Daxys Bandicoot vs. Apollo City Pro

Comparisons are often drawn between the well-known Apollo City and the relatively new Daxys Bandicoot. Their resemblance is uncanny, and it’s easy to see why some people would mistake one for the other.

To shed light on this matter, we are going to conduct a thorough comparison of these two look-alikes to find out which one is a better fit for your riding needs.

What You Should Know About Daxys and Apollo

To better understand how the two companies operate and how they come up with new electric scooter models for the market, let’s start by examining their respective stories.

A Brief History of Apollo Scooters

Apollo is one of the finest electric scooter companies in the industry, with tens of thousands of units sold in over 10 countries across the globe. 

Apollo Scooters began in 2018 in Montreal, Canada. The founders, Chris Healthcoate-Rey and Maciek Piskorn, envisioned electric scooters as an ideal and sustainable alternative to fuel-powered vehicles.

From this vision, they embarked on a mission to create the finest personal electric scooter that combines style and function. 

Now we’re seeing the company’s vision and mission in the flesh through its models: Apollo Air, Apollo Ghost, Apollo Phantom, Apollo Pro, and of course, the Apollo City. 

The Origin of Daxys Electric Scooters

Unlike Apollo, Daxys is a newcomer to the e-scooter market. Founded in 2022 when electric mobility has become widespread across the country, Daxys claims to design their e-scooters for Australian and New Zealand riders.

The name “Daxys” stands for the company’s key values: 

• D - Diversify
• A - Adventure
• X - “X” marks the spot
• Y - Your e-journey starts now
• S - Smart and sustainable riding

With the goal of making electric mobility accessible and affordable, their efforts have led to the creation of models that are starting to make an impression on riders and enthusiasts. One of these is the electric scooter, Daxys Bandicoot.

Battle of the Flagship Electric Scooters

The Apollo City and the Daxys Bandicoot look so identical in terms of appearance they could be mistaken for siblings. Save for their colour schemes (grey for Apollo and black for Daxys), there is not a lot of difference between the electric scooters’ overall design and construction.

The physical resemblance between the City and the Bandicoot is striking, but this is where their similarities end. Let’s delve into the electric scooters’ specs to see which one is better.

Daxys Bandicoot 

The Daxys Bandicoot electric scooter looks to be a solid and well-built device. Marketed to be an all-rounder e-scooter, the quirkily-named Bandicoot is equipped with a 500W motor that pushes it to achieve a 25 kph top speed. This speed is capped in line with most Australian state’s legal e-scooter top speed requirements, and cannot be unlocked to go faster. It is not clear whether the Bandicoot can be “hacked” to unlock a higher top speed, although we discourage attempting to do so on account of the problems it can cause elsewhere in the ride. 

Thanks to its 604.8Wh battery, it can cover a maximum range of 55 km on a single charge. Furthermore, its single spring front and double spring rear suspension ensure it can handle inclines (up to 25%) and uneven terrains with ease.

Because of the Bandicoot’s build, height, and high clearance, it looks as if it was built to be an efficient off-roader. However, its low water-resistance rating keeps it from delivering strong traction on wet grounds, particularly in grassy areas.

The folding mechanism is a bit flimsy, having no lock to secure the hook at the end of the stem. Thus, its mechanism is not as secure as other electric scooters. This also makes it harder to carry, making it a difficult commuter e-scooter for those that have to use public transport or lift their scooter at any point. 

We also found the Bandicoot’s throttle to be a little bit too sensitive, quickly propelling the electric scooter forward when the button is lightly pressed. While it stabilises after a few seconds, the suddenness of the acceleration can catch beginner riders off-guard.

Finally, Daxys doesn’t have its own app yet. Some riders might not find this to be a problem, but if you’re the type of person who needs to customise their riding experience, this could be a deal-breaker. 

Ultimately, while a good value e-scooter overall, there’s a lack of refinement in the Bandicoot’s operation & manufacturing. Everything feels a bit rushed. A bit cobbled-together and rough-around-the-edges, and possibly a little bit cheap. For some, this won’t matter as it is a sub $1,500 e-scooter with dual suspension and a 500W motor, but for the more discerning taste, you may feel some ride anxiety knowing you aren’t riding on top-spec parts. 

Apollo City ‘22 

The Apollo City Pro is an award-winning electric scooter that has won the hearts of many riders across the world. While engineered to be the ultimate commuter scooter, the City also boasts versatile capabilities that position it as a competent all-terrain vehicle.

Equipped with dual 500W motors, the City Pro achieves a 50 kph max top speed and can scale hills with inclines of up to 10° (equivalent to a bit more than 36%). Plus, with its 864 Wh battery, it can cover up to 60 km of range on a single charge.

