When it comes to Revolt, each one of us appreciates the brand’s commitment towards the Indian marketplace, for it has been the very first manufacturer in the country to retail an electric motorcycle for the consumers. Even if we add up electric scooters to the mix, Revolt Motors comes across as one of the early adopters of this technology and is one of the brands that’s actually serious about building that EV infrastructure for the Indian market.
The RV400, the first product from the brand, enabled EV adopters to opt for a stylish motorcycle, and it did bring a layer of freshness to the commuters available otherwise in this price range. Having had an almost silent stint since, the brand has now introduced a fresh new motorcycle, aiming to take on the more affordable rivals of its flagship RV400. We will learn in our Revolt RV BlazeX overview on how this motorcycle now stacks up individually and alongside the fast moving EV marketplace in India now, even in the motorcycle space.
Design
As is indicated from the pictures, the Revolt RV BlazeX features a typical commuter design, and it’s nothing to write home about. What you get is a very clean and minimalistic aesthetic, that may not make anyone say wow, but also it won’t attract any negative publicity either. This is a functional design and the designers have done the job well to make it look rather pleasing to the eye. As many EVs today sport a very unique and outlandish design, the commuter from Revolt here plays a relatively safer game.
As for the elements that make up the design, the bike comes with a circular LED headlamp, LED indicators, and a very sleek and narrow bodywork that holds a long single piece seat in place. It’s only the fuel tank - or in this case, perhaps a battery tank - that features a different shade than the rest of the bike, which is finished in black. The place where the motor is housed is painted in gloss black while the rest of the bike is finished in standard black shade. Overall, we have indicated above that this is pleasing to the eyes, but the design is something that does not stand out.
The battery tank we spoke about earlier can be opened, beneath which is a small pad to store some important small items, opening which reveals the battery pack, which is swappable. However, the battery pack is about 20 kilos - we’ll discuss the specifications later - and requires heavy lifting in case you plan to take it to your home/office to charge it. The bike can also be charged via a port on the right - we’ll also discuss the charging speeds in the next section - which has a flimsy cover. The cover can easily be broken since the quality is not up to the standards. So this would require some careful opening and closing.
Having said that, the overall paint quality of the bike is nice, however the fit-and-finish leaves a lot to be desired. The switchgear is also not of the optimum quality that we have seen in this segment and Revolt has cut down costs in this area. It should however be on par to the quality standard of its direct rivals in this price bracket.
Battery and Charging
As we indicated earlier, a 3.24kWh battery powers the RV BlazeX, which weighs 20kg and may be cumbersome for some consumers to take out and put it back since it’s a swappable unit.
Moreover, the standard charger that comes with the bike charges the battery from 0-80% in 3 hours and 30 minutes. There’s also an optional fast charger that reduces this time to 1 hour and 20 minutes. The fast charger needs to be purchased separately, and costs INR 14,500. However, Revolt has also given buyers the option to trade-in the standard charger for the fast charger while purchasing the motorcycle, reducing the price to INR 4,500.
Features
The Revolt RV BlazeX features and overall finesse might mirror the brand’s lower-tier models, but here the most noticeable addition is an 6-inch LCD display. This instrument cluster allows the riders to switch between three modes (Eco, City, and Sport) as part of the standard equipment. The unit also offers Bluetooth connectivity, and supports app-based features like geo-fencing and over-the-air updates. Two buttons beside the screen enable toggling through trip meters, but they require a firm press, making operation less seamless.
Rideability
The RV BlazeX comes powered by a new electric motor, which delivers a peak output of 4.1kW and 45Nm (at the motor) and 180Nm (at the wheel).The manufacturer claims a top speed of 85 kph, which matches the RV400. As far as the overall range is concerned, the IDC claimed range is 150 kilometres on a single charge, so we expect it to be around 80-90 km in real world usage,
The power and torque figures as we learned in our Revolt RV BlazeX overview may seem average, the motorcycle has a surprising level of eagerness with which it accelerates, especially in Sport mode, making it engaging on twisty roads. The throttle calibration, however, is not perfect, and Revolt needs to rework on it as riders may not be able to input the desired throttle, making it troublesome to ride in the city, where smooth throttle control is essential.
The suspension duties are fulfilled by a telescopic front fork and twin rear shock absorbers at the rear. The overall setup is tuned for a softer ride, owing to its commuter credentials. And it delivers well here as the softer suspension setup makes it better suited for city roads rather than highway jaunts. We also tested the braking performance, replete with 240mm disc brakes at both ends working, and it worked really well. While the RV BlazeX does not come with ABS, the brakes are assisted by the CBS (Combined Braking System) for added stability.
Price and Verdict
The Revolt RV BlazeX price in India is quoted at INR 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom) for the sole Standard variant. The bike is available in either red or silver shade, and comes with a single battery pack/motor version.
As for our verdict, we think that the Revolt RV BlazeX is a good contender in the commuter space. While the RV400 had the advantage of being the first electric motorcycle in our marketplace, this one doesn’t have its work cut out given that there are very good alternatives in the EV space as of now. The positives of this motorcycle do outshine its negative and makes it a safe purchase in this price segment, however only for an average commuter. Just make sure you test out the bike to see if the manufacturer has fixed the throttle calibration before making a purchase.
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