Back on Familiar Ground: A Retired Farmer Puts the Komfi Rider Volthorse 1500 to the Test
There's something about spending a lifetime working on the land that never really leaves you.
Even after retirement, the desire to get outside, check on things and enjoy the countryside is still very much there. The farm tracks, fields and familiar surroundings are part of everyday life, and being able to get around them matters.
But when walking longer distances becomes more difficult, getting out and about isn't always as straightforward as it used to be.
That's why we recently took the British-built Komfi Rider Volthorse 1500 out to meet a local retired farmer and let him put it through its paces.
And we're pleased to say, he absolutely loved it.
What impressed him most wasn't necessarily the size of the motor or the impressive battery range. It was how easy the Volthorse was to drive, how comfortable it felt and how confidently it dealt with the gradients and uneven ground that are part of rural life.
A proper countryside test
At Fen Mobility Centre, we're firm believers that the best way to choose a mobility scooter is to try it somewhere you'll actually use it.
A trip around a showroom is useful, of course. You can see whether the seat is comfortable, whether the controls are manageable and how easily the scooter turns.
But a showroom floor is very different from a farm track.
For someone living in a rural setting, the real questions are often quite different. Will it cope with uneven ground? What happens when there's a slope? Is the suspension comfortable enough for longer journeys? And, perhaps most importantly, will the person using it feel confident and in control?
These were exactly the sorts of things we wanted our customer to experience.
The Volthorse 1500 isn't an ordinary mobility scooter. It's a substantial, purpose-built outdoor machine, designed and manufactured in Britain for people who need something more capable than a conventional pavement scooter.
With its large wheels, heavy-duty construction, powerful electric motor and generous ground clearance, it certainly looks the part.
But looking capable and actually being enjoyable to drive are two different things.
That's where a proper demonstration comes in.
Surprisingly easy to drive
One of the first things our retired farmer commented on was just how straightforward the Volthorse was to operate.
You might expect something this substantial to feel complicated, particularly when you first get behind the controls.
In reality, the Volthorse has been designed to make driving as simple as possible.
Its ergonomic delta-style handlebars provide a comfortable grip, while the throttle controls allow the driver to move forwards or backwards without having to wrestle with complicated levers or switches.
The LCD display provides information about the battery and speed settings, and the adjustable tiller allows the handlebars to be positioned comfortably.
There's also a choice of high and low speed modes, along with additional speed adjustment.
For someone who has spent years operating tractors and agricultural machinery, the Volthorse is a very different proposition. But that's part of its appeal. You don't need to be mechanically minded or particularly experienced to understand the controls.
Our customer quickly got to grips with it and was able to concentrate on enjoying the drive.
And that's exactly how it should be.
Comfort that makes you want to keep going
Another big positive from the demonstration was the comfort.
This is something we always pay particular attention to at Fen Mobility Centre, because even the most capable scooter isn't much use if the person driving it is uncomfortable.
The Volthorse has a generously proportioned captain's seat, approximately 520mm wide, with a supportive backrest, adjustable headrest and armrests.
The seat can also slide forwards and backwards, helping the driver find a comfortable position relative to the handlebars.
It's the sort of seating arrangement that feels much more substantial than you'll find on many smaller mobility scooters.
But the real difference when travelling outdoors comes from the suspension.
The Volthorse uses full front and rear coil-shock suspension with rebound adjustment.
In everyday terms, this means the suspension is designed to absorb some of the bumps and jolts that would otherwise travel through the scooter and into the person sitting on it.
When you're travelling across a field, along a gravel track or over uneven ground, that can make a considerable difference.
Our retired farmer certainly appreciated it.
Rather than feeling every little bump, the combination of the supportive seating, large pneumatic tyres and suspension helped make the experience much more comfortable.
For someone wanting to spend longer periods outdoors, comfort isn't a luxury. It's an important part of choosing the right equipment.
What about hills and gradients?
This was another area where the Volthorse made a particularly good impression.
