Fast Answer for Busy Riders ⚡ (TL;DR)
The JOYOR Y8S-ABE takes the overall win here: for the money, its monster battery, excellent comfort and ridiculous real-world range simply out-muscle the IO HAWK Legend's more refined but pricey package. If you want a long-range workhorse to replace bus or car, and you can live with the weight and basic looks, the Joyor is the more rational purchase.
The IO HAWK Legend, on the other hand, makes more sense if you value a more sophisticated chassis, better lighting, nicer cockpit and a more "premium toy/vehicle" feel, and you're willing to pay a lot extra for that polish and German-brand ecosystem. It's also the better choice if top-tier lighting and handling on rough stuff matter more to you than absolute range per euro.
If your budget is tight and your commute is long, lean Joyor. If your budget is looser and you want something that feels more engineered and special, the Legend still has its charm.
Stick around for the full breakdown - the spec sheets only tell half the story, and the riding experience makes the real difference.
Electric scooters have grown up. What used to be flimsy toys for the last kilometre have turned into serious daily vehicles that can replace cars for a lot of people. The IO HAWK Legend and JOYOR Y8S-ABE both try to be exactly that: full-fat, German-legal, suspension-equipped machines you actually live with, not just play with.
On one side, the IO HAWK Legend: a Kaabo Mantis in a business suit, dressed up for the strict German ABE classroom. It's the scooter for riders who want a proper chassis, serious lights and a bit of enthusiast flair - essentially a "fun machine forced to behave".
On the other side, the JOYOR Y8S-ABE: the battery with wheels. It's built for people who care more about getting to work and back all week on a single charge than about how pretty the stem clamp is. Think station wagon, not sports coupé.
Both promise comfort, range and legality - but they get there in very different ways, with some compromises that only show up after a few hundred kilometres. Let's dig in.
Who Are These For, and Why Compare Them?
Both scooters sit in the "serious commuter" class: full suspension, large pneumatic tyres, legal top speed, proper brakes and frames that don't cry when they see cobblestones. And both carry the coveted German road approval (ABE/eKFV), which massively narrows the field.
The IO HAWK Legend aims at riders who want a premium-feeling, German-branded scooter with enthusiast cred. It's firmly in the upper mid-price bracket, edging toward "I could have bought a decent used bicycle or moped for that" territory. You pay for the Kaabo roots, the Kellermann lights, and the sense that it's been tuned for European roads rather than just imported.
The JOYOR Y8S-ABE undercuts it hard on price while offering more battery than many scooters twice as expensive. It's built for long-range commuters and delivery riders who think in hours of riding, not in café-hopping segments. Same legal speed cap, similarly heavy and similarly "grown-up" - which makes this a very fair fight.
In short: if you're shopping for a German-legal, big-scooter feel with suspension and proper range, these two will end up on the same shortlist - even though they come from totally different philosophies.
Design & Build Quality
Pick up the IO HAWK Legend (or rather, try to) and the Kaabo DNA is obvious. The swingarms, the chunky aluminium frame, the wide deck and the industrial stance all scream "performance chassis turned down to behave nicely". It feels like a performance scooter that's been electronically neutered, not a commuter that's been overbuilt. The finishing is decent: anodised colours, neatly integrated Kellermann indicators, and a cockpit that looks like it belongs on a serious piece of kit.
The folding mechanism on the Legend is a solid clamp-and-pin affair. Once dialled in, the stem feels reassuringly rigid at speed, with that "one-piece" sensation you want when you hit a pothole at full legal pace. Out of the box it can be stubborn and needs some hand strength and occasional adjustment, but at least it errs on the side of "too tight" rather than "wobbly and terrifying". Cable routing is on the visible side, but nothing unusual for a Mantis-based frame.
The Joyor Y8S-ABE, by contrast, feels more like a purpose-built appliance. The frame is sturdy, but there's less drama in the design: a big boxy battery deck, exposed springs and a standard trigger-throttle display that you've probably seen on half the Chinese catalogue. The folding system is again an old-school lever-and-pin setup - robust more than elegant. Handlebars fold too, which helps storage, though the whole thing still has an unmistakable "this is a big lump of scooter" aura.
