Currus NF Review – When a Dualtron and a Weped Merge Together
Call it a Dualtron 3 that can be modded or a WEPED with Dualtron interiors, the Currus NF shows us what happens when we combine two completely different designs from two different companies.
I won’t bore you with the backstory, what’s relevant is that the guys behind this scooter are an independent company. They used to manufacture the frames for WEPED scooters, as well as they partnered with Minimotors to get official Dualtron parts (this includes the battery, motors and the Et3 throttle).
This means that the Currus NF is indeed a combination of a Dualtron and a WEPED rather than a third party replica, which is a good thing seeing how the Currs NF is not exactly a budget scooter. Over the years, Minimotors earned my respect and trust, so knowing that they manufacture some of the most important parts of this scooter makes me like it a bit more.
The Currus NF is sold for 2900 US dollars, which puts it on the same price category as the Dualtron 3. In fact, this is not the only similarity between the two models; you will see me compare them quite a few times in this review.
You will find a direct comparison between the Currus NF, the Dualtron 3 and the WEPED GT 50E at the end of this review. For now though, let’s start with a test drive:
Currus NF Review
Handling
This boxy, somewhat clumsy-looking scooter rides surprisingly well. In fact, I’d say I like it more than the Dualtron 3 – the Currus NF just feels better.
First thing you’ll notice is that the acceleration curve is super smooth. You’ll still feel the 3600W of power under your feet but the throttle does feel more natural, especially if you are used to gas vehicles. If you never used a fast electric scooter before, the Currus NF is by far the better choice.
The second, seemingly minor improvement is deck width. It’s slightly, about an inch wider than that of the Dualtron 3, though this small difference is enough to be noticeable. Being able to have a better posture means you don’t get as tired when driving long distances (which, ironically, is something this scooter does not excel at), as well as provides you more control over the vehicle. Overall, the bulky deck does offer a better riding experience.
Last but certainly not least, the Currus NF is shipped with 3.0 inch-wide road tires that are just a bit wider than those on the Dualtron 3 (2.7”). Wider tires mean a better grip with the road, which is always welcome.
Other than that, the handlebars are a bit wider than those on the Dualtron 3 (and other somewhat recent models), the grips are nice (and you can always replace them with something else). Did I miss something? Oh yeah, the brakes:
Brakes
The scooter comes with hydraulic disk brakes on both wheels. Are they good? Definitely. They are a clear upgrade over mechanical brakes and a considerable quality of life improvement compared to older and cheaper models.
My NF came with ABS off by default, which is a good thing in my opinion. It’s hard to describe it with words but ABS causes the scooter to behave differently – you feel a pulsation every time you hit the brakes quickly, which is why most people prefer to have it off.
I consider myself a part of the majority in that regard and use the electrical brake in conjuction with the hydraulic one with ABS turned off. It’s very effective and it offers you superior control over the scooter.
credits Electrek
Suspension
Not all internals are the same as in Dualtrons. The suspension is one of the key differences between your classic Dualtron and this one. Remember how Dualtrons come with adjustable rubber cartridges? Well, the Currus NF is shipped with spring shocks instead.
Honestly, I can’t say I hate it. In fact the spring suspension is perfect for faster speeds. It feels stable, yet it also soaks up the bumps of the road. It’s very well balanced and my only complaint is that it lacks the flexibility Dualtron rubber cartridges offer.
credits Electrek
Power
The Currus NF is shipped with dual hub motors rated 3600W total. Compared to smaller scooters, this one is a beast. Its acceleration curve, even though smooth, gets you to the 30mph mark in a matter of seconds. Just like any other scooter in this price category, the Currus NF is an adrenaline pump and if you are a speed junkie like me, you’ll love it.
The official seller states that this model tops out at 40mph (65km/h), though you can still get it to ~50mph (80 km/h) if you find a long stretch or drive downhill long enough.
Now, how does that compare to other models?
