Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 Recon Review: Upgraded Performance, Lower Price

The Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 is the second generation model of this performance-oriented EV motorcycle. It now gets more performance, improved range, new features, new colour options and more. All of this new package comes cheaper than the previous-generation model, making it seem like a more value-for-money proposition. We spent some time with the bike to bring you a brief overview of the updates and how they perform.

Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2: Design

The F77 has always been a good-looking streetfighter with sharp elements all around. Ultraviolette says that the design language was inspired from the F-series fighter jets, specifically the F-22 Raptor, so the Mach 2 variant didn't need many changes in this department. Although Ultraviolette has addressed some issues faced in the previous-gen model. The bike gets an aluminium cover for the charging port which is more rugged compared to the plastic unit from before. We also saw tank grips as standard and the bike is now available with a bunch of new colour options. The colour options now include Plasma Red, Turbo Red, Stealth Grey, Afterburner Yellow,  Lightning Blue, Asteroid Grey, Cosmic Black, Supersonic Silver, and Stellar White. Overall, this is a motorcycle that attracts a lot of attention 

Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2: Motor and Performance

This Recon variant has minor tweaks made to the motor that has slightly improved acceleration times and top speed. Just like the previous gen model, the throttle calibration is nice and smooth with the acceleration feeling linear for the initial part and a burst of torque coming in at around 30 km/h. The F77 Mach 2 has a claimed 0-100kmph sprint time of 7.7 seconds and a claimed top speed of 155kmph. 

The 10.3 kWh battery pack is now 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. This is something we would have to test later in detail as we had the motorcycle for a very short duration at this first ride event. 

Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2: Handling, Ride Quality, and Braking

The riding position of the F77  is properly sporty with the footpegs set towards the rear and a low clip-on handlebar. The seat height stands at 800 mm which I found fairly accessible for my 5’7” height. The Recon variant is quite heavy with a kerb weight of 207 kg, but it does feel really nimble once it is on the go. Considering this is an EV built for sporty riding, it has a stiff suspension setup as well. While this might not be practical, it surely gives the F77 its superb handling abilities and is a really confidence-inspiring motorcycle through a set of corners. Another factor owing to these good handling abilities are the MRF tyres that were specifically developed for this bike. In the braking department, the feel from the lever was good and the bike came to a halt in a controlled manner even when I got on the brakes really hard. 

Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2: Features

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. 

The F77 Recon also gets many Utility and Safety features as standard to enhance the overall experience. Some important Safety features include Hill Hold Assist, 4 levels of Traction Control, Switchable ABS and Dynamic stability control. There are also some additional Smart Tech features but they will have to be purchased separately. The Hill Hold assist worked fairly well but will just take some getting used to. This is because it does not engage automatically on an incline or decline. A rider will have to activate it by applying either of the brakes when stopped on a slope. It can be disengaged by simply twisting the throttle or applying either of 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 for the rider 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 surely be appreciated by experienced riders.

Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2: Verdict

The Recon variant is now priced at Rs 3.99 lakh (ex-showroom), making it around Rs 55,000 cheaper than the Recon variant from before. The Ultraviolette F77 has always been an enjoyable motorcycle to ride with its good throttle calibration, nimble handling abilities and premium build quality. With this Mach 2 update, it has become an even more potent offering and priced cheaper, does make a good case for itself. 

Additionally, Ultraviolette tells us that all of these software updates have been given to customers of the first-gen model for free. The price tag is still high for the average Indian consumer looking for practicality but 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 of the main features and opt for the standard variant instead, they will save Rs 1 lakh. After a lot of testing, Ultraviolette is extremely confident of its battery pack and is now offering an optional 8-year/ 8,00,000kms warranty.