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xBhp was born more than 16 years ago and since then we've had a chance to ride or drive hundreds of machines running on two wheels or four wheels, and sometimes even three wheels. We are not done yet, and this list is still growing. In these pages, we take a deep dive in the treasure trove of our ride experiences and bring you all that we have ridden or driven.

Suzuki e-Access :: Away from the rat-race

N/ACC 5.5BHP 15NM

Whenever one thinks of Suzuki, they think of legendary motorcycles like the Hayabusa, the Katana, and the GSX series. Along with those, another thing that is associated with Suzuki all around the world is bulletproof reliability. They may take their sweet time to build things, but when they do, they are built to last. Now, we have the Suzuki e-Access on hand, and it embodies everything Suzuki stands for and more. So, let us talk about it. 

For a while now, a handful of established Indian manufacturers and a fair few newcomers have been fighting it out in the electric scooter space. India is one of the largest two-wheeler markets in the world, and scooters are an integral part of it. Moreover, in the scooter market, the Suzuki Access has been around the block for a long time. Naturally, it left us wondering about when Suzuki was going to make their presence felt in the electric scooter market. 

They took their time, deservedly so, to build something that stands out in more ways than one. And in a crowded place, standing out is the first thing you have to think of. When we heard about the Suzuki e-Access, expectations were high. And they have been met in a lot of ways. First, instead of joining the spec-sheet rat race, Suzuki has taken a refreshingly different route, prioritising reliability and rider safety over “impressive numbers”. We will talk about it in more detail after taking it for a spin around a go-karting track. 

The e-Access carries forward the Access 125’s legacy with a modern twist. It boasts a sleek, futuristic design with sharp lines and a compact stance. It is not a radical departure from the tried and tested Access design, but has enough new bits and changes to clearly distinguish it from its ICE brethren. In terms of colour options, we have three dual-tone colourways: Metallic Mat Black, Pearl Grace White, and Pearl Jade Green.

The first thing I noticed was how light the Suzuki e-Access felt for an electric scooter. It tips the scales at 122 kg. That made it agile and easy to manoeuvre on the track, and I reckon that’s a boon for daily commuting. It should be easily manageable in the city traffic and daily commuting. The ergonomics were also amiable, and overall, the e-Access felt like a very comfortable and accommodating scooter. 

Under the hood, the e-Access is powered by a 4.1kW motor delivering 15 Nm of torque. It reaches a top speed of 71 km/h, which is good for city commuting. The Suzuki e-Access also gets three riding modes: Eco, which is self-explanatory and two customizable modes called Ride A and Ride B so that you can tailor it to your needs or according to the riding conditions. There’s also a reverse mode for easy parking and help over difficult surfaces. 

The Suzuki e-Access felt quite peppy on the track, and that should help in the outside world as well. Whether filtering through traffic or overtakes, the e-Access has enough punch for all of that. Moreover, the throttle also felt quite natural and progressive, unlike many other products. The inherent jerkiness of electric vehicles has been mitigated to a great extent, which makes the e-Access very easy to ride. 

Now, what truly sets the e-Access apart is its power source. While many manufacturers chase range with NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) batteries, Suzuki has opted for a 3.07 kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery. Why is that important? Well, LFP batteries may sacrifice a bit of range, but they’re more thermally stable, significantly safer, and longer-lasting, exactly the kind of thinking you’d expect from a brand like Suzuki. And even in terms of range, you get around 95 km per charge, which is more than enough for the daily grind.

Charging is quite convenient as well. There are two options: a portable charger supplied with the scooter that takes around 6 hours and 42 minutes for a full charge, and then there’s the DC fast charger that does the job in approximately 2 hours and 12 minutes. Suzuki also has plans to install the fast charger at all their outlets across the country within the next two or three months. 

The ride quality also felt nice, though a more comprehensive test in the city would have helped in driving the point home. The Suzuki e-Access is equipped with telescopic front forks and a monoshock rear suspension. On the track, it felt very supple, which is why we say that the ride quality should be quite comfortable even on bad roads. On the racetrack, the suspension and braking setup provided enough stability and confidence to push it a fair bit. 

Shown here is the Rynox Trident Leather Riding Jacket (10-Year Anniversary Edition), celebrating the essence of Rynox’s journey as India’s leading riding gear provider.

In terms of features too, the Suzuki e-Access does really well. It comes with a 4.2-inch colored TFT display that offers smartphone connectivity, keyless ignition, and a multi-function starter. Another neat trick is the Boot Lock mechanism, where you can open your boot to keep the stuff, and you need not worry about holding it as it gets locked by their lock system and stays open till you close it. Additional features include regenerative braking, a belt drive system which Suzuki claims will last for 7 years or 70,000 km, and Suzuki Drive pMode Selector (SDMS-e), enhancing both efficiency and riding pleasure.

Overall, the Suzuki e-Access is genuinely one of the cutest and safest scooters I’ve ridden. I could easily ride it all day, it’s that comfortable and confidence-inspiring. What truly won me over was Suzuki’s decision to go with an LFP battery. We’ve long advocated for safer EV technology, and in a market obsessed with range and speed, Suzuki took a bold, responsible stand for safety, and that resonated with me. So, if you’re looking for an electric scooter that puts your safety first without compromising on everyday usability, the e-Access deserves serious consideration.

Shown here is the xBhp-Axor Speed Of Thought helmet, the second one from our collaborations with Axor and based on the already awesome Axor Apex platform.