Where the Legend feels like a tuned platform that's been refined for a particular market, the Y8S feels like a parts-bin workhorse built to a budget. The Joyor doesn't rattle like a cheap toy, but details like busy cable spaghetti around the stem and a generic dashboard remind you where corners were cut. Both are solid enough; only one feels like it was styled with passion.
In the hand, the Legend gives off a more premium impression - nicer materials, more integrated lighting, more thought-out ergonomics. The Joyor feels honest but pragmatic: "you paid for battery and range, not for milled clamps and custom displays". And, to be fair, that's exactly what you get.
Ride Comfort & Handling
Comfort is where both scooters actually deliver - albeit with different flavours.
The IO HAWK Legend inherits Kaabo's C-type suspension, with proper swingarms and spring units front and rear. Combined with big pneumatic tyres, it glides over cobblestones and broken cycle paths with surprising indifference. It has that "flying carpet but still connected" feel: you still sense the road surface, but the sharp edges are rounded off before they abuse your knees. The wide deck and rear kickplate let you adopt a staggered stance, brace properly under braking and shift weight in corners. It genuinely rides like a shrunken motorbike chassis that's been slowed down.
Handling on the Legend is confident and agile. The wide bars give good leverage, and the geometry - intended to cope with far higher speeds in non-limited variants - feels overkill at twenty-ish. That's a compliment. Sudden swerves around delivery vans or weaving around pedestrians feel controlled rather than twitchy.
The JOYOR Y8S-ABE plays the comfort game differently, but very effectively. Dual suspension - springs up front and a more sophisticated rear setup - plus large air-filled tyres give it a plush, slightly floaty ride. On long, rough stretches the Joyor can actually feel softer than the IO HAWK, especially on repeated small bumps and seams. Old-town paving stones, expansion joints, cracked tarmac - the Y8S just eats them, with the deck staying surprisingly unbothered.
However, in handling feel, the Joyor is more cruiser than carver. The geometry and weight distribution are tuned for stability at the legal limit, not for playful slalom antics. Steering is slower, the front end a bit heavier, and the whole package invites relaxed, straight-line cruising more than tight urban flicking. On longer rides that's actually quite pleasant; on tight city routes, the Legend feels more precise and confidence-inspiring when you start to push.
After a dozen kilometres of rough city riding, both leave your joints far happier than stiff, budget commuters. The Legend feels a bit more controlled and "sporty comfortable"; the Joyor goes all-in on plushness, sometimes at the expense of lively handling and silence (you may occasionally hear a clunk or squeak from the front if it's not perfectly greased).
Performance
Both scooters are locked to the same modest legal top speed. That means the game isn't about how fast they go, but how they get there - and how they behave on hills and under load.
The IO HAWK Legend's party trick is its geared motor. On paper the rating looks ordinary, but on the road it punches well above what you'd expect from that number. The first few metres off the line have a satisfying shove: it doesn't yank your arms, but it absolutely doesn't feel anaemic. Even with a heavier rider and a backpack, it reaches its limited speed briskly and holds it with an almost stubborn insistence, even into headwinds or mild inclines.
That geared drive also gives the Legend its "tractor" character on hills. It doesn't sprint up like a dual-motor beast, but it keeps grinding where many hub-motor commuters slow to an embarrassing crawl. On steep city ramps and longer climbs, it just chugs along with that slightly industrial whine - not silent, but reassuringly mechanical. Acceleration settings let you choose between gentle and quite eager throttle response, which is handy if you're new to torquier scooters.
The Joyor Y8S-ABE uses a more conventional brushless hub motor, again nominally in the same power class with a healthy peak. Off the line it feels a little softer than the geared IO HAWK, but still worlds better than the underpowered rental-style scooters. It builds speed smoothly rather than pouncing, and then sits at the legal cap with a "diesel-like" calm. On flat ground it feels adequate; you won't be left behind by city traffic in the bike lane, but you're not getting any adrenaline kicks either.
On hills the Joyor holds its own up to moderate gradients. For average-weight riders it climbs everyday inclines without drama, only really protesting on steeper, longer sections - especially if you're on the heavier side. Compared directly, the Legend has a touch more grunt and maintains speed better when gravity is against you.
