Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2

Typically, a two-wheeler starts losing performance around the five-year mark, be it ICE or EV. But, Ultraviolette begs to differ. The company claims its third-generation motor platform offers better performance. And it’s not just limited to the latest model, but the Mach 1 and Mach 2 customers will also receive these updates by means of a firmware update.

Now, this update is software-based, and the hardware, design, and features have been carried over as is. And, since we tested the 2025 Ultraviolette F77 at a go-kart track, this review will be limited to our first ride impressions.

Since the major update is performance-based, let's begin with the ride part. Although the battery capacity and specifications remain unchanged, Ultraviolette has made changes to the various sub-systems of the bike, such as the battery control module, motor control units, and the vehicle control unit.

The motorcycle now runs an updated firmware that has been developed based on the learnings Ultraviolette has gathered from over 80 lakh kilometres of vehicle test data. This not only includes statistics from the Indian test cycle, but also a year of testing the bikes in Europe, especially on German Autobahns and in Spain, where the average speeds are almost 2-3 times higher than in India.

The updated firmware has enabled Ultraviolette to introduce a new Ballistic+ mode, replacing the existing Ballistic mode. The changes have been applied across each ride mode, and the company claims that the Combat mode is now similar to the earlier Ballistic mode.

So how has this transpired in the real world? Well, we first tested the Mach 2 bike (without the updates) at the Velocity International Circuit in Bengaluru. This was followed by a few laps on the updated 2025 model. And right off the bat, the difference in power delivery was perceptible.

The motorcycle accelerates with much more vigour, and the throttle response feels even more alert now. The torque band has been increased, and there’s a sense of linearity in the way the power is delivered. What’s equally commendable is that there’s no jerkiness to the throttle response.

The Velocity International Circuit is a narrow and tight go-kart track with quite a few hairpin bends and a couple of flowing sections. The F77 felt at home around this circuit, and I had enough drive out of the corners. That said, I had to be mindful of brake energy regeneration as it felt slightly intrusive at the mid-level when I was off throttle. The change in algorithms has marginally made the regen more noticeable, and I had to dial it down by a couple of levels to have a seamless experience on the track. However, the updated regen will come in handy on public roads.

Ultraviolette hasn’t made any changes to the F77’s dynamics and suspension setup. The motorcycle continues to be a sharp and precise handler. Despite the weight of the battery feels effortless to switch directions and carves corners with precision. As for the suspension, it feels taut with a hint of firmness. Although we didn’t test the bike on the road, previous experience suggests that it offers a balanced, yet sporty ride.

Visually, the Ultraviolette F77 retains its original styling. It is one of the sportiest-looking motorcycles in India, featuring unique design elements such as the sleek LED headlamp, integrated fork covers, and a neatly designed fairing that conceals the battery pack. Even the quality levels and fit and finish are good, and the switchgear operates with a tactile feel.

The ergonomics, meanwhile, are on the sportier side of the spectrum. The clip-on bars and the rear-set footpegs offer a committed and sporty riding posture. This feels natural on the track, but may cause wrist pain during everyday commutes or longer rides. That said, it isn’t as committed as, say, a supersport or a litre-class sportbike.

The 2025 Ultraviolette F77 offers an impressive list of features. Besides the new Ballistic+ mode, the F77 gets three levels of traction control, 10 levels of regenerative braking, dynamic stability control, and hill hold control. Other features include smartphone connectivity, LED illumination, navigation, ABS modes, tyre pressure monitoring system, fast charging, and more. Some of these features are optional extras and come at a cost.

As an electric motorcycle, the Ultraviolette F77 is an enticing offering. It offers excellent performance, a great combination of precise handling and balanced ride quality, and a good set of features. Yes, it cannot be your primary vehicle due to the inherent range constraints with EVs, but as a city bike, with a claimed range of 323km, it does make for a good option.

With the Gen3 updates, the F77 becomes an even more enticing proposition. All this comes at no additional cost, not only for new buyers but for existing customers as well. Ultraviolette will roll out the new firmware update from today, and existing owners will need to visit the UV service centre to update to the latest firmware. What’s more, owners don’t need to make any hardware changes as the existing platform is reverse-compatible with the latest firmware.

Photography by Kapil Angane