Earlier this year wereviewed the original Varla Eagle One Pro, a massive electric scooter that left a lasting impression with its power and rugged capabilities. While Varla’s newest model—the Eagle One V2— is slightly smaller and not quite as powerful as the Eagle One Pro, its updated design has more similarities to the more expensive Pro model than the original Eagle One, which for the most part, is a very good thing.
Varla Eagle One V2
The Varla Eagle One V2 is the brand’s latest electric scooter offering, following the original Eagle One Pro. While slightly smaller and less powerful than its predecessor, the V2 carries many of the design elements of the more expensive Pro model. This new model features some noticeable improvements, such as repositioned lights for better visibility, upgraded 10x3.5" air tubeless tires for enhanced off-road performance, and a more user-friendly NFC card unlocking system. Its performance remains impressive, with a top speed of 40 mph and a tested range between 30-35 miles.Some shortcomings include its heavy weight, making it challenging to move, and prolonged charging times despite having dual charging ports. The V2 retains its robustness and reliability but offers a more polished and refined experience, making it a better choice for potential buyers comparing it with the older version.
It’s an Eagle One Pro-Lite
At its core, I found the Eagle One V2 resembled a slightly more compact Pro with smaller tires, somewhat lower peak output, and a marginally lower top speed, that honestly, you’d probably never notice. There are certainly a lot of overlaps between these two models, and in my opinion, given how similar the max range, top speed, and other specs are, I think most users would be more than happy to save $400 and go with the newer One V2.
In my time testing the Eagle One V2 on a few of my city commutes, taking it on some out-of-town vacations, and even letting some of my relatives try it out, I discovered a few subtle yet significant refinements to its design, which helped make it a more reliable and practical scooter when compared to both the original Eagle One and even the Eagle One Pro.
Changes like the repositioning of the front headlight to the top of the stem for better visibility, and moving the charging ports from below to above the deck, may seem minor at first, but suggest that Varla is closely listening to feedback from its users.
Even though its performance remains unchanged, Varla’s focus on these minor adjustments collectively adds up to a more polished and well-rounded scooter with fewer quirks. The Eagle One V2 can be likened to the “S” models of the iPhone—a minor upgrade that likely will not warrant switching if you already own the previous version, but unquestionably the better choice if you’re deciding between the two.
Let’s take a closer look into the refinements and features of the Varla Eagle One V2, exploring how these subtle changes elevate an already impressive electric scooter.
Some Added Beef
All three scooters—the Eagle One, Eagle One Pro, and the new Eagle One V2—are made of 6061 aluminum alloy and offer the same maximum payload of 330 lbs, suited for riders from 4'5" to 6'11". Similarly, all three have a water-resistance rating of IP54, meaning they’re protected against dust and can be ridden in light rain, though you’ll want to avoid riding through puddles or heavy downpours if possible.
Although the Eagle One V2 has essentially the same hardware as its predecessor, 1000W hub motors on the wheels with a peak power output of 3200W, you’d be forgiven for not realizing that these two scooters are related. The Eagle One V2 is now heavier, weighing 82 lbs vs 77 lbs of its predecessor, and just 8 lbs shy of the larger One Pro.
While certainly not small, the original Eagle One looks quite scrawny when next to its predecessor. Just as with the Eagle One and Eagle One Pro, the One V2 is still a burden to carry or move around on your own, even when folded. Any scooter above 50 lbs is impractical in that regard. Although it can be an incredible tool for commuting, taking this on public transportation, in a restaurant, or even worse, up stairs, is pretty much out of the question.
The overall dimensions for the Eagle One V2 have also changed. Despite its beefier stature, it’s surprisingly not as long and not as wide, measuring 49.21" x 9.01" vs. 50.4" x 9.1". Perhaps more significant for some riders, however, the V2’s deck is over an inch shorter at 20.47" vs. 21.6". That said, users directly comparing the Eagle One V2 to the One Pro will probably still prefer the broader yet shorter deck of the One V2 instead of the Pro, which measures 22.8" x 7.8".
