying surge that lets you clear the box ahead of cars without drama. Ludo mode in particular wakes the scooter up; you won't mistake it for a dual-motor beast, but you also won't be staring at the speedo wondering when it's going to get going.

The S1F is tuned for smoothness and predictability rather than fireworks. It pulls cleanly off the line and keeps building speed in a linear, unhurried way. For commuting, that's honestly fine; you're not trying to win drag races against delivery bikes. Where it surprises is on hills: that torquey rear motor and sensible gearing give it more climbing capability than the raw wattage suggests, especially for heavier riders. It doesn't sprint uphill, but it also doesn't give up easily and force you into the shameful push.

Both top out around the same indicated speed, which is more than enough for bike lanes and city roads where you value survival over bragging rights. At those higher speeds, the Apollo feels a bit more planted when you change lines or dodge a pothole last second, thanks to its more controlled suspension and stiffer chassis. The INMOTION feels stable too, but you're more aware you're on a tall, long scooter; abrupt inputs feel a touch slower to settle.

Braking is where their philosophies are clearest. The S1F uses a hybrid system: regen at the rear plus a front drum. The result is gentle, progressive deceleration that's hard to mess up. Grab a fistful and you slow quickly enough, but it never feels like it's trying to catapult you over the bars. You adapt to the regen-first feel after a day or two.

The Explore 20 doubles down on drums plus a dedicated regen throttle. Once you get used to that left thumb lever, you end up doing most of your slowing with it and only calling on the drums when you really have to stop in a hurry. It's a clever system and feels slick... as long as you remember which lever does what in a panic. Pure stopping power is adequate on both; neither matches a good hydraulic setup, but for the speeds involved, they're appropriate.

If you crave stronger acceleration and a more energetic feel, the Apollo is the livelier partner. If you want smooth, predictable and "good enough" without surprises, the S1F does the job with less fanfare.

Battery & Range

This is where the spec sheets whisper sweet nothings, and the real world smacks you with a bus timetable.

The INMOTION S1F packs a slightly larger battery and, more importantly, uses it very efficiently. In actual city riding-with starts, stops, some hills, and a rider who doesn't baby the throttle-it comfortably outlasts the Explore 20. We're not talking a marginal difference; the S1F stretches noticeably further before you start watching the battery percentage like a hawk. It's one of those scooters where you finish a typical commuting day and still have enough juice left to detour for dinner without a calculator in hand.

The Explore 20's battery is only a touch smaller on paper, but in practice its stronger motor and punchier tuning nibble through the capacity faster. Ride it like it tempts you to - brisk acceleration, higher cruising speed - and your usable range drops into the "adequate but not generous" zone. For most single-leg commutes in the 10-15 km bracket, you'll be fine; but if you stack errands or like long weekend rides, you notice the shorter leash compared with the INMOTION.

Both charge in roughly the same overnight ballpark with standard chargers. The S1F's dual charging ports are a nice touch: if you invest in a second charger, you can realistically refill a big chunk of its battery over a long lunch. Apollo offers fast-charging too, but via an optional high-speed charger rather than dual-port convenience.

Range anxiety? On the S1F it's mostly gone, unless you really abuse Sport mode all day. On the Explore 20, you do need to keep half an eye on what you're asking from it if you're stringing several rides together.

Portability & Practicality

Neither of these is a featherweight you casually sling onto a crowded metro, but the differences still matter when you're the one doing the carrying.

The INMOTION S1F sits in the mid-20 kg range. That's solid but still just about in the "I can haul this up a few steps without swearing" category for most adults. The fold is straightforward and secure, but the tall non-telescopic stem and fixed-width bars mean that, when folded, it's long and a bit awkward in tight spaces. It'll go into a decent-sized car boot, but super-compact cars may need seats dropped.

The APOLLO Explore 20 is a clear step heavier. You feel that extra mass the moment you try to carry it more than a few metres. The robust folding joint and tubular frame don't come for free; they add weight. Add in non-folding handlebars and you end up with a scooter that's not only heavier but also occupies more width when stowed. If you've got a lift at home and space at work, fine. If you've got stairs or a narrow hallway, you'll get sick of wrestling it quickly.

In day-to-day use, the S1F is simply easier to live with off the road. Its weight is still enough to discourage unnecessary lifting, but it's on the manageable side of "serious commuter". The Explore 20 edges into "hope you really love that suspension" territory every time you have to carry it.

Safety

Both scooters take safety more seriously than the typical budget commuter, especially in terms of visibility and wet-weather confidence, but with different emphasis.

The INMOTION S1F's lighting is genuinely excellent. The high-mounted headlight actually throws light where you need it-down the road, not just on your front tyre. Add in the side deck lighting and, crucially, the automatic turn signals that trigger as you lean or turn, and you end up with a scooter that communicates your intentions better than many cyclists do. You keep both hands planted on the bars and the scooter does the signalling for you-no fiddly buttons at busy junctions.

The APOLLO Explore 20 counters with probably the best overall visibility package in this class. The stem "beam" light sits high and wide, very visible to car drivers, and the array of deck lights, rear light and turn signals gives you proper 360° presence. In snarled-up evening traffic and miserable rain, the Apollo is one of those scooters that's hard to overlook, even if drivers try.

Braking safety is pretty even: both opt for sealed drum systems plus regen rather than exposed discs. That means less performance variation in the wet, less maintenance, and fewer chances to bend a rotor while parking poorly. The Apollo's dedicated regen throttle gives you finer control, but it does add a layer of "remember which control does what" to emergency situations. The S1F's single lever controlling both regen and drum in a blended way is simpler to master for casual riders.

