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      in Electric Cars

      Tork Kratos R Electric Motorcycle – First Ride Review

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      Tork Kratos R ReviewTork Kratos and Kratos R are meant for consumers looking for a premium offering in the electric mobility spaceAfter being in development for years, Tork Motors finally launched its much ambitious electric motorcycle named Kratos last month. The Pune-based EV manufacturer has introduced two variants of the battery-powered motorcycle- standard and a slightly more powerful R trim. We recently got an opportunity to test the latter and check how it performs in the real world.Will it be able to create a niche for itself amongst the plethora of other two-wheelers cropping up in the market in recent times even though most of the offerings in the current two-wheeler space are scooters? Will it be able to challenge conventional IC engine motorcycles which are still going strong? Let us answer these and a few more questions through our first ride impression.Tork Kratos Review – Design & QualityBased on the pre-production Tork T6X prototype, Kratos is claiming to be the first indigenously developed electric motorcycle in India. This essentially means that everything in the motorcycle, barring the battery cells, including the electric motor, battery pack and its casing, running gear, electronics, etc., have been designed, conceptualised and manufactured in India.Starting with its design, Kratos doesn’t stray too far from the T6X prototype although there are substantial differences to tell them apart. For starters, it gets a V-shaped headlamp cluster but the LED internals inside Kratos give the electric bike a Transformers-like appearance. The curves and edges along the body panels give the motorcycle a sharp look.Tork Kratos R ReviewFurther, a raised tail section along with split-style seats and split grab rails lend it a much-needed sportiness to its closet. While the muscular tank accentuates its aggressive nature, the bulkiness of the huge electric motor placed underneath takes some sheen off the otherwise beautiful-looking Kratos. Overall, Kratos is one handsome motorcycle that is bound to catch enough attention.However, that doesn’t necessarily translate to the bike’s fit and finish. Quality of switchgear, mirrors and even the instrument console were found to be substandard at best and could do well with some improvements. While quality of brake levers aren’t bad, metallic finish levers instead of plastic units would do justice to this premium offering. The bike also misses out on a proper metallic crash guard or a belly pan which could prevent scraping the battery pack.Tork Kratos Review – ErgonomicsFootpegs on Kratos are slightly rear-set which translates to a slightly committed yet comfortable riding stance thanks to a taller handlebar. The seat itself is very well cushioned with the right amount of padding. The pillion seat also looks decently spacious enough although we couldn’t test it with a pillion behind. An accessible saddle of 785mm would make this motorcycle comfortable for riders of most heights.Tork Kratos R ReviewTork Kratos Review – FeaturesBeing a premium offering, Tork has loaded Kratos, especially the top-spec Kratos R, with very impressive equipment. It gets a digital instrument console that displays a wide range of information but has some visibility issues under direct sunlight and needs a serious upgrade. Apart from the three ride modes, you get reverse mode to pull yourself out of a tricky parking space.The faux fuel tank gets some space to store one’s knick-knacks but isn’t big enough to store even a half-face helmet. It also gets a USB charger inside the storage. The biggest highlights from its feature list are the connectivity options that offer remote functionalities such as geo-fencing, find my vehicle, motor walk assist, track mode via Bluetooth, crash alert, etc.Tork Kratos ReviewUnfortunately, we weren’t able to test any of them since our test bike was a pre-production model with a Beta version of the software sans all the features mentioned above. Other notable features on offer include in-built navigation, all-LED illumination, regenerative braking, hazard lights, OTA updates, Active throttle control, smart charge analysis, guide me home headlights and more.Tork Kratos Review – Ride & HandlingTork has been clear since the initial phase of its development that this bike will offer a sporty riding experience. For some parts, this does hold true with its slightly stiff suspension