NIU - KQi2 Pro

I have that scooter in my fleet too. It's light, handy, and cheap. I get it. Unfortunately, most budget scooters, including this model, list a max weight of 220lb, and their smaller frames are for people with smaller frames. If you can expand your budget another $100, you should be able to find a deal on something that better suits you. NIU KQi2 Pro would be a good option. It can be had for $299 on sale, but I feel like I've seen it as low as $250. It hauled my fat ass around really well until I upgraded last year.

I have the KQi2 Pro which was, loosely speaking, the predecessor to this one, and it handles moderate hills just fine. Mine maxes out at 18mph flat ground because of a limiter (I'm fine with that) but it clearly has extra oomph for when I go up an incline. I am assuming you are talking 2-4% hills and not anything much much steeper.

I bought a KQI2 Pro this holiday season, not because it had great specs but because it was $360 on sale. I did not have intense needs for it, nor did I have high expectations. It was immediately a huge jump from the Ninebot ES line (two successive scooters) that I'd been struggling with for about 6 years. It is not amazing, but I didn't need it to be fast or to tackle crazy hills/distance. It is just fine for grocery runs or trips to work. It's very nice for trips from Manhattan to the outer boroughs, as it gets about 18-20 miles range from 100% to 0% power and there aren't many places I need to go where I'd have to take it any farther. It's heavy, like most scooters in this category. The KQi Air is probably what I'd really get if cost were no issue. It has the range I need, the ride quality I need, and it's 40% lighter. I have talked to people with other scooters, and Ninebot/NIU are the only game in town. A friend of mine got an Apollo that can't even get out of the apartment without a $200 repair job out-of-the-box.

I just got a NIU KQi2 Pro and I couldn’t be happier. The thing is a tank and rides so smooth. I’m very happy with it.

i dont think they sell it anymore but i bought a niu kqi2 pro for 300 dollars last year and ive put over 400 miles on it about a year

I'm with the other guy that you're really never too old. There's a dude I see riding by in my neighborhood that looks to be in his mid-40s, and the person who I first heard mention the OneWheel is Adam Savage, who is 58 now. That aside, though, I went with a scooter over the OneWheel for practical and price reasons, and I've had mine for around 2 1/2 years now. Mine is a Niu KQi2 Pro. It has generally treated me very well, and I've gotten solid support for the couple of little issues I've had. For your use case, I'd probably step up to a higher end one for a bit more power and range. Also, depending on the quality of surfaces you'll be riding on, you might consider something with solid tires if you ride on very smooth surfaces or with suspension it you ride on very rough surfaces. The KQi2 Pro comes with air filled tires that dampen a bit of impact on the fairly rough concrete I ride on regularly, but it does not have suspension, so it's not necessarily ideal when I manage to catch a big bump.

Maybe the NIU KQi2 Pro. It's right in the middle of your speed range, it has good battery life, and good power but not too much. They go on sale for $450 all the time as well.

I currently have 660 miles on my NIU KQI 2 pro and I have had zero issues so far. I fill up my tires every few weeks and it's been a reliable scooter.  The realistic range when not in eco mode is more like 12 miles. Although, the town I live in has lots of hills and I'm kind of fat.

I got a kqi2 pro few years ago. Pretty much meets what your looking for. Would suggest looking for a second hand.

Between these two I'd go for the Niu without the slightest doubt. No scooter seller/importer/manufacturer is without its fair share of faults, but we know Ninebot and Niu as some of the most reliable. Just, buy from Amazon or some other large store so you can make use of their customer support if you have a problem. Youtube reviews are worthless; the vast majority are paid shills as they have a vested interest to push affiliate deals.

It might not be the upgrade you're looking for, but the KQI3 max is great, way better than my KQI2 pro.