Choosing the best e-bike between Radrunner Plus vs Juiced Scorpion X is no straightforward task. The RadRunner Plus is a high performance electric bicycle from Rad Power Bikes that has been around since 2013. It was one of the first electric bicycles to feature a powerful motor and a battery pack that could last up to 50 miles.
The Juiced Scorpion X is a utility e-bike from Juiced Bikes that features a similar design as the RadRunner Plus, but with some improvements in terms of its frame and components. Both e-bikes are excellent machines, but which one should you buy?
We’ve compared both models and found out how they stack up against each other. Read on to find out which one would be better suited to your riding style.
In this article, we will discuss the major differences between the Radrunner Plus Vs Juiced Scorpion X and help you identify which one of the two will be best suited to your riding style.
Radrunner Plus
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 750W Geared Hub Motor
- Range| Up to 45+ Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 14 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
VS
Juiced Scorpion
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Motor | 750W Retroblade Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 55+ Miles per Charge
- Battery | 52V, 15Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
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Differences Between the Radrunner Plus vs the Juiced Scorpion
Motor and Power
Radrunner Plus: Motor and Power
Juiced Scorpion: Motor and Power
Both electric bikes are equipped with 750-Watt geared hub-motors, however, the Scorpion X’s 30A controller makes it possible for the bicycle to generate up to 1500 Watts of power (almost two times the maximum wattage of the Radrunner Plus)
The Juiced Scorpion X is also faster than the Radrunner Plus. The bike’s powerful motor can reportedly propel it to top speeds of up to 32 miles an hour; 4mph beyond the Radrunner Plus’ 28mph max speed.
Range
Radrunner Plus: Range
Juiced Scorpion: Range
The Juiced Scorpion X comes with a higher-capacity lithium-ion battery, 52V 15Ah, than the Radrunner Plus (48V 14Ah). Juiced estimates that the Scorpion X can cover up to 55 miles on a single charge. However, riders shouldn’t expect to get that much out of its battery, especially under realistic riding conditions.
A more realistic range estimate for the Juiced Scorpion X will be between 25 and 40 miles per full charge. For the Radrunner Plus, expect between 25 and 40 miles of range on every full charge.
Ride Smoothness
Radrunner Plus: Ride Smoothness
Juiced Scorpion: Ride Smoothness
Riding on the Juiced Scorpion X is more comfortable than riding on the Radrunner Plus. It comes with dual suspension, a 4.7-inch thick saddle, and a pair of beefy (4.2” wide) tires.
All of these components work together to ensure that riders enjoy smooth, comfortable rides on the Scorpion X irrespective of terrain type. The Radrunner Plus on the other hand comes with just one shock absorber and moderately-wide tires.
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Weight Limit and Net Weight
Radrunner Plus: Weight Limit and Net Weight
Juiced Scorpion: Weight Limit and Net Weight
The Radrunner Plus is a more efficient cargo e-bike, pound for pound, than the Juiced Scorpion X. It weighs 77 lbs (34.9 kg) and can support up to 300 pounds(136 kg) of weight.
Juiced’s Scorpion X, on the other hand, weighs a whopping 100 lbs (45.4 kg) and can only hold up to 275 lbs (125 kg) in total payload. In my opinion, that’s a lot of bulk to deal with if all you’re getting is 275 lbs in weight capacity.
Portability
The Scorpion X might be heavy, but it’s not as large as the Radrunner Plus. Below is a table comparing both bikes’ dimensions.
| Juiced Scorpion X | Radrunner Plus | |
|---|---|---|
|
Handlebar height |
45 inches (114 cm) |
45.75 – 47.25 inches (116 – 120 cm) |
|
Total length |
67.5 inches (171.5 cm) |
71.5 inches (182 cm) |
|
Wheelbase |
45.5 inches (116 cm) |
46.5 inches (118 cm) |
|
Seat height |
33 inches (83.8 cm) |
Adjustable; 26 – 37.5 inches (66 – 95 cm) |
From the table, potential buyers should be able to deduce that the Radrunner Plus might not be the best option for them if they’re very conscious about size.
Display and Controls
Radrunner Plus: Display and Controls
Juiced Scorpion: Display and Controls
The Radrunner Plus is equipped with a grayscale LCD device that displays the bike’s speed, chosen pedal-assist level, trip distance, power consumption (in Watts), and battery level. There’s also an “advanced” screen where riders can tweak their bikes’ speed and wheel size.
The Juiced Scorpion X comes with a very similar LCD to the Radrunner Plus’. The Scorpion X’s meter allows riders to track their battery consumption and other metrics like speed, distance traveled, wattage, and speed.
Users can also manually adjust the bike’s speed limit and the sensor’s wheel size, increase/decrease the screen’s backlight brightness, turn the bike’s torque sensor off, limit power consumption, etc.
Overall, both e-bikes come with pretty advanced LCD meters that give riders control over almost every aspect of riding.
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Suspension and Tire
Radrunner Plus: Suspension and Tire
Juiced Scorpion: Suspension and Tire
Both e-bikes are equipped with shock absorbers. The Scorpion X comes with both front (hydraulic forks with lockout) and rear suspension (steel coil springs) while the Radrunner Plus is fitted with just one suspension system (front suspension forks).
The tires on the Juiced Scorpion X are also wider than those on the Radrunner Plus. The Scorpion X’s Innova tires measure up to 4.25 inches in width; 0.25 inches wider than the Radrunner Plus’ tires at max width (4”).
