I am selling my NIU MQi+ Sport electric motorcycle, approximately 2.5 years old, purchased new from the official distributor and owned only by me from day one.
The bike currently has 12,721 km. It has never been involved in an accident, has been taken care of as much as possible, and is in excellent visual/cosmetic condition with good overall condition for its age and mileage.
I originally planned to sell it because I decided to upgrade to a petrol scooter for town use. The NIU has been financially very economical for my commuting, but I now value faster refuelling, higher speed and longer-distance flexibility more than the savings on fuel.
Important: the motorcycle was being used regularly as my daily commuter until the current battery problem appeared. It is now not being used at all and I have switched to another vehicle while I proceed with my original plan to buy a better petrol motorcycle.
I want to be completely transparent with the next owner. This is not a “perfect condition, no problems” advertisement. It is a used entry-level electric motorcycle with both very good advantages and some known characteristics/issues. I am listing everything I know so whoever buys it understands exactly what they are getting.
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Basic specifications and running costs
* Model: NIU MQi+ Sport
* Registration: 03/2024
* Owners: First owner from new
* Mileage: 12,721 km
* Accidents: None. Always parked indoors and covered, in a cool, dry place, with zero exposure to rain or UV sunlight
* Colour: Black with red stripes — in my opinion, the best colour option available and a popular/high-demand colour
* Top speed: Approximately 43–52 km/h depending on battery charge, road conditions, weather and other factors. Typical balanced speed is around 47–48 km/h
* Realistic maximum range: Approximately 40–50 km depending on conditions and riding. Manufacturer advertised range is 65 km
* Battery: Removable
* Charging: Approximately 4 hours when charging the battery directly, or approximately 5 hours when charging while installed in the vehicle, to reach around 80% from a battery that is not deeply discharged
* Electricity cost: Less than approximately €0.44 for a full charge at current electricity prices, depending on electricity tariff
* Road tax: None
* Insurance: Required. Mine currently costs approximately €100/year for third-party minimum coverage with Minerva; cheaper options may be available from other insurers
* MOT: Valid until 03/2028
* Smart connectivity: GPS/cellular connectivity and NIU app
* Keys: Two original keys/remotes
* Passenger: Passenger capable, with aluminium passenger foot pegs and strong passenger hand grips
* Licence: An appropriate driving licence is required to legally ride the vehicle
The original MSRP was approximately €2,799.
One of the biggest advantages of this motorcycle is that there is no petrol, engine oil or conventional engine servicing. There is also no road tax, so the main running costs are electricity, insurance and basic maintenance.
The battery is removable, which is particularly useful for someone living in an apartment or anyone who wants to charge it at work, at home or somewhere else where a normal wall socket is available.
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⚠️ CURRENT BATTERY PROBLEM — PLEASE READ FIRST
The motorcycle currently has a battery-related fault and is being sold AS-IS.
This is the main reason I am selling it at a very low price.
The motorcycle was working as my daily commuter. I then left it for only 5 days while I was away on holiday, with the battery approximately half charged.
When I returned, the battery was showing a fault, with the battery LED blinking three times, indicating an unbalanced/battery-related condition.
Based on the symptoms, some battery cells appear to be unbalanced and some cells may need to be replaced or the battery professionally repaired/rebalanced.
I have tried resetting the battery, but this does not permanently solve the problem.
After a short ride of only a few kilometres, the problem can return and the BMS can lock itself again.
Therefore, please do not buy this motorcycle assuming that a simple reset will fix the battery.
The reset may temporarily clear the problem, but in my experience the fault comes back.
I am selling the motorcycle with this problem fully disclosed.
The buyer should assume that professional battery diagnosis/repair will be required.
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Battery repair and diagnosis
There are very few shops that can do battery diagnosis/repair. Based on the information I have received from the same person who is fixing and cooperating with the authorized dealer, professional cell rebalancing can start from approximately €300, depending on what is actually found inside the battery.
I mention this because it demonstrates why I am pricing the complete motorcycle so low.
I personally prefer to put that money towards petrol and a different scooter rather than continue investing in this particular motorcycle after the experience I have had with it.
I am not claiming that €300 is guaranteed to repair this particular battery, nor am I guaranteeing that it only needs balancing. A competent battery specialist should diagnose the battery properly and determine whether individual cells need replacement or whether another fault is responsible.
