LITELOK X1 review: This bike lock is so strong I use it on my motorcycle
I’m a bit of a bike lock collector. After having my favorite e-bike stolen a few years ago (as well as several less favorite bikes stolen over the years), I’ve gotten much more serious about security. After testing the LITELOK X1, I can tell you that this lock is so overbuilt that I even use it on my electric scooters and motorcycles.
U-locks, sometimes referred to as D-locks in many parts of the world for god-only-knows-what-reason, are often considered the ideal form factor for many riders. They’re compact, don’t rattle, and offer the kind of theft prevention that only a giant hunk of reinforced steel can.
The LITELOK X1 offers all of those features and more. Not only is the shackle nearly an inch thick (21x24mm), but it’s also got a hardened fine-grain high-tensile steel core coated with a patent-pending material known as Barronium to further degrade angle grinder cutting blades.
As the company explained, “Barronium® is a fused composite armor that offers unparalleled angle grinder resistance without adding extra weight. It is a super hard ceramic composite material that repels angle grinder attacks and turns the grinder’s energy and force in on itself. Continuous cutting wears down the grinder discs, batteries, and ultimately the grinder motor itself.”
That doesn’t mean the lock can’t be cut. Every single bike lock can be defeated with the right tool and with enough time. But multiple independent tests have shown that it takes many angle grinder disc swaps before the lock can finally be cut through. And even then, it uses an anti-twist design meaning that a single cut isn’t enough – the thief will need to make a second cut to remove enough of the shackle to get it off of the bike or anchor. At that point, the thief will need another handful of cutting discs, not to mention enough spare batteries to keep going with a tool that is now likely close to overheating anyway.
Suffice it to say, this is about as angle grinder-proof as it gets, even if such a thing doesn’t technically exist in reality. With a half dozen cutting discs or more, plus a few battery swaps, a thief is likely to give up before they ever make it away with your bike. LITELOK has plenty of testimonials and pictures on its site sent in from owners who found themselves in that exact scenario, returning to their bikes to find their lock only partially cut and no thief in sight.
More than just theft resistance
Part of choosing a good lock isn’t only how strong it is, but also how convenient it is. At just under 4 lb, the LITELOK X1 isn’t lightweight but also doesn’t weigh nearly as much as my 8-10 lb chain locks. It’s annoying that it can add nearly 10% to my e-bike’s weight, but that sure beats adding 20%!
The design also includes a nice reflective strip, which can be an added safety bonus when riding around with the lock mounted to the frame.
There’s also convenient neoprene carrying pouch that comes standard with the lock and helps keep your bag nice and clean, even when your lock gets dirty.
And while this is a small detail, I like how minimalist the keys are. I have enough chunky keys to keep on my ring already, so any low-profile key is greatly appreciated. This isn’t the place to take up extra real estate with big molded grips and branding on something I’m trying to shove deep down in my pocket, and I’m glad LITELOK realized that.
Security ratings
Of course, the added convenience is nice, but security ratings are still the most important factor in deciding which lock can best protect your ride.
The X1 is Sold Secure Diamond rated for both pedal bikes and powered bikes (a category including both motorcycles and e-bikes). This means the lock has received basically the highest security rating it can from the premier lock testing company, UK-based Sold Secure.
The lock is also rated ART 4 out of a possible score of 5. ART, a Dutch-based lock testing organization, considers a score of 2 to be sufficient for bicycles and e-bikes, and a score of 4 to be sufficient for motorcycles parked in public places.
In other words, the leading lock testing organizations in the industry pretty much agree that the X1 gets top marks and is probably more than sufficient for pretty much any e-bike – and likely motorcycles too.
Which is why I feel perfectly comfortable using it as a wheel lock on my own motorcycles and e-scooters.
How could it be improved?
The lock is really nicely designed, both in terms of form and function. However, there is still room for improvement.
I find that when I want to close the lock, I often have trouble getting it perfectly lined up on the shackle, meaning the key won’t turn to lock it down. I have to jiggle the lock until it seems like either the pins in the cylinder free up or the locking latches in the shackle align, and then it closes nicely. It’s annoying to have to massage it into place, that’s for sure. Maybe it’s just mine, but it doesn’t seem to be something that goes away with use.
Another area I would have liked to see improved would be to offer it in either multiple colors or at least a single bright color that isn’t black.
The problems with black locks are numerous, at least in my opinion. I don’t like how they disappear into the bike, meaning you might forget that it’s there when used as a wheel lock. You’re not going to get far if you try to ride away, but you might end up with a bent spoke or disc, depending on how you locked up. A small and cheap $7 reminder cable can help, but a brightly colored lock would be easier. Highly visible locks also serve as a warning to thieves from a distance, helping to ward them off before they invest time in examining your ride. And lastly, they’re just easier to find in a gear bag or drawer, not getting lost in a sea of other black riding gear.