Radrunner Plus
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 750W Geared Hub Motor
- Range| Up to 45+ Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 14 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
VS
Juiced Scorpion
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Motor | 750W Retroblade Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 55+ Miles per Charge
- Battery | 52V, 15Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
Turning, Control, and Balance
In terms of control, the Juiced Scorpion X outclasses the Radrunner Plus. It comes preinstalled with hydraulic disc brakes; a more efficient braking system than mechanical or cable brakes (which comes standard on the Radrunner Plus).
Water Resistance
Radrunner Plus: Water Resistance
Juiced Scorpion: Water Resistance
Neither Juiced nor Rad Power specifies the waterproof ratings of their bikes. They only state that their e-bikes are designed to work optimally under rainy conditions.
Rad Power says their bikes’ “…components are all water resistant and designed for water to drain off the components from top to bottom” while Juiced advises their customers to “avoid heavy rainstorms” so as to protect their bikes’ electronic components from getting immersed in water.
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Pros and Cons of the Radrunner Plus
Pros
- It’s a very affordable utility bike. The Juiced Scorpion X costs $300 more than it.
- The Radrunner Plus comes with a lot of components that make riding with a companion very comfortable. These components include an extra-cushy seat, footpegs, and a skirt guard.
- It is like a mini-trailer. The Radrunner Plus has enough room to transport a week’s worth of groceries.
Cons
- The charger that comes with this e-bike can take up to 6 hours to fully recharge the battery.
- It is available in just one size. The bike can only accommodate riders between 4’11” and 6’2″ tall.
Pros and Cons of the Juiced Scorpion X
Pros
- It comes with an ultra-bright motorcycle headlamp.
- It is equipped with both front and rear suspension. The bike also comes with very wide tires, providing even more cushioning for riders.
- The Scorpion X is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes (a 180mm rotor in front and a 160mm rotor on the rear wheel).
Cons
- The Juiced Scorpion X is a heavy electric bike. It weighs 100 lbs (45 kg). That’s about the average weight of an adult Rottweiler.
- Juiced Bikes made the Scorpion X available in just one size. What makes it even worse than the Radrunner Plus in this regard is that its saddle is fixed to one height.Not the most comfortable for tall riders.
- Spoked wheels react better to bumps because they’re more flexible than alloy wheels. If your Scorpion X’s alloy wheels get damaged, replacing them is going to cost you more than replacing a few loose/broken spokes.
Tabular Representation of the Differences Between the Radrunner Plus and Juiced Scorpion X
| Comparison Category | Radrunner Plus | Juiced Scorpion X |
|---|---|---|
|
Motor |
750W |
Nominal: 750 WattsPeak: Up to 1500 Watts |
|
Battery capacity |
48V 14Ah |
52V 15Ah |
|
Net weight |
77 lbs |
100 lbs |
|
Weight limit |
300 lbs |
275 lbs |
|
Suspension |
Front suspension forks |
Front suspension forks and rear coil springs |
|
Tire size |
20” by 3.3” |
20” by 4.25” |
|
Brakes |
Mechanical disc brakes |
Hydraulic disc brakes |
|
Geometry |
Rider heights: 4’11” to 6’2”Handlebar height: 45.75 – 47.25 inchesTotal length: 71.5 inchesHandlebar width: 27 inches |
Rider heights: 5’3” to 6’4”Handlebar height: 45 inchesTotal length: 67.5 inches Handlebar width: 27.75 inches |
|
Price |
$1899 |
$2199 |
|
Accessories |
Full-length fenders, passenger seat, skirt guards, footpegs, standard front headlamp, rear light, etc. |
Motorcycle-style headlight, full-length fenders, banana seat, rear rack, etc. |
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Who’s the Radrunner Plus For
Commuters, couriers, recreational riders; Anyone who’s looking for a versatile electric bicycle will really enjoy using the Radrunner Plus.
Plus, the e-bike is really easy to straddle, so shorter riders won’t have any issues getting on and off of it.
Who’s the Radrunner Plus ‘Not’ For
It might be the best e-bike for heavy-duty purposes like heavy off-road riding, hunting, etc. This is because its motor is restricted to a max output of 750 Watts.
It is also not suitable for racing. Its external components are not designed to reduce drag, so if you’re looking for a nice racing e-bike, you might want to go for faster, more aerodynamic models.
Who’s the Juiced Scorpion X For
The Juiced Scorpion X is a better off-road e-bike than Radrunner Plus. It’s also a more powerful electric bike than the Radrunner. So, if you’re looking to do some heavy off-road riding or if you live in a very hilly area, the Juiced Scorpion X might be the best utility e-bike for you.
Who’s the Juiced Scorpion X ‘Not’ For
The Juiced Scorpion is a very heavy e-bike. It’s definitely not something you want to lug up stairs.
Also, it’s not suitable for very heavy riders. As stated earlier, the Juiced Scorpion X has a weight capacity of 275 lbs (25 lbs below the Radrunner Plus’ limit). If you weigh above 300 lbs, your best option would be to purchase a heavier-duty e-bike; one that can support your weight.
Radrunner Plus
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 750W Geared Hub Motor
- Range| Up to 45+ Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 14 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
VS
Juiced Scorpion
Overall Rating:
- Riders Weight Limit | 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Motor | 750W Retroblade Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 55+ Miles per Charge
- Battery | 52V, 15Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