Similarly, just as with the original Eagle One, the One V2 uses grip tape instead of silicone as with the One Pro. I didn’t notice much of a difference in feel or traction when switching back and forth between the two decks, though I think I prefer the silicone option strictly because of how much easier it is to clean off when it gets muddy or dirty after a ride.
On the other hand, Varla includes three additional replaceable grip tapes for its deck, including a black one with geometric shapes, a red one with a skull wearing a helmet with “Lucky #13” written on it, and a black one with a majestic eagle (‘Merica). Even though I found these designs to be a little too cheesy for my taste, it’s nice that they’re included in the box. I’d be interested to see what the custom community comes up with for designs.
Most Notable Changes
At first glance, the Eagle One V2 looks nearly identical to the One Pro, while compared to the older Eagle One, the design changes are more significant. Under the hood, though, its hardware is mostly unchanged. The Eagle One V2 continues to be a robust and speedy e-scooter capable of conquering various terrains and effortlessly keeping pace with motor traffic. What sets the Eagle One V2 apart from these other two models are the simple yet instantly appreciated improvements that have been made.
Improved Folding Design
Perhaps most crucial—and fixing my biggest critique of the Eagle One Pro—is the introduction of a new latch mechanism that securely holds the stem in place when the scooter is folded down.
All three models use the same combination of a locking turn knob and a safety pin to secure the stem and deck in place when upright.
However, previously, when folded, the stem on the two older models would loosely roll from side to side as it didn’t latch to the deck, making it extremely challenging to carry around as well as causing the display to get banged against the kick plate. In my review of the Eagle One Pro, I called this out as a major oversight.
This simple fix has left the biggest positive impression on me. While the scooter is still a behemoth and hardly practical to move on your own, this seemingly simple addition allows you to more easily roll, store, or if you’re lucky enough to have a second set of helping hands, even carry the scooter without the stem wobbling around.
Larger Tires
The One V2 has upgraded the wheels to 10×3.5" air tubeless tires, instead of 10x3" pneumatic tires. The Eagle One’s standard tires were mostly intended for street riding. Varla did offer similar, more off-road-worthy knobby tires with the Eagle One, however, that was an additional $61. Instead, the Eagle One V2 comes standard with grippier tires which makes it more capable of absorbing bumps and trail riding.
Combined with its thicker deck, this also translates to a slightly taller rider height, which for a scooter designed to go this fast, I found can be crucial for helping you see further ahead when riding in busy traffic.
More Visible Lights
The original Eagle One had its headlights built into the front of the deck while the Eagle One Pro upgraded to a 10W headlight that is attached below the stem. While both of these solutions were bright, they both had two major flaws: they are positioned too low and can easily be obstructed, and they do not turn to illuminate the direction you’re headed.
I suggested that Varla raise the lights to a higher position with their future models, and that’s exactly what they’ve done with the Eagle One V2. Again, a very minor update, but it makes a huge difference when riding in the dark. My other request for turn signals, has yet to be implemented, though I’m optimistic that we’ll see this very soon on their future models.
Smarter Display and Security
Upgrading from the relatively simple and dated-looking QS-S4 LCD found on the Eagle One, the Eagle One V2 has adopted the same display and security features as the Eagle One Pro. This includes a larger 3.5-inch color LCD that shows critical information such as speed, battery status, riding mode, voltage output, and distance traveled. Unfortunately, we still found that it can be prone to washing out in bright sunlight, making it difficult to read on sunny days.
Also carried over from the One Pro is the built-in NFC card reader, which adds a layer of security and convenience. Instead of relying on a traditional key that can be easily misplaced, users can tap their NFC card on the sensor to unlock the scooter. Simply turn on the scooter, tap the NFC card, and the display and scooter turn on. This could deter thieves from nicking your fancy ride, though don’t exclusively depend on it.
Performance is Nearly Identical
The top speed when fully charged is 40 mph—identical to the Eagle One. In my review of the larger Eagle One Pro, I mention how insane it is to have a scooter that can hit 45 mph. Heck, even passing 20 mph takes some time to get used to and is still crazy, especially when going around right corners or over bumps. Trust me when I say this: 40 mph is still more than enough, and you won’t feel limited by this 5 mph “downgrade” if you’re considering this to the One Pro.