Finally, this lock is expensive. I’m talking $179 expensive. That’s a significant outlay, but I always remind people to consider how much their e-bike or motorcycle is worth to them. If it’s worth more than $179 to keep it yours, then maybe such a powerful lock isn’t that expensive after all, relatively speaking.
There are other more affordable locks out there and I use many of them, but now that I’ve been testing the LITELOK X1 recently, I know I’ve got one of the highest-security locks out there to add to my quiver of options.
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An electric vehicle powered by semi-solid state batteries for around $11,000? Sounds like a game changer. This Chinese automaker claims to be launching the first mass-market EV sold globally with new semi-solid state batteries.
An affordable Chinese EV with solid-state batteries
The new MG4 is set to debut next month, featuring advanced new battery tech. MG’s brand manager, Chen Cui, confirmed “the new battery, supplied by QinTao Energy, contains only 5% electrolyte.”
According to MG, the semi-solid-state EV battery delivers a CLTC driving range of up to 537 km (334 miles) with an energy density rating of 180 Wh/kg. It also outperforms LFP batteries in cold weather (–7°C) by 13.8%.
Chen explained that the new MG4 will launch at a competitive price. Although he didn’t offer specifics, Chen hinted that it will be on par with the BYD Dolphin, at around 80,000 yuan ($11,000) to 120,000 yuan ($16,500), adding, “there is no reason customers wouldn’t choose the MG4.”
MG says the new MG4 will draw power from a 70 kWh battery pack. A rear-wheel-drive (RWD) powertrain option will be available with 161 horsepower (120 kW).
BYD’s popular Dolphin electric hatch is offered with two LFP Blade Battery options: 44.9 kWh and 60.48 kWh, good for 420 km (261 mi) and 520 km (323 mi) of CLTC driving range.
The new MG4 is slightly bigger than the Dolphin, measuring 4,395 mm in length, 1,842 mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. In comparison, BYD’s electric hatch is 4,280 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm.
MG’s new EV will also feature its new smart cockpit system (MG x Oppo), co-developed with Chinese electronics company Oppo.
On July 14, the first new MG4 model rolled off the production line at SAIC’s Nanjing plant, with its official debut coming up on August 5.
Electrek’s Take
The new MG4 could shake things up in China and in overseas markets, offering long-range capabilities and advanced new tech at an affordable price.
As China’s EV price war intensifies, largely driven by BYD, automakers are looking to overseas markets to drive growth this year.
MG is already one of the top-selling Chinese auto brands globally. It also ranked first in retail sales in China, delivering over 2 million vehicles in the first six months of 2025.
The new MG4, powered by semi-solid-state batteries, marks the first step in MG’s new energy strategy. It arrives as many automakers and other companies are advancing new battery technology, promising significantly higher energy density, longer driving ranges, and more.
BYD, CATL, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Stellantis, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and many others are all chasing the “holy grail” of EV batteries.
Source: CarNewsChina, SAIC MG
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Inmotion has unveiled its latest high-performance electric scooter, the Jet, and it’s shaping up to be a serious contender for riders who want both speed and commuter utility in one package. With a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) and dual 1,200W motors peaking at 2,300W, the Jet is one of the highest-performance electric scooters available in the ~$2k price range.
Power is supplied to the dual motors by a built-in 72V 25Ah lithium-ion battery, offering up to a claimed 56 miles (90 km) of range on a single charge. That 1.8 kWh battery is quite large for an e-scooter, though the bigger the battery, the longer the charge time. In this case, the company says the scooter has a typical charge time of around 9 to 10 hours. While not the fastest-charging setup out there, it seems to offer plenty of juice for full-day riding if topped off overnight.
The Jet also comes with serious stopping power, thanks to dual hydraulic disc brakes – a key feature for any fast and powerful scooter. Riding comfort is improved by an 11-inch tubeless tire setup and full suspension design. Up front, a swingarm suspension design smooths out potholes, while the rear features hydraulic shocks to keep the ride stable and responsive even at higher speeds. The rear shock can be quickly adjusted to change the ride style, allowing riders to dial in their handling for roads or trails.
A large 4.3-inch color touchscreen is mounted on the handlebars and serves as the rider’s command center, displaying speed, battery status, and ride modes. Physical buttons still exist for common inputs like ride modes, but the touchscreen allows riders to scroll through long menus of adjustable parameters and view vehicle information.
