I took a small and quick test ride of the new iQube last week. The dealer didn't have the ST variant.
What I liked:- Neutral used-to petrol scooter like looks
- Flipkey like cars (although it could've been made from better quality plastics)
- Good range. People with low usage can even charge it once in a few days.
- Hazard lamp
- Centre stand
- Vehicle won't start with side stand opened.
- All features that one would need and some more are present.
What I didn't like:- Start is still Jerky (not as jerky as Okinawas but not as good as 450x/Chetak/S1). just a matter of getting used to IMO.
- Eerily quiet. There should be some sort of sound (thankfully TVS has not added artificial sounds)
- Overall build quality could've been better for the pricetag. But by no means "cheap"
Test ride experience:
Saturday Morning I casually called up the dealership near my home and they said test ride vehicles are available and I can walk-in anytime. Only thing was ST variant wasn't available. I was going that way in the evening and decided to check it out. The vehicle was available and in hardly 2 minutes I got the vehicle.
From a looks point of view, there's hardly anything new. it looks like any other petrol scooter out there. TVS has just continued with the offend-none design language. May not appeal youngsters though.
From centre stand to one sided foot rest for saree clad people, everything is given.
The car-like flipkey is cool but should've been made from better quality plastic. Parts of the key were already loose and didn't look like it'll age well.
The seat height is good for majority of the users and even short people won't have any complaints touching the ground with their feet. Ergonomics with respect to switchgear on the handle is all in common places and anyone who had ridden a scooter in the past will feel at home immediately. The hazard light switch is a nice addition but expect lot of those things to be switched on even during a drizzle! Brake lock on the left brake handle is nice. The screen could've been a bit more brighter but not really bad. Mirrors offer good rear view.
Boot space is big and adequate, USB charging socket also is present.
After turning on the key and closing the side stand, I started scooter. as someone had writen above, the boot up screen takes some time and vehicle doesn't move this boot sequence is completed. if you want to make a quick start and go, it is not possible.
When we accelerate, the power delivery from the hub motor is abrupt and can take new riders by surprise especially in power mode. but it is still very well controlled unlike the 100s of Chinese contraptions. Once yo get used it, you won't notice that. it climbs up speed quickly and silently and feels really good. It's not powerful as the Ola but not a slowpoke by any means. Using the mode switch, eco and power modes can be swapped anytime during the ride. in a standstill long pressing the mode button changes to revere and back. I tried one really inclined section once alone and once with wife and daughter and it did it without breaking a sweat.
Overall, it is a good scooter for anybody who wants a beater vehicle to run errands and normal office usage. with 100+kms range, most people would be really worry-free. be it design or riding, nothing is for an enthusiast's tastes but enthusiasts probably make 10% of the market. For me, I will not buy; for riders like my father, there is nothing more that I can ask for. I'll take a detailed look when ST arrives and after that will decide whether to book this or not