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Lycaon GR 2021 Review: Value Powerhouse With Room For Improvement

in Electric Skateboards
Founder & EV Reviewer
Lycaon GR 2021 electric skateboard with a scenic background
8.4
Our Rating
View Full Ratings chevron-down
9
Speed
10
Acceleration & Hills
10
Range
7
Portability
7
Ride Quality
7
Build Quality
8
Safety
7
Features
10
Value

Our review score is based on thorough real-world testing and is always held up against comparable models.

How We Test
Key Specs

Values marked with '*' are based on our independent testing and may differ from those specified by the manufacturer.

Top Speed
23.3 MPH*
Range
17.1 miles*
Motor
960 W
Drive Type
Hub
Wheels
90 mm
Weight
17.9 lbs

We've put the Lycaon GR 2021 electric skateboard through various performance tests across more than 300 miles. Sit back and relax as we give our in-depth, hands-on review of the Lycaon GR 2021.

Lycaon GR 2021 At A Glance

  • Best-in-class motor performance
  • Best-in-class range
  • Great value for money
  • Does not handle suboptimal road conditions well
  • Minimal ground clearance up to battery enclosure

Before we look at our high-precision GPS-verified performance data, let's get an overview of the hardware that makes up the GR 2021 electric skateboard.

Motor & Power2 x 480W = 960W (2000W Peak)
Battery Type18650 cells in 10S3P, 36 V, 7.8 Ah
Battery Capacity280.8 Wh
ESCHobbywing 10S
Weight17.9 lbs (8.1 kg)
Deck8-ply Canadian maple
Wheels90*62 mm 78A PU

Speed & Motor Performance

close-up of hub motor on lycaon gr 2021

The Lycaon GR 2021 has 960W of nominal power through two hub motors. Each has 480W of power and 4.8 N⋅m (newton-meters) of torque. The rated peak power is 2000W. Power is delivered through a 36V battery.

Top Speed Test

Lycaon specifies a top speed of 23 MPH (37 KMH). We decided to test that claim using pro-grade data logging gear.

As a 170 lbs (77 kg) rider on a straight, even road and measured a top speed of 23.3 MPH (37.5 KMH). It is safe to say it lives up to that promise.

Furthermore, the Lycaon GR 2021 is compatible with CloudWheels (purchased separately) which increases road grip and top speed even further at the expense of some acceleration.

Lycaon GR 2021 tested top speed comparison chart with other electric skateboards

Stacking up the GR 2021 against comparable models, we can see it surpasses the more expensive Maxfind Max4 Pro while beating the Backfire G2 with a comfortable margin. It only loses out to the Possway T2 which is also about 20% pricier.

In terms of top speed, the Lycaon GR 2021 definitely finds itself amongst the best electric skateboards in its price class.

Acceleration Test

We set out to test how fast the Lycaon GR 2021 gets up to pace. We did 10+ runs from zero to top speed. These are the results:

IntervalAverageBest
0-15 MPH (24 KMH)4.64 s4.23 s
0-20 MPH (32.2 KMH)7.73 s7.26 s
0-23.3 MPH (37.5 KMH)15.45 s15.11 s

The acceleration is nothing less than impressive. The GR 2021 quickly climbs to 15 MPH at an average of 4.64 seconds and 20 MPH in 7.73 seconds. The top speed is reached in 15.45 seconds on average.

Model0-15 MPH0-20 MPH
Lycaon GR 20214.64 s7.73 s
Maxfind Max4 Pro4.67 s8.02 s
Backfire G24.77 s8.2 s
Possway T24.65 s7.75 s

Holding it up against similarly priced models, we can see it outperforms the Backfire G2 comfortably while having a slight edge on both the T2 and Max4 Pro.

Based on our data above, this is the best-in-class acceleration we've tested on an electric skateboard.

Hill Climbing Test

Climbing hills is an area where many low-priced electric skateboards fall short. With limited power, low voltage, and mediocre torque, accelerating or even maintaining speed on inclines becomes almost impossible.

