Ultraviolette F77

The Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 is the second generation of the brand’s F77 platform. This version has undergone some much-needed changes in terms of performance and features. The bike currently stands out as an affordable performance electric bike in the market, competing with 300cc petrol-powered bikes, without the extra cost. I recently got a chance to ride the F77 Mach 2 on track and on the streets. It was surely an exciting experience and I have some interesting points to share in this detailed review.

Ultraviolette F77: Design

The Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 follows the same design philosophy as the Ultraviolette F77, taking inspiration from the F-series of fighter jets, especially the F22 Raptor. The sharp and angular front section, with the integrated fork covers gives the bike a sleek look and feel. The slim profile, with the integrated fairing and stubby-looking winglets give the bike a proper jet fighter look. At the rear, the raised tail-section with the split seat setup and sharp taillights gives it really sporty looks.

The addition of an aluminum cover for the charging port adds a layer of extra safety from dust and debris. Ultraviolette has addressed some issues faced in the previous-gen model so the bike gets an aluminium cover for the charging port which is more rugged compared to the plastic unit from before. Tank grips are now offered as standard and make it a lot easier to grip the bike while riding. 

Ultraviolette F77: Colours

The bike is available with a bunch of new colour options split into themes. The three themes are Laser, Shadow, and Airstrike. The Laser theme has three colours including Plasma Red, Turbo Red, and Afterburner Yellow. The Shadow theme also has three colours; Stealth Grey, Asteroid Grey, and Cosmic Black. And finally, the Airstrike theme gets Supersonic Silver, Lightning Blue and Stellar White. With many of these loud colour schemes, this is a motorcycle that attracts a lot of attention on the streets. In my opinion, the Lightning Blue colour with yellow accents really stands out. 

Ultraviolette F77: Build Quality

The overall fit and finish levels are very good, with no exposed wires, making the bike look and feel very premium. It feels like a well built motorcycle and attention has been paid to detail.

Ultraviolette F77: Convenience Features

The F77 makes use of a 5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, OTA updates, ride analytics, and more. The dash can be controlled via buttons on the switchgear and it works seamlessly. You also get three ride modes (Glide, Combat, Ballistic), regenerative braking, USB charging, and app-based control. One of the main upgrades to the Mach 2 is 10 levels of regenerative braking. It can be fully switched off or navigated through nine levels. Level 9 has the most resistance and tries to mimic engine braking of an ICE motorcycle. It will take some getting used to and different riders will have to find their preference. Level 9 should be used while the motorcycle is being ridden hard but the on and off transitions of the accelerator do feel slightly jerky while riding around at lower speeds.. Levels 5-6 should provide a good balance to ride around smoothly in the city. Level 9 works really well when you are out on a race track.

Ultraviolette F77: Safety Features

The F77 Recon (top-spec variant) gets many safety features as standard. They include Hill Hold Assist, 4 levels of Traction Control, Switchable ABS and Dynamic stability control. There are also some additional Smart Tech features which will have to be purchased separately. The Hill Hold assist works fairly well but will just take some getting used to. It does not engage automatically on an incline or decline. A rider has to activate it by applying either of the brakes when stopped on a slope. It can be disengaged by twisting the throttle or applying the brakes again.

The Park Assist feature has to be engaged by long pressing the front brake and a button on the left switchgear. When the motor is armed, there is resistance which makes it very difficult to manually reverse the bike and this means you will have to engage Park Assist even when you don’t really need to. I did spend most of my time with the traction control in the sport mode and it was not at all intrusive and even allowed some level of slip before cutting power. This TC mode will be appreciated by experienced riders.

Ultraviolette F77: Rider Comfort

The riding posture is quite sporty with the clip-on handlebars. The seat height of 800mm is accessible to most riders, and the slightly rear-set footpegs give it a sporty yet manageable stance. The seat cushioning is on the firmer side, a rider is bent over in an aggressive posture, and the suspension is on the stiffer side, making it ideal only for short commutes. The overall ergonomics suit city riding and occasional runs around at a go-kart track. I have spent a lot of time with the F77 at go-kart tracks and it is surely an exciting experience.

