Vmax VX4 1056 reviewed: heavy, powerful, almost indestructible
2.10.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Lorenz Keller
The Vmax VX4 1056 is large, heavy, and has a lot of power. But how does the e-scooter perform in everyday life? I tested it out on a fishing trip at Lake Lauerz.
First things first: work before pleasure. I open the trunk and heave the Vmax VX4 1056 onto the parking lot at Lake Lauerz. It’s exhausting, as the e-scooter weighs around 32 kilograms. Even while loading it at home, I asked myself: Is this effort worth it? Sure: without special racks, such an electric vehicle is easier to load than a bicycle and also takes up less space. But the weight is definitely borderline. I manage to lift the vehicle out of the car with great difficulty, without leaving any scratches anywhere.
Why am I putting myself through this trouble at all? Because I want to explore the body of water in the canton of Schwyz and hopefully catch a few fish. I could also walk the approximately four-kilometer-long shoreline. But when spot-hopping, it is advantageous to fish promising areas of the lake multiple times at different times of the day. The scooter is ideal for this.
No incline too steep
I set off for the first spot. What strikes me immediately: The Vmax VX4 1056 has quite a bit of power. The nominal power is 500 watts, as required by law. However, the motor can briefly call up to 2800 watts, for example, to scramble up a 40 percent incline. It is flat around the lake, so I tested this on our steep garage driveway, where I measure a 19 percent incline. That is probably the steepest thing you encounter in everyday life. With my 100 kilograms, I can zoom up the driveway without slowing down. Even stopping and starting in the middle of the incline is no problem thanks to the powerful motor.
But the power also has a disadvantage. Starting off takes some getting used to. The scooter pulls strongly even in Eco mode as soon as I give it just a little throttle. In addition, I have to "climb up" far at the start, as the footboard is about 28 centimeters above the ground.
After a few stops, however, I have it down without any wobbling: push off, jump on, ride off. I never even used the Sport mode; it would accelerate a bit faster to the maximum possible 20 km/h. That is not necessary, because the Eco mode is also brisk enough.
Massive, heavy, but also robust and stable
The first spot near the village of Lauerz looks promising – although Lake Lauerz, like most other bodies of water in Switzerland, is suffering from water shortages. I am standing where there would normally be water. The lake is certainly a meter lower than usual. I cast out and feel the bottom after a short time.
At least it is a good test for my new rod from the Swiss brand Toppies. A fine stick, perfectly tuned to the local perch. I feel every stone that touches my lead. I can feel through the rod whether the ground is hard, muddy, or overgrown with aquatic plants.
However, "lead" is not quite right, because Toppies uses materials that are as environmentally friendly as possible. The metals tungsten or bismuth are used for the weights, and a plastic without plasticizers or PVC is used for the rubber fish. I have to have a less guilty conscience if I ever tear off a lure. Like now. There are simply too many aquatic plants on the shallow shore.
So I get back on the Vmax and drive a few kilometers to a deep edge. On this longer stretch, I can really test the qualities of the scooter. The chassis is robustly constructed. Nothing wobbles, nothing squeaks. This results in a secure riding feeling like on a massive bike. The straight-line stability is as stable and calm as almost no other e-scooter I have tested so far.
The wide handlebars with the rubberized grips and the excellent damping also contribute to this. There is elastomer suspension at the rear and oil pressure suspension at the front. I can adjust these to my weight and my need for comfort using two knobs. Overall, the suspension is comfortable but not too stiff. The scooter irons out bumps in the road without any problems. I can also ride well over gravel surfaces without feeling insecure.
Finally fish – also on the plate
At the third spot, directly in front of Schwanau Island, I am finally successful and catch the first fish. Unfortunately, the perch are still too small for the pan. I am hungry at lunchtime anyway, so I treat myself to a small excursion to the 200-meter-long and 55-meter-wide island.
There I find not only a castle ruin of the Kyburgers from the 12th century and a chapel from the 19th century, but also a restaurant. The short crossing in the small electric boat and the view from the restaurant terrace compensate for the hefty prices. The food looks visually excellent, but the saffron soup could have used a bit more pep, and the salad with the crispy perch fillets is a bit meager. The fish itself is excellent – and motivates me for fishing in the afternoon.
Brakes: simple, but good
But the larger predatory fish don't want to eat then either – at least not my rubber lures. Every now and then a small perch bites, but otherwise I have enough time to drive from spot to spot and test the e-scooter extensively.
The brakes, for example, really grip well, which is important for a large and heavy vehicle. On the data sheet, I see that the Swiss manufacturer has "only" installed mechanical disc brakes. At a price of 1600 francs, I honestly would have expected hydraulic brakes. Vmax also dispenses with electronic systems such as traction control or ABS. At least the mechanical braking system delivers enough power and is easy to repair.
I like the new toggle switch for the turn signal, which works like on a motorcycle or scooter. I click left or right to signal in the corresponding direction. I can feel without looking whether the turn signal is still activated and which direction it is pointing.
Another plus point is the large and easy-to-read screen, on which I can call up all kinds of information. An app with even more data and a navigation function is also available. The latter is practical because the route instructions are displayed directly on the screen while driving. This way, I can leave my phone in my pocket.
100-kilometer range realistic
In terms of fishing, the day remains mediocre. But the Vmax VX4 1056 proved its everyday qualities on this beautiful late summer day. I get from place to place quickly and easily with it. I manage trips over several kilometers comfortably. Size and weight are not a bother as long as I only have to ride and maneuver. On the contrary: both contribute to the secure riding feeling.
If I had to carry the scooter up somewhere regularly, it would not be my first choice. But it shines on longer distances: I covered about 25 kilometers that day, yet the battery is still three-quarters full. The test shows that a range of about 100 kilometers in Eco mode is realistic. Even if the manufacturer states 110 kilometers, this is an excellent value. In winter or with many mountain rides, the range is lower, based on experience.
Vmax can also score points with many details: There is a USB-C port to charge the phone. The scooter is waterproof according to IPX6 and designed for a payload of up to 150 kilograms. A new system enables fast charging and protects against overheating. This also means that the motor hardly loses power under heavy load on inclines.
I can't take perch home with me. Instead, I make one last stop at Z'graggen. The distillery has been distilling schnapps right next to the lake in Lauerz for generations and has a nice factory shop. The sampler with four small bottles is a nice souvenir from the canton of Schwyz.
In a nutshell
Stable, strong and heavy
The Vmax VX4 1056 is a solidly built and robust e-scooter that, with its powerful motor and large battery, is ideal for frequent riders and long distances. Its ride stability is just as impressive as its acceleration on hills or the small details, such as the practical toggle switch for the turn signals. The scooter is large and weighs more than 30 kilograms. This limits its mobility if it cannot be ridden or driven up on its own wheels. Nevertheless, the VX4 feels agile on the road. There is also criticism that this premium-segment e-scooter cuts corners on the braking system – even though, fortunately, this does not have a major impact in everyday use. The brakes are powerful.
Pro
- robust construction
- Engine with lots of power
- ideal for inclines and heavy loads
- long range
- stable driving experience
Contra
- expensive
- high weight
- unwieldy
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
E-mobility
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