Revolt RV400

The Revolt RV400 is what started the electric bike craze in India, packed with a few nifty features and a performance that is at par with 125cc petrol bikes the RV400 was the only premium electric motorcycle in India for quite some time until other rivals turned up. The bike has 2 variants, the standard variant that’s priced at Rs 1.39 lakh and the new ‘India Blue’ Cricket Edition which costs Rs 1.59 Lakh. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

Design

The RV400 comes with a very sleek design that gives the motorcycle a street fighter character. Revolt has done a good job striking that balance between form and functionality, the fuel tank being replaced by a lockable compartment that houses the bike’s lithium-ion battery is one example of this in action. The bike comes with a sleek LED headlight and turn indicators that goes well with the futuristic look of the electric motorcycle.

Engine, Mileage And Performance

Powering the Revolt RV400 is a 72V, 3.24kWh lithium-ion battery that requires approximately 4.5 hours for a full-charge when using a 15A socket and is paired with a 3kW motor. The bike has a charging time of 4.5 hours and comes with 3 riding modes, Eco, Normal and Sports. 

In Eco mode, the RV400 achieves a range of up to 150 km on a single charge. In Normal mode, it covers 100 km, and in Sports mode, it offers a range of 80 km. The top speed is limited to 85 kmph (all claimed figures). Overall, the performance is equivalent to a 125cc petrol-powered commuter bike. While the throttle response is smooth in City or Normal mode, it could’ve been smoother in Sports mode.

Handling And Ride Quality

The bike has an aluminium subframe and swingarm, with suspension handled by an inverted front fork and a rear monoshock with screw-type preload adjustability. Suspension set up is able to handle most bumps and potholes but the bike’s low kerb weight of 108 kg sometimes makes the bike toss around when going through larger potholes at higher speeds. The ground clearance of 215mm does help when travelling through Indian roads but the bike doesn’t inspire much confidence due to the low weight. 

Braking is handled by 240mm disc brakes at both the front and rear, complemented by CBS and offers a good bite. The ride quality is quite good overall, and the same can be said for the e-bike’s handling as well. This is considering the fact that the e-bike’s low weight makes it really easy to flick through traffic, making it a perfect commuter.

Comfort

The wide handlebars give the rider a comfortable riding position and the bike offers the option to adjust the footpegs to either a rear-set or a mid-set position depending on the rider's preference. The seat is well cushioned and is neither too hard nor too soft but the seat height is quite high, coming at 814mm making the motorcycle less accessible for shorter riders. 

Features

The most interesting feature that comes with the RV400 is the artificial engine note which is generated via speakers on the motorcycle and can be customised using the Revolt app and the bike can be made to sound like various ICE motorcycles.

When it comes to features the RV400 well-equipped in the form of a full-LCD instrument cluster which incorporates 4G connectivity. This works  via the Revolt app that gives the rider access to information such as travel history, battery health, remaining range and nearest swap station along with other details. The bike also gets a security feature that allows riders to set up a geofencing range to prevent theft.

Should You Buy The Revolt RV400?

The Revolt RV400 is quite a good motorcycle if you’re looking for a commuter-oriented electric bike.

Those looking for more performance (150cc petrol bike-equivalent) can opt for the  Tork Kratos,but it comes at a higher price.