Anyone familiar with farms and rural properties will know that even apparently gentle slopes can present challenges.
Grass can be slippery, gravel can move beneath the wheels and uneven ground can make a gradient more difficult than it first appears.
Many conventional mobility scooters are primarily designed for pavements, shopping centres and relatively smooth surfaces. Taking them onto more demanding terrain isn't always appropriate.
The Volthorse has been developed with a different sort of environment in mind.
It features a 48V, 2000W electric drive system, designed to provide the power needed for more demanding outdoor use.
The manufacturer specifies a maximum climbing gradient of 12 degrees.
To put that into perspective, 12 degrees is approximately a 21% gradient. That's a fairly substantial incline, although it's important to remember that the manufacturer's rating is a limit, not a recommendation to tackle every hill.
Actual performance and safety depend on the surface, traction, weather conditions, user weight and how the slope is approached.
During our demonstration, our customer was particularly impressed with how the scooter handled gradients.
For someone accustomed to spending time on the land, that ability to negotiate sloping ground comfortably and confidently was a real attraction.
As with any outdoor mobility scooter, we always recommend assessing the intended terrain carefully and following the manufacturer's guidance. Slopes should be approached slowly and straight on, never diagonally across a hillside.
A battery designed for longer adventures
One of the standout specifications of the Volthorse 1500 is its battery.
Rather than using traditional lead-acid batteries, the Volthorse is equipped with a high-capacity 120Ah lithium iron phosphate battery, often abbreviated to LiFePO4.
This battery technology offers several advantages, including long service life and good durability over repeated charging cycles.
The manufacturer quotes a maximum range of up to 50 miles on a full charge.
That's an impressive figure for an outdoor mobility scooter, particularly one with the size and capability of the Volthorse.
Of course, 50 miles is a maximum claimed range rather than a guaranteed everyday distance. Travelling uphill, crossing soft ground, carrying a heavier user or driving in cold conditions will all affect how far the scooter can travel.
But for someone wanting to explore a large property, visit different areas of an estate or simply enjoy longer countryside outings, having that battery capacity is reassuring.
The manufacturer also quotes a charging time of approximately five hours, although this will depend on how discharged the battery is and the charging conditions.
Another useful feature is that the scooter charges through a socket on the tiller, so there's no need to remove the heavy battery for routine charging.
Built to cope with the outdoors
The Volthorse has clearly been designed with more than a smooth pavement in mind.
Its chassis is made from steel, with a patented modular construction that allows the front section to be replaced independently if it becomes damaged.
That's an interesting feature, particularly for a machine intended to spend much of its life outdoors.
The drivetrain is fully enclosed, while the controller and wiring are protected against water, mud and physical damage.
It also has approximately 160mm of ground clearance at the centre of the frame, helping it negotiate uneven surfaces that could cause problems for lower scooters.
There are two tyre options available: road tyres for more conventional surfaces and all-terrain tyres for more demanding outdoor use.
The scooter measures approximately 1,560mm in length and between 790mm and 820mm in width, depending on the tyres fitted.
It's worth bearing those dimensions in mind if you have narrow gates, restricted access or limited storage space.
The Volthorse also weighs approximately 147kg including its batteries, so this isn't a scooter designed to be folded up and lifted into the back of a car.
It's a serious outdoor machine, and needs to be considered as such.
Some thoughtful practical features
Beyond the motor, battery and suspension, there are several smaller details that we think deserve a mention.
The Volthorse has a comprehensive lighting package, including front and rear LED lights, indicators and additional work lights.
The work lights could be particularly useful for someone moving around private land in poorer lighting conditions, although they aren't a substitute for the normal road lights when travelling on public roads.
There's an automatic electromagnetic braking system, which brings the scooter to a stop when the throttle is released, along with a separate hand brake.
The adjustable tiller, spacious footwell and large seat all contribute to a comfortable driving position.
An optional tow bar is also available for suitable light-duty applications, subject to the manufacturer's restrictions.
