Ultraviolette F77 First Ride Review

Is the future of motorcycles electric? That was the question I had in mind, on the way to sample India’s newest sporty electric motorcycle, the Ultraviolette F77. For some of us, motorcycling is as much about the intake and exhaust sounds associated with an internal combustion engine and working a gearbox; the simple pleasures of quick downshifting under hard braking or listening to the engine revs while upshifting. The idea of a ‘quiet’ electric motorcycle, without any gears to shift, or the sound and feel of a combustion engine seems like somewhat of an alien and futuristic concept.

Also Read: Ultraviolette F77 Launched; Prices Begin At Rs. 3.80 Lakh

The Ultraviolette F77 is the first electric motorcycle from Bengaluru-based Ultraviolette Automotive.

Can an electric motorcycle actually replace the primal, guttural feel of a combustion engine-powered motorcycle? The basic premise of the Ultraviolette F77 seems to be just that; to replace the notion that electric bikes cannot be desirable, exciting and fun. And it has been designed with versatility in mind; for everyday use, the occasional long ride, and even some racetrack use, if one is so inclined.

The Ultraviolette F77 has been in the making since 2016 and now finally goes on sale, initially only in Bengaluru, but possibly across 10 cities by the end of 2023.

The Ultraviolette F77 sits at a unique position in the market. Made-in-India by Ultraviolette Automotive, a young Bengaluru-based EV start-up, the F77 has been in the making since 2016, and now, we finally have the production model. Our test bike is the F77 Recon, the higher-spec variant with slightly more performance, and with more range, with a claimed 307 km Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) estimated range. Priced at Rs. 4.55 lakh (Ex-showroom), the Ultraviolette F77 Recon may seem like an expensive proposition, but the idea is to find out if it’s worth its price tag, and if it rides as good as it looks, and will it offer the same ‘fun’ element as a conventional petrol-powered sports bike?

Also Read: All You Need To Know About The Ultraviolette F77

The Ultraviolette F77 has a full fairing on the side, although the sharp headlight has more of a naked street design. Shrouds covering the 41 mm upside down forks give the bike more visual mass. Overall, it looks sharp, ready to pounce and definitely has nothing quite like it in the market today.

Design & Features

The Ultraviolette F77 looks ready for the future with its razor-sharp design and ‘ready to sprint’ stance. It sports a full-fairing around the side, but the headlight is exposed, like a streetfighter’s, flanked by 41 mm upside down forks from Gabriel which are shrouded with bodywork, giving the F77 more visual mass. Both the front fork and rear monoshock offer preload adjustability, and at the rear, the aluminium swingarm has been finished beautifully, but it’s as much for form, and function, offering strength and stiffness.

The 17-inch alloys come with MRF Steel Brace W rated tyres, developed in collaboration with MRF. The tyres are W rated for high speeds, and are quite grippy.

The 17-inch alloy wheels have a nice 12-spoke design and are shod with MRF Steel Brace tyres, which are designed in collaboration with MRF specifically for the F77 and are W rated, supporting speed of up to 270 kmph! Braking system is ByBre, employs a 320 mm front disc and a 230 mm rear disc, complemented by dual-channel ABS from Bosch, which is switchable on the rear wheel.

The 5-inch multi-function TFT screen has a long list of features, but during our first ride, we didn't get to test Bluetooth connectivity or the dedicated app. The three-level regeneration, riding modes, and switchable ABS are some handy features which can be accessed through the display.

The 5-inch multi-function TFT display has Bluetooth connectivity with adaptive brightness and offers a long list of features. During our first ride, we explored the basics, the three riding modes, switchable ABS, and the three-level regeneration modes. The F77 also offers additional features like ride history, vehicle locator, lockdown and geofencing, as well as built-in navigation.

Under the bodywork is the massive 10.2 kWh battery pack on the F77 Recon, with a maximum claimed range of 307 km. The frame mounted electric motor has 29 kW output and 95 Nm of peak torque.

Battery & Technology

The single biggest component concealed under the bodywork is the massive 10.3 kWh battery pack on the higher-spec F77 Recon variant, with an estimated Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) range of 307 km! In actual riding conditions, the F77 Recon is said to deliver range between 170 km to over 260 km, depending on the selected mode. The battery management system has built in safety systems, at the cellular level as well as with thermal, electrical, electronic and software protection, to ensure safety and durability under all kinds of riding conditions.

Despite its apparent weight, the F77 is nimble, well-balanced and sprightly! Front end feel is very good, and the 320 mm front brake offers very good stopping power. The 230 mm rear brake though showed a bit of fade under continuous use during the test ride.

The F77 can be charged with a standard 1.3 kW charger in around 8-8.5 hours.

The F77 comes with a standard 1.3 kW charger that can be used on a household 15A power socket to re-charge the bike, and it will take between 8-8.5 hours to charge from 0 to 100 per cent. An optional ‘boost’ charger can be purchased separately for around Rs. 30,000 which will re-charge the F77 in about 3-3.5 hours. The ‘boost’ charger will also be offered at charging points under the Ultraviolette Automotive charging network.