30 percent incline illustrated

Lycaon advertises that the GR 2021 can conquer hills with up to 30% inclines. It's a rather bold claim, and sadly we don't have that steep hills in our area. We were, however, able to test it on a 20% incline.

From our tests, this electric skateboard climbs a 20% incline with relative ease considering the system only runs at 36V. Its hill performance is on par with the Maxfind Max 4 Pro and falls short of the more expensive Skatebolt Tornado II, but it does get you up most inclines struggle-free.

Range & Battery Performance

Jingnoo battery pack in Lycaon GR 2021 skateboard

The Lycaon GR 2021 has a 36V 7.8Ah lithium-ion battery with an effective capacity of 280.8Wh. It uses a Jingnoo pack with 18650 cells in a 10S3P setup.

Battery Capacity Comparison

ModelBattery Capacity
Lycaon GR 2021280.8 Wh
(36V, 7.8Ah)
Maxfind Max4 Pro158.2 Wh
(36V, 4.4Ah)
Backfire G2187 Wh
(42V, 5.2Ah)
Possway T2280 Wh
(36V, 7.8Ah)

Comparing the battery's capacity to competitors, it is evident that Lycaon delivers the most value for your money. Not only is it notably larger in capacity than the Maxfind Max 4 Pro and Backfire G2, but the price is also better.

Does the larger battery size translate over to actual range performance? Let's find out.

Range Tests

Test (#)RangeAvg. Speed
#1: Speed Priority14.2 miles
22.9 km
18 MPH
29 KMH
#2: Regular17.1 miles
27.5 km
15.1 MPH
24.3 KMH
#3: Range Priority19.8 miles
31.9 km
12.9 MPH
20.8 KMH

We ran three separate range tests at various speeds to get an idea of the expected range performance of the Lycaon GR 2021.

In the first test. We prioritize speed, going as fast as possible. At an average speed of 18 MPH, I got 14.2 miles of range.

In the second test, I cruise as I would typically do. At an average speed of 15.1 MPH, I got 17.1 miles of range.

For the last test, I tried to maximize range by riding slowly and economically. At an average speed of 12.9 MPH, I got 19.8 miles of range.

Range Comparison

Holding it up against the other boards, the Lycaon GR 2021 comfortably beats the others on range in all three tests.

ModelRangeAvg. Speed
Lycaon GR 202114.2 miles
(22.9 km)
18 MPH
(29 KMH)
Maxfind Max4 Pro8.3 miles
(13.4 km)
18 MPH
(29 KMH)
Backfire G29.6 miles
(15.4 km)
18.2 MPH
(29.3 KMH)
Possway T212.9 miles
(20.8 km)
18.3 MPH
(29.5 KMH)
Test #1 (Speed Priority)
ModelRangeAvg. Speed
Lycaon GR 202117.1 miles
(27.5 km)
15.1 MPH
(24.3 KMH)
Maxfind Max4 Pro10.2 miles
(16.4 km)
14.9 MPH
(24 KMH)
Backfire G212.2 miles
(19.6 km)
15 MPH
(24.1 KMH)
Possway T215.8 miles
(25.4 km)
15.5 MPH
(24.9 KMH)
Test #2 (Regular Speed)
ModelRangeAvg. Speed
Lycaon GR 202119.8 miles
(31.9 km)
12.9 MPH
(20.8 KMH)
Maxfind Max4 Pro13.3 miles
(21.4 km)
12.5 MPH
(20.1 KMH)
Backfire G213 miles
(20.9 km)
12.5 MPH
(20.1 KMH)
Possway T217.9 miles
(28.8 km)
12.3 MPH
(19.8 KMH)
Test #3 (Range Priority)

All in all, these results are highly impressive. Even though Lycaon doesn't use name-brand cells like Maxfind (using Samsung), this underdog still outperforms the kings in the price class.

Performance Retention

Cheaper cells often don't perform as well as premium ones. This can typically be felt in rapid performance drop-off as the battery discharges and voltage sags below 20% battery.