setup which offers sure-footedness while on the go. However, as a side effect, you do feel firmness in the ride quality when you move across a pothole or a sharp bump.Tork Kratos ReviewWhile you do wish the ride was a tad bit more comfortable, it isn’t as harsh and unnerving as a sports bike and it’s something that one can get used to. The positioning of the battery does provide stability to the bike but it also makes it a little tricky while manoeuvring through congested traffic. This would also result in the rider putting an extra effort while leaning into a sharp corner, especially on a track.The bike rides on 17-inch front and rear wheels that are shod with MRF Zapper which provide decent enough grip. However, a thicker front tyre instead of 90/80 section would have inspired more confidence in the rider. While brakes felt adequate enough during moderate speeds, they missed out on a sharper bite required to bring a vehicle to a halt from a high speed.Tork Kratos ReviewSlamming the brake levers too hard might result in locking up the wheels which could be a recipe for disaster. Hence, at this price point, especially for the top-spec Kratos R, Tork must upgrade to an ABS setup for a safer ride experience.Performance & RangeKratos R comes with three ride modes namely- Eco, City and Sport with different levels of performance and range attached to each of them. The bike always starts on the Eco mode as default before the rider changes the mode through the switchgear. In Eco mode, performance is adequate but definitely doesn’t excite and the active throttle control (ATC) starts intruding once you reach 45 kmph.Tork Kratos ReviewWe spent most of our time in the Sport mode extracting most of the performance and in this mode, the ATC was the least intrusive. Unlike most EVs, performance in Kratos R is in line with a conventional petrol-powered two-wheeler which gradually develops power. There isn’t a mad rush of torque generally associated with EVs but the surge is felt linearly as one pulls the throttle.A top speed of 80kmph was reached on a busy highway stretch beyond which the bike felt a little wobbly. Pulling the throttle hard did take an effect on the indicated range on the console but while riding through traffic the range stayed stagnant for a long duration. This suggests that regenerative braking was working properly.Tork Kratos ReviewWe rode the top-spec Kratos which comes with a stronger 9kW motor and dishes out a peak torque of 38 Nm. Tork claims a real-world range of 120km in Eco mode which drops to around 70km in Sport mode. But since we got to ride the bike only for a short duration we aren’t able to confirm the exact range in a real-world scenario.Price & OfferingsThe two variants of the electric bike- Kratos and Kratos R are priced at Rs 1.08 lakh and Rs 1.23 lakh (both ex-showroom, Pune) that are inclusive of FAME II and state subsidies. Apart from the extra bit of performance, consumers opting for the top-spec Kratos R benefit from the free access to the charging network established (or will be established) by Tork across the various centres for two years.Tork Kratos ReviewAlso, the standard Kratos misses out on a fast-charging capability offered in the top-spec trim. While Kratos is available in a single white paint scheme, Kratos R gets three additional options in the form of blue, red and black. The Pune-based EC manufacturer is also offering a warranty for a period of 3 years or 40,000km as standard on both variants.The company will be opting for a dealership model starting with Pune and then spreading to Tier 1 metros like Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad. Tork is also promising doorstep services which we are yet to receive details about. It is planning to tie with local entities to set up a widespread charging network that will be further expanded to smaller centres.Tork Kratos ReviewVerdictKratos R is able to score high on most aspects but there isn’t escaping the fact that refinement is missing in this pre-production model. The motorcycle has small yet noticeable drawbacks which can hinder one’s ownership or riding experience. However, these drawbacks aren’t that glaring as seen in some other modern EVs that have come out in the recent past.Good thing, though, that Tork has taken all feedback into account and promised to make the final production-spec model an overall better package. If you could look past the small niggles mentioned above, there is plenty to like about the motorcycle. However, it will be too soon to recommend one before all the rough edges are ironed out. More