Ultraviolette F77: Pillion Comfort

Pillion comfort is not its strong suit. The rear seat is small, the grab rails are minimal, and the footpeg positioning is quite high. It will be adequate for short trips, but not ideal for daily pillion commuting. This is actually a completely rider-centric motorcycle.

Ultraviolette F77: Motor & Performance

This Recon variant has slightly improved acceleration times and top speed. The F77 Mach 2 has a claimed 0-100kmph sprint time of 7.7 seconds and a claimed top speed of 155kmph. 

Ultraviolette F77: City Performance

With a new update called Ballistic +, the throttle calibration has been upgraded to be more instant. Earlier, the acceleration felt linear for the initial part and a burst of torque came in at around 30 km/h. Now, the torque comes in instantly and feels more linear throughout.

This update will be rolled out to all existing customers of Mach 1, Mach 2, and the SuperStreet as well. In the city, the throttle is responsive. Glide mode works well for city runs, while Combat mode gives you enough punch for quick overtakes. The regen settings help reduce brake use and improve efficiency. As mentioned above, riding in regen mode 5 or 6 should be ideal for the city.

Ultraviolette F77: Highway Performance

In Ballistic mode, the bike can reach 100kmph quickly, cruise effortlessly at that speed and has more than enough in reserve for quick overtakes. There is no wind protection but this is a naked, sporty motorcycle, so no complaints there. 

Ultraviolette F77: Battery & Range

The 10.3 kWh battery pack in the Recon variant is said to deliver slightly more range and there is also an optional Boost Charger which will give you approximately 75km of range in one hour of charging.

The Standard variant has an IDC estimated range of 211kms and the Recon variant has an IDC estimated range of 323kms on a full charge. Ultraviolette is extremely confident of its battery pack and also offers an optional 8-year/ 8,00,000kms warranty.

Ultraviolette F77: Handling

Despite its 207 kg kerb weight (Recon), the F77 handles sharply, thanks to its chassis and weight distribution. It feels planted in corners, with confident turn-in and impressive mid-corner stability. City manoeuvrability is decent, but U-turns require a bit more space due to limited steering lock. In traffic, riders will feel the weight of the bike but it is manageable.

Ultraviolette F77: Tyres

Ultraviolette has equipped the F77 with MRF Steel Brace radial tyres. The grip levels are excellent, both in the dry and wet and ultimately give a rider confidence at high-speeds and allow them to lean further without worrying about losing grip.

Ultraviolette F77: Brakes

The braking feel is sharp and progressive, thanks to 320mm front and 230mm rear discs, paired with dual-channel ABS. The lever feedback is good, and the regen system complements the braking effectively without being intrusive. There was only one instance on track in my full time spent with the bike where the ABS kicked in intrusively, but I still managed to just take a wider line and safely get away.

Ultraviolette F77: Ride Quality

The F77's ride is firm and clearly tuned more for handling than plushness. The inverted front forks and monoshock do a great job on open roads at high speeds, but I did feel sharp bumps and potholes at low speeds. It is easily manageable for urban commutes but not the most forgiving suspension for bad roads.

Ultraviolette F77: Verdict

The Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 is surely the most exciting electric motorcycle on sale in India today. With potent performance, smart features and a striking design, it is a tempting option to consider. The only issue is that it is not cheap, and the ride comfort can be better. It is a bike for anyone looking to go electric without compromising on the thrill factor. With this Mach 2 update, it has become an even more potent offering and priced cheaper, making a good case for itself. 

While the price tag is still high for the average Indian consumer looking for practicality, this would appeal to enthusiasts who are passionate about owning a performance-bred EV. If a rider is ready to compromise on range and some features and opt for the Standard variant instead, they will save Rs 1 lakh. 

Ultraviolette has now lowered the price of F77 by 33% under the new battery subscription model and it now starts from Rs 1,99,000 (ex-showroom).

Ultraviolette F77: Competition

There are no direct competitors to the Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2. Most of the other electric motorcycles in the market are priced lower so it is difficult to compare. If we were to talk about ICE bikes in comparison to the Recon variant, I would say that in performance, it is close to the RR 310/RTR 310 and in terms of price, it is closer to the KTM 390 Duke.