The Lycaon GR 2021 does not have name-brand cells, unlike the Maxfind Max4 Pro which uses Samsung cells. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but the reliability of Samsung cells has been established for a long time.

performance retention on the Lycagon GR 2021

We tracked the top speed as the battery level diminished. While the performance retention is about 5% better on the Max 4 Pro, the sheer amount of value you get from the bigger battery easily outweighs that. Still, these results are very decent and easily better than the majority of competitors relying on unspecified battery cells.

Board Design & Ride Quality

The Lycaon GR 2021 undoubtedly blows away the competition in terms of raw power for the money, but how good is the construction and does it ride well?

Weight

According to our measurements, the Lycaon GR 2021 weighs 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg).

ModelWeight (lbs)Weight (kg)
Lycaon GR 202117.9 lbs8.1 kg
Maxfind Max4 Pro16.3 lbs7.4 kg
Backfire G218.5 lbs8.4 kg
Possway T219 lbs8.6 kg
Skatebolt Tornado II19.2 lbs8.7 kg
Based on our own high-precision weight measurements.

Holding it up against its closest competitors, this board is slightly below average in weight. I find this impressive as the battery pack itself is quite heavy due to its rather large capacity.

The board is definitely heavier in the battery end (opposite of the hub motors), but that is to be expected when you're not running super small batteries.

Deck

The deck measures 36.8" x 8.9" (93.5 cm x 22.6 cm) and has a ground clearance of 2" (5.1 cm) up to the battery enclosure.

The deck is relatively short for an electric longboard, but it is still sufficient for most riders. I do have a pickle with the low ground clearance. Heavier riders may find this an issue when the deck inevitably flexes, as the battery housing may scratch against the ground. It is definitely not curb-approved.

The deck itself is made from 8-layer northeast maple. It feels fairly sturdy and has a decent bit of flex.

However, I feel like the deck flexes too much in the middle. A more gradual flex curve would be ideal. This results in suboptimal road vibration absorption. In turn, the ride doesn't feel as smooth when road conditions get bad.

Wheels

Close-up of PU wheels on the lycaon gr 2021

The Lycaon GR 2021 has 78A polyurethane wheels. They measure 90 mm x 62 mm.

This wheel size is very standard for electric skateboards, although there are quite a few boards with slightly larger wheels. 62mm width is on the broader side for 90mm diameter wheels. This results in a larger contact surface with the ground, which is a plus for beginners.

skateboard wheel durometer rating infographic

The 78A durometer hardness rating is on the softer end of the standard range. This helps absorb some road vibrations which I feel the design lacks overall. On the flip side, softer wheels don't last as long and are less stable.

These wheels are compatible with 105 mm CloudWheels. This allows you to take on more demanding terrain with the same board.

One discrepancy I found was that the free-moving wheels use ABEC-9 608RS bearings and not ABEC-11s as advertised on the website. There likely won't be a notable difference, but it is worth mentioning.

There's not much to comment on for the wheels. They're well-made and have versatile performance for both slow cruisers and high-speed riders.

Trucks & Bushings

Closeup of trucks on the Lycagon GR 2021 with a scenic background

The Lycaon GR 2021 has 9.8" (25 cm) gravity-cast trucks. They're proprietary and perform quite well overall. They're both sturdy and stable at speeds.

The trucks use a double barrel bushing setup of average hardness with cupped washers. A double barrel setup aids in stability but does not allow for as sharp turns as a full or partial cone setup does. Carving is still quite possible, so I find the double barrel setup to be ideal for my riding needs.

To dampen road vibrations, there's a 1/8" shock pad between the trucks and the deck. This diminishes the vibrations that travel from the trucks to the deck (making the ride feel smoother).

Closeup of bushings, washers, shock pad and baseplate for the trucks on the Lycaon GR 2021

Despite the obvious efforts to create a smooth ride, I feel the Lycaon GR 2021 falls behind several other models including the Max 4 Pro. Even on asphalt roads with slightly below-average conditions, the ride feels jittery, and the vibrations hit your legs quite a lot. I think the ride would benefit a lot from a proper bushing upgrade.