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Why this motorcycle can make financial sense
This motorcycle made the most financial sense for me because I was using it regularly for commuting.
I was previously travelling approximately 100–150 km per week / 400–600 km per month, and during that time it saved me approximately €40+ per month compared with using my car.
For someone travelling around 50 km per day, 5 days a week, the approximate fuel cost of a normal economical 1,000–1,500 cc car could be around €20+ per week, while a small 49–125 cc petrol scooter might cost approximately €10 per week, depending on the vehicle and fuel consumption.
A rough comparison is:
* ⚡ Electric: approximately €0.44 for a full charge, depending on electricity price and charging losses
* 🛵 Small petrol scooter: approximately €36–44/month or €432–528/year
* 🚗 Economical petrol car: approximately €70–96/month or €840–1,152/year
Approximate energy cost per kilometre:
* ⚡ Electric: approximately €0.0088–€0.011/km, around €0.009/km
* 🛵 Petrol motorcycle: approximately €0.036–€0.044/km, around €0.040/km
* 🚗 Petrol car: approximately €0.070–€0.096/km, around €0.083/km
Compared with electricity costing less than approximately €0.35 for 80% SoC or €0.44 for a full charge, the difference can become significant for someone doing a lot of kilometres.
At around 100 km per day, the fuel savings become even more significant, and at approximately 150 km per day, the potential fuel savings can be substantial compared with using a petrol car or scooter.
Obviously, exact savings depend on the buyer’s vehicle, fuel consumption, electricity price and actual distance travelled.
The important point is that this motorcycle is not necessarily financially worthwhile for someone who only travels 5–10 km occasionally. It makes much more sense for someone who uses it regularly for commuting, work, school or local business.
I also would not recommend buying it simply as a weekend/occasional vehicle. Electric batteries generally benefit from being used and maintained properly rather than being left unused for long periods.
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You still keep the value of the motorcycle
One thing people sometimes forget when calculating the payback period is that you are not simply spending the money on fuel.
Even if it takes approximately 1–2 years for the fuel savings to recover the purchase price compared with a petrol scooter, at the end of that period you still own the motorcycle and can resell it.
Because the next owner is buying it used and has already avoided the largest part of the initial depreciation, the financial risk can be relatively low.
You may spend a few years saving money on every kilometre while still keeping an asset that has resale value.
There is also a possibility that the resale value could remain stronger than expected in the future. If petrol prices continue increasing and affordable electric vehicles remain limited in the local market, demand for economical EVs could increase as well.
This is especially relevant at this price point because, based on my own research, this is currently one of the cheapest EV options I have found on the island in this condition and mileage.
In fact, there are even used bicycles advertised for more money than this motorcycle.
Of course, nobody can guarantee what the future market will do, but this is one reason I don’t see the purchase as simply “spending money on an electric scooter”.
You prepay more upfront, save a lot on every kilometre afterwards, and still own something that can potentially be resold later.
The more kilometres you ride, the stronger the financial advantage becomes — while the motorcycle itself can still retain a meaningful part of its value.
Even if someone eventually faces a battery end-of-life situation, the motorcycle itself still has value as a complete vehicle and the battery can potentially be repaired with cells rather than automatically requiring an entirely new battery. Battery technology and repair options can also become more affordable over time.
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My own financial experience
Despite the mileage, the bike still hasn’t paid itself back. After comparing it with an equivalent petrol bike and subtracting electricity costs, I have only recouped around €400, and I am still at a loss compared with what I originally paid — without even counting expenses such as three years of prepaid insurance.
So this sale will not really be a profit for me. It is simply a way to recover part of my original investment and put that money towards my next daily vehicle.
Based on my calculations, I would have needed approximately 70,000–80,000 km to fully recoup the purchase cost, which the battery may never realistically reach.
Financially, the purchase was ultimately a failure for me, and the proper calculations show that clearly. However, it still saved me a lot compared with the EV car I had originally planned to buy, and hopefully it was a relatively cheap lesson that will help me make better financial decisions in the future.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, I mainly bought it because I wanted to experience the future of electric mobility for myself — not purely because I expected it to save me money.
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What I like about it — Pros
Lightweight and easy to park
It is surprisingly light and easy to move around by hand. You can position it almost anywhere, which is very useful when parking is difficult.
