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Is buying the Hero Optima DX [ Lithium ion ] worth it?

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  • #1

    Is buying the Hero Optima DX [ Lithium ion ] worth it?

    I currently own an R15 V2 (2013) which has done 56k+ km and is still doing good. I've been employed since the 15th of this month and my office is 40km from home i.e I have to travel from Anna Nagar to Uthandi and back every day which makes it a total of 70(+/-5) km every day.

    I have no issues traveling with the R15. I have tried multiple routes

    1. (Anna Nagar->Vanagaram Tollgate->Vandalur->Kelambakkam->Uthandi) 65Km/ 1 Hour 15 Minutes.
    2. (Anna Nagar->Kathipara->Inner Ring Road->OMR->Uthandi) 36Km/ 1 Hour 20 Minutes.
    3. (Anna Nagar->Guindy->Anna University->IT Expressway->ECR->Uthandi) 34Km/ 1 Hour 15 Minutes.

    The Main problem here is fuel. By doing ~70Km daily, A full tank lasts for anywhere around 400Km where the "F" or so-called Reserve Indicator starts flashing and I do another tank full. Mileage varies from 36-40. I have done over 3 Full Tanks now and it has cost me around 2800 rupees approximately for fuel alone and the bike has traveled 1600+ Km in a span of 15 days i.e the date of joining. Another 15 days and I'll be having to change the oil and oil filter which adds to my expense. Phew

    I've done a bit of research and have zeroed in on the Hero Optima DX, which is lithium ion powered, has a top speed of 35km and a range of 50km as what I believe is true, away from the claimed range of 75km. The average speed of vehicles in city traffic (always) is around 25-35kph, though at times we get some free roads where we can go much faster, I think I can very much live with the speed of 35kph since I have been traveling long distances on my BTwin cycle in and out of the city. The main reason for me to go this scooter is because this is the one and only variant that comes with a removable battery pack which weighs around 7kgs and hence I can charge it easily when I'm home at the third floor in my apartment or for a quick top-up when I'm at work. The battery seems to be fully chargeable in 4 hours.

    Here for the "Well...... " part. The bike costs 59,000 on road, Chennai. No registration required since it is rated at a speed of 30kph. Here's the next one, the battery costs 30,000 for replacement given the promise of 1000 charge cycles with a 50km range per charge which gives a life of 50,000 km. Also comes with a 6-year assured life.

    The scooter will be taken in EMI's with a downpayment as low as 10,000. So, what do you think? I would be very thankful if someone could share their ownership experiences with a VRLA or a lithium-ion scooter. Also i would like to know about the real world usage reviews of both the Okinawa scooters, especially the lithium ion "Praise" model. Thank you.
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  • #2
    Re: Is buying the Hero Optima DX [ Lithium ion ] worth it?

    Topic Approved.

    I'm myself planning to have an electric vehicle dealership in my city. I'll give you some pointers that may help you decide:-

    1. An electric vehicle must have Regenerative braking to reach about 90% of its claimed range in practicality. Regenerative braking means when you close the throttle, the battery starts getting charged from the motor itself, and this is how the bike slows down.

    2. Lithium ion are the way forward, till new technologies appear. 1000 charges are a standard for most Li-ion packs. Even by the time you charge & discharge it 100 times, it only loses charge by a certain percentage, say 10-30% and can be used with reduced capacity a bit more.


    So, you're going in the right direction. Praise is a more powerful scooter with higher top speed (72 kmph) and a bigger range (170-200 kms). Please read the Praise review here:- Okinawa Ridge first ride review - Overdrive

    However, if you could wait a bit, there are more powerful and amazing options coming up, like,

    1. Ather S340 scooter (60-80 kms/ charge, top 72 kmph)
    2. Tork T6X motorcycle (100 kms/ charge, top speed above 100 kmph)

    These 2 seem to be promising ventures which have recently got funding from big shots of the industry.. Apparently, one can't go wrong with either of them. But you will need to wait for an indefinite time for these 2 ventures to mature.



    Talking about products you can buy right now, give a try to Lycan which shall cost you around 55,000 or so, complete. It top 25 kmph only, but has a range of 50 kms/ charge, and it can be charged indoors, with removable Li ion battery. Check it out here:- Lycan


    Wish you all the best... And yes, as long as lithium ion battery is what you're running with a burshless motor, you're in the right direction for good amount of saving (if the product is good)... Do not go for that Lead acid battery stuff.
    ---
    Brotherhood, Rules, Freedom. Xbhp.
    Indian riding = Alertness, Anticipation and Adjustment.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Is buying the Hero Optima DX [ Lithium ion ] worth it?

      Having a removable battery is very handy, even if the battery weighs 10-15kg as in the case of high capacity lead acids. Even a woman can lift 10 kg easily if she uses correct techniques. Are you sure the Optima is the only one with a removable battery?

      Having done a basic calculation, it makes economic sense to buy the Optima . After 3 years, you get your money back.