Waterproofing

According to the official website, the Lycaon GR 2021 electric skateboard holds an IP54 rating. This means it is sufficiently protected against dust and water splashes for daily usage. I always recommend you wipe your board dry after usage, but that goes with any board.

ESC housing of Lycaon GR 2021

The ESC is well protected not only by a thin plastic foam layer between the housing and deck itself but it is also wrapped with some kind of plastic to further prevent any foreign bodies from interfering with the actual ESC and its cable connections.

The story is the same for the battery housing. It is well protected against water entering and all cable connections or solidly covered.

All in all, the waterproofing job on the Lycaon GR 2021 is solid - I've seen way worse in this price class.

Build & Ride Summarized

The build quality of the Lycaon GR 2021 is good. Crucial components are well-insulated and protected against road vibrations, water, and dust. I particularly find the shock-absorbing foam around the battery back and electronic enclosures great.

However, this electric skateboard is built better than it rides. Although the trucks move smoothly, the stability is good, and it carves well, the ride gets rough as road conditions deteriorate. Despite Lycaon taking extra steps to improve the ride with shock pads, it doesn't translate into much improvement.

Although this is a performance powerhouse in its price class, I would love to see an additional focus on shock absorption in future models.

ESC & Remote

HW9005 esc in Lycaon GR 2021

This board uses a Hobbywing 10S (HW9005-ZYD030) electronic speed controller. It runs with an 11A*2 current and DC36V voltage. It pairs with the default Hobbywing Gen2 controller that most entry-level brands use.

Electronic Speed Controller

The ESC is the brain behind the works. The fact that Lycaon uses Hobbywing 9005 is no surprise. You'll see variations of this model used on over 50% of electric skateboards under $1,000 USD.

It is reliable and effective, and the performance is solid. It is the best bang for your buck ESC on the market with smooth performance. How it is configured does lack nice features like customizable acceleration curves and braking modes. Still, Lycaon has already balanced this well from the get-go to accommodate most riders.

While it isn't as cool as a VESC, this is what you can expect at this price point.

Remote Controller

The ESC pairs with the default Gen2 version remote from Hobbywing. You'll see this exact remote across many brands with various brand logos plastered on, but it is essentially the same product. I find it to be super smooth and simple to use.

The speed wheel is precise, and making minor, gradual adjustments is easy. I always love to see a wrist strap on remotes, as the chance of dropping it mid-ride is slim to none.

The remote lets you cycle through 4 different speed/acceleration modes, lets you change direction, and you can even turn on the board with the remote only. This is something not all Hobbywing ESC boards are configured to do.

Unlike the Gen1 remote that ships with boards like the Maxfind Max2 Pro, this one has a neat LCD screen. This means you always have relevant riding information at your fingertips.

Lastly, you also have cruise control. Although I don't use it much myself, it is a crucial feature to have for some riders.

Where brands like LingYi may beat a Hobbywing setup on features, this setup rides smoother and feels more reliable. As an example, there is little to no voltage sag, which is something I struggled with in a LingYi setup on the Skatebolt Tornado 2.

Final Verdict - Who Is The Lycaon GR 2021 For?

Lycaon GR 2021 shot in nature

This electric skateboard is for riders who prioritize motor performance and range over ride quality. It is ideal for beginners and more advanced riders on a budget.

The Lycaon GR 2021 holds its own in terms of sheer performance. The acceleration and top speed are impressive, and the range is easily the best in its class.

I was pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail in the build and the overall solid construction. Highlights include the well-greased truck components, speed washers, and smooth ABEC-9 bearings.

However, even with additions like shock pads, a reasonably flexy deck, and soft wheels, I still felt road vibrations hitting my legs even on roads in decent condition to the extent that I had to slow down a lot at points. While I don't have the solution to the problem myself, I hope Lycaon will focus on this if they ever do a new version of this board rather than focus on more power.

All in all, this is an extremely capable board that only really falls short on ride quality. The performance tests, however, speak for themselves.

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