Segway Xafari Review

Segway crashes into the e-bike market with the Xafari, offering tech and value that traditional brands struggle to match. Its unconventional design is a clear signal that Segway is not a legacy bike maker—a fresh perspective that brings welcome innovation, even if some quirks betray their lack of industry experience.

It ships as a Class 2 model (20 mph limit) but can be unlocked to Class 3 (28 mph). However, there is a catch: the onboard GPS actively enforces local laws. If you ride in California, for instance, the system detects your location and automatically locks you out of the higher Class 3 speeds to ensure compliance.

Ride Quality

The Xafari delivers a premium ride quality that feels remarkably planted and well-dampened. However, the bike's substantial weight is a double-edged sword: while it inspires confidence and stability, it saps the athleticism its rugged looks might suggest. Segway packed this machine with ride-enhancing features, but the trade-off is a bike that feels undeniably heavy and complex rather than nimble.

The ride is plush yet efficient, suspended by an adjustable 80mm fork up front (with lockout) and an independent swingarm with 70mm of travel in the rear. It rolls on 26-inch wheels wrapped in massive 3-inch Kenda tires, which offer superior traction and eat up road chatter far better than the average e-bike.

The geometry is tuned for stability: a slack 69-degree headtube angle keeps the steering relaxed, while the wide 700mm riser bars and short stem shift your weight back, boosting control and confidence. Just don't be fooled by the specs—while it has the DNA of a mountain bike, its massive 90+ pound weight means it belongs on paths and fire roads, not technical singletrack.

That doesn't mean the Xafari is confined to the pavement. It proved surprisingly capable and fun on gravel, dirt paths, and even chunky terrain like snow, thanks to those high-volume tires and the suspension smoothing out the ride.

However, technical off-roading reveals the bike's limitations. Its sheer mass makes lifting the front wheel over obstacles a serious workout. Furthermore, the suspension design is unique and fundamentally different from a standard mountain bike. The swingarm pivot sits in front of the bottom bracket, meaning the entire drivetrain (pedals included) moves with the rear wheel.

Here is the practical trade-off: The rear suspension effectively isolates the saddle, giving you a plush ride while seated. But because the pedals are attached to the moving swingarm, your feet are not isolated. If you stand up to tackle rough sections—as you would on a traditional MTB—your legs will take the full impact of every bump.

The Xafari is available in a single “one-size-fits-most” frame, which Segway claims is suitable for riders between 5'1" and 6'2". In our experience, this range is incredibly optimistic. With only six inches of seatpost adjustment, the bike struggles to accommodate riders at the edges of that spectrum. Our 5'3" tester found the bike pushed the limits of her comfort (minimum saddle height is 33 inches), while our 6'2" tester felt noticeably cramped on the frame.

On the plus side, the step-through design makes mounting easy, requiring only a 21.5-inch lift to clear the frame. The bike is rated for a total load of 352 pounds. Since the rear rack is rated for 55 pounds, fully loading it reduces the maximum rider weight to approximately 298 pounds.

The Xafari prioritizes comfort at the controls, featuring a handlebar with a generous back sweep and ergonomic grips that we found exceptionally pleasant to use. Stopping duties are handled by twin-piston Tektro hydraulic brakes with oversized 180mm rotors. These mineral oil-based stoppers require minimal finger effort and proved highly effective, even when the bike was fully loaded or operating in wet conditions. For gearing, Segway opted for the 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain. While it is a common budget choice in the e-bike world, we have no complaints—it delivers reliable, solid performance for the price.

The Xafari is fitted with lightweight ABS fenders that stay surprisingly quiet, even when chattering over sand and gravel. However, the standout feature here is the front lighting. The compact, square headlight is exceptionally powerful, featuring a high-beam mode that pumps out a staggering 1,300 lumens—visibility that goes far beyond the industry standard.

The rear lighting is less inspiring. While the small, X-shaped taillight integrated into the rack is functional and adequately bright, its tiny footprint makes it significantly less visible to traffic than the substantial light arrays found on competing models.

