AUTONEWS

F77 Ultraviolette: the very fun indian electric motorcycle

The Indian brand arrives in Spain and Portugal with the F77 Mach 2 Recon and the SuperStreet Recon, two electric motorcycles that defy any urban pretension or label. Forget the excuse of fuel economy or silence in the city: what matters is speed, acceleration and fun, even if there is a battery in place of the fuel tank.

Yes, they are electric. But above all, they are fast. Very fast for what their technical specifications indicate. Approved for the A1 driver's license — and also valid for the B license with a modified license — they exploit a perfectly adjusted legal loophole: 9.5 kW of continuous power, but up to 30 kW of maximum power, equivalent to about 40 hp, accompanied by 100 Nm of torque available from the first millimeter of the throttle. The result is the kind that makes us laugh inside our helmets: 0 to 60 km/h in 2.8 seconds, 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, and a top speed of 155 km/h.

Quick translation: It accelerates like a big motorcycle and leaves behind more than one sporty hot rod.

The battery has 10.3 kWh and is integrated into an aluminum casing that is also part of the overall structure. Ultraviolette announces a range of 231 km in the WMTC cycle, an optimistic number, although, as we all know, nobody lives in a WMTC world, and when you accelerate, the kilometers decrease as your smile widens. Fast charging allows you to go from 20% to 80% in about two and a half hours, a reasonable time for daily use without logistical problems becoming an obstacle.

Where the seriousness of the motorcycle is evident is in the chassis. No compromises: trellis frame, 41 mm inverted forks, adjustable monoshock, and a braking system with dual 320 mm front discs and two-channel Bosch ABS. This isn't just for show or marketing; it's sports motorcycle hardware. The weight, 207 kg, isn't exactly light, but the electronics help disguise that. Three riding modes — Glide, Combat, and Ballistic — and up to 10 levels of regenerative braking allow you to adjust the bike's character from relaxed to decidedly aggressive.

The first test took place at the Ángel Burgueño circuit, a kart track where numbers matter less than the feeling. And it's there that the Mach 2 Recon shows its true colors. A sporty riding position, a firm seat, and a throttle response that, in Ballistic mode, is simply ferocious. You twist the throttle and the bike shoots off without warning. With regenerative braking set to medium levels (4 or 5), the feeling is quite similar to the engine braking of a combustion motorcycle. At level 0, however, the feeling is of excessive float, forcing the rider to use the front brake more than necessary, something that becomes quite noticeable on the track.

It's fast, direct, and a lot of fun in the corners. It likes to enter hard, brake late, and exit catapulted, taking advantage of the instant torque. At a spirited pace, it inspires a lot of confidence, although, if pushed to the limit in very tight corners, the steering angle can be a real problem. I experienced this firsthand, with a fall that resulted in nothing serious beyond a bent footpeg and a bruised ego.

The SuperStreet Recon changes the game without messing with the engine. Higher handlebars, a more relaxed riding position, and a much more natural feel. It's less radical, but easier and, surprisingly, more effective. Everything flows better, the corners are connected with greater precision, and your body thanks you. It maintains the same ferocious acceleration, but the power delivery is easier to control. For everyday use — and for driving fast without suffering — it's clearly the most logical choice.

The Ultraviolette didn't come here to try its luck. It came to shake up the A1 segment with a truly fast electric car that accelerates like a demon and proves that silence can also be fun. Very fun.

by Autonews