Finally, the Ultraviolette F77 is finally ready for sale and it is a very different motorcycle from the last time we rode it.
One a lot can change in three years and a lot has changed since we last drove the Ultraviolette F77 in 2019. The Bengaluru-based startup saw the pandemic as an opportunity to overhaul the model. and now it has a battery pack more than twice the size, an all-new chassis, a more powerful engine, and a significantly higher price tag. When the company was finally ready to start shipping to customers, we had to ride this bike and figure out where it fits in the market.
The original F77 had a 4.3 kWh battery that was split into three removable packs. That number was decent in 2019, but it is now a mainstay of the scooter market, and the company realized that if this bike were to work it had to have a much larger battery pack. Switch to 2023 and the flagship F77 Recon we’re using here has a fixed 10.3 kWh battery (7.1 Kwh on the base F77). That means the company can claim 307 km IDC range with more than 200 km real world range. That’s way better than any other two-wheeler EV in India, and it makes the F77 a much more realistic prospect. But as with most things in life, there are no silver bullets.
DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
Battery is heavy and when you double the capacity, there is nothing to hide that volume. The F77 is now nearly 50 kg heavier than 2019, but Ultraviolette wanted us to start the day by noticing that the F77 is still a sharp and sporty motorcycle, despite all the weight it has added. . And that’s why we started with a few quick laps around the go-kart track.
207kg is a lot, but for the F77, it doesn’t feel heavy when you move. You certainly feel that this is no longer a lightweight motorcycle (formerly 158kg), but it also never feels too heavy or out of place for a go-kart lap. Agility and balance are a bit poor, but still good; The feel from the front end is still there and the bike is still fun to ride in a place like this. F77 launches a new tire from MRF called Steel Splint, which looks very similar to the Metzeler M5 and performs very well on the track. The biggest sign of the extra weight is that the brake levers are a bit soft after a few laps but that’s not to the point of concern. Most customers won’t expect much of a real-world braking system.
Swivel and LEFT
From the track, we were transported to the lovely Nandi Hills road outside of Bengaluru, where another set of F77s was waiting. Even on a short kart track, the F77 crossed a straight line at 105 km/h, but being on the road gives a better understanding of the performance level.
There are three riding modes – Surf, Combat and Ballistic – and the bike even feels fast
in base mode, where it can beat 80 km/h and climb slopes without strain. Combat mode unlocks access to around 70 percent performance while Ballistic gives you everything the bike has to offer. Thankfully, Ultraviolette has updated the software, so you can now use Ballistic mode until the battery has 30 percent remaining.
The Recon model has a more powerful engine (38.9hp, 95Nm) to offset the extra weight and the company claims a 0-100km/h time of eight seconds, with a top speed of just under 150 km/h. That puts performance in the 250-300cc region, but in practice it feels different from any other petrol car. That’s because it’s a wonderful, torque-dominated linear acceleration that goes well all the way to over 120 km/h, before things start to taper off. We didn’t get to try it, but I’m sure it can hit top speed if there’s enough room. The only thing that makes you feel weird is that your left limb has nothing to do, but the human brain is an exceptionally adaptive thing and soon you will.
get used to that.
No matter which mode you use, the feel and connection from the accelerator is very natural and there is not much to learn if this is your first EV after years of driving a petrol motorcycle. In fact, the thing that took me the longest to get used to is that with all that torque, there was almost always a slightly higher acceleration than I expected when coming out of a corner. and that definitely increases the excitement factor.
The sound is also quite interesting and the F77 produces a futuristic mix of electric motor and primary damping whine, mixed with noise from the chain drive. Unlike most EVs on the market, the F77 has dual-channel ABS as standard.
HEALTHY HANDS
In order for the motorcycle to withstand all of the extra weight, the chassis had to be completely redesigned and reinforced in almost every area.
One of my concerns with the extra weight is that the company will have to seriously consolidate the suspension to cope. They’ve done that, but they’ve also achieved good ride quality. You certainly feel the weight of the motorcycle on large potholes, but it copes quite well with small and medium bumps. In fact, it’s the firm seat and sporty driving posture that have a bigger impact on the comfort factor. The ergos are nicely balanced, without your upper or lower body being too warped, but this is very much a sporty driving stance.
The suspension can adjust the preload at both ends.
We’ve confirmed that the F77 hides its weight excellently on the go, but you
feel every kilo at parking speed. It’s hard to ride the bike forward and backward, especially if the engine is on (which creates quite a bit of drag). This is also the first EV that I voluntarily and regularly use the reverse parking assist feature.
lone ranger
The F77 looks no different because it has the side of a fair motorcycle and the exterior of a naked bike. The funky fork covers add to the visual impact and the bike also has a completely unique set of great looking wheels. Small fins protruding from the sides are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also help direct cool air to the electric motor. They are also designed to help protect the bodywork in the event of a bike spill, and the company also offers a set of internal crash bars as standard.
F77 is fully equipped with 5.0 inch TFT screen, automatic headlights on / off, navigation with real-time traffic support, geolocation and many other features. There is even a lock mode in case your bike is stolen. Connected features are provided by an integrated 4G SIM, and Ultraviolette says there will be no subscription fees.
Quality wise, this is easyhe is the best of the few electric motorcycles sold in India today and most of the body panels look good and fit well. Some plastics still need improvement, however, and the company says it’s working to address this as production ramps up. By the way, deliveries will start in Bengaluru in the next few weeks and many other cities in South India will follow in the coming months.
FEELING AND FEELING
It is worth mentioning that the bikes we have ridden are from pre-production and they have no electronic or mechanical glitches, which is quite rare at launch events of startups. EVs. It’s a vital first shot for confidence as these bikes are not eligible for the FAME 2 subsidy and that means an amazing price – Rs 3.8 lakh for the base model and Rs 4.55 lakh for Recon, both are already in showroom.
As is now true with electric vehicles, the acquisition cost is significantly higher than a similar gasoline vehicle, but that is offset by operating costs. So if you intend to keep the bike for a long time, the numbers could work in your favor. And that means buying the F77 isn’t as important as whether it’s worth the money, because the bigger question is whether it makes sense.
The truth is that even three years later, you still need to be okay with being an early adopter who is willing to pay more for something new and make some sacrifices in the process. The good news, however, is that with a very practical range of over 200 km, this is not only a city bike, but can also make fun weekend trips. It will take some serious commitment to try and tour the F77. But as a fun and totally unique addition to your garage, there really isn’t anything else quite like this motorcycle and I don’t think there ever will be. That makes it worth your consideration.
