Ultraviolette F77: First Ride Review

Why buy it

- Appealing styling

- Engaging performance and good battery range

- Commendable build quality

Why avoid it

- Limited service and dealer network

- Slightly pricey

India is gradually accepting the prospect of electric mobility as the new normal. But this acceptance seems to be limited to two things on a large scale- a focus on range and the scooter body style as it offers more convenience and practicality than a motorcycle would. 

So to put itself in a league of its own, Bangalore-based Ultraviolette unveiled the F77 electric motorcycle in 2019. While it wasn’t the country’s first entry-level electric sportbike, it seemed to be promising. After much wait, the production version was finally launched in the country late last year with major improvements and updates. Now, we finally got the chance to swing a leg over it to find out what the hype was all about and if it would make for a good buy over the KTM RC 390 or TVS Apache RR 310 since it costs nearly the same.

Not much has changed since the F77 was first showcased, at least in its styling. And we are not complaining. The motorcycle has been sketched by an ex-employee from Kiska Designs- the same house that designs motorcycles for KTM. Now you would see some bit of semblance and inspiration wouldn’t you? With its aggressive streetfighter styling, the Ultraviolette F77 looks fast even at standstill. 

The low-slung full-LED headlamp, lowered handlebars and covers for the suspension make for a tasteful front end. Even the heft of the largest battery pack available on an electric two-wheeler in India has been masked well under the sharp lines and creases on the side panels. Further adding to the sportiness of the package is the sharp rear section with the stepped pillion seat and triangular LED tail lamp.

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Expected Price

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While the F77 is guaranteed to turn heads with its looks, its build quality matches up to those standards for the most part. The plastic bits feel sturdy and there aren’t any gaps in the panels either. What I also liked was the well-hidden wiring that exudes a clean look overall. Even the quality of the switchgear is top-notch and feels good to touch and operate. However, the only aspect that would need improvement in terms of quality would be the RVMs. Not only does the gloss finish on the stem look cheap, the fitment of the mirror feels like an afterthought and the adjustability it offers is limited. 

Ultraviolette is offering the F77 in three variants. The one we reviewed was the Recon variant that comes with a 10.3kWh battery instead of the 7.1kWh unit on the standard version. You get a charger with the motorcycle that takes around 7-10 hours to fully charge the battery packs. Or you could opt for the proprietary 3kW Boost charger and have the batteries full of juice in 3.5 hours. 

With a claimed range of 307km on the Recon variant, the F77 offers the highest range on an electric two-wheeler currently. The standard version is not far off and offers 206km of range. That said, the output from the motors on the two is slightly different as well. The F77 Recon offers 95Nm and a claimed top speed of 147kmph; marginally more than what you’d get from the standard model. 

When it comes to features, the F77’s list is decent. While the basics of full-LED lighting and a Bluetooth-enabled TFT screen that measures five inches have been covered, the F77 also comes with ride-by-wire throttle, navigation, a nine-axis IMU for ride analytics with a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope. Since it also can be paired to a smartphone the display also offers ride history, vehicle locator, geofencing as well as lockdown. You also get three levels of regen braking, forward and reverse park assist and three ride modes- Glide, Combat and Ballistic. The brand claims that it is working on more levels to suit individual preferences. 

Swinging a leg over the F77 could be a challenge if you have been built concisely from the waist down as the stepped-up pillion seat could get in the way. Although once astride, even someone under 5’8” can have both feet firmly planted on the ground thanks to the slim tank. And even though the handlebars are lowered, grabbing onto them isn’t a stretch. When coupled with the aggressive positioning of the foot pegs, the F77 has sporty ergonomics. However, it does not feel demanding or straining in any way. Even the well-cushioned seat has ample space to move around, easily appealing to larger riders as well. 

While the motorcycle does make you feel at home right from the start, it surprisingly feels so once you get moving. Switch it to any of the two modes before you get on the move, but the F77 will tread in the Glide mode before switching to Combat or Ballistic- a smart move to ease in the rider and keep safety in mind. In Glide mode, the F77 feels tamed and manageable. The throttle is smooth and the torque feels just enough to make it the ideal setting to ‘glide’ in the city or stop-go traffic. While the F77 can hit a top speed of around 70kmph in its lowest mode, it reaches there in a fairly laidback manner. Switch it to Combat mode and there is an evident change in character. There is a bit of a rush and the F77 feels enthusiastic and sprightly when you get on the throttle. 

But the ‘Ballistic’ mode has the F77 going all out. Even the slightest twist of the right hand will have you holding on to the bars tight as the red/orange illuminated dash displays triple-digit speeds in under four seconds. The way it accelerates from stand still and out of a corner is downright enjoyable and will leave you grinning from ear-to-ear. We managed to see 135kmph on the display before the performance felt like it was plateauing up to 145kmph. Nonetheless, the way the F77 puts down its power and torque is definitely engaging. 

To cut down on these speeds, Ultraviolette has borrowed the braking setup from the KTM RC 390. Yet again, we aren’t complaining. The setup worked wonderfully offering good bite and progression initially. But we’d expect more feedback from the front brake lever and consistent bite after riding hard for a while. That said, the F77’s regen braking isn’t the most intrusive. While the hum of the motor is different in ‘High’ mode and the use of the rear brake is lessened to a certain degree, it isn’t choppy. 

Now, the handling of the F77 is somewhat of a mixed bag. It willingly tips into corners and holds its line well with the bespoke MRF rubber offering credible grip and confidence to push further. But then, switching sides and picking it back up requires effort. After all, it does have a kerb weight of 207kg. While we will be able to give you a fair idea of its ride quality once we ride it extensively in the city, during the short stint we had over majorly well-paved roads, the suspension felt well set up too. It feels plush going into potholes and undulations in the road at slow speeds while skipping over these as speeds increase. 

Or should we ask- is shelling out Rs 3.80 lakh for the standard F77 model or Rs 4.55 lakh, ex-showroom for the Recon worth it? 

As a motorcycle, the Ultraviolette F77 is a hoot to ride in its Ballistic mode for the weekend jaunts. Otherwise, it is friendly and will be a capable commuter in the city. It has the ergonomics of a sportbike while being comfortable at the same time. It looks and feels like a premium purchase, and has good ride quality and decent braking. And if you consider the electric side, it ticks all the boxes there too. You have an incredible range on offer and the ability to charge it in just over 3 hours if you spend an extra Rs 25,000. The performance it brings to the table is exhilarating and unmatched since there are no other direct players in the segment. While it is heavy on paper and requires a wee bit of coaxing when switching sides, the F77’s weight isn’t a deal breaker and feels quite balanced at slow speeds. 

However, in the price bracket of the F77, it realistically compares against the KTM RC 390 and the TVS Apache RR 310- both of which have a good service network and equally engaging performance. So, the question about whether or not it makes for a good buy comes down to its pricing and the sustainability of the brand. With no definitive service backup and dealer network across the country currently, the purchase experience is not wholesome yet. 

While Ultraviolette is looking to start its first experience store in Bangalore soon, it would be a while before it has a strong presence in the country. Then maybe, the F77 would be an electric motorcycle that is easily recommendable to someone looking for a sporty entry-level bike and step up as an alternative to the RC 390, RR 310 or the Ninja 300…

Photos by Anis Shaikh