It is also much slimmer than a conventional scooter, making it easier to move through traffic and fit into small parking spaces.
Very easy to ride
It is extremely easy to handle, short U-turn with very stable steering even without hands. There is no clutch, no gears and no engine vibration, and it is simple to manoeuvre.
Instant power
There is no engine warm-up. You simply turn it on and go.
The acceleration is actually surprisingly good for this class of motorcycle, especially from a standstill. In city traffic, it can often be first away from the traffic lights for the first part of the road before faster vehicles catch up.
Completely silent
There is practically no engine noise.
You mostly hear the wind and surrounding traffic, which I personally find very relaxing. It also means you can hear what is happening around you much better than with a noisy petrol motorcycle.
No petrol smell or exhaust
There are no exhaust fumes, petrol odours or engine-oil smells.
Because there is no hot engine or exhaust system, the motorcycle stays much cooler around your legs and can be covered shortly after riding without worrying about a hot exhaust or engine.
Useful small details
It has:
* Cup holder
* Bag hook
* Useful footboard area
* Enough foot space for a medium/large bag
* Enough space to carry things such as two 6-packs of water
* Passenger foot pegs
* Strong passenger hand grips
Excellent lighting
The high beam has a strong LED/laser-style light for longer-distance visibility, while the side LED lights provide additional visibility in darker conditions.
Smart features
The NIU app and cellular/GPS system provide various information including:
* Battery state of charge
* Battery health
* Battery temperature
* Trip information
* Trip history
* Live information
* GPS/location features
* Alarm/vibration notifications
* Vehicle tracking
The alarm and lighting system can also be activated remotely with the original remotes.
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Important limitations and problems — PLEASE READ
This is the section I am including specifically because I do not want to hide anything from the next owner.
The motorcycle is not perfect, and my experience with NIU after-sales support has been disappointing.
I understand this is an entry-level electric motorcycle and therefore I never expected it to behave like a €5,000+ premium motorcycle. However, I have experienced more small problems and unexpected behaviour than I believe should be acceptable.
I am describing these things honestly so the buyer can make an informed decision.
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After-sales support and warranty
In my personal experience, the after-sales/warranty support has been the biggest disappointment.
During the two-year warranty period, I had problems that I expected the manufacturer/dealer to investigate or resolve, but the official diagnostic system repeatedly showed the motorcycle and battery as healthy, including approximately 98% battery health, despite my real-world experience being different.
The support process was also very slow and involved a lot of back-and-forth.
I therefore do not want to advertise this motorcycle by saying that it is “perfect” or that the manufacturer will solve every problem if something happens.
My experience has unfortunately made me lose confidence in the brand’s after-sales support.
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Random errors
There have been occasional random error messages or strange behaviour.
Some appear to be related to software updates, battery balancing or other electronic conditions.
There have also been occasions where the throttle behaviour felt unexpected, including situations that seemed related to temperature changes/expansion and contraction.
The dealer suggested replacing certain components at additional cost, but based on my experience I was not convinced that replacing a component would permanently solve the problem.
There are also reports from other NIU owners online describing similar electronic/software-related issues.
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Battery state-of-charge behaviour
One of the things I noticed from relatively early in my ownership is that the displayed battery percentage can sometimes drop faster than expected.
For example, I have experienced approximately 15–20% SOC reduction over only a few kilometres under certain circumstances.
The dealer told me that this behaviour was normal.
The official diagnostic system previously reported healthy battery condition, but my real-world experience is why I am mentioning this separately.
I have taken care of the battery carefully and tried to charge according to my routes and usage in order to keep the battery balanced.
The manufacturer states a battery guarantee of at least 5 years or 600 cycles to 80% health, while my battery has completed approximately 250 cycles based on my usage/estimation (1 cycle is equivalent to 60% charge).
However, I would strongly recommend that any potential buyer considers the battery’s real-world behaviour rather than relying only on the app’s health percentage.
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Occasional power cut
There have been occasions where the power has suddenly been cut for a short period.
This is another reason why I don’t want to describe the motorcycle as flawless.
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Hot and cold weather
Very hot weather above approximately 40°C, or very cold conditions around 10°C and below, are not ideal for long-distance riding.
The battery and performance can be affected by extreme temperatures.