And despite its rugged appearance, the electric motor is remarkably quiet compared with petrol-powered utility vehicles.
For someone who enjoys being outdoors, that quiet operation is a real benefit. You can travel around the countryside without the engine noise or exhaust fumes associated with a conventional small utility vehicle.
Volthorse 1500: The specifications at a glance
Feature | Specification |
Motor | 48V, 2000W electric drive |
Maximum speed | 8mph |
Battery | 120Ah LiFePO4 lithium |
Maximum claimed range | Up to 50 miles |
Maximum rated gradient | 12 degrees |
Maximum user weight | 40 stone / 254kg |
Suspension | Full front and rear coil-shock |
Ground clearance | Approximately 160mm |
Seat width | 520mm |
Overall length | 1,560mm |
Overall width | 790mm road tyres / 820mm all-terrain |
Overall height | 1,380mm |
Turning radius | 1,850mm |
Scooter weight | Approximately 147kg |
Braking | Electromagnetic and hand brakes |
Lighting | LED lights, indicators and work lights |
Tyres | Road or all-terrain options |
Manufacture | Designed and manufactured in Britain |
Specifications are based on the manufacturer's information and may vary with the final configuration.
Who might benefit from a Volthorse?
Our recent demonstration was with a retired farmer, but there are plenty of other situations where a scooter like this could be worth considering.
Someone living on a large rural property might want to get around their garden, grounds or outbuildings without having to walk long distances.
Others might enjoy visiting countryside locations, following suitable tracks or spending time outdoors where a conventional scooter would struggle.
It could also appeal to people who have previously used larger mobility scooters but now find that they need something more capable.
And for those who have spent a lifetime enjoying outdoor activities, having a comfortable
way to continue getting out and about can be particularly important.
The key is making sure the scooter matches the individual, their abilities and the environment in which they'll use it.
The Volthorse is a Class 3 mobility scooter, capable of up to 8mph, but it must be limited to 4mph in pedestrian areas and registered with the DVLA before being used on public roads.
The usual legal requirements and restrictions still apply.
It's also worth remembering that no mobility scooter is suitable for every type of ground.
Deep mud, unstable surfaces, severe cambers and excessively steep slopes can all present hazards, regardless of how capable a scooter may be.
Why we prefer real-world demonstrations
One of the things we particularly enjoy at Fen Mobility Centre is getting out to meet customers and understanding what they actually need.
It's easy to become caught up in specifications and brochures, but there's no substitute for seeing how a product works in someone's everyday surroundings.
Our recent visit was a perfect example.
The retired farmer we met wasn't particularly interested in the technical terminology. He wanted something comfortable, straightforward and capable of getting him around the sort of ground he'd been familiar with for years.
And the Volthorse made a very positive impression.
It was lovely to see how much he enjoyed trying it, especially when he discovered how easy it was to drive and how well it dealt with the gradients.
These are the moments that remind us why we do what we do.
At Fen Mobility Centre, our approach is to take the time to understand what someone needs, talk through the options and make sure the equipment is genuinely suitable.
Being a mobility centre led by an Occupational Therapist, we're particularly conscious that the right product is about much more than a list of features.
It's about comfort, confidence, independence and being able to continue doing the things that matter to you.
Would you like to try the Volthorse 1500?
If you're considering an all-terrain mobility scooter, we'd be delighted to help.
We welcome enquiries from customers across Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and the surrounding areas, and can discuss arranging a demonstration at your home or another suitable location.
Whether you have a farm, a large garden, an estate or simply want something more capable for outdoor adventures, we'll be happy to talk through your requirements.
You can also visit our showroom in Ely to meet the team and discuss the options.
Tell us a little about where you'd like to use the scooter, the type of ground you need to cover and any particular challenges you're facing.
We'll take it from there.
Because sometimes the best way to find out what a scooter can do is to get outside and give it a proper try.
Fen Mobility Centre, Ely, Cambridgeshire. Helping people stay independent with practical advice, carefully selected products and friendly, personal service.
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