Verreal RS Electric Skateboard: Shred for Under a Grand
When I unboxed the top-of-the-line RS electric skateboard from Verreal, I felt the giddy anticipation I felt as a kid, standing on the wood deck of my first longboard at the top of the driveway. Like many adults’, my days spent skateboarding had melted away in the mix of bicycles, school sports, and other youthful entrapments. But the burgeoning e-skate movement piqued my interest, not only as a form of recreation but also as a practical form of urban transportation.
The Verreal RS Electric Skateboard delivers the excellent performance of modern electric motors and batteries but retains the free-carving vibe of wood longboards of the past. The torque and power delivery characteristics of the dual motors and belt-driven rear wheels cater to thrill- and fun-seekers. At the same time, battery life renders a practical solution to urban commuting. The deck may be overly stiff and the board cumbersome to carry, but the Verreal RS proved to be a great value.
The Powerplant and Controller
I found the dual 1500-watt motors and belt drive sublime; even on hilly terrain, I never longed for more torque. And I easily topped 25 mph on flat ground with the 97-mm Glow wheels attached; I could have gone faster. I just got scared. Verreal claims a top speed of 30mph with their largest 105-mm Cloud wheels. Regardless of wheel configuration, I was confident that unless riders desire top speeds in excess of 30 mph, the Verreal RS is fully capable.
The acceleration was predictable via the Hobbywing ESC controller, considering the high torque nature of electric motors. I did start in the tamest of the three riding modes for the first few days and eventually settled on mode 2. I am not a top speed hunter. I was more in search of relaxed cruising and carving and found this second mode the best fit. It delivered the right combination of acceleration and speed to keep me satisfied; strong acceleration without overwhelming my ability to compensate, with speed to spare.
Braking was also consistent and predictable, but similar to other e-skateboards, the deceleration was limited. The braking action was enough for planned stops, with downhill or higher-speed situations requiring a step off for the board to come to a halt. But for scrubbing speed, the action was appropriate and easily handled. I never counted on the brake to bring me to an emergency stop, but I did rely on it to reduce my speed so I could get off safely as long as I had enough lead time.
The Hobbywing ESC controller has a nice, compact feel, and the control wheel had just the right amount of spring tension. The OLED screen depicted all required information, and linking to the board was quick and never failed once during the three-month testing period. I also never experienced any of the problems reported in the past, including harrowing disconnections.
Battery Life of the Verreal RS Electric Skateboard
Verreal outfitted my RS with the 16Ah battery pack. This configuration is the middle of the road offering, with a 12Ah and 20Ah being the other options.
I was pleasantly surprised that the Verreal RS’s claimed range was accurate. Although many variables affect the range, in mixed-use between rural and hilly country roads to urban parking garages and lots, the RS ferried my 168-pound frame around for almost two and a half hours. The range translated to just over 20 miles of “medium intensity” cruising and carving.
Verreal claims the recharging time to be between 3 and 5 hours, and I found this accurate.
The Undercarriage
The RS dual kingpin trucks looked impressive during unboxing, with a mean-looking wide and low stance. Their performance matched, up to a point. I found them great for the easy, large radius carving I like to do, and as the bushings softened, they became even more so. But everything is a compromise, and the bushings limited high-speed stability at the top end of my comfort range.
At speeds above about 20 mph, with the 97-mm wheels, instability crept in at times. These wobbles would be even more of an issue with larger wheels and higher speeds. But this is an easy fix with a bushing swap.
Inspection of the board’s underside did reveal adequate looking grommets, seals, and covers around any potential points of incidental water entry around the battery pack. But I felt wary of anything heavier, like riding wet streets. I didn’t feel comfortable riding in the rain, and Verreal makes no claims of waterproofness.
The Deck – Stiff!
As soon as I stepped on the Verreal RS, I noticed how stiff the deck was. There is none of the anticipated give of a wooden deck. The seven plies of maple and two plies of bamboo would belie certain stoutness, but it seemed like a lot of the rigidity came from the battery pack and housing that covers most of the underside.
I meshed well with the amount of concavity, and it helped my feet feel planted. I also felt the grit and friction level was appropriate, and it remained that way for the duration of the testing period.
The deck has large cutouts around the wheels, making it possible to mount large pneumatic tires, which Verreal plans to offer later this month.
Portability, or Not
I consider e-skateboards and e-scooters to be practical urban transportation modes that have the side benefit of being fun. The practical side of the equation leans heavily on portability. A standard longboard is easily carried under the arm or slung on a shoulder. The Verreal RS electric skateboard is not.
It’s not the size or shape; it’s the sheer weight and the distribution of this weight. At a verified 23 pounds, 8 ounces for my 16Ah version, it’s too heavy to hoist with one hand or carry for long periods with one arm for most. An unbalanced distribution of mass makes it even more awkward.
Grabbing the RS by a rear motor and rolling it did work, but it wasn’t ideal for crowded elevators, sidewalks, or stairs. A handle would be a welcome addition.
And to be fair, any electric skateboard with comparable specifications will be hefty in comparison to a normal longboard.
Conclusions
I was impressed with almost all facets of the Verreal RS. The truck bushings can be replaced, so I don’t consider that a permanent issue. Portability may still be a challenge, but likely is the same for all comparable e-skateboards. The deck could be swapped to a more forgiving version, but much of the stiffness may be due to the battery pack.
Performance and range are the main factors for me on any rideable item, and the RS unequivocally delivers. What makes the entire package even more impressive is the price. Verreal lists MSRPs of $1499 to $2300, all of which are 40% to 52% off at the time of writing. A quick perusal of comparably-equipped electric skateboards will reveal that the Verreal RS is a great value for a performance-oriented electric skateboard.
