It looks like a toy. Honestly, at first glance, the Segway Ninebot Electric GoKart Pro 2 feels like something you'd buy for a teenager with too much driveway space and a penchant for drifting. But then you sit in it. You realize the seat is bolstered like a Sparco racing bucket. You notice the paddle shifters. You see the screen. This isn't just a successor to the original GoKart Pro; it’s a weird, hybrid machine that tries to bridge the gap between real-world asphalt and digital simulation.
Segway did something pretty gutsy here. They took their fastest consumer kart and decided that when it’s raining outside, it shouldn't just sit in the garage collecting dust. They built in a "Gaming Mode." Essentially, you hook the thing up to a PC or console, and the steering wheel becomes your controller. The pedals work. The paddles work. It vibrates when you hit a wall in Assetto Corsa. It’s a $2,300 peripheral that can also do 26.7 miles per hour on your local cul-de-sac.
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The Speed Reality Check
Most people hear "electric go-kart" and think of those sluggish 5mph plastic cars at the big-box stores. That's not this. The Segway Ninebot Electric GoKart Pro 2 is built on the bones of the Ninebot S2. It’s got a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout designed specifically for oversteer.
If you floor it in "Race Mode," you’re hitting that top speed of nearly 27 mph in a matter of seconds. In a car, 27 mph feels like crawling. In a frame that sits three inches off the ground with no windshield? It feels like you’re breaking the sound barrier. The acceleration is instant because of the 4,800W peak power motor. No gear hunting. No turbo lag. Just immediate, neck-snapping torque that makes the tires scream.
There are four speed modes, which is great because you probably shouldn't hand the keys to a novice in Race Mode. Eco Mode caps you at 5 mph. It's boring, but safe. Sport Mode hits 11 mph. But once you unlock that top tier, you’re dealing with a 1.02G acceleration profile. That’s enough to actually feel the blood shift.
What’s Different from the Gen 1?
You might be wondering if it's worth the upgrade if you already have the original Pro model. The big change is the shift system. The Pro 2 introduces manual shifting simulation. You aren't actually rowing through a gearbox—electric motors don't need that—but the software mimics the power interruptions and "thump" of a gear change. It adds a layer of engagement that the "twist and go" original lacked.
Then there’s the steering wheel. It’s been redesigned. It feels less like a plastic circle and more like a professional yoke. It centers itself better. It communicates what the front tires are doing with more clarity. And the speaker system? Segway upgraded the "engine sounds." You can make this thing sound like a v12 supercar or a high-pitched electric whir. It’s gimmicky, sure, but when you’re flying around a corner, hearing that simulated engine roar actually helps you time your braking.
The Gaming Mode Gimmick or Game-Changer?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Segway is marketing the Segway Ninebot Electric GoKart Pro 2 as a racing simulator. To do this, they included a USB-C port and Bluetooth connectivity that allows the kart to act as a game controller.
Is it a replacement for a Fanatec or Logitech direct-drive rig? No. Not really.
The steering rack in a real go-kart is heavy. It's physical. When you use it as a game controller, the resistance isn't quite as nuanced as a high-end sim-racing wheel. However, the immersion of sitting in the actual vehicle you drive on the street while playing Forza is undeniable. The haptic feedback is surprisingly decent. When you clip a curb in the game, the chassis of the kart actually vibrates.
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It’s a bizarre feeling. You're sitting in your living room, strapped into a five-point-ish harness, steering a vehicle that is capable of real-world drifts. It’s the ultimate "dual-use" gadget for someone who doesn't have room for both a sim-rig and a go-kart.
Range and Battery Anxiety
Range is always the sticking point. Segway claims about 15.5 miles on a single charge.
Reality check: if you are driving like a maniac—which you will be—you aren't getting 15 miles. Expect closer to 9 or 10 if you’re constantly drifting and hitting top speeds. The 432Wh battery is hefty, but pushing a 100-pound frame plus a human occupant at 26 mph eats juice fast.
Charging takes about four hours. It’s an overnight thing or a "long lunch" thing. You can't just swap batteries easily like some pro-grade karts, which is a bit of a letdown for the price point.
The Drifting Mechanics
This is where the Pro 2 shines. Segway uses a "Drifting Assistant System." It’s basically a set of sensors and software that monitors the rear motors independently.