Braking performance on both is solid, though not flawless. The Legend's mechanical discs combined with eABS and regen give strong, controllable stops once properly adjusted. Modulation is decent and thanks to the chassis and tyres, you feel confident leaning on them hard. The JOYOR's dual mechanical discs are powerful but a bit less refined: several riders mention a very grabby front brake that demands some practice to avoid unintentional nose-dive moments in panic grabs. Both will stop you fast; the Legend just feels a bit more sophisticated and predictable doing it.
Battery & Range
This is where the Joyor walks in, drops its battery on the table and quietly asks if anyone else wants to try.
The IO HAWK Legend's pack is already generous by commuter standards. In real life, you can comfortably ride most of a day around town - think a couple of longer trips and some detours - without nursing the throttle, and still roll home with charge left. With a moderately sensible riding style, fifty-ish kilometres are genuinely achievable, which covers most people's weekly commuting needs with mid-week top-ups.
The Joyor Y8S-ABE, however, plays in a different league. Its battery capacity is roughly half again as large, edging into territory usually reserved for much pricier performance scooters. That translates into real-world ranges many scooters only manage on their marketing brochures. Riders report week-long commuting on a single charge, or doing delivery shifts of several hours with power to spare. Even heavier riders blasting around at full legal speed talk about distances where your legs give up before the battery does.
Range anxiety on the Joyor is basically replaced by "oh, right, I should probably charge this at some point". On the Legend you're still very comfortable, but you'll know roughly when you need a wall socket.
There is a flip side. The Legend, with its smaller pack, charges in a reasonable night's sleep with the standard charger, and the dual charging ports let impatient riders cut that down further with a second unit. The Joyor's huge tank takes far longer to refill with its basic charger - we're talking overnight plus some if you run it near empty. You don't need to do that often, but when you forget to plug in, you'll pay for it.
In pure efficiency terms, the Joyor does well: for the weight and class, its "Wh per kilometre" is very competitive. But the headline remains: if distance is your obsession, the JOYOR is the range monster; the IO HAWK is "more than enough for normal humans".
Portability & Practicality
Neither of these is a featherweight, toss-it-on-the-train scooter. If your commute involves three flights of stairs and a sprint through a crowded station every day, look elsewhere.
The IO HAWK Legend is already a serious lump. Carrying it up one flight occasionally is doable; anything more and you'll start questioning your life choices. The folding mechanism is secure but not particularly quick, and while it fits in a typical hatchback boot, you're not exactly doing elegant one-handed lifts. Weight-wise, it's on the limit of what most people will consider "just about manageable" for short carrying stints.
The JOYOR Y8S-ABE pushes that even further. It's heavier again, and somehow feels every bit of it when you try to carry it more than a few metres. The folding handlebars help it shrink in width, so stowing it behind a door or in a car is not as bad as its size suggests, but lifting? That's gym workout territory. Without an elevator or ground-level storage, it quickly goes from "practical long-range commuter" to "immovable object in the hallway".
On the day-to-day practicality front, both offer sensible features: sturdy kickstands, high load capacity for heavier riders or cargo, and USB ports on the display for topping up a phone or navigation device. The Legend adds higher-end touches like the integrated Kellermann blinkers and a more sophisticated cockpit, while the Joyor counters with far fewer charging stops and handlebars that fold to reduce its parking footprint.
In short: for portability, they're both bad - the Legend is "heavy but just about civilised", the Joyor is "hope you've got a lift". For practicality as a car replacement, the Joyor's range gives it the edge, provided your building doesn't require mountaineering.
Safety
Both scooters tick the regulatory boxes - lights, reflectors, ABE approval - but the way they handle safety in the real world is quite different.
The IO HAWK Legend stands out immediately for its lighting. Those Kellermann indicators are frankly overkill in the best possible way: bright, motorcycle-grade units integrated cleanly at the bar-ends and rear. Being able to signal turns without taking a hand off the bars is a genuine safety advantage in city traffic, especially on rough surfaces or when you're braking into a junction. The main headlight is strong enough for real night riding, letting you read the road rather than just announcing your presence.
