Off-Road Electric Sportbike? Ultraviolette’s F77 Makes a Splash - Literally
Ultraviolette, the Indian electric motorcycle manufacturer, just did something that made me raise an eyebrow and chuckle at the same time. They took their sporty, futuristic F77 electric motorcycle, a bike that looks perfectly at home carving corners on a racetrack and decided to take it off-roading. Yep - Off-roading.
I've been following Ultraviolette for a while, and I've always admired their ambition. The F77 Mach 2 is a tech-packed beauty with decent performance figures. It boasts a range of up to 201 miles (323 km), a top speed of 96 mph (155 km/h), and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in a respectable 7.7 seconds. It even has three power output options, so you can tailor the performance to your liking. All this in a package that starts at around $3,600 (₹2.99 lakh).
The F77 has got the speed, but it's got brains too. It comes with multiple riding modes, regenerative braking, and even smartphone connectivity, so you can keep track of your stats and stay connected on the go.
But seeing the F77 kicking up dirt, splashing through mud puddles, and even getting completely submerged in a river crossing? Well, that's a whole different story. It's almost as if watching a ballerina try her hand at mud wrestling – entertaining, but not exactly what she was designed for.
Don't get me wrong, the video is impressive. It's a testament to the F77's build quality and the rider's skill. But let's be real, this isn't a dual-sport bike. It's a sportbike with a 6.3-inch (160 mm) ground clearance and 17-inch wheels shod with road-biased tires. Although, in the video, the F77 sports some serious off-road rubber, it really is meant for smooth tarmac, not rocky trails. The F77's sleek, aerodynamic design and aggressive riding position are perfect for slicing through the wind, but they're not exactly ideal for tackling uneven terrain.
Look, Ultraviolette's audacity is commendable. It shows they have confidence in their product. And frankly, I'm here for it. The electric motorcycle scene could use a shake-up. It's dominated by practical scooters and commuters, and the F77 is a breath of fresh air. It's a statement that electric motorcycles can be exciting, stylish, and performance-oriented.
Plus, the video got me thinking. If Ultraviolette can make a sportbike this robust, imagine what they could do with a purpose-built scrambler or adventure bike. They could seriously disrupt the entry-level electric motorcycle market, especially if they can keep the price competitive. Imagine an electric motorcycle that can handle both city streets and dirt trails with equal ease. That would be awesome.
Now, I'm not suggesting that Ultraviolette is encouraging F77 owners to go full-on Mad Max with their bikes. But I wouldn't be surprised if some adventurous souls take inspiration from this video and push the F77's limits. And that's when we'll truly see if this futuristic electric motorcycle is as tough as they claim it to be.
So, kudos to Ultraviolette for the bold move. You've certainly got my attention. And who knows, maybe we'll see an F77 Adventure Edition in the future. Until then, I'll be keeping an eye out for those brave F77 riders who dare to take the road less traveled - or perhaps, no road at all.