How to Tune the Suspension on Dualtron Electric Scooters

In this article, we're rolling out a tutorial on how to replace the suspension on Dualtron electric scooters to keep your ride as smooth as a well-buttered pancake. Riding a Dualtron e-scooter is an exhilarating experience. These high-performance machines are designed to push boundaries and deliver a smooth and stable ride that can be customized to your preference.

Whether you’re riding a Dualtron Storm or another model, a well-tuned suspension can significantly improve ride quality. We’ll explain why it’s necessary and provide a step-by-step guide on how to adjust the suspension system and replace the suspension cartridge. So if you’re ready to take control of your vehicle and get the most out of your Dualtron electric scooter, read on! 

Importance of Adjusting Electric Scooter Suspension

Picture the electric scooter suspension as the shock absorber, the peacemaker between you and the rough and tumble of the road. The suspension system is designed to maximize the contact between the tires and the road surface, to provide steering stability with good handling and to ensure the comfort of the rider. Dualtron electric scooter suspension is built with customizable features, with swappable cartridges offering soft to hard response, while other systems are not adjustable and may need to be replaced over time. 

But why is it important to adjust or even change your suspension? Let's break it down:

• Comfort: An ill-adjusted suspension can lead to a rough ride. You'll feel every little bump and ditch in the road. Adjusting your suspension can make your rides much smoother, more enjoyable, and less of a literal pain in the backside.

• Performance: A well-tuned suspension can significantly improve your e-scooter's performance. It can increase your scooter's ability to corner, accelerate, and brake effectively. Better control equals a safer ride and allows you to enjoy the full capabilities of your machine. Your riding style and weight impact how your scooter handles on the road. The ability to personalize how your vehicle responds improves its overall performance, as you can tune it to be firmer or softer according to your preference.

• Safety: The safety benefits of a well-adjusted suspension cannot be overstated. It improves road grip, stability, and braking effectiveness. Together with high-quality tires and brakes for optimum safety, the suspension impacts how well you can evade accidents. This can mean the difference between dodging a sudden obstacle safely and an unexpected tumble.

• Durability: Regular adjustments and maintenance can prolong the life of your suspension system and in turn, your electric scooter. It reduces the strain on your scooter's components, preventing premature wear and tear.

How the Dualtron Suspension System Works

Most Dualtron electric scooters have variable rubber suspension systems. According to Minimotors, this provides a 45-step system in which you can customize the distance between the motor shafts (3 steps), the angle of the swingarms (3 steps), and the hardness of the rubber cartridges (5 steps). 

How to Adjust the Motor Shaft Distance

You can adjust the motor shaft distance in three distinct stages:

• Garage height
• Immediate stage
• Garage lowered

You can easily select your desired setting using the plastic adjuster provided. By default, the scooter comes set at the intermediate stage. Shifting it to the garage height will elevate the scooter, while opting for the garage lowered will, as the name suggests, bring it closer to the ground.

How to Adjust the Angle of the Swingarms

If you increase the angle of the swingarms on the front and rear of the electric scooter, that allows you to raise or lower the vehicle. If you angle the swingarms so the deck is higher from the ground, you will stand slightly taller riding alongside cars and bicycles, which is nice at slower speeds. If you angle the swingarms so the deck is lower to the ground, you’ll have more stability at high speeds and more easily carve around corners. 

To make this adjustment, we suggest placing the deck of the scooter on an elevated surface, like a hydraulic lift table or other sturdy equipment. Having a hydraulic lift table can certainly be advantageous for many electric scooter maintenance tasks, but it's not essential. 

1. Start with the swingarms on the front or rear wheel. 
2. To adjust the angle of the swingarms, use the 19 mm wrench to loosen the swingarm screws on either side of the wheel. 
3. Rotate the swingarms upward or downward simultaneously until you have reached the desired riding angle. 
4. Take turns tightening the swingarm screws on both sides of the wheel, ensuring they are at the same angle or height alongside the tire. You do not want these to be uneven, as it can cause dangerous wobbling. 
5. You may want to tighten the screws completely and step on the deck to check if the height is correct, repeating the process and making adjustments until it feels right. 
6. Repeat the process on the other wheel, ensuring the deck isn’t dipping too far backward or forward but parallel with the ground. You can check the angle of the deck by placing both wheels on an even surface. Unless you want the rearend to sit higher than the frontend, make sure the deck looks flat from the side. 

How the Suspension Cartridges Work

Dualtron designed its electric scooters with a rubber cartridge suspension system that makes it easier to replace the suspension. Also, the cartridges allow you to customize how the suspension responds to your tastes. There are 5 color-coded hardnesses: hard (black), medium hard (brown), medium (yellow), medium soft (blue), and soft (green). 

