Unconventional Off Road Vehicles: Taking Hoverboards, Scooters, and Go-Karts On Trails

If you’ve ever ridden a dirt bike, ATV, or mountain bike on off-road trails; or driven a UTV, 4X4, or AWD vehicle in the backcountry, you know how fun and exhilarating off-road adventures can be. That said, it was only a matter of time before less conventional vehicles made their way to the market developed specifically for off roading. These include hoverboards, scooters, and go-karts designed for off road adventure seekers to navigate natural terrain trails.

Keep reading to learn more about riding off-road trails on one of these unconventional off road vehicles, including a brief overview of each vehicle category and some of the standout models, then finish with a helpful tip for locating trails using the onX Offroad App.

Off Road Scooters

Scooters are a relatively new vehicle to enter the off road segment. They are a modified variation of the stand-up scooters found in every major U.S. city (e.g., Bird, Lime, Lyft). These off road scooters come in electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) versions, with some models having standard long-travel suspension for navigating rough terrain. 

Notable Models in the Category:

Go-Ped GTR46 Trail Ripper – With a 47cc gas-powered two-stroke engine, the GTR46 is a stand-on scooter purpose-built for off-roading. With six inches of travel front and rear plus eight inches of ground clearance, as its name implies, this model is ready to tackle any trail.

Dualtron Ultra 2 – With 11-inch off-road type tires and front and rear motors—each delivering 3320W of power—the Ultra 2 is a performance electric scooter with a top speed of nearly 100kph. The legendary electric scooter can tackle almost any off road terrain—including steep inclines and heavy soil conditions—and is best suited to more experienced riders.

Zero 11X – An electric scooter designed for off roaders. A unique twin steering system with ergonomic riser handlebars makes this one of the most agile and stable off road scooter models on the market. And with dual 1600W motors, the 11X provides the torque and acceleration needed to tackle nearly any terrain.

Off Road Hoverboards

Hoverboards are another unconventional vehicle that may seem out of place at first glance in an off-road setting. Available in single and two-wheel versions, they can be a fun and exhilarating way to explore backcountry terrain hands-free without the distractions of handlebars, control levers, and a throttle. Users control a hoverboard’s direction and speed by leaning forward, backward, or side-to-side to navigate dirt, gravel, and other natural terrain surfaces.

Notable Models in the Category:

Halo Rover X – Considered by many to be the category standard, the Rover X boasts dual 400-watt motors that power the hoverboard to a top speed of 10 mph and a range of 10 miles. Its 8.5-inch never-flat tires and durable aluminum frame allow one to navigate nearly any obstacle. 

Onewheel GT – Initially created for pavement and light trail use, Onewheel offers an optional treaded tire that transforms the GT into an off road hoverboard. With a top speed of 20 mph and a 30-mile range on a charge, it’s easy to see why the GT has become a popular option when the pavement ends and the trail begins.

Swagtron T6 Outlaw – The first hoverboard with a carrying capacity of up to 420 lbs. With its rugged 10-inch all-terrain tires and dual 300-watt motors, the T6 Outlaw is a formidable off road hoverboard with a top speed of 12 mph and a range of 7-12 miles on a charge.

Off Road Go-Karts

Many older generations grew up driving gas-powered go-karts, and these fun modern variants have come a long way from the lawnmower-engine-driven karts of the past. With contemporary UTV styling, ergonomics—and gasoline or electric-powered options—these modern go-karts are an economical way to off-road than pricier ATV and UTV models.

Notable Models in the Category:

Coleman Powersports CK196-T – A 196cc gas-powered go-kart designed for hours of fun on dirt, gravel, and other off road terrain. Long travel suspension and room for two means this go-kart is ready for hours of off road fun.

MotoTec Mud Monster XL Electric – With a powerful 60v, 2000w motor, this electric go-kart accelerates quickly and quietly—with zero emissions—and a run time of up to 2.5 hours. Add to that hydraulic long-travel shocks front and rear, and you have a formidable off road kart.

TrailMaster Blazer 200EX – An adult-sized off road kart with UTV styling and room for two. Powered by a 170cc fuel-injected motor with a top speed of 43 mph, the 200EX comes standard with adjustable front and rear shocks and bucket seats with racing seat belts.

Find Easy Off Road Trails

Once you’ve purchased an off road scooter, hoverboard, or go-kart, the next step is to find a place to ride. To make things easier, the onX Offroad App can help.

First, familiarize yourself with the Technical Trail Difficulty Rating System, which assigns trails a technical rating from 1 (Easy) to 10 (Extreme). By reviewing each trail’s difficulty rating on your planned route in advance, you can eliminate guessing and avoid surprises on the trail.

Next, open the onX Offroad App. By default, the app displays trails in your surrounding area. Or navigate to a specific location on the map and tap the Discover button to find trail routes. Tap on an individual trail to access the technical difficulty rating, length, open and closure dates, current weather, and other helpful information.