This is probably less important for someone who avoids riding motorcycles in extreme weather anyway, but it is worth knowing for anyone who uses a motorcycle professionally every day.
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Braking / regenerative behaviour
When applying the front brake, the CBS system also causes the rear motor to slow the motorcycle while regenerating energy.
This means the motorcycle can feel as if both brakes are being applied even when you initially use the front brake.
It is generally safe once you become accustomed to it, but it can feel unusual for someone coming from a conventional petrol scooter.
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Speed limitation
This is probably the biggest practical limitation.
The motorcycle is limited to approximately 43–52 km/h, depending on battery charge, road conditions, weather and other factors.
For city streets with heavy traffic this can be perfectly adequate, and the acceleration is good for getting away from traffic lights.
However, when surrounding traffic is travelling at 60 km/h or more, the limitation becomes frustrating.
You have to stay as far to the side as practical and allow faster traffic to pass.
Depending on the road and the behaviour of other drivers, this can sometimes become stressful and potentially dangerous.
Performance also becomes weaker as the battery gets lower.
When the battery reaches approximately 10% or below, the speed can be reduced dramatically to around 15–20 km/h.
The motorcycle can still continue for quite a distance at that speed, but obviously it is not practical for normal traffic.
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Front suspension
The front suspension is not particularly soft, mainly due to the small 10-inch wheels.
On broken roads, potholes and bumps, the ride can feel harsh, and you can hear the suspension working with noticeable “bump-bump” noises.
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Almost no storage space
There is no conventional under-seat storage compartment.
The battery and charger occupy most of the available space, so there is only room for a few small items.
Do not expect to fit a helmet or large amount of luggage under the seat.
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Tyres
The original tyres are acceptable for normal use, but I would not consider them ideal for very wet roads or every type of road surface.
The motorcycle should be ridden accordingly, especially in wet conditions.
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Tyre pressure
One of the few regular maintenance items is checking tyre pressure.
I have found that the tyres need to be kept around the recommended pressure, approximately 2.5 bar, and may require topping up every few months.
Keeping the correct pressure is particularly important on this motorcycle because of the hub motor and overall efficiency/range.
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Things that can be improved or modified
The speed limitation can technically be modified with a different controller.
There are aftermarket controllers available from approximately €300 and upwards, with cheaper unknown-quality options also available.
Some owners have achieved approximately 65 km/h with modifications, but achieving that properly may require additional battery modification as well.
I personally did not modify mine.
I did not want to risk the warranty during the warranty period, and now that I am selling it I do not want to invest additional money into it.
If the top speed were not below 55 km/h minimum, I would definitely keep it. However, considering all the other issues I described above, I have decided to exit the EV market entirely.
I also prefer not to recommend modifications that could affect the vehicle’s legality, reliability, insurance or safety.
There is also a specific rear rack available for installing a top box. A top box would make the motorcycle much more practical for carrying larger items or storing a helmet.
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One useful trick I discovered
During some occasions when an error appeared, I discovered that pressing the horn button could clear certain error codes and allow the motorcycle to continue operating.
Obviously, this should not be considered a substitute for proper diagnosis if a serious fault occurs.
Interestingly, even the dealer did not initially know about this.
I am mentioning this because it may be useful information for an existing or future NIU owner.
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My experience with the dealership
I am deliberately keeping this as my personal experience, rather than telling anyone what they must believe.
My experience with the local dealership has been extremely frustrating.
I had situations where I felt that warranty issues were not properly handled, communication was inconsistent, and I was repeatedly left with the impression that the priority was avoiding cost rather than solving the customer’s problem.
I also had a dispute regarding documentation/tax and my purchase/subsidy process which was handled improperly, or better to say not handled at all in purpose to make even more profit from the profits.
After giving the dealership multiple opportunities over a long period to resolve problems, my confidence in them eventually disappeared completely.
I also felt that when I raised problems with the manufacturer, my concerns were not always represented fairly.
I have kept documentation of my experiences and communications.
I am not including this section to create unnecessary drama. I am including it because the after-sales experience is relevant to anyone considering buying an NIU in Cyprus, especially someone who is relying on warranty or dealer support.
My personal recommendation is simply to research the local support situation carefully before purchasing any NIU. You can also ask other owners about their after-sales experience. Personally, I’ve heard similar stories from many people. Instead of talking about the NIU community and building relationships, we mostly end up sharing problems. Good after-sales service is what keeps customers happy and builds a good reputation.