The JOYOR Y8S-ABE comes with integrated head- and tail-lights plus, on newer batches, indicators. They are perfectly adequate for lit urban environments, but don't quite reach the "mini-motorcycle" level of the IO HAWK package. For regular night use on unlit paths, most riders will want to add a secondary beam on the Joyor; on the Legend, the stock setup is much closer to "fit and forget".
Braking-wise, both have twin mechanical discs. As mentioned earlier, the Legend's setup, helped by eABS and regen, feels more refined in modulation. The Joyor's brakes are strong, but the front can be too sharp for inexperienced riders, especially when combined with its softer suspension diving under hard braking. It's nothing a bit of practice and maybe a cable adjustment can't fix, but it's worth respecting.
Tyre grip and stability are good on both thanks to the 10-inch pneumatic rubber and stiff frames. The Legend feels a touch more planted in quick direction changes and emergency manoeuvres; the Joyor feels rock-solid in straight-line cruising and at full legal pace, helped by its extra mass. In bad weather, both are "use with common sense": decent fenders, but not full all-weather touring bikes. The Legend's rear mudguard could do a better job of stopping spray, the Joyor's bulk helps stability in gusty winds but doesn't make it magically waterproof.
Overall, the IO HAWK wins clearly on visibility and braking sophistication, the Joyor on sheer stability through weight and calm handling. Both are a major step up in safety from flimsy, no-suspension commuters, but one obviously put more budget into lighting and signalling than the other.
Community Feedback
| IO HAWK Legend | JOYOR Y8S-ABE |
|---|---|
What riders love
|
What riders love
|
What riders complain about
|
What riders complain about
|
Price & Value
This is where the two scooters live on different planets.
The IO HAWK Legend sits comfortably in "premium German legal" territory. You pay a four-digit sum for a single-motor, 20 km/h scooter. For that money, you get a strong chassis, very good suspension, branded indicators, a decent battery, dual charging and the comfort of dealing with a known German brand. You also pay a "regulation and support" tax: the same basic platform in non-legal trim elsewhere in the world offers far more speed for similar money.
The JOYOR Y8S-ABE, by contrast, is almost shockingly cheap for the amount of battery and hardware bolted under you. Its street price lives closer to entry- and mid-level commuters, yet its range and comfort flirt with more expensive tourers. You notice that the finishing and design niceties lag behind, and yes, the display and cabling smell a bit of cost-cutting - but when you look at how far it rides per euro, that's exactly what most owners signed up for.
If you value polish, brand aura, premium lights and "feels like a hobby-grade machine I can tinker with", the Legend can justify its price - just about. If your priority is pure transportation value - kilometres per charge and euros per Wh - the Joyor simply steamrollers it. You give up some finesse and sex appeal, but your wallet will barely notice the hit.
Service & Parts Availability
Both brands have a proper presence in Europe, which is already a huge step above faceless marketplace specials.
IO HAWK operates out of Germany, with a local footprint, events and a vocal community. Parts availability for the Legend is generally good, helped by the Kaabo ecosystem - a lot of components are shared with widely sold models. However, owner reports on customer service are mixed: some glowing experiences, some frustration about delays or communication during busy periods. It's not a disaster, but it's not the gold standard either.
JOYOR, with a European base in Spain and a strong dealer network, leans on a different strength: standardised parts. Controllers, tyres, brake components - a lot of it is generic scooter hardware any half-competent workshop can source and replace. Buy through a decent dealer and support is usually fine; buy from a random online seller and it's a lottery, as always. Community feedback paints Joyor as "workmanlike reliable" rather than ultra-responsive hand-holding.
In practice, the Legend benefits from a passionate brand ecosystem and specialist knowledge, while the Joyor benefits from being simple and widely supported in parts. Neither is unfixable; neither gives you smartphone-level after-sales luxury.