The Apollo City features triple spring suspension, which offers enhanced shock absorption that results in smoother rides on otherwise rough and uneven surfaces. Also integrated into the City is a regenerative braking system that Apollo has perfected – releasing strong stopping power while recovering and storing energy.

On paper, the Apollo City appears to outshine the Daxys Bandicoot, but does it perform equally well in real life?

Unlike the Bandicoot, the City seems to be well-prepared for realistic off-road situations because of its impressive water and ingress resistance level. Its IP66 rating signifies substantial protection against water and dust, allowing you to confidently use the scooter in various weather conditions and environments. 

Despite being brisk, many riders consider the Apollo City to be one of the most rideable electric scooters. Although it is swift, its torque is steady and ideal for both novice and seasoned riders. However, a few have mentioned that the regen brake can be too sensitive and requires some adjustment and practice.

At 29 kg, the Apollo City is not exactly the most lightweight option out there, but its folding mechanism feels solid and stable. Furthermore, it integrates with the official Apollo app, which allows you to remotely lock and unlock your scooter and customise your ride settings.

Side-by-Side Comparison 

Both are solidly built and capable of supporting high rider weights, and with safety lighting features, 10-inch tyres, and good suspension, the Daxys Bandicoot and the Apollo City Pro ‘22 prove to be remarkable all-rounders. 

However, while the Bandicoot offers respectable speed, range, and hill climbing capabilities, the City Pro emerges as the clear winner not only on paper but also in real-life performance. Its high IP rating makes the City truly versatile, while its low charging time allows you to make the most out of your rides. 

While very similar in design, there’s even subtle differences between the two: the neck on Apollo City is curved and sleeker and the front suspension arms are curved to run parallel to the neck. Where we see curves and aerodynamics on the City, we see boxy lines and straight edges on the Bandicoot. 

Ultimately, the Bandicoot feels a little knock-off-y when compared to the City, and the ride quality reflects that as well. Where the Daxys Bandicoot lacks refinement, the Apollo City has been tested, adapted, upgraded, and tested again to ensure everything works exactly as it should. The ride is much smoother and more controlled, and the additional regenerative braking amplifies the control you have over your ride. 

And given its similar price point to the City single motor, it’s not as though you’d be getting a much better deal choosing the Daxys over the Apollo. 

In conclusion, the City Pro is a joy to ride, delivering a swift yet stable riding experience that does not intimidate despite its top-tier specs. If you’re tossing up between the two, we suggest focusing your time on the City. 

Upgrades to the Apollo City

If you are still undecided between the Daxys Bandicoot and the Apollo City, perhaps Apollo’s track record of continuously improving their models might change your mind.

As if the 2022 City weren’t impressive already, Apollo has invested significant effort into an upgrade. If you are keen on getting the Apollo City Pro, know that there is also a 2023 version available as of August 2023

Building upon the success of the City Pro ‘22, the Apollo City Pro ‘23 takes things further by featuring better specs and features that will make commuting and off-roading easier and much more enjoyable.

In a nutshell, here are the enhancements awaiting you in the Apollo City Pro '23:

Retaining the core attributes that essentially define the Apollo City (water resistance rating, weight and weight capacity, and suspension), the new version introduces a better max range and a slightly higher top speed. 

Notice also that the battery, despite being higher in capacity, now requires a much lower charging time. 

Apart from the upgrades, here are the new features you can expect from the 2023 version:

• Higher-capacity battery: From 18aH to 20aH
• Better throttles: Improved for better ergonomics
• Zero-wobble upgrade: To eliminate wobbling and instability
• Redesigned hook system: For hassle-free folding and unfolding 
• Reinforced kickstand: Stronger and superior support
• Enhanced grips: Improved for better and more comfortable grip

The upgrades to the Apollo City are a testament to the company’s practical understanding of real-life riding scenarios that extend beyond numbers on a sheet – and it takes years of industry experience to achieve this level of insight.

Wrapping Up

The Daxys Bandicoot and the Apollo City Pro may appear nearly identical, but their similarities end at this point.

The Bandicoot displays potential as a newcomer in the electric scooter scene, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the dependable Apollo City. Aside from better specifications on paper, the City retains its upper hand in terms of actual rideability and overall performance.

At Electric Kicks, we have always placed our bets on companies with proven track records, carefully handpicking brands preceded by their solid reputations. With this approach, we can ensure that our customers have access to scooters that have stood the test of time. 

Daxys has not reached this stage just yet, but who knows? This might not be the last time we speak of the brand. That said, right now, if your choice is between a Daxys and an Apollo, our professional advice is to opt for the brand with years of experience under its belt.