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Smart connectivity cost
The NIU smart connectivity service is useful, but it is not completely free.
The subscription has been approximately €30/year at the reduced price, compared with around €50 originally.
This provides access to connected/smart features such as tracking and vehicle information.
Personally, I think it is still reasonably priced for what it provides, but the buyer should know that it is a recurring cost if they want to continue using the connected service.
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Who I think should buy this motorcycle
I think this motorcycle is particularly suitable for someone who:
* Commutes regularly in the city
* Travels approximately 50–100 km per day
* Has somewhere to charge at home or work
* Wants extremely low running costs
* Wants to avoid petrol and engine maintenance
* Lives in an apartment and benefits from a removable battery
* Wants something lightweight and very easy to park
* Mostly rides in areas where 30–50 km/h is sufficient
* Wants an inexpensive entry into electric motorcycles
* Understands that this is an entry-level EV rather than a high-performance scooter
* Is comfortable repairing or replacing the battery if necessary
* Hobby projects
* Resellers / Spare parts
A good opportunity for resellers, repair shops or NIU owners looking for parts. The hub motor, ECU/controller, chassis/frame and other electrical, mechanical and body components are in excellent condition and can have significant individual replacement value.
It can also make sense for small businesses and moderate local messenger-type work.
However, I would not recommend it for a professional delivery rider who needs to complete many orders continuously throughout the day.
The combination of limited speed, approximately 40–50 km practical range and charging time makes it difficult to operate continuously for heavy professional delivery work.
I would only recommend it if you are planning to purchase another new or compatible used battery, or if you already own an MQi/UQi model. A brand-new battery alone costs roughly the same as the asking price of the vehicle. With two batteries, you can keep one charging while using the other, giving you much greater flexibility and virtually no downtime.
Similarly, if you only travel approximately 10 km per day or use the motorcycle once a week, the financial advantage is much smaller.
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Why I am selling it
There is nothing complicated about the reason.
I used this motorcycle regularly as my daily commuter and it saved me a lot of money compared with using a petrol car.
However, I now prefer the advantages of a similar petrol scooter:
* Higher speed
* Longer range
* Much faster refuelling
* Less need to plan charging
* More flexibility for unexpected trips
* Better suited to the type of riding I currently want to do
In other words, I now value my time and convenience more than maximum fuel savings.
I had already decided to upgrade to a petrol motorcycle, and the current battery problem simply made me stop using the NIU earlier than planned.
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Final honest summary
This is not a brand-new motorcycle, and I am not going to pretend it is perfect.
It has 12,721 km, was used regularly as my daily commuter until the current battery fault appeared, and is now not being used because of the battery problem.
It has never been crashed, has been cared for, is in excellent cosmetic condition, and was genuinely very economical to operate while it was being used.
The battery is removable, charging is cheap, there is no road tax, conventional engine servicing is not required, and the smart/GPS system is genuinely useful.
However, the current battery problem is real and fully disclosed. A buyer should expect professional diagnosis/repair and should not assume that resetting the battery will permanently fix it.
I would much rather sell it to someone who has read this entire description and understands exactly what they are buying than tell someone “perfect condition, no problems” and let them discover the characteristics later.
No exchanges. No installments. No contracts. Prefer cash payment.
No helmet, clothing or related accessories will be provided.
This is an AS-IS sale. The current battery fault is explicitly disclosed in this advertisement. Once the vehicle has been transferred into the buyer’s name and possession, it cannot be returned. No guarantees or claims will be accepted for problems that may arise after the buyer takes possession.
You are welcome to inspect the motorcycle and see its current cosmetic condition for yourself.
I am not trying to hide the battery problem or make the motorcycle sound better than it is. The low asking price reflects the current situation.
Some individual parts of this motorcycle can already cost a significant amount, while the complete vehicle is being offered for a very low price. For someone who understands EVs, has access to a battery specialist, already owns another compatible NIU, or is willing to repair the battery, this could potentially be a worthwhile project.
For someone who wants a completely trouble-free daily vehicle and does not want to deal with battery diagnosis or repair, this is probably not the motorcycle for you.
And that is exactly why I am writing everything here.
I would rather be completely honest and potentially not sell it than sell it to someone who does not understand what they are buying.