If you think you need that extra speed to keep up with motor traffic on faster roads, I think that’s a horrible idea and not really what these scooters are intended for. Instead, it’s the quick acceleration that I continue to find most appealing. It allows me to easily merge or make turns more safely than less powerful escooters. The Eagle One V2 seems to offer very similar acceleration: averaging about 1.5 seconds to reach 0 to 10mph, 2 seconds from 0 to 15mph, and 3 seconds from 0 to 20mph. Just as with the larger Eagle One Pro, acceleration above 25mph seems to be less on demand, where it takes an additional 2.5-3 seconds to reach 30mph.
Ride Quality
At first, I thought I’d notice more of a difference switching to the 10" tires coming from the Pro’s 11". Perhaps the Pro felt a bit more smooth over bumps, but that might be more of a placebo effect. That said, both models did an incredible jump at dampening the rough roads I tested them on and were equally stable when traveling over dirt paths, grass, and gravel. It’s worth mentioning as well that both scooters begin to feel more unstable as you cross past 20mph, and it’s only more noticeable the faster you go. Even the slightest turns can cause the scooter to slide around at these higher speeds, which can be unsettling.
Negligible Range Improvement
The Eagle One V2 uses a larger 52V/20.8Ah, 1082WH battery housed in its deck, compared to the previous 946WH battery of the Eagle One. This does translate to a claimed two extra miles of max range (in its eco-mode), though, in reality, it likely won’t make much of a difference. Just as with the Eagle One Pro, I found the real-world range to be closer to 30–35 miles, depending on how hard I rode. I also experienced the rather common inconsistent battery percentage readouts that many escooters and bikes seem to struggle with. Especially under hard acceleration or when climbing steeper hills, battery life can easily lose 10-20% in just a few moments.
Slowing down or returning to flat ground usually returns the battery life close to its previous state, though with prolonged power output, say anything longer than 30–60 seconds, expect to lose at least 1% or more.
Interestingly, charging times have gone up by an hour compared to its predecessor. Using just one charger takes 9–10 hours to charge fully, while using two chargers (a second is a separate purchase) cuts charging time to 5–6 hours, which is still significant.
Considering how many larger top-end ebikes boast nearly twice the range and just 4–5 hours for a full charge, this leaves a lot to be desired. On a positive note, however, Varla has moved the charging ports to above the deck, rather than built into its side with previous models. I suspect they realized this could better protect the electrical ports from accidental damage, whether the scooter slid on its side, or from water, dirt, and other debris from entering.
Hill Climbs
With its dual motors rated at 1000W each offering a total peak power of 3200W, Varla claims the Eagle One V2 delivers the same 36Nm of torque as the Eagle One, which allows the scooter to tackle gradients of up to 30 degrees. The One Pro on the other hand has a slightly higher total peak power of 3600W and is rated for 35 degrees. Testing this out on a similar hilly course, at about 165 pounds with all my gear, I was able to maintain similar speeds of 20+ mph. Just as with its speed and acceleration, I couldn’t notice any difference, though I suppose if you did a side-by-side comparison, the One Pro might have a slight edge.
Simple Refinements for a More Complete Experience
The Varla Eagle One V2 may not have the performance upgrades to justify upgrading from its predecessor; however, it’s far more than a simple facelift. The One V2 carries over many of the design changes first seen on the Eagle One Pro and even improves upon it.
Aside from just looking better and more rugged than the original Eagle One, the One V2 also addresses many of the quirks found on the more expensive Pro model, such as a repositioned front headlight, relocated charging ports, and a secure stem latch mechanism. These seemingly minor adjustments significantly affect usability, giving us a scooter that is easier to handle and store.
While existing owners of the Eagle One or Eagle One Pro likely won’t find enough differences to justify picking this new scooter up, those considering the Eagle One V2 between the other two models will undoubtedly appreciate these changes.