The scooter also includes built-in turn signals in the handlebar ends, brake lights, and a headlight, helping it stay visible in traffic at night. It’s all wrapped up in a foldable aluminum frame, which makes it possible to stash the Jet in a car trunk, though at 90 pounds (41 kg), it’s far from lightweight and might be a bit tricky to lift all the way into that car trunk.
According to Voromotors, the only authorized US distributor for the scooter, the Inmotion Jet carries an IPX6 water resistance rating, meaning it can handle wet rides without worry, and it’s rated for riders up to 330 pounds (150 kg).
At $2,299, the Jet isn’t aiming for the budget market, but it delivers a fast and furious package for riders who want real-world performance mixed with commuter-friendly features.
Electrek’s Take
Here we go. I know these scooters are divisive, and I absolutely get it. When I covered a 100 mph (160 km/h) electric scooter the other day, that was definitely over the top. At 50 mph (80 km/h), scooters like the InMotion Jet here are approaching the top, though I’m not prepared to say they’re “too fast.” Like many things, it’s all about the time and the place. And in this case, also the protective gear. I’ve written before about how I recommend gearing up even when riding something “tame” like an electric bicycle, and this is absolutely a much more dangerous option, meaning you should be wearing full body gear on something like this scooter. As we say in motorcycling, “Dress for the slide, not for the ride.”
There’s also the question of legality, which isn’t as cut and dry as it is for e-bikes with their widely-accepted three-class system. Electric scooter regulations vary considerably more from state to state, and even more at local city levels. So you’ll have to confirm whether a scooter like this is legal in your area.
But just judging the scooter by itself on its own merits, I’d say the Inmotion Jet brings serious performance to the table without losing sight of everyday usability. It’s powerful enough for thrill-seekers but also includes the kind of thoughtful touches like turn signals, adjustable suspension, and a bright display that make it practical for commuting. I’m more of a “why stand when you could sit” guy when it comes to my commuter vehicles, but I still enjoy a fast and fun e-scooter, too. And in a market filled with lightweight last-mile scooters or overly bulky off-road tanks, the Jet seems like it strikes a decent middle ground.
Just please be safe and courteous out there. Don’t go ripping down bike lanes on a vehicle that should absolutely be used in the road, at least when traveling at speeds over bicycle norms.
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That high-end luxury vehicles that trade on being new and shiny take massive depreciation hits as soon as they roll off the lot is a lasting truth in the car business. At least one VW buyer is finding that out the hard way, having just watched their 1st Edition 4Motion ID.Buzz sell at auction for more than $11,000 under MSRP with just 398 miles on it.
At least.
After teasing a modern Bus for nearly two decades (the ID.Buzz was introduced as a concept at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, and was the fourth Type 2 Bus- or Bulli-inspired concept from VW since 2001), Volkswagen had high hopes for the all electric minivan. Unfortunately price-gouging dealer markups and a drastic over-estimation of the van’s lasting cultural impact more than twenty years after the launch of the first-generation New Beetle and a hefty $70,000+ price tag conspired against its mainstream success.
The good news, if there’s any to be had, is that early “flippers” are getting badly burned – and, while there’s no indication that the owner of this particular ID.Buzz was hoping to get an early example of a hot car from a dealer and flip it for a profit, their experience could and should serve as a warning to others.
The van, itself
The van was listed on BringaTrailer.com (all photos, above, are from the listing), and sold last week for $61,500. The included window sticker, which is typically considered a “must-have” for car collectors, shows initial delivery to Fremont Volkswagen of Casper, Wyoming, and lists all the features and equipment that brings the final sticker price to a staggering $72,385.
For that price, VW saw fit to throw in a set of woven floor mats. But, in fairness, the reality of this could have been much, much worse for the original buyer.
$35,000 dealer markup
Back in December, Hot Cars ran a story about Volkswagen of San Bernadino marking up a nearly identical 1st Edition ID.Buzz from its $72,668 sticker to a jaw-dropping $107,668 – fully $35,000 of dealership price-gouging markup, despite calls from VW corporate pleading with its dealer body to not do that.
“McKenna Volkswagen Cerritos has another 1st Edition listed for $97,815. That’s still $25,000 added on top of the MSRP for no reason,” wrote Amanda Clein, back in December. “No matter where you look, the electric bus is marked up at a bunch of dealerships. King Volkswagen in Maryland has one 1st Edition available. This one is finished in a cool orange color but is still being subject to a $10,000 markup”
No word yet on whether this particular van gets the three year Electrify America charging deal, or whether the rear seat still has the original, “pre-recall” rear seating configuration, but at least this much is certain: if you participated in a cynical, ID.Buzz-shaped cash grab in recent months, it probably cost you big time.
May the ghost of Woodstocks past forgive you for even trying.
SOURCE | MORE IMAGES: BringaTrailer.com, via Carscoops.
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