The F77 has a strong mid-range and 0-100 kmph is achieved in no time. Throttle response is smooth and there's no dearth of performance till about 120 kmph. In Ballistic mode, performance is urgent, and entertaining!

Performance & Handling

The mid-mounted electric motor has been tuned for 29 kW output (around 38.8 bhp), and 95 Nm of peak torque, with a claimed top speed of 147 kmph. From the get-go, the Ultraviolette F77 feels different, because it’s electric, and there’s no gearbox. There’s no combustion sound, but there’s an interesting whine from the motor which becomes quite likeable with more time spent with the bike.

Top speed is a claimed 147 kmph, but during our first ride, we couldn't test top end performance. With 207 kg kerb weight, the bike is on the heavier side, but the weight is felt only at crawling speeds, and while negotiating slow speed u-turns.

Throttle response is linear, without being jerky or snatchy, and there’s a strong rush of initial acceleration which is quite enjoyable. The F77 reaches 100-110 kmph effortlessly, and quickly, but our test conditions didn’t offer us the opportunity to explore top end performance. Even so, the mid-range is strong and there’s no dearth of acceleration and performance, and in Ballistic mode, there’s a rush of power and torque which is quite noticeable, and fun!

The F77 achieves 100-120 kmph in no time, and effortlessly, although the tight go-kart test track didn't offer us a decent run-off or long-enough straight stretch to test top-end performance.

Ultraviolette claims 0-60 kmph in just 3.1 seconds, and 0-100 kmph in 8 seconds. In Glide mode, top speed is limited to around 80-85 kmph, but you can get maximum range. Then there’s the Combat mode, which will meet your everyday requirements. Top speed here is limited to 100-110 kmph, but you can comfortably cruise at 85-95 kmph. And at those speeds, if you need more performance and torque, you close the throttle and hit a button and you choose Ballistic mode, which will offer you a burst of power for a quick overtake.

The F77 has sharp dynamics and is easy to tip in and out of corners. Handling is sharp and will go head to head against the likes of the KTM RC 390 and BMW G 310 RR in the dynamics and performance department.

On the track, the steel trellis frame and the suspension set-up offers sharp dynamics, easy to tip the bike in and out of corners. Even though on paper the bike weighs 207 kg, on the move it feels like a much lighter bike. You only feel the weight at crawling speeds and while taking u-turns, but it’s not much of a bother. Overall, it’s got more than enough performance for your needs and has sharp handling and very good brakes. So, all very impressive!

The Ultraviolette F77 looks expensive with a starting price of Rs. 3.80 lakh (Ex-showroom), but from a long-term ownership point of view, it still makes sense, from an early adopter's point of view. It's fast, it's sharp and it's definitely a premium electric sports bike which is impressive!

Verdict

The only challenge will be the price, with even the Original variant looking seemingly expensive at Rs. 3.80 lakh (Ex-showroom), compared to a similar petrol-powered performance bike. The higher-spec Ultraviolette F77 Recon is priced at Rs. 4.55 lakh (Ex-showroom). But if you look at a slightly longer-term ownership, compared to fuel and maintenance costs of a petrol-powered rival, the Ultraviolette F77 starts making sense, even with the initial premium acquisition price.

Being electric, the F77 may not appeal to the purist. But after having spent a day with it, it's easy to see how electric motorcycles can be entertaining, and can be fun, even without a gearbox and the aural experience of an internal combustion engine.

And with its looks, performance, and handling, it has oodles of presence and will make quite a statement, out on the road. Being a performance electric bike, it also has that extra dose of futuristic aura that makes the F77 a convincing reason to go electric. For a purist, the idea of a motorcycle without an internal combustion engine and gearbox is perhaps still an alien concept, but after spending a day with the F77, it is convincing enough for us to say that it will definitely change your perception about electric motorcycles.

It's not difficult to say that the Ultraviolette F77 has created a new benchmark in the Indian electric motorcycle segment. And there will be more models based on the same platform in future.

The F77 certainly has created a new benchmark in the electric motorcycle segment in India, and if this is the beginning, the future certainly looks very promising. The F77 is just the first model from Ultraviolette Automotive’s new platform, and going forward there will be more models. At the Auto Expo 2023, the Ultraviolette F99 Race Edition bike was unveiled with even more performance, and in future, there could even be an adventure and off-road oriented model based on the same platform, but with lighter weight.

The Ultraviolette F77 will not just be offered on sale across India, but Ultraviolette Automotive will go global with it, beginning in Europe, the US and Latin America from 2024.

The F77 is now available on sale in Bengaluru and by the end of the year, Ultraviolette intends to make it available across 10 more cities. And that’s not all. The F77 will even be offered in markets abroad by 2024, starting with Europe, United States and even Latin America, gradually expanding its global presence. For a young Indian brand with its first product in the F77, Ultraviolette Automotive looks set to make a mark across the world, with its premium and impressive products. Clearly, the future of Indian electric motorcycles is here, and now!