      Btw, the lycan looks hideous.
      Last edited by leech; 02-01-2018, 06:29 AM.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Is buying the Hero Optima DX [ Lithium ion ] worth it?

        Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post
        Topic Approved.

        So, you're going in the right direction. Praise is a more powerful scooter with higher top speed (72 kmph) and a bigger range (170-200 kms). Please read the Praise review here:- Okinawa Ridge first ride review - Overdrive
        Thank you for the speedy approval. And the link that you have given is for the Ridge and not the Praise. I would like to know how the praise is in the real world usage scenario. Also, I'd like to know how to purchase the Praise from Chennai and will that bring up any maintenance issues regarding spares? Coming to the Lycan, I just wish it was designed to look like a normal scooter. I feel that both the Ridge and Praise are very well designed and the Hero Optima is okay too, looks like a normal scooter without any weird looks from any angle. Has Okinawa started delivering the Praise yet?

        ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

        Originally posted by leech View Post
        Having a removable battery is very handy, even if the battery weighs 10-15kg as in the case of high capacity lead acids. Even a woman can lift 10 kg easily if she uses correct techniques. Are you sure the Optima is the only one with a removable battery?

        Having done a basic calculation, it makes economic sense to buy the Optima . After 3 years, you get your money back.

        Btw, the lycan looks hideous.
        The Battery weighs 7kg and is light too. In fact, I have seen many videos where people lift it with a single finger. Sorry for not making it clear though, Hero has a few more Lithium ion bikes as well but they have their own cons from my point of view (Low height and less legroom, shockingly horrifying looks etc). One high speed variant is priced at 95,000 too. So, The Optima seems to be the only option left here. Any ideas or options?

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Is buying the Hero Optima DX [ Lithium ion ] worth it?

          I would suggest to buy splendor or platina for your mileage concern.
          The electric scooter which you are thinking to buy in my opnion is of no use. I have seen people getting frustated due to its top speed only being 40kmph,imagine what if you are getting late to office or to reach back home and you are in hurry, you are just revving the throttle but it doesnt go beyond 40 might be frustating.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Is buying the Hero Optima DX [ Lithium ion ] worth it?

            Originally posted by Arvind Sibi View Post
            Thank you for the speedy approval. And the link that you have given is for the Ridge and not the Praise. I would like to know how the praise is in the real world usage scenario. Also, I'd like to know how to purchase the Praise from Chennai and will that bring up any maintenance issues regarding spares? Coming to the Lycan, I just wish it was designed to look like a normal scooter. I feel that both the Ridge and Praise are very well designed and the Hero Optima is okay too, looks like a normal scooter without any weird looks from any angle. Has Okinawa started delivering the Praise yet?
            Hi, sorry for this mistake.
            As of now, I would refrain from making a comment on Okinawa scooters, because apparently their products are a very close copy of a Chinese manufacturer, while the company claims its all Indian, also I can't find much genuine reviews anywhere on internet.
            Plus, what makes me suspicious is the service intervals of Okinawa- 500 kms, 2000 kms, 4000 kms and so.
            Electric vehicles are normally maintenance free, and this should not be an electric vehicle's service schedule at all....

            Untill more info is available on Okinawa, kindly avoid purchasing it..


            I agree with your thoughts about Lycan's looks. Its one of those reasons, why I didn't proceed to have their dealership already. I conveyed this to the manufacturer's representative as well.
            But its apparently a good quality product, in the (already small) market of EV's...


            As of now, I can only suggest you look for a Hero Electric dealership in Chennai and try to get a Hero Optima/ some other Hero scooter, with a Li-ion battery...
            or you can try waiting for Tork/ Ather. They're somewhat close to launch, but I still can't comment decisively how close...
            ---
            Brotherhood, Rules, Freedom. Xbhp.
            Indian riding = Alertness, Anticipation and Adjustment.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Is buying the Hero Optima DX [ Lithium ion ] worth it?

              Originally posted by Om1234 View Post
              I would suggest to buy splendor or platina for your mileage concern.
              The electric scooter which you are thinking to buy in my opnion is of no use. I have seen people getting frustated due to its top speed only being 40kmph,imagine what if you are getting late to office or to reach back home and you are in hurry, you are just revving the throttle but it doesnt go beyond 40 might be frustating.
              Yes, I too agree but all I am trying to do is avoid fuel cost by sacrificing speed and time.

              ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

              Originally posted by Samarth 619 View Post
              Hi, sorry for this mistake.
              As of now, I would refrain from making a comment on Okinawa scooters........

              look for a Hero Electric dealership in Chennai and try to get a Hero Optima/ some other Hero scooter, with a Li-ion battery...
              or you can try waiting for Tork/ Ather. They're somewhat close to launch, but I still can't comment decisively how close...
              Apart from the all praising positive youtube reviews by mainstream media (happens for almost each and every product when newly launched), I can't see any info or reviews on the Okinawa scooters anywhere. So, I guess it leaves me with Hero Electric now. I'll be paying a visit to "Chennai ECO Motors", which seems to be one of the official dealers listed on Hero's site. I'll keep this thread updated as well.

              Comment

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