The Ather Rizta will be officially unveiled on Apri 6.

Ather Energy has opened its order books for the Rizta electric scooter. Customers can pre-book the e-scooter for a sum of Rs 999.

The Ather Rizta is a family scooter featuring a more conventional design. It has a large, flat seat and a flat floorboard. It is likely to be equipped with LED lights, a touchscreen instrument console, alloy wheels and a front disc brake.

According to the company, the Rizta will get an "anti-skid feature". It is likely to be an anti-lock braking system or ABS.

Ather is yet to reveal the technical details of the Rizta. However, reports suggest, the e-scooter could get the same battery and electric motor from 450 series.

The Ather Rizta will be officially unveiled on Apri 6.

I would ideally prefer an electric scooter (read Ather), but open to petrol scooter options as well.

BHPian GrandTourer recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The question is exactly what's in the title. Which scooter to go for, for my 70 yo father - an electric or conventional ICE scooter?

A bit of background:

My father is a general physician and goes to his clinic in Madh Island from Yari Road daily via a short ferry ride (two-wheelers go on it). He's currently using a 2014 Vespa VX 125 and refuses to give up on it. However, I fear that the Vespa is on its last legs and might break down anytime without warning. Also, since it's a 10 yo vehicle, maintenance costs are increasing consistently just to keep it running in good condition.

I think I kind of convinced Dad on an electric scooter (got a reluctant nod - which is as good as a yes), but then when I checked with Ather, they don't have a single dealership in Mumbai. The closest one is in Vashi and they (obviously) don't have doorstep test drives available in Versova. Also, after reading all the horror stories about Ola, I don't want to go that route.

So here I'm back with the possibility of getting an ICE scooter. Before I get down to the requirements and shortlist, here are a few things that are a strict NO-GO:

• I'm not looking for a car, as Dad's daily commute involves a ferry hop. I understand that he'd be more comfortable in a car at his age, but that's not an option as the commute by road is easily 1.5-2 hrs via Malad
• He cannot ride a motorcycle anymore, so let's not suggest that (had an accident a long time ago)
• He's a sedate rider who hardly ever crosses 50 km/h, so fancy powerful scooters are not something we're looking for (Although I'd have loved an Aerox, but it's not for him)

Now coming to requirements:

• Dad is around 5 ft 8 in, and on the heavier side, so needs a scooter that will accommodate him comfortably
• Ideally open to Electric (read Ather), but as mentioned earlier, there are no dealerships in Mumbai anymore, as well as no service centres. If there is a good chance of Ather opening in the city, I might consider the 450S or X
• If ICE, looking for a fuel-efficient scooter. But considering he's coming from a 10yo Vespa, anything would be more fuel-efficient
• Shouldn't be too heavy for Dad to manoeuvre and put it on the main stand
• The daily commute is around 5km, with occasional runs within the suburbs
• Looking for something practical since it will also be used for daily errands. So a large boot and flat footboard are welcome

I had shortlisted a few scooters but would love your opinion on it based on the above writeup:

1. Ather 450s: Loved both 450s and 450x, but since the commute is low and power is not high on the priority list for Dad, 450s made more sense (until I found out about the dealership situation)
2. Suzuki Burgman: It's quite a comfortable scooter and looks different as well. Tried and tested the 125cc engine, connected phone (although won't be used much), front disc, and 21L storage are all great. Apart from that weight might be a concern
3. Suzuki Access: Better alternative to the oh-so-common Activa, and much of the same features as Burgman, but in a more conventional styling
4. Honda Activa: Oh so common!
5. Ather Rizzta: Should I wait for it? Is the pricing going to be astronomical for it?

Any other I missed?

Here's what BHPian aargee had to say on the matter:

Yes, a very pertinent point: If your average running distance is <15 Km a day, then it's not worth getting an EV scooter unless there's loads of cash at your disposal {Pls read <5% of your annual income for a start}. Comfortable, yes, Access 125 certainly is, but also request to consider the perspective of the other side

Offering a new scooter to your father, from a Child's perspective, is an act of love and affection. However, if the Parent values the sentimental importance of owning a few lifetime possessions, our well-intentioned gesture might be perceived as disrespectful to his cherished belongings & feelings.

Also, when the scooters are loaded onto the ferry, hopefully, there are no acts of negligence to cause dents & scratches on a new scooter & that's taken care.

Here's a middle path for you to think about {just consider}: Restore the old Vespa to the original pristine. This will be:

• Lower cost option
• You meet your objective of getting a better life & reliability to the old vehicle
• Your Father gets to keep his prized possession
• Last but not least, Vespa is the most comfortable scooter & excellent engineering that no Petrol scooter offers in the current market.

Here's what BHPian Iyencar had to say on the matter:

The TVS iqube and Bajaj Chetak are well-made electric scooters backed by strong brands. Plus they have that retro look going for them like the Vespa. Definitely test ride those. The Burgman is a great scooter and you don’t feel the weight as much. The Hero Xoom could be another “maxi” -ish option.

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan had to say on the matter:

I would say don’t get an electric one just yet since the tech still is a generation away from getting perfected, it won’t last a decade and expecting an old person to adapt to something very different from what they are used to, can be tough thus I would recommend sticking with an ICE scooter for your dad and perhaps getting an electric one for yourself.

