Meepo Hurricane Ultra Review: Power, Options, and One Big Trade-off

Introduction

The Meepo Hurricane Ultra is an all-terrain electric skateboard that builds on the original Hurricane with more configuration options rather than a straightforward upgrade. It is powerful, arguably more powerful than most riders will ever need, and it offers a range of choices for decks, trucks, drivetrains, and wheels.

There is a lot to like about this board, but there is also one aspect that may give some riders pause. This review covers the configuration that was tested, the available options, and the trade-offs that come with each choice.

Who This Board Is For

The Hurricane Ultra is for riders who want a powerful all-terrain board and appreciate being able to tailor it to their riding style. The multiple configuration options mean you can prioritize comfort, performance, or durability depending on how and where you ride.

It is not for people who want portability. The tested configuration, with a bamboo deck, gear drive, TKP trucks, and tubeless tires, weighs just over 17 kg. That is close to the weight of two smaller electric skateboards.

Deck and Trucks

The tested board uses a flexible bamboo deck. The other option is a stiff carbon fiber deck, which is the same deck used on the original Hurricane. The carbon fiber deck is stronger, with the battery protected inside an aluminum shell, making it a better choice if there is a chance the board could be run over by a car.

The bamboo deck offers a more comfortable ride, especially over rough surfaces like cobblestone. The flex is medium, noticeable but not too bouncy. The concave is more pronounced than on many other all-terrain bamboo decks, which helps you feel the edges of the deck with your feet at all times. The grip tape is very grippy and may take some getting used to.

The trucks on the tested board are all-terrain traditional kingpin trucks, which are more stable at high speeds but sacrifice a little turn radius at low speeds. Double kingpin trucks, like those on the original Hurricane, are still available as an option.

Wheels and Tires

The tested board came with 165mm tubeless tires. These tires are 72mm wide with a relatively flat contact patch, which is wider than most other e-skate pneumatics. The grip is incredible, as you would expect from such a wide and flat contact patch.

However, compared to more rounded and narrow tires, you get less ride comfort and less range. The other stock options are 175mm by 50mm tires and 165mm by 65mm racing tires. If comfort is your priority, the 175mm tires are the better choice and are also more affordable.

Drivetrain Options

The tested board uses Meepo’s new gear drive, which uses the same motors as the original Hurricane. According to Meepo, the gear drive offers more torque, less sliding resistance, and smoother acceleration compared to belt drive. The gears are protected inside a sealed housing, which is the main selling point for riders who frequently ride in conditions where debris can get into a belt drive system.

That said, the gear drive did not feel smoother in practice. Every time the throttle was released, the board seemed to decelerate noticeably, which may be due to the wide tires creating more resistance. For most riders, belt drive is already very low maintenance and offers high torque, plus it is more customizable with aftermarket pulleys and wheels.

Battery and Range

The new battery is 691Wh, made up of Samsung 40T cells in a 12S4P configuration. That is about 5% less capacity than the original Hurricane’s 726Wh pack, which used Molicel P42A cells. The original cells are also said to perform better in extreme temperatures, though Samsung 40T is still a highly reputable cell.

In testing, the board achieved 31 km of range. The rider weighed about 79 kg with gear, the weather was 8°C, and the tires were at about 30 psi. Meepo’s website claims 50 km, which is likely possible under the right conditions and with the right parts. Many factors affect range, so real-world results will vary.

Riding Experience

The speed controller, the LY-FOC, is where opinions are most divided. The board felt quite jerky, even in ride mode 3 out of 4. You can accelerate smoothly, but you have to be very gentle on the throttle compared to most other boards. This is not because powerful boards are naturally jerky; it is a matter of ESC tuning.

The brakes feel totally fine, but the board does not coast as well as expected when letting go of the throttle. Another quirk is that the torque seems to kick in around 30 km/h, which may appeal to riders who like top speeds but is less ideal for those who cruise at moderate speeds.

Despite the jerkiness, there are some features worth appreciating. Push to turn on is quick and convenient, and the board can hold itself in place on a slope, which is a nice touch that most boards cannot do.

Buying Advice

The Hurricane Ultra is a versatile board, but the right configuration depends on how you ride.

If you frequently go off-roading, consider the bamboo deck with gear drive and the 175mm tires. Both truck types are fine.

If you want a board for racing or aggressive riding on asphalt, choose the carbon fiber deck and TKP trucks for better control. For wheels, go with the tubeless or racing tires for extra grip. Gear drive and belt drive are both fine, depending on whether you prefer not replacing belts or having more customization options.

If you want a board for casual cruising and carving, the bamboo deck offers more comfort. Either truck type works, but TKP is a personal preference. The 175mm wheels are a good choice to avoid wasting energy with the wide contact patch, and belt drive gives you more aftermarket wheel options.

Conclusion

The Meepo Hurricane Ultra is a powerful and highly configurable all-terrain electric skateboard. Almost everything about it is great, from the deck options to the drivetrain choices. The main drawback is the jerky throttle control, which may not bother everyone but is noticeable compared to other boards in this category.

If you are used to powerful boards or plan to ride with belt drive, this could be a solid choice. Just be aware of the trade-offs before committing.