By default, Dualtron scooters have hard rubber cartridges installed, which provides the firmest or stiffest suspension response keeping the scooter feeling taut and fairly inflexible. The soft cartridge, on the other hand, might make the ride feel more bouncy and offer a softer response, cushioning against small bumps. Overall, rubber cartridges provide excellent damping, as they soften with heat and friction, responding to how the vehicle is being used. 

How to Replace a Dualtron Suspension Cartridge

Whether you want to replace the cartridges with different hardnesses or swap old for new, here are the tools you need and how to do it. In this example, we’re demonstrating how to replace the rubber suspension cartridge on the front wheel of the Dualtron Storm.

Tools

• Socket wrench
• Wrench extender adapter
• Flathead screwdriver
• 18 mm socket
• 5 mm hex key
• 4 mm hex key
• 3 mm hex key
• Chair (optional)
• Hydraulic lift table (optional) 

Remove the Brake Caliper

1. First, let’s get the brake caliper out of the way. Using a 5 mm hex key, loosen the two securing screws on the top of the brake caliper. Then, slide it off the rotor and let it hang to the side.
2. Starting with the left swingarm, using a 3 mm hex key, unscrew both screws from the axle cover and remove the cover.
3. With the 5 mm hex key, unscrew the four outer screws. On the last screw, leave it in the wheel but loosened so it can support the wheel's weight.
4. Repeat these steps on the right swingarm.

Remove the Front Wheel

1. Now, it's time to support the front wheel (a chair can come in handy for this!). Lower the hydraulic lift table and use a chair to support the front wheel.
2. Using the wrench and 18 mm socket, loosen the nut at the top of each swing arm. 
3. Next, unseat the last screws (the ones previously left loosely attached) from the side of each arm.
4. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently maneuver the swingarm outward to make it easier to remove the front wheel. Once the wheel is free, place it to the side, clear of the swingarms.

Remove the Old Suspension Cartridge

1. Using the 4 mm hex key, unscrew the top two screws on the inside of the swingarms. This will allow you to reach the suspension cartridge.
2. Next, remove the left swingarm. You will find a cable connecting it to the scooter. Unplug the wire to remove it, and repeat the process on the right swingarm.
3. Using a 3 mm hex key, remove all four screws on the cap covering the suspension cartridge. 
4. Using a flathead screwdriver, gently pry open and remove the cap. Afterwhich, pull the old suspension cartridge out to swap it with the replacement. Alternatively, you can use a rubber mallet to tap on the opposite side to pop out the old cartridge.

Install the New Suspension Cartridge 

1. After replacing it with a new suspension cartridge, it’s time to reverse the steps. Using a 3 mm hex key, put the cap back and secure the four screws.
2. Plug in the wire on the swingarms before gently putting them back into place.
3. Once both arms are in position, start by hand-screwing in the 18 mm nuts for temporary support.
4. Then, use a 4 mm hex key to screw in the two screws on each arm's top inside part.

Reinstall the Front Wheel on the Dualtron Electric Scooter

1. After securing the two screws in each arm, it's time to bring the front wheel back into position. Slide the wheel back in between the swingarms.
2. Once the wheel is in position, screw in just one hex screw on each side of the wheel.
3. Now, using a wrench, extender adapter and 18 mm socket, fully tighten the nuts at the top of each arm. This helps to hold both arms and the wheel securely in place.
4. Using a 5 mm hex key, screw in the remaining three screws on each side of the wheel.
5. Then, using a 3 mm hex key, screw in the two screws to secure the outer wheel axle covers.
6. Finally, align the brake caliper back on the rotor and use a 5 mm hex key to screw in the two top hex screws on each side of the brake caliper.

Voila! You've replaced your Dualtron Storm's suspension cartridge. This operation will work on any Dualtron scooter, with slight adjustments to the process based on your model. Now, it's time to take your scooter for a spin and test your new suspension.

Conclusion

Now, you’ve got the skills to maintain that Dualtron of yours like a pro! We've walked through every step of the process, from detaching the brake caliper to swapping out the old suspension cartridge for a new one. This isn't just a minor upgrade; it's a gamechanger for your riding experience. The effort is undoubtedly worth the reward. A well-adjusted suspension equals a smooth ride, and a smooth ride equals a happy rider.

We hope you found this tutorial helpful and straightforward. Remember, if you have any questions, or need professional assistance in repair services, our skillful team is here to help! As always, stay safe and enjoy your rides, because nothing beats the freedom and exhilaration of zipping around on a Dualtron electric scooter that’s tuned perfectly to your liking.