Water resistance is an area where the Apollo clearly edges ahead, at least on paper, with its higher rating. It's more comfortable being ridden in sustained wet conditions, while the S1F's protection is good enough for rain and splashes but not something I'd abuse day after day. Both tyres are tubeless, which not only helps safety (slow leaks instead of instant flats) but also avoids roadside tyre-change circus acts in traffic.

Overall, visibility medal goes to the Apollo, simplicity medal to the INMOTION. For a newer or more anxious rider, I slightly prefer the S1F's "grab one brake, everything just happens" approach; for confident riders in grim weather, the Apollo's lighting and sealing are very reassuring.

Community Feedback

Price & Value

Both scooters live in roughly the same price band, with the Apollo typically coming in a touch cheaper on sticker price. The question is what you get for that money, and what you quietly give up.

The INMOTION S1F gives you more real-world range, slightly less weight to haul around, and a spec sheet that, while not glamorous, covers all core commuter needs: proper suspension, good lighting, big deck, strong enough motor, decent water resistance. It feels like value via usefulness rather than via flashy components. Over time, the longer range and modest weight penalty make it easier and cheaper to run if you genuinely replace public transport or short car journeys with it.

The APOLLO Explore 20 asks you to pay for refinement: that more sophisticated controller, better suspension tuning, higher water sealing, self-healing tyres, and slick app ecosystem. All of that is nice-and for some riders, fully worth it-but it comes bolted to a heavier frame and a battery that doesn't actually take you further, despite the marketing gloss. In simple terms, you get more ride polish per euro, less kilometre per euro.

If your priority is maximising distance and day-to-day practicality for every euro spent, the INMOTION edges ahead. If you value ride quality, tuning options and "premium feel" more than squeezing every last kilometre out of the battery, the Apollo makes a stronger case-just be honest with yourself about what you'll actually notice after the first month.

Service & Parts Availability

INMOTION has built a decent reputation in Europe thanks to its electric unicycle heritage. That means a reasonably mature distributor network, acceptable spare part availability, and a brand that actually cares about firmware and app updates. You won't get white-glove treatment, but for the price bracket, support is solidly above average.

Apollo has been loudly investing in support infrastructure and now maintains service partners and parts hubs in multiple regions. They also push frequent firmware updates and app improvements. That said, being more software-heavy and brand-specific means you're a bit more tied into Apollo's ecosystem for certain components and diagnostics. When everything works, that's fantastic; when something goes wrong out of warranty, it can feel a bit more proprietary than the simpler INMOTION.

In practice, both are serviceable choices for European riders, with a slight edge to INMOTION for straightforward, less exotic hardware, and a slight edge to Apollo if you value active app-driven development and are happy to stay within the brand's ecosystem.

Pros & Cons Summary

Parameters Comparison

Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?

If you stripped away the logos and just asked, "Which one would I want to rely on for my actual commute, week in, week out?", I'd still land on the INMOTION S1F. It's not the most exciting scooter I've ever ridden, but it's honest. It goes further on a charge, weighs a bit less, carries heavier riders without fuss, and demands fewer awkward compromises when you're not riding it. It's the sort of scooter you end up trusting, even if you never quite fall in love with it.

The APOLLO Explore 20 is more charming in some ways. The suspension is better sorted, the acceleration more satisfying, the lighting and weather protection genuinely excellent, and the app side of things is miles ahead. But that all rides on top of a heavier frame and a battery that doesn't really deliver the kind of real-world range the "all-terrain adventurer" marketing suggests. If your riding is mostly shorter, and you value feel and finesse over maximum practicality, it can still be the more enjoyable daily partner-provided you never have to carry it far.

So: distance-first commuters, heavier riders, and anyone replacing a lot of public transport will be better served by the S1F. Riders with shorter, punchier urban hops who obsess more over ride quality and tech features than raw practicality will appreciate the Explore 20. Just be sure you're buying for your real life, not just for the nicer spec sheet and app screenshots.

Numbers Freaks Corner

These metrics tell you how efficiently each scooter turns money, weight, and battery capacity into speed and range. Lower "price per Wh" and "price per km" are about pure value; weight-related metrics show how much scooter you're lugging around for the performance you get; efficiency (Wh/km) reflects how gently the scooter sips power in actual use. Power-to-speed and weight-to-power numbers highlight the Apollo's stronger motor, while charging speed and range-linked metrics emphasise how much further and cheaper the INMOTION goes per charge.

Author's Category Battle

Overall Winner Declaration

In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the INMOTION S1F scores 7 points against the APOLLO Explore 20's 3. In the Author's Category Battle, the INMOTION S1F gets 28 ✅ versus 29 ✅ for APOLLO Explore 20 (with a few ties sprinkled in).

Totals: INMOTION S1F scores 35, APOLLO Explore 20 scores 32.

Based on the scoring, the INMOTION S1F is our overall winner. Between these two, the INMOTION S1F ultimately feels like the scooter that quietly has your back - it may not be the flashiest date at the party, but it's the one that will still be there, unfussed, on a rainy Tuesday morning when you're late for work. The APOLLO Explore 20 is more charismatic and more entertaining to ride, yet its extra weight and shorter leash chip away at the romance once the novelty fades. If you care most about getting further with less hassle, the S1F is the more complete, better-balanced companion. If your heart pulls you towards the Apollo's polish and punch, just make sure your daily reality - stairs, distance and all - agrees with your heart before you swipe the card.

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.