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      in Bike

      Bounce Infinity E1 Electric Scooter – First Ride Review

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      Bounce Electric Scooter ReviewBounce Infinity E1 is surely one of the most affordable high-speed electric scooters in the market but does it have enough for people to switch from petrol to electric?The push given to electric mobility has resulted in many new electric vehicles (EVs) under new brands entering the Indian market in recent times. One such promising brand which has been able to create the right buzz is Bounce Infinity. Like Ola, Bounce has been known to provide expertise in ride-sharing mobility primarily through two-wheelers.The Bengaluru-based startup recently ventured into the EV space by unveiling its first electric scooter called E1. We recently got hold of the upcoming battery-powered scooter for a short period to check out how it performs in the rear world. We find out if the new e-scooter manages to stand out among a plethora of rivals in today’s market.Design & QualityStarting with its appearance, Bounce Infinity E1 flaunts a rather simple design that bodes well with the intention with which it has been built. It is compact and thankfully doesn’t stray too much from its petrol-powered counterparts. It gets a dual-pod LED headlamp with an integrated circular LED DRL which gives it a quirky look.Bounce Electric Scooter ReviewComplementing the headlamp cluster are twin LED indicators on the front apron which give the scooter impression of an Android on wheels. At rear, E1 gets a single-piece LED headlamp unit flanked by turn indicators with fin-like internals. However, the design isn’t that good enough to mask all its imperfections.For starters, every single body panel has been made from fibre reinforced plastic, a trade-off for metallic panels in order to reduce weight of the scooter for obvious reasons like better performance and range. This results in an extremely nimble kerb weight of 94 kilos which makes it lighter than most of its petrol-powered rivals. Bounce is offering E1 in five colour options which could be further customised with aftermarket wraps although the quality and finish of paint are not among the best.Quality of switchgear is fairly acceptable, however, the overall build quality isn’t solid. The round rearview mirrors were intended to provide retro appeal but are not very useful and wider persons may find it difficult to see what’s behind them.Bounce Electric Scooter ReviewErgonomicsErgonomics of the scooter has been kept fairly simple and intended for daily commutes. The rider sits upright with the handlebar pulled slightly inwards and plenty of space on the floorboard. The seat is very comfortable and spacious even for a pillion with the right amount of padding underneath. The scooter has been provided with feather-touch footpegs for the pillion which are a nice addition. Unfortunately, these won’t be making the cut in the production-spec model.Features on offerList of features is not too thin for a scooter at this price point. You get a standard negative LCD display which is eligible for most parts but isn’t crisp. The display reads out standard information like speed, distance covered, range left, etc. It gets two special modes namely- Reverse and Drag. The former is useful while moving the scooter from a tricky parking space.Bounce Electric Scooter ReviewWhile the latter is extremely useful in case of a tyre puncture. Underseat storage is cramped due to the big battery placed inside which leaves the consumer with only 11 litres. Only a half-face helmet can be kept inside the storage, however, depth of the luggage space may make it usable. It also gets a USB charger under the seat and two hooks for riders to fasten their belongings on the floorboard.Illumination has been kept all-LED on both ends of the scooter. While specs sheets suggest that the scooter will be loaded with connected features like remote tracking, geo-fencing, etc., we got to experience none of it since this was a pre-production model and the software is still in the Beta stage of testing.Bounce Electric Scooter ReviewRide & HandlingE1 is surprisingly a very good handler for a scooter meant for commuting purposes. The ultra-light kerb weight makes it super flickable in tight traffic. It can also lean into a corner with fair ease to a certain extent until the aftermarket side stand starts scraping. However, the suspension is a bit too firm for a commuter scooter and you feel each and every bump on the road.With very little travel on offer, the front suspension does bottom out on an average-sized pothole. The good thing, though, is that the twin rear shock absorbers are adjustable for preload which should provide some comfort. Braking provided by a 230mm front and 203mm rear discs provide a very good bite. However, grabbing the brake levers too hard might result in the rider losing control as there is no ABS to save the day.Bounce Electric Scooter ReviewPerformance & RangePowering the Bounce electric scooter is a 1.5kW BLDC hub motor mounted on the rear wheel which derives its energy from a 48 V, 39 Ah Lithium-ion battery pack. For a commuter scooter, performance is more than energetic thanks to the massive surge of torque (85 Nm) which is available from the word go. It gets two ride modes- Eco and Power and we spent most of our time pulling the throttle hard in the latter.While this did let us extract the fullest out of the emission-free powertrain, it resulted in a sharp decline of the estimated range shown on the console. The claimed top speed of 65 kmph was reached without much fuss. However, we came across a serious issue when the scooter failed to respond to the throttle inputs after a while.Bounce Electric Scooter ReviewSpeed of the scooter gradually declined in fast-moving traffic but thankfully this was a momentary glitch. The system was up and running after the brakes were applied and the scooter slowed down for a while resulting in the battery cooling down and regenerating. Coming to range, contrary to the specs sheet, the electric scooter would return around a single-charge range of 65km on Eco Mode as opposed to 85km.In Power Mode, this figure drops down to around 50-55km per charge. However, the actual range depends on various criteria, like riding style, rider’s weight, incline on roads, etc. In our limited stint, we tested the scooter through a variety of road conditions including hilly inclines, smooth straight tarmac and some rough trails as well. The E1 sailed through all conditions smoothly.Bounce Electric Scooter ReviewPrice & OfferingsBounce Infinity is offering two forms of ownership with E1- one with the battery that costs Rs 68,999 and one without the battery at a cost of Rs 45,099 (both prices are ex-showroom, Delhi). The ownership models adopted by Bounce are interesting. The company is pushing for the latter model where it could provide its expertise on battery swapping technology.These battery swapping stations will be installed at a variety of places including the local grocery store, refueling stations, shopping malls, etc. A registered consumer has to pay a fixed subscription amount on a monthly basis along with a nominal amount on every battery swap. Bounce will be installing battery swapping stations with capacities ranging from a 2-unit station to a 20-unit station across multiple locations.However, initially, these services will be available to just Tier 1 centres. On the other hand, the ones opting for the scooter with the battery pack are given a standard AC home charger but they won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of swapping. The standard home charger takes 4-5 hours to get the battery fully juiced up.VerdictBounce Infinity E1 impresses you on most parts, however, there are some glaring drawbacks that need some serious attention. The overall fit and finish definitely needs a lift and we cannot guarantee reliability of the software which we didn’t get to test. Before deliveries commence from April onwards, Bounce needs to iron out the rough edges (quite literally).We are also not yet confident of the ownership models offered by the company as there are too many tangibles involved. A simpler and more robust model would be very helpful for the consumers and the manufacturer in the long run. But that being said, Bounce is offering an electric scooter at a price much lesser than a petrol scooter.The E1 has enough to offer that would suffice the needs of most Indian commuters. If the company could sort out the niggles before the scooter reaches production, it could be a game-changer in the segment which is blooming across the market. We’ll reserve our final judgment until we get to ride the production-spec model of E1. More