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Real-World Range Test Results

The Xafari houses a massive 936Wh battery. While that spec implies serious endurance, we were initially skeptical given the power-draining combination of a 94-pound chassis, drag-heavy 3-inch tires, and a high-output motor.

We didn't go easy on it for our range test. Since the Xafari delivers full power via the throttle regardless of the assist setting, we pinned the throttle and didn't touch the pedals. The result was staggering: the bike ran for over two hours, covering 38.2 miles and climbing nearly 2,000 feet of elevation. Put simply, this machine is a beast, delivering the longest throttle-only range of any e-bike we have tested to date.

Power

The Xafari might look like a standard Class 2/3 cruiser on paper, but its performance is anything but standard. Packing a 750W hub motor, this is one of the most powerful drive systems we have ever tested. Acceleration is rapid, and the bike feels completely indifferent to hills, surging up them with ease. You get five levels of pedal assist to fine-tune your workout, but here is the best part: the throttle is not limited by your assist setting. Whether you are in Eco mode or Turbo, hitting the throttle delivers 100% of the motor's power instantly.

A single ride confirms that the Xafari is punching well above its weight class. While the spec sheet lists a standard 750W nominal motor, the immediate, forceful surge you get from the throttle suggests a peak output that is significantly higher.

However, that power delivery wasn't flawless. We experienced abrupt, unexplained drops in throttle power during our rides—an issue we later confirmed visually during dynamometer testing. After we took the bike to a local dealer for diagnostics, Segway decided to replace the test unit entirely.

The Xafari doesn't just accelerate; it charges. A simple press of the thumb throttle delivers instant torque, allowing the bike to launch uphill from a dead stop without hesitation.

Our testing confirmed the seat-of-the-pants feeling: the bike sprints from 0 to 20 mph in just 7.9 seconds. Its hill-climbing prowess is equally impressive. In our uphill acceleration test, it hit 20 mph and held strong, only dipping to 17 mph at the very steepest section of the gradient. Whether flat or hilly, this motor holds its speed relentlessly.

The Xafari ships as a Class 2 bike, but Class 3 speeds (28 mph) can be unlocked via the Segway app—unless you are in California. Segway strictly geofences this feature to comply with local laws. Interestingly, we found a loophole: activating the bike in Nevada unlocked the setting, which remained active even after returning to California, provided we didn't touch the settings menu again. Just be aware that enabling Class 3 automatically kills the throttle, turning the Xafari into a pedal-assist-only machine.

On the dyno, the bike confirmed its beastly nature, hitting 1,300 peak watts and 56.1 Nm of torque. However, our first unit had issues: under throttle, the power delivery felt “stepped,” resembling an old automatic transmission hunting for gears rather than a smooth electric surge. Suspecting a faulty controller, Segway quickly swapped the bike. The replacement unit was flawless, delivering the same massive power numbers with the seamless linear curve we expect.

User Interface

Because Segway isn't a traditional bike brand, they approached the cockpit with a fresh, tech-forward perspective. The display goes far beyond basic speed and battery metrics, acting as a command center where you can answer calls and control your music without ever taking your hands off the bars.

The control scheme is equally distinct, featuring a 4-way scroll wheel—reminiscent of the controls on a Tesla steering wheel—that allows you to manage a huge array of functions with a single thumb. While this interface is slightly more complex than the standard buttons found on most e-bikes, it rewards the learning curve with a depth of features you simply won't find elsewhere.

Crucially, the Xafari acts as a media controller, but it does not have a built-in speaker. The sound must come from your own paired Bluetooth headphones or speaker. While we strongly discourage riding with headphones for safety reasons, mounting an external Bluetooth speaker allows you to leverage the system's best feature: you can control your music and answer calls mid-ride without ever taking your hands off the handlebars or fishing a phone out of your pocket.

The Xafari centers its experience around a slick, frameless 75mm x 45mm color display. The default layout is clean and logical, prioritizing speed, assist mode, and a precise numerical battery readout, while status icons (time, lights, Bluetooth) float along the top.