3600W seems to be the standard in this price category. In fact, only a few other Dualtron models come with more powerful motors. The most popular is the Thunder – coming at 5400W, the Thunder also costs 1.5x times more than the Currus NF, so it’s a trade-off.
Then, there’s also the older Dualtron Ultra – it costs about the same as the Currus. While the Ultra is certainly faster, if you prefer overall quality over raw motor power, the Currus NF is definitely a winner.
Range
The official website proudly claims that the scooter has a range of up to 74 miles (Up to 120km) thanks to their 60V 28 Ah Samsung SDI Lithium Ion battery. Side note: the battery is not a generic brand, so that’s a plus.
They say that number is achievable for a 75kg (165lbs) rider who is keeping a constant speed of 20 km/h (12 mph). How accurate is that? Well, I am a bit heavier than that and I couldn’t get myself to drive so slow, so the most I could get of it was around 80 km (50Mi). Expect half of it when riding uphills a lot while keeping a decent speed.
80km is obviously is not the most impressive range you can expect from a scooter for this money so it’s something I would keep in mind.
Charging time
The Currus NF is shipped with two charging ports and two 1.7A chargers. The upside to this is that if one charger dies, you can still use the other one. The downside is that two chargers are a bit bulky to carry around. Those who need to recharge their scooter at work would certainly prefer one 4-5A brick instead.
Durability
Designed and manufactured in Korea, the Currus NF is overall a well-built scooter with no major vulnerabilities I could spot. There is one thing, though.
Wobbly stem
The stem, even though it’s quite wide and beefy, does feel a bit wobbly. It has some back and forth play in the handlebars. It’s about the same as on a Dualtron Thunder so when I just picked the scooter up I haven’t noticed it at all. Now, if you are used to WEPEDS, you might find this wobbliness rather annoying.
This issue can be fixed by the end user, though it will require modding.
Portability
Coming in 37 Kg (81 lbs), the Currus NF has the same limitations as the Dualtron 3 and the Weped GT 50E. Basically, it’s not a scooter you’d want to carry around in public transport, neither it’s something you can keep under your office desk comfortably.
The folding mechanism is essentially the same as on a Weped with the exception of the handlebars that were borrowed from the Dualtrons – they are long and foldable.
I usually have mixed feelings about foldable handlebars. The downside is that they are usually heavier than solid ones. Besides, it’s yet another moving piece on the scooter that can potentially break over time. All of that just to be able to have a more compact package when transporting and shipping the scooter.
Now, since the Currus NF is quite heavy anyway, the added weight of foldable handlebars isn’t that noticeable, and the beefy construction of those will hopefully allow them to stand the test of time. So overall, I would consider that as a feature rather than a downside.
Additional Accessories
The Currus NF is shipped with the Ey3 throttle. It’s a finger throttle attached to a compact LCD screen with three buttons.
What’s cool about it is that it’s packed with all the features you will ever need. The screen is very bright and can be easily read under direct sunlight. It displays battery life (icon + percentage), current speed, trip and mode (Eco or Turbo). The buttons grant you quick access to a wide variety of options, including control over ABS, cruise mode, motor mode, smooth start, as well as lesser things such as switching between MPH and Km/h. Check here for more interesting accessories for electric scooters.
Lights
This scooter has a strong headlight and brake lights.