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      Ampere Magnus Pro Review – Finally a contemporary electric scooter! Was it so hard?

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      Should the Ampere Magnus Pro be featuring in your scooter shortlist, shoulder-to-shoulder with conventional petrol options? Here is what we think after sampling one

      Electric Scooters from the beginning have been known to be quirky. Especially in a fashion sense. I used to think the busy and flashy design of electric scooters are mostly why people thought too much to try it out. Even I decided I wouldn’t be caught dead riding a toy for a vehicle.
      Then I started finding highly futuristic looking electric two wheelers, ones that look too modern for the present age. There have been very few vehicles in the middle ground, standing shoulder to shoulder with the contemporary petrol powered vehicles. One of them, which I admire, is the Ampere Magnus Pro.
      Ampere Magnus Pro – First impressions
      Riding around on the Magnus Pro, I hardly got stopped with an inquiry by the public, at traffic lights, or wherever I parked, which is something I liked because I like to think my look-at-me-I’m-so-cool days are far behind me. Now I’m all about the business end of things, and my choices better seem mature, sophisticated and noteworthy for the right reasons.

      Still being in an era where I’m most likely to be run over on the road by a petrol/diesel vehicle, my choice of buying a scooter would have both electric and fuel-powered vehicles. It would take a lot more time for petrol vehicles to fade into the past.
      So when I draw up a list, whether I’m considering buying one for myself or for my parents, there would be Activa, Jupiter, Access, Ather and possibly some good other electric scooter with good value proposition. Having ridden the Ampere Magnus Pro recently, I can impartially say that it would make it to the list.

      Appearance
      Reasons why I would consider is firstly the fact that it looks as smart and trendy as the other vehicles in that list, so there is no compromise or overcompensation on the looks front when I pit it against the proven scooters. The colour choices are appealing and the use of matte black and chrome elements are complementary to the overall design.

      The contrast seat upholstery on Metallic Red and Bluish Pearl White coloured Magnus Pro is a concept that is generally accepted and appreciated on other scooters, which also sits well on the Magnus Pro. The seat design is as stylish as it is functional.
      Riding experience
      Secondly, it rides almost as good as a petrol scooter. The cruise comfort is splendid and the vehicle reacts way better to potholes and speed breakers than some of its direct competitors that I’ve ridden. The performance is good enough for an enthusiastic rider in a busy city, and when the road clears there’s good rush in the motor till it maxes out around 55 kmph.

      If I’m buying this scooter for my parents, I wouldn’t want any more power in it. The Low and High modes (via the red switch on the right) does a distinctive job. The other switches have good tactility, but could do with better ergonomics. The all-digital instrument display is legible and it could’ve included a trip meter.
      Braking
      The braking performance is fair and gentle, and safer than it used to be generally thanks to the mandated Combi Braking System that works well on the Ampere Magnus Pro. The scooter also has regenerative braking, which may require some fine tuning in the way it noticeably kicks in and reluctantly turns off.

      What we think of it?
      The 85 kg scooter including the removable battery, is a breeze through traffic, and a recommendable one for all who wish to test ride and start thinking about going electric. The range on paper is 75 km per charge of 5-6 hours, but as you may very well know it is dependent on rider behaviour. In short, the Ampere Magnus Pro definitely deserves a visit and a test ride by those who wish to buy a scooter, any scooter for commuting. More