1000 km in 2 months with my River Indie: What I love & what I loathe

After 1000 km, I’m genuinely happy with my purchase. While there are minor issues, once you start riding, you forget about them.

BHPian nvedansh recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Completed 1000km on my River Indie in 2 months – Here’s my experience!

Hello everyone,

This October, after my trustworthy 12-year-old Honda Aviator finally gave up on me, I started looking for a new scooter. I wanted to switch to an EV primarily for the riding experience and the benefit of having free EV chargers at my office. This meant my running costs would be negligible, which was a big plus.

After some research, I narrowed my choices to the Ather Rizta and the River Indie. Both had great online reviews, but I was leaning towards a slightly bigger scooter since I’m 5’11", on the healthier side, and occasionally ride with a pillion. My daily commute to work is 18 km one way through Bangalore’s traffic, so comfort, practicality, and good boot space (for groceries and my laptop bag) were also important factors.

Why not the Ather Rizta?

1. Heavy handlebars: The handlebars I felt was heavy on Rizta, and with pillion riders its difficult to turn, especially in traffic situations didn't like the handling, it can get dangerous while making a quick overtake.
2. No main stand: I don't know why they couldn't give a main stand, in metro parking, while changing tyres during punctures they are so helpful.
3. Smart Eco mode felt impractical: Smart Eco Mode when I drove it felt too slow to me, especially in Bangalore where it has inclines quite often you will always have to switch modes. Didnt like that, felt underpowered.
4. Charging network wasn’t a priority: This is not a con but I have heard mostly the chargers are not vacant and it wasn't a big priority for me as I do only office and home and some nearby shopping.

Booking and Purchase Experience
I booked the River Indie on 31st October 2024, just before the recent update. The showroom guys did not inform me there is going to be an update(obviously) would have waited for it. Nevertheless, when I drove the updated version, I felt the handling got even better but it is more noisier than the older version which I have now.

This is Bengaluru Price, JP Nagar Showroom

1. Ex-showroom price: 1.38L
2. On-road price: 1.47L
3. Discounts: ₹5K corporate discount, ₹5K month-end offer, ₹6K worth of free accessories
4. Final price paid: ₹1.38L

Additionally, took the extended warranty during my first service for ₹5.5K including GST.

The following is like what I really love about River Indie

1. Driving experience: The handling is superb, in the newer updated version its even better. Overtaking is smooth, I mostly use the ride mode as I don't like switching modes but the ECO mode is also very useful, didn't feel as laggy as the Ather Rizta. The suspension is though on the stiffer side, on tough roads you don't get thrown around here and there, the handle bar vibrates a bit on potholes but I felt its manageable as it gives a commanding position. Handle bar excessive vibration during potholes problem is also solved in the newer versions.
2. Boot space: OMG This is the best, I just keep my laptop bag inside and go to the office, the pleasure of not having a bag on the back and riding freely to the office, ufffff
3. Wheels and suspension: The 14-inch wheels make a huge difference in Bangalore’s pothole-filled roads. They absorb most impacts well, sparing my lower back. The suspension setup is on the stiffer side a bit, but it improves handling overall. It's a good balance between when you want to carry weight or ride solo.
4. Practicality: It's really a practical scooter, with the floorboard completely being accessible and you can put the legs on the front hinges, a massive boot.
5. Minimalistic software: I like the minimalistic software, no I don't want music on my scooter, no I don't want hanging Google maps on my scooter, I can navigate via my phone mount.
6. Service experience: My service center (JP Nagar, Bangalore) has been proactive, taking detailed feedback after each visit.

The following is like what I think can be improved or not good in River Indie

1. Headlights and mirrors: This is a serious issue and should be improved, the headlight is not good in the rain, and the intensity is not enough. I have complained it to the service engineer as well as given the feedback to the showroom guys, the mirrors should have been placed wider. In the newer versions also these issues are not solved
2. Range: For a 4kwh batter 90km true range on ride mode is not enough. I know the scooter is 140kgs and the power is more, but I feel optimisations can be done. Ather 450x in their recent update added 15kms of range just by changing tyres and some optimisation in their software. A good range of 110 km in ride mode and 120 km in Eco mode is a justified 4kwh battery performance.
3. Build quality quirks: The side stand if not up to the mark, the seat doesn't fit well while closing it we have to press hard and it might not go properly in, Bajaj Chetak has done this really well. Same problem is with Ather Rizta, looks like same contractor sourcing problem

Final Thoughts

After 1000 km, I’m genuinely happy with my purchase. While there are minor issues, once you start riding, you forget about them. After every ride, I do turn my head and look at the scooter again because it feels great to ride it. The River Indie delivers on practicality, riding comfort, and overall value. It truly lives up to its tagline – the SUV of scooters – giving you the confidence and control you’d want in Bangalore traffic.

I’ve attached some screenshots of the app (which is simple and functional). Feel free to ask if you have any questions about my experience!

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