River has finally commenced the mass production of its maiden electric two-wheeler, the Indie. We recently rode it and here's our take on what the Indie electric scooter is like.
The Indie looks quite different and unlike other electric scooters that are currently sold in India. It gets two large LED headlights that occupy a majority of its fascia.
Then, there's the boxy bodywork with utility bits like the handle-like crash guards, foldable footpegs, and pannier mounts. The Indie seems to have balanced proportions all over. We also like how roomy it feels for both, the rider and the pillion. There's adequate space on the floorboard, too, in case you need to store luggage there.
The Indie's build and paint quality are up to the mark and the panel fitments, too, are quite flush. Most of the bits are sturdy and come off as premium. However, the switch cubes need better finishing since there’s inconsistency in the clicks and feedback from the buttons.
River has powered the Indie with a 4kWh battery pack and a 4.5kW motor. The setup is said to offer 120km of maximum range and 90kmph of top speed in the Rush mode. Overall, the Indie feels quite familiar and easy to ride with its smooth acceleration.
It gets three ride modes – Eco, Ride, and Rush. The Eco mode is convenient when riding in the city and not a lot of power is needed. Meanwhile, the Ride mode offers a little more power and makes overtaking convenient. The Rush mode is the fastest one and we saw a speedometer indicating a top speed of 90kmph too.
The Indie’s brakes offer good bite and the combined braking system works well. The stopping prowess is enough and it reduces speed quickly. However, the levers feel a little far from the handle and need effort to get a hold of.
River has offered lots of storage space on the Indie electric scooter. It gets a 43-litre underseat unit that can easily hold a full-face helmet and another half-face unit as well. There is 12 litres of additional storage in the front glovebox as well. It gets a separate slot for the phone and a USB charging port too.
It rides on telescopic front forks and dual rear shocks. But the ride quality feels a tad hard at the rear and going over broken patches sends mild jolts to the back. However, with a pillion on board, we expect the suspension to compress more and feel a little pliant. Since the Indie gets larger 14-inch wheels, it rides over stones and undulations with relative ease.
But what about its features, range, value for money, and other bits? We recommend you read our River Indie first ride review to know more.