The kart can actually help you initiate a slide. If you’ve ever tried to drift a cheap electric kart, you know they usually just understeer (plow straight) or spin out completely. The Segway Ninebot Electric GoKart Pro 2 uses its dual-motor setup to send more power to the outside wheel, helping the rear end rotate gracefully.
- Tires: The rear tires are specially designed "drifting tires." They have less grip than the front ones.
- Weight Distribution: Because the motor (the Ninebot S2 base) is in the back, the weight sits right over the drive wheels.
- Braking: It has a mechanical handbrake. An actual, physical lever you can yank to lock the rears.
If you’re on smooth concrete, you can pull off some incredibly clean 360-degree spins. On asphalt, it’s a bit more violent, but the frame is made of high-strength steel that can take the flex. It’s rated for up to 220 lbs, though taller riders might find the adjustable frame a bit cramped in the legs.
Is it Actually Safe?
Speed is dangerous. Segway knows this. The Segway Ninebot Electric GoKart Pro 2 has a triple-layer impact protection system.
- The outer TPE layer absorbs the initial bump.
- The middle polymer layer handles the structural stress.
- The inner steel frame keeps the whole thing from folding.
It’s surprisingly robust. I’ve seen these things take hits into hay bales and plastic barriers at 20 mph with nothing but a few scuffs on the plastic. The seatbelt is a standard lap-and-shoulder deal, which is fine, but you should absolutely be wearing a helmet. Seriously. 27 mph is "hospital" speed if you flip it, though the low center of gravity makes flipping it almost impossible unless you hit a curb sideways.
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The Technical Specs (Without the Fluff)
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 26.7 mph (43 km/h) |
| Max Range | ~15.5 miles (Typical use 10 miles) |
| Battery Capacity | 432 Wh |
| Max Torque | 96 N.m |
| Max Slope | 15% |
| Braking | Electronic Brake + Mechanical Handbrake |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth / USB-C for Gaming Mode |
| Weight Capacity | 220 lbs (100 kg) |
Maintenance and Longevity
One of the best things about the Segway Ninebot Electric GoKart Pro 2 is how little you have to do to it. There’s no oil. There are no spark plugs. There’s no carburetor to clean because you left gas in it all winter.
You mostly just check the tire pressure and tighten the bolts on the frame occasionally. The rear drift tires are meant to be sacrificial. You will burn through them if you spend every weekend doing donuts. Replacements are relatively cheap and easy to swap out with basic tools.
The biggest "maintenance" item is the battery. Lithium-ion batteries hate being stored at 0% or 100% for months. If you’re putting it away for the winter, leave it at about 50-60% charge in a cool place.
Why People Complain About It
It's not perfect. The ground clearance is non-existent. If your driveway has a slight lip or your street has potholes, you’re going to scrape the bottom. This is strictly a "smooth surface" vehicle.
The "Gaming Mode" requires a wired connection for the best experience. Using Bluetooth for a racing game introduces just enough lag to make you miss your turn-in points. If you want to use it as a sim-rig, plan on running a long USB-C cable from your PC to the kart in the middle of the room. It's a bit of a trip hazard.
Also, it's loud. Not engine-loud, but the whine of the electric motors combined with the simulated speaker sounds can be a lot for the neighbors. Luckily, you can turn the speakers off.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
If you just picked one up or are hovering over the "buy" button, here is the move.
First, don't jump straight into Race Mode. Seriously. The torque delivery on the Segway Ninebot Electric GoKart Pro 2 is violent compared to the base Ninebot models. Spend an hour in Sport Mode to get a feel for how the rear end steps out when you lift off the throttle.
Second, calibrate the steering for your PC immediately. If you're using it for iRacing or F1 2023, the default sensitivity might feel twitchy. You’ll need to go into the game settings and adjust the deadzones because the kart's steering rack is designed for real-world physics, not digital inputs.
Third, buy an extra set of rear tires now. You don't want to be mid-session on a Saturday and realize you've worn through to the cord.
Lastly, check the firmware in the Segway-Ninebot app. They push updates that improve the "shifting" feel and battery management. It’s one of those rare pieces of hardware that actually gets slightly better a few months after release.
Get a helmet, find a clean parking lot, and keep the rubber side down.