How about the Yamaha Fascino? It weighs less than most scooters making it by far one of the easiest to ride, and it also gives more mileage than the rest. Please check it out before dismissing it

Here's what BHPian shancz had to say on the matter:

While well-intentioned you've to also consider what seniors are most comfortable with.

Things like muscle memory count and even some basic electronics which aren't a concern for us become an annoyance for them.

You'll be surprised how a lot of the latest vehicles mess up the basics which matter every day.

I don't think an EV fits your case:

• Your running doesn't justify it.
• Quite a few of the EV features are touch-activated which might be of annoyance to your Dad.
• As for ICE scooters, I agree with the "way too many Activas" and there are good alternatives available.

In order of preference:

1. Jupiter 125: fits the best IMO with step adjustable rear suspension, humongous storage which can take 2 face helmets, and front fuel filler as its major USP
2. Access 125: good acceleration, fibre body panels make it lighter, check for rear suspension comfort when solo
3. Hero Maestro 110/125: no experience with this but have heard positive reviews from contacts and Hero is FNG-friendly due to the easy availability of spares.
4. Yamaha Fascino: had a short test ride, was smooth, comfortable and have heard it's efficient

But first, take your Dad for test rides and post all these ask him if would like to change or is happy with the Vespa. His decision should be paramount and final.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The new model will cater to the needs of B2B and B2C customers and is expected to rival the Kinetic E-Luna.

Hero MotoCorp has filed a design patent for a new electric scooter. The new model will cater to the needs of B2B and B2C customers and is expected to rival the Kinetic E-Luna.

The new Hero e-scooter has a simple, utilitarian design. It has a trapezoidal frame with a flat seat and is equipped with luggage carriers at the front and rear.

The e-scooter has a telescopic fork at the front and is likely to be fitted with dual shock absorbers at the rear. It rides on alloy wheels and is equipped with a front disc brake.

Recently, Hero MotoCorp filed another patent for a new family e-scooter. It is likely to be based on the same platform as the Vida V1 but could be offered at a lower price point.

The new model could be based on the same platform as the Vida V1

Hero MotoCorp has filed a design patent for a new electric scooter. The images reveal a more conventional-looking e-scooter.

The new model could be based on the same platform as the Vida V1. It has a large front apron with a V-shaped headlamp and a flat seat.

The new e-scooter appears to be designed with the cost-conscious buyer in mind. It has a more basic suspension setup with a leading link at the front and a conventional shock absorber at the rear.

While technical details of the new model are still unclear, reports suggest that it might use the same electric motor as the Vida V1. It could be powered by a fixed battery pack instead of the removable type offered in the Vida V1.

It appears that the Rizta will get a similar TFT dash as the 450X.

Ather Energy has released a short video showing the Rizta electric scooter undergoing water-wading tests. It also reveals a few interesting details of the upcoming e-scooter.

In the video, the Ather Rizta can be seen cruising through a 400 mm deep trough of water. The test would also help the engineers understand how the components hold up when they come in contact with water, especially the battery pack, which is said to be IP67-rated. 

You can see the LED headlight of the Rizta working even when submerged in water. Another component that will be put through tests is the touchscreen instrument console. It appears that the Rizta will get a similar TFT dash as the 450X. 

The Rizta is Ather Energy's idea of a “family scooter”. It has a flat floorboard and a wide seat, which has already been teased by the company. 

The Ather Upgrade program is valid till March 31, 2024.

Ather Energy has launched a new exchange program for existing scooter owners. Currently, it is only available in Bangalore and for select customers who have signed up for the Ather Upgrade program in January 2023.

Under the Ather Upgrade program, owners of the Ather 450 Gen 1 and Gen 1.5, who wish to upgrade to the 450X are required to complete the purchase formalities by March 31, 2024. Those upgrading to the 450 Apex can complete the invoicing etc. by April 30, 2024. Customers who have purchased a pre-owned Ather 450 can also avail of this program.

Customers can hand over their old e-scooters at the Ather Space Experience Centre in Indiranagar. To determine if the scooter is eligible for the exchange program, Ather will conduct a thorough evaluation and will also check for pending traffic challans.

Customers who have a scooter that is more than 36 months old, can purchase a brand-new 450 Apex by paying Rs 1.10 lakh. The 450X 3.7 kWh Pro Pack will be offered at Rs 90,000, while the 450X 2.9 kWh Pro Pack will cost Rs 80,000.

The Ather Upgrade program is valid till March 31, 2024. 

I really enjoyed riding the scooter and I would replace my ICE scooter with this in a heartbeat.

BHPian pepega recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I was recently visiting Bangalore for some work and I happened to notice the giant River showroom on the Outer Ring Road. While on the way back, it was around 7 pm and we decided to stop to check out the scooter. I had ridden a rented Activa 6G to the showroom and the showroom staff were keen to give me an introduction to the River Scooter.

First, I had a look at the scooter that kitted out with all the accessories.

I met a product specialist by the name of Madhu who helped me with information about the River Indie scooter and assisted me with getting a test drive as well. He told me that these accessories were just prototypes for now and not available for sale. But that the company would launch them in the future.

Some pictures of the scooter follow below.

Front with 14-inch tyres and these funky headlights:

Display with range and charge percentage:

It has three ride modes which can be selected on a button on the right switchgear. It also has the killswitch and the hazard lights button:

The left switch gear has the standard indicator, high beam and horn buttons:

The phone holder was the main accessory that I noticed on the handlebar:

The front boot opens to show space large enough for a water bottle, a