Currus NF vs Dualtron 3 vs Weped GT 50E
Currus NF | Dualtron 3 | Weped GT 50E | |
Max. Speed | 65 Km/h (40 MPH) | 65 Km/h (40 MPH) | 69 Km/h (43 MPH) |
Range | 80 Km (50Mi) | 120 Km (74 Mi) | 96 km (60Mi) |
Weight | 37 Kg (81 lbs) | 37 Kg (81 lbs) | 35 Kg (77 lbs) |
Carrying Capacity | 120 Kg (264 lbs) | 120 Kg (264 lbs) | 100 Kg (220 lbs) |
Motor power | 3,600W | 3,600W | 3,600W |
Battery | 60V 28Ah | 60V 28Ah | 60V 30 Ah |
Gradeability | 47% (25°) | 47% (25°) | 47% (25°) |
Tires | 10 x 3.0 road tires | 10 x 2.7 tubeless tires | Ultra-wide (140mm or 5.5″) |
Suspension | Front/Rear wheel hydraulic suspension | 15-step adjustable, rubber | 4 link dampening system |
Brakes | Front/Rear wheel hydraulic disc brakes | Hydraulic brake 140mm disk | Front/Rear hydraulic drum brakes |
Price | USD 2900 | 2900 | USD 3500 |
Buy Link | Buy Here | Buy Here | Buy Here |
Takeaway
Compared to the Dualtron 3, the Currus is more compact, though also blockier. It features the same motor power, though the battery is a bit smaller. In exchange, it offers a more complete package and a more pleasant riding experience.
Both scooters belong to the same category and the exact same purpose.
Compared to the Weped GT 50E, which is the Weped that stands the closest price-wise, the Currus NF is arguably better value for the money. It is 500 dollars cheaper, though it offers the same motor power, weight and battery capacity.
What I do like about the GT 50E more are its wheels. The scooter is shipped with super-wide 5.5 inch-wide tubeless tires. To give you a point of reference, Dualtron Thunder’s “Ultra-Wide” tires are roughly 3.5″. The amount of traction you get with those 5.5 inch tires is insane. It’s not a difference you can easily quantize, though it is one you can clearly feel every single minute of the ride, especially on higher speeds.
Now, I’ll leave it to you to decide whether wheel width alone is enough to justify the price difference.
Currus NF Specs
- Max Speed: 65 Km/h (40 MPH)
- Max Distance: 80 km (50 Mi) (advertised: Up to 74 miles or 120km)
- Battery: 60V 28Ah Samsung SDI Lithium Ion
- Motor Wattage: 3,600W BLDC DUAL HUB MOTOR
- Gradeability: 47% (25°)
- Max Load: 120 Kg (264 lbs)
- Tires: 10 x 3.0 In Road tires
- Suspension: Front/Rear wheel spring shocks
- Brakes: Front/Rear wheel hydraulic brakes
- Lights: Headlight, Brake lights
- Dashboard: Ey3 Throttle
- Weight: 37 Kg (81 lbs)
- Unfolded Size: 1270×680×1260mm (50×27×50 In)
- Folded Size: 1270×680×500mm (50×27×20 In)
Where to Buy Currus NF
Join the forums to discuss more about the Currus NF Electric Scooter
Recommended Accessories and Upgrades
- Protective gear: https://www.madcharge.com/electric-scooter-riding-safety-and-protective-gear/
- Helmet: https://www.madcharge.com/product-tag/electric-scooter-helmet/
- Extra front lights: https://www.madcharge.com/product-tag/electric-scooter-lights/
- Turn Signal Widget: https://www.madcharge.com/product-tag/electric-scooter-turn-signal/
- LED Backpack: https://www.madcharge.com/product-tag/electric-scooter-backpack/
- Phone Holder: https://www.madcharge.com/product-tag/electric-scooter-phone-holder/
- Mirror: https://www.madcharge.com/product-tag/electric-scooter-mirror/
- Bag: https://www.madcharge.com/product-tag/electric-scooter-bag/
- Horn: https://www.madcharge.com/product-tag/electric-scooter-horn/
In Conclusion
All in all, the Currus NF is a decent alternative to the Dualtron 3 and a scooter I would recommend to anyone who is making the switch from gas to electric.
It features the iconic Weped frame design combined with Dualtron interiors. With all the parts being carefully manufactured in Korea, I expect the Currus to be a reliable commuter.
Just make sure to keep in mind the somewhat limited range of the scooter and the fact that you need to carry two chargers instead of one. If that’s not an issue for you then I’d say the Currus NF is one of the best scooters for the price available today.