Pros & Cons Summary
| IO HAWK Legend | JOYOR Y8S-ABE |
|---|---|
Pros
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
Cons
|
Parameters Comparison
| Parameter | IO HAWK Legend | JOYOR Y8S-ABE |
|---|---|---|
| Rated motor power | 500 W geared rear motor | 500 W brushless rear hub |
| Top speed (legal) | 20 km/h (DE-limited) | 20 km/h (ABE-locked) |
| Real-world range (approx.) | 50-60 km | 70-80 km (50-60 km heavy riders) |
| Battery energy | ca. 874 Wh (48 V / 18,2 Ah) | ca. 1.248 Wh (48 V / 26 Ah) |
| Weight | 24,3 kg | 26 kg |
| Brakes | Front & rear mechanical disc + eABS / regen | Front & rear mechanical disc |
| Suspension | Front & rear spring (C-type swingarms) | Dual front springs, dual rear hydraulic/spring |
| Tyres | 10" pneumatic (street or off-road) | 10" pneumatic |
| Max load | 120 kg | 120 kg |
| IP rating | Not clearly specified (basic splash resistance) | Not clearly specified (basic splash resistance) |
| Charging time (standard charger) | ca. 6-8 h (3-4 h dual chargers) | ca. 13-14 h |
| Approx. price | ca. 1.374 € | ca. 513 € |
Final Verdict - Which Should You Choose?
If money were no object and we were only judging by "how nice does this feel as a machine", the IO HAWK Legend would be an easy recommendation. Its chassis, lighting and overall riding manners clearly belong to a more enthusiast-focused world. It's the scooter you look back at when you lock it up; it feels engineered, not just assembled, and it tackles rough city terrain with a certain smug ease.
But money is an object - usually a pretty big one. And this is where the JOYOR Y8S-ABE quietly, relentlessly wins. It offers more range, comparable comfort, serious stability and entirely adequate performance for a fraction of the price. Yes, it's heavier, more basic around the edges and somewhat allergic to stairs. No, it won't impress your design-snob friends. But as a daily transport tool, it's astonishingly competent for what it costs.
Choose the IO HAWK Legend if you want a German-legal scooter that feels like a tamed performance machine: you care about premium lighting, predictable handling, a nicer cockpit and the Kaabo heritage, and you're willing to pay well over double for that experience. Choose the JOYOR Y8S-ABE if your priorities are brutally practical: long commutes, delivery shifts, minimal charging, and maximum kilometres per euro. It may not be glamorous, but in real-world use it's the more sensible purchase for most riders who can live with its bulk.
Numbers Freaks Corner
| Metric | IO HAWK Legend | JOYOR Y8S-ABE |
|---|---|---|
| Price per Wh (€/Wh) | ❌ 1,57 €/Wh | ✅ 0,41 €/Wh |
| Price per km/h of top speed (€/km/h) | ❌ 68,70 €/km/h | ✅ 25,65 €/km/h |
| Weight per Wh (g/Wh) | ❌ 27,80 g/Wh | ✅ 20,83 g/Wh |
| Weight per km/h (kg/km/h) | ✅ 1,22 kg/km/h | ❌ 1,30 kg/km/h |
| Price per km of real-world range (€/km) | ❌ 24,98 €/km | ✅ 6,84 €/km |
| Weight per km of real-world range (kg/km) | ❌ 0,44 kg/km | ✅ 0,35 kg/km |
| Wh per km efficiency (Wh/km) | ✅ 15,89 Wh/km | ❌ 16,64 Wh/km |
| Power to max speed ratio (W/km/h) | ✅ 25 W/km/h | ✅ 25 W/km/h |
| Weight to power ratio (kg/W) | ✅ 0,0486 kg/W | ❌ 0,0520 kg/W |
| Average charging speed (W) | ✅ 124,86 W | ❌ 92,44 W |
These metrics put hard numbers on different aspects of the trade-off. The price-related rows show how much you pay for each unit of energy, speed or distance - useful for value hunters. The weight metrics reveal how efficiently each scooter uses its mass to deliver range, speed and power. Wh per km exposes pure energy efficiency; power-to-speed and weight-to-power hint at how "muscular" they feel for their size. Average charging speed tells you how quickly each scooter fills its tank in practice.