However, the real innovation lies deeper in the menus. Unlike typical e-bikes that stop at mileage and cadence, Segway attempts to mirror your smartphone. You can toggle through dedicated screens for navigation, music control, and call management—features that effectively make a phone mount redundant. While this integration is impressive, it walks a fine line between convenience and distraction. If you do decide to keep your phone on the bars, a high-speed 20W charging port (equipped with both USB-A and USB-C) ensures it stays topped up.

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The tech wizardry doesn't stop when you kick down the stand. The Xafari features an integrated hub lock that automatically immobilizes the rear wheel when parked. While you can release it by tapping a code into the scroll wheel, the “AirLock” feature is the real game-changer. By detecting your phone's proximity, it secures the bike once you are 20 feet away and unlocks it instantly upon your return. It is a seamless, keyless security system that actually works.

Of course, a locked wheel won't stop a strong thief from physically carrying the bike away, but Segway has built a digital safety net for that. The app enables real-time location tracking via GPS and Apple Find My, along with remote alarm activation that blasts the bike's programmable electric horn. For moments when the horn is too aggressive, a standard mechanical bell is included. The app also handles over-the-air software updates and syncs your ride data directly to Apple Health or Google Health.

The downtube conceals a massive 936Wh battery behind a locking plastic cover. While the pack is removable for charging, the execution is a bit fiddly: unlike systems that simply slide out, the Xafari requires you to manually unplug the battery from the frame once it is ejected.

Fortunately, the charging speed makes up for the inconvenience. The included 4-amp fast charger can replenish a fully depleted battery in just over five hours—an impressive figure for a pack of this size. Segway also engineered this machine for all-weather commuters; the battery boasts an ultra-durable IPX7 waterproof rating, while the rest of the bike carries an IPX5 rating, ensuring that rain and snow won't leave you stranded.

Ease of Assembly

Segway sells exclusively through a dealer network, meaning the Xafari was handed over to us fully built. On one hand, this is the ultimate convenience: zero assembly time, no tools required, and no mountain of cardboard and styrofoam to recycle. On the other hand, Segway's bicycle dealer network is still in its infancy. We had to drive over an hour just to locate a shop that carried the bike. Once we got it back to the office, however, the process was seamless—a quick charge, a few personal adjustments, and it was ready for the road.

In a market dominated by direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, we have grown accustomed to the standard trade-off: you get great value and responsive digital support, but you buy blind without a test ride. Segway, however, has managed to capture the best of both worlds.

You get the aggressive pricing typical of an online purchase, but with the critical support of a physical dealer network. This model proved its worth when our review unit's controller failed. Instead of us diagnosing the issue through a chatbot and waiting for parts, the local shop handled the troubleshooting. When they couldn't fix it, Segway immediately shipped a complete replacement bike to the dealer. It is a massive advantage: unlike most of its rivals, the Xafari offers the peace of mind of professional assembly, local service, and the ability to actually test ride before you buy.

Should You Buy the Segway Xafari?

The Xafari stands apart in a crowded market, and almost every deviation from the norm is a win. It is wildly powerful, undeniably plush, and packed with genuinely useful technology. This is not a bike for the casual road-tripper; if you need something to toss on a rack, look elsewhere. But if your adventures begin at your driveway, this machine shines. The combination of massive fat tires and a class-leading battery lets you push deeper and farther than any other bike we have tested. While the interface requires a brief adjustment period, the feature set is undeniable. When you weigh the performance and comfort against the price tag, the Xafari isn't just a unique option—it is an exceptional value that earns our full recommendation.

What Other E-Bikes Should You Consider?

In some ways, the Xafari is in a class of its own. We don't have another recommendation with this much power, range, and value, but a few come close. If you want comfort and capability, the Aventon Aventure.3 is a spectacular bike with 4" tires and front suspension. If you'd like something a bit easier on the pocketbook, check out the Lectric XPeak 2.0 with your choice of batteries. The XPeak performed well in our testing, but doesn't have nearly the range of the Xafari.