The xBhp Garage has always been home to some really special motorcycles. Ninja H2, ZX-10R, Rocket 3 R, FTR 1200… and many more. But the xBhp garage is not limited to big ones. The Apache RR 310 and the RS 457 also stand proud in it. Now, all of these machines were powered by the good ’ ol internal combustion engine. But the world is changing, and EVs are more commonplace than ever. Having an electric motorcycle in the xBhp garage would mean it can stand shoulder to shoulder with the motorcycles listed above. And… we found that motorcycle in the Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 Recon.

The F77 Mach 2 Recon’s induction in the xBhp Garage was no impulsive decision. We had ridden the motorcycle a couple of times. We rode it at its launch event and then in Delhi. It left an impression on us, and so adding it to the xBhp garage felt more like a natural next step than a decision that needed deliberation. 

Since it was a special addition to the xBhp garage, the delivery needed to be special as well. We were joined by around 25 riders at the Ultraviolette Hangar in Delhi. The delivery event included test rides for our fellow riders along with an exchange of stories and experiences. All of this was topped off by a ritual burnout. So now that we have spent some time with it, we thought to share an ownership review of sorts. 

Owning an EV is one thing. Living with a performance-focused electric motorcycle like the Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 is a whole other ball game. After clocking in a good amount of saddle time with this machine, we can safely say that it doesn’t just find its place in your daily life as usual. It changes the game! 

The F77 Mach 2 looks the part every single day. Its fighter-jet-inspired design hasn’t grown old on us. Sharp lines, that aggressive stance, the unique wheel design, it’s still an eyeball magnet. Even the TFT console with its jet-like HUD theme feels fresh every time it lights up. And yes, we still get the occasional question or query asking if the motorcycle is imported. Pride may be a sin, but here… it is very well deserved. 

The riding modes have been a revelation. Over time, we have settled into a sort of rhythm with them. Glide is the go-to for commutes and errands. It’s calm, efficient, and returns the kind of range you’d expect when you’re not gunning it. Combat is our urban default, sharp enough for gaps in traffic, but not too eager on the battery. 

The rider here is protected by Axor from head to toe. The leathers combine unmatched comfort and class-leading protection with aesthetics that go perfectly with our F77 Mach 2 Recon. The literal crown jewel here is the latest helmet from Axor, the Brutale. Offering excellent protection and comfort, the Brutale also comes with the world’s first dual-spoiler for that extra pizzazz!

Ballistic though… let’s just say it still makes us grin like a fool. You simply twist the throttle and it goes wooooosh! That instant torque was addictive on day 1, and it still makes us feel the same way. Now, there’s a surprise in terms of modes, but we’ll get to that in a bit. 

In terms of range as well, the F77 Mach 2 Recon has done a very good job. If you are in Glide mode and easy on the throttle, it can go a long way. Real-world range is a slave to many factors, such as traffic, terrain, and riding style. But we have only seen upwards of 170 km. In Combat, the figure dips slightly lower. In Ballistic, the battery drains quicker, but then again, the thrill is worth a top-up! 

The Mach 2 Recon variant has a bigger battery than the Mach 2, so it weighs a little more as well. At 207 kilos, you might expect it to feel heavy, but it rarely does. The centre of gravity has been kept as low as possible, and so, the F77 Mach 2 Recon feels quite spry. In very quick side-to-side transitions, you might feel the heft a little, but for the most part, it feels quick-footed, along with being sure-footed. 

The suspension is plush, and broken roads are dealt with easily. In this regard, the F77 Mach 2 Recon has been a surprise considering how well it handles itself through a corner. Regenerative braking is another feature that has been a boon. There are levels to it, and in the highest setting, it takes some getting used to. It feels like the back-torque from a big V-twin. Maybe a little more than that. Once you get used to it though, it can be combined with braking, even more stopping power, and that is saying something because the brakes already provide a whole lot of it. 

Charging at home has also become a nice little routine, quite like charging your phone. Charging on the road was tricky for a while, but Ultraviolette has worked on that as well. Their own supercharger network has grown, but in addition, they have also introduced the UV Link Adapter that allows you to utilise the much wider EV car charging network around India. While charging may still seem like a hassle, consider the benefits: no oil changes, no exhaust heat, and of course, not a care in the world for rising fuel prices or the EthanolGate, if we may be so bold. 

Cheeky remarks about the condition and quality of the fuel available in our country aside, the F77 Mach 2 Recon has been a revelation. It may not have that ICE roar or that character, but trust us, just a slight hum from the motor paired with the wind noise at triple-digit speeds has its own charm as well. 

Then there’s the tech. In this regard, the F77 Mach 2 Recon is like a rolling gadget. It has a reverse gear, which, despite the motorcycle not being extremely heavy, has proven to be a very nifty trick. It is a blessing in tight parking spots and over not-so-grippy surfaces. The TFT display is crisp and functional. Connectivity features, GPS, Bluetooth, eSIM, sound like nothing more than a flex until you use them on a road trip to track range and plan charging. It is tech done right: useful without being overwhelming.

Now, about the surprise in the modes. Well, Ultraviolette is not selling their motorcycles only in India. There are a fair few cities in Europe where you can get yourself an F77. Their stint in Europe has proven to be more than just expansion. They have learnt a lot about the riders and the riding in Europe, where F77s are used on much faster expressways and even the Autobahn, where keeping the throttle pinned is the only way to go. 

That made Ultraviolette realise that perhaps the F77 Mach 2 had more to offer in terms of performance. As a result, we, along with all the owners of Ultraviolette motorcycles, got a new mode as an update. Before even talking about the mode, can we appreciate Ultraviolette for continuing to develop this motorcycle and bring those changes to the existing owners as well and that too for free? In addition to making a stellar motorcycle, what they are doing after selling you the motorcycle has earned Ultraviolette some serious respect.

Back to the new mode. It is called Ballistic+ and, as the name suggests, it is an even sharper iteration of the Ballistic mode. In this mode, the F77 Mach 2 Recon feels more responsive through and through, but the biggest difference is felt at that first degree of twist of the throttle. It feels more responsive than ever, and that said, it was never sluggish to begin with. The best part, it does not have a huge impact on the range either. 

Our time with the F77 Mach 2 Recon has been a ton of fun, and if Utraviolette keeps improving the motorcycle like they have so far, I think the novelty is not going to wear off anytime soon. Not that it was going to… So, the verdict. Well, the F77 Mach 2 Recon has tons of performance, looks bombastic, and offers a lot of convenience over ICE motorcycles. And that goes a long way in proving that living with an electric motorcycle is perfectly doable… if it’s an F77 Mach 2 Recon that is!