Author's Category Battle
| Category | IO HAWK Legend | JOYOR Y8S-ABE |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ✅ Slightly lighter, less brutal | ❌ Heavier, more awkward |
| Range | ❌ Good, but outclassed | ✅ Real marathon capability |
| Max Speed | ✅ Same cap, more punch | ❌ Same cap, feels duller |
| Power | ✅ Geared torque, stronger climbs | ❌ Softer hill performance |
| Battery Size | ❌ Respectable but smaller | ✅ Huge pack for class |
| Suspension | ✅ More controlled, composed | ❌ Plush but less precise |
| Design | ✅ Industrial, purposeful, premium | ❌ Functional, a bit bland |
| Safety | ✅ Better lights, eABS, feel | ❌ Good, but less refined |
| Practicality | ❌ Heavy, limited by price | ✅ Range and storage win |
| Comfort | ✅ Sporty, very comfortable | ✅ Ultra-plush long-distance |
| Features | ✅ Kellermann, dual charge, volt | ❌ Basic dashboard, few extras |
| Serviceability | ✅ Kaabo platform, known parts | ✅ Generic parts, easy sourcing |
| Customer Support | ❌ Mixed reports, slower peaks | ✅ Generally smoother via dealers |
| Fun Factor | ✅ Tamed beast personality | ❌ More "appliance" than toy |
| Build Quality | ✅ Chassis feels more premium | ❌ Solid but more utilitarian |
| Component Quality | ✅ Higher-end lighting, hardware | ❌ More budget components |
| Brand Name | ✅ Strong in German scene | ✅ Well-known European brand |
| Community | ✅ Enthusiast, tuning-focused base | ✅ Big value-focused user base |
| Lights (visibility) | ✅ Outstanding indicators, headlight | ❌ Adequate but weaker |
| Lights (illumination) | ✅ Better real night riding | ❌ OK for city only |
| Acceleration | ✅ Punchier, more eager | ❌ Smoother but duller |
| Arrive with smile factor | ✅ Feels special, engaging | ❌ Satisfying, less exciting |
| Arrive relaxed factor | ✅ Very composed ride | ✅ Sofa-like long-distance feel |
| Charging speed | ✅ Faster, dual-port option | ❌ Painfully slow from empty |
| Reliability | ❌ More fiddly, needs care | ✅ Simpler, proven workhorse |
| Folded practicality | ✅ Reasonable size, solid lock | ❌ Heavier, still bulky |
| Ease of transport | ✅ Slightly easier to haul | ❌ Worse on stairs |
| Handling | ✅ Sharper, more precise | ❌ Stable but lazy steering |
| Braking performance | ✅ Strong, better modulation | ❌ Powerful but grabby front |
| Riding position | ✅ Great deck, natural stance | ✅ Adjustable bars, roomy deck |
| Handlebar quality | ✅ Wider, nicer cockpit feel | ❌ More basic hardware |
| Throttle response | ✅ Tunable, more engaging | ❌ Slight delay, plasticky |
| Dashboard/Display | ✅ Better integrated, volt readout | ❌ Generic trigger LCD |
| Security (locking) | ✅ Key / NFC style control | ❌ Standard only, no extras |
| Weather protection | ❌ OK, rear spray still issue | ❌ Similar "avoid heavy rain" |
| Resale value | ✅ Cult status helps resale | ❌ Budget image hurts resale |
| Tuning potential | ✅ Big modding, Kaabo ecosystem | ❌ Less interest, basic platform |
| Ease of maintenance | ❌ More fiddly, more bolts | ✅ Simple, standard parts |
| Value for Money | ❌ Pricey for what you get | ✅ Outstanding bang for buck |
Overall Winner Declaration
In the Numbers Freaks Corner, the IO HAWK Legend scores 5 points against the JOYOR Y8S-ABE's 6. In the Author's Category Battle, the IO HAWK Legend gets 31 ✅ versus 13 ✅ for JOYOR Y8S-ABE (with a few ties sprinkled in).
Totals: IO HAWK Legend scores 36, JOYOR Y8S-ABE scores 19.
Based on the scoring, the IO HAWK Legend is our overall winner. As a rider, the IO HAWK Legend is the one that tugs more at the heart - it feels like a real machine with character, something you actually enjoy piloting rather than just using. But when you step back from the emotional side and look at daily life, the JOYOR Y8S-ABE is the scooter that quietly just gets the job done better for most people, for far less money. If you want to spoil yourself with a "proper" feeling chassis and don't mind paying for the privilege, the Legend will make you grin. If you simply need a reliable, comfortable, long-range tool and care more about how far it goes than how it looks, the Joyor is the smarter choice - and the one you're less likely to regret when the novelty wears off.
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.