If and when you decide to make the switch from riding a conventional petrol motorcycle to an electric motorcycle, there are some massive changes you will have to be prepared for. If you take away the tank, piston, gearbox, carburetors, exhaust system, etc, you’ve literally taken half of the bike’s character away!
Some electric bike manufacturers are trying their best to produce motorcycles in a way that appeal to the classic motorcycle enthusiasts while still being eco-friendly. Let’s have a look at a few examples of the same:
Revolt Motors has introduced a one-of-a-kind feature in its electric motorcycle ‘RV400’. The rider makes the choice whether the bike makes sound or not. Through the ‘MyRevolt’ app, the rider can choose one of the four sound options offered by the company.
Eko Tejas, an EV startup, has come up with India’s 1st muscle electric motorcycle known as ‘E-Dyroth’. The design of the electric bike is similar to a Royal Enfield Bullet.
Another EV startup ‘Matter’ unveiled India’s 1st geared electric motorcycle in November 2022.
While most people are buying electric scooters for short commutes and just for going from one place to another in a cost-effective way, the same cannot be said for electric motorcycles. Motorcycles are more sought after by youngsters and they demand power, masculinity and character from the bike.
Ensure you pick an electric bike that matches your needs & lifestyle. Earlier, before buying a petrol-powered motorcycle, two key decisions were involved: determining the type of bike (regular, superbike looking, Harley-looking) and the number of CCs you want. However, with the addition of electric bikes, new criteria has to be adopted. Here’s a guide for the same:
Price: Electric motorcycles are relatively costlier than petrol motorbikes and electric scooters. E-motorcycles need more power than e-scooters which means a bigger electric motor as well as a bigger capacity battery, which pushes up the cost.
But the people that are willing to buy one are ready to shell out some extra bucks for this pleasure. The options available include Revolt RV400 priced at Rs 1.31 lakh, electric superbike Ultraviolette F77 priced at Rs 3.80-5.50 lakh, the relatively cheaper Oben Rorr priced at approx Rs 1 lakh amongst others.
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Acceleration & Top Speed: Electric motorcycles provide instant torque and power. This is a big plus for e-bikes. However, top speeds for many of them are lower from those that conventional motorcycles offer. But if you are willing to spend extra money, there is an option that gets you all the torque and top speed you desire: the Ultraviolette F77.
Ease of Riding: Electric motorbikes have no gears and therefore riders don’t have to worry about shifting gears at the traffic lights or crowded streets. You can enjoy the ride without worrying about clutch or gears. However, if you want your electric bike to have gears, the Indian market does have a geared electric motorcycle now by EV startup Matter.
Range: Range is an important factor to consider when choosing an electric motorcycle. What will you use your electric motorcycle for? This is the first question a prospective buyer should ask himself. Whether the bike will be used for long rides or for going to and from your office or for leisure? In a recent survey in North India, it was found that most electric scooter users don’t travel more than 15 kilometres in a day. However, this may not be the same for electric motorcycle users. Depending on your needs, go through the claimed ranges offered by various e-bike manufacturers and pick your choice.
Conclusion:
In India, most startups and established two-wheeler companies have been focusing on electric scooters. Due to their unisex appeal and greater practicality in terms of storage space, demand for scooters has grown in India in the last decade. But companies are working on electric bikes now.
Unlike conventional motorcycles, electric motorcycles lack the deep growl from the exhaust when you twist the throttle and the rumble you feel, but EV manufacturers are working on providing a similar experience by using different means to produce the sound and the feel. All it takes is a bit of imagination.
