Behind its Japanese name, it is indeed a scooter made in Belgium that the Taito S1 hides, with its original two front wheels offering better stability.
The most alert will know that Taito is a video game developer who notably created Space Invaders in 1978. However, in the world of mobility, Taito is a new manufacturer of electric scooters coming from… Belgium.
Two front wheels for better leaning?
And yes, we can thus speak of “Ta-ï-to” or “Té-to” for this new original machine, both are accepted. If at the Autonomy show in Paris the Askoll Scoo3 relies on two rear wheels for stability, this electric scooter prefers the opposite. The simply named S1 employs two front wheels and one at the rear. Why that ?
The technical director and co-founder of Taito, François Desmet, explains to us that the stability is even better. The reason is that the user leans, but not the wheels, providing optimal tire grip even when turning. In addition, the system at the front serves as suspension, improving driving comfort, and the wide platform allows you to put your feet in parallel.
The front wheels and their patented suspensions – Source: Matthieu Lauraux for Frandroid
A large bamboo platform – – Source: Matthieu Lauraux for Frandroid
Both feet in parallel for more stability – Source: Matthieu Lauraux for Frandroid
In practice on a test of a few tens of meters, it is less intuitive than the Askoll or a Striemo. Leaning allows real stability against a classic two-wheel scooter, but the angle is not greater than the Scoo3, requiring you to greatly reduce your cornering speed. However, we appreciate the very reassuring braking via discs, and an “e-ABS” preventing any skidding. The three tires on the 10-inch wheels would also filter vibrations, which we were unable to test.
Strong engine power on the Taito S1
However, be careful when starting: the rear motor sends 500 W continuous and 1,000 W peak – the speed is well limited to 25 km/h. We met in wheeling by surprise. It’s also because the Taito S1 is light for a three-wheeler, 10 kg less than the Italian rival. The Belgian electric scooter claims 17.5 kg, putting only the necessary.
Aluminum and steel form the structure, the deck being made of bamboo. It almost feels like the cousin of the Pure Electric Air. Another advantage of this stripped-down spirit: better repairability of the elements, which are easy to dismantle. Foldable, the scooter is easy to transport, via its rear bar allowing it to roll.
Simple but elegant, the Taito does not forget a lighting integrated into the handlebars, indicators at the ends of the handlebars like Ellipse E1 bike, and a light strip at the back. No screen however, it is the application that plays the transmission of information. There are many parameters: time, duration, average speed and position of the trips, engine lock, GPS position, notification in the event of theft, or even remaining autonomy. An RFID key can also be used as an unlock instead of the smartphone.
Good lighting and turn signals, well done! – Source: Matthieu Lauraux for Frandroid
The handlebar with ergonomic handles – Source: Matthieu Lauraux for Frandroid
No screen, you have to put down your smartphone and open the app – Source: Matthieu Lauraux for Frandroid
Source: Taito
Source: Taito
The only indication on the scooter, five lights under the handlebars give the state of charge of the battery. The latter packs 460 Wh of capacity and claims 30 km per charge. An autonomy that F. Desmet assures us “true, in real conditions, tested in Belgium”.
A very dear Belgian originality
You will have understood that the Taito S1 never forgets that it is from the flat country. Because it is in Belgium that its design and assembly manufacturing takes place. In summary, a 3-wheel electric scooter, powerful, high-end, light, connected, local, although its autonomy is not giant. We can therefore expect a high price, but not as much as the 2,590 euros requested. We are far from the 1,750 euros of the crowdfunding campaign of 2022.
On pre-order for first deliveries in May 2023, the Taito is therefore expensive, but no more than a mid-range electric bike – at the lite of the high end – you might say. F. Desmet has confirmed to us that the S1 scooter will arrive in France by the second half of the year, so be patient.
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