Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 Review - Up To The Mark?

The F77 gets a host of new updates in the Mach 2 variant and is now more affordable than its predecessor.

The general perception is that electric two wheelers are boring. But that's not the case, because we have experienced peppy performance with scooters from Ola and Ather, but when it comes to electric motorcycles, one brand has bucked the trend and that is Ultraviolette with its F77. The bike we tested is the updated version of the F77, called the Mach 2 (Recon variant). The Mach 2 gets added features and more importantly, the pricing has come down, so let's find out if the Mach 2 delivers in terms of performance and value.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Ultraviolette F77 is clearly the benchmark, it has the largest motor and the performance speaks for itself, 0-60 kmph under 3 seconds and it can do the 0-100 kmph sprint in less than 8 seconds, so on paper, it has the right performance. But what makes the F77 Mach 2 so impressive is the throttle calibration, unlike other electric two-wheelers which have a numb throttle response, the throttle action and feel on this motorcycle is very weighted and it feels more like an ICE motorcycle, so when you are going fast, it properly feels connected to the rider.

There are three riding modes (glide, combat and ballistic), my favourite is the combat mode which is the mid mode because you can do speeds around 80-90 kmph which is good enough for your city commutes and also for your highway jaunts. Having said that, if you want to really experience the thrilling side of the F77 Mach 2, then the ballistic mode really lives up to (1:45) its name.

The big change on this motorcycle is the regeneration, now you have 10 levels of regen and that really helps. The regen tuning has been done in such a manner that it feels like you are using engine braking on a petrol-powered bike. In fact, the regen intervention is so natural that it feels that you are riding a performance ICE motorcycle and you forget that you’re riding a fast electric motorcycle, the F77 feels that connected with the rider.

My favourite regen mode was 6 as I felt in this mode there was the right amount of intervention and I had better control of the bike. With the inclusion of regenerative braking, Ultraviolette engineers have also added stability control because they claim in regeneration, this motorcycle develops more power than most electric two-wheelers on sale! Which means under hard regen, there is a possibility of the rear wheel locking up and to avoid this scenario stability control comes into the picture. For added safety, the F77 Mach 2 also gets traction control to keep you away from sticky situations.

Battery, Range & Charging Time

The F77 Recon variant that we tested comes equipped with a massive 10.3 kWh battery which is by far the largest battery pack on any electric two-wheeler sold in India. Ultraviolette claims that the F77 Recon can run 323 km on a full charge, the above is a IDC figure and a realistic figure would be close to 200 to 230 km. This means you can easily do a short breakfast ride to Lonavala and back from Mumbai. UV is also working on setting up a network of fast chargers at popular biker spots so that F77 owners can recharge their vehicles while taking a break. With the standard charger, the Mach 2 Recon takes around 9 hours for a full charge and with the boost charger, the electric bike can be charged from 20-80% in just 2.5 hours.

Ergonomics

The seat height is pretty accessible at 800 mm, I am 5 feet 10 tall and I could easily flat foot and for short riders, the seat height wouldn't be worrisome. As for the riding posture, you get a sporty clip-on handlebar and even the foot peg is rear set, so the riding posture is canted forward and a bit sporty. Now when I say sporty, it is not as uncomfortable as the Yamaha R15, but it is also not as laid back as a street fighter.

In terms of seat position for the rider, there’s ample space for the rider and one clever addition are the rubber grips which allows the rider to hold the tank snugly. Talking about the pillion seat, it is a step seat, so getting on the seat is challenging and also in terms of seat space at the back, it is not very comfortable for two up riding. One big problem area on the F77 Mach 2 Recon is its heft of 207 kg. Yes, it does get reverse mode which will help you while parking, but when you want to take U-turns, the weight is really felt and one has to be very cautious because this motorcycle has a very wide turning radius.

Ride, Handling and Braking

Ever since I rode the first prototype of the Ultraviolette F77 back in 2019, I was impressed by its handling dynamics and that stays true even today. The trellis frame and the weight distribution is such that you don’t feel the over 200 kg heft while throwing it around corners. The handling of the electric motorcycle is predictable and engaging. However, better tyres can elevate the handling dynamics further as the stock MRF tyres hold you back from exploring the full potential of the bike.

The handling hasn’t affected the comfort factor of the F77 as it doesn’t offer a firm or stiff ride quality that’s associated with performance motorcycles. The bike managed most of the speed breakers and undulations with relative ease, only on the sharp bumps the rear does toss you a bit. The F77 now gets offered with mono mode that cuts the rear ABS, if the rider wants to channel his inner hooligan.The brakes offer good bite and stopping power with loads of feedback.

Styling & Features

The basic styling of the F77 hasn’t changed ever since the prototype was showcased and it still looks fresh. The styling is a mix of a sport bike and streetfighter and while on paper, it doesn’t seem to be a good idea, the F77 designers have managed to make it work. The bike still looks sleek, stylish and futuristic. In fact, the F77 still remains among the most unique looking motorcycles on Indian roads.

A great detail about the bike is that there are no visible bolts or fasteners on the panels which makes it look very premium. The charger cover now gets a magnetic lock and the hinge is now stronger which flows well with the overall top notch quality and fit and finish of the bike. The F77 Mach 2 is now available in 9 colour options

Moving on, the F77 gets a TFT instrument console with a plethora of information. All the various information can be toggled easily via a switch cube and the UI is easy and clean. The new additions on the F77 includes TPMS, stability control, traction control and heavier regen. Another useful addition is the crash and fall alerts that are based on the six-axis IMU the bike features.

Verdict

By now, you would have figured out that the F77 Mach 2 is a very impressive motorcycle. (7:11) It offers ballistic performance, looks smashing, is fun to ride and comes loaded with features.

All the tech updates made on the new bike can be carried forward on to the older generation F77 bikes as well. With respect to cost, yes the pricing has come down compared to the older variant but it is still very expensive.

The base variant is retailing for ₹ 3 lakh (ex-showroom) and the Recon variant which we rode will lighten your wallet by ₹ 4 lakh (ex-showroom) which is very expensive when you compare to ICE motorcycles with same thrilling performance and there is no government subsidy either. In terms of sheer value, the Ultraviolette F77 still doesn't deliver. Having said that, if you are looking for a thrilling electric two-wheeler which offers great performance and cost isn’t an issue then the F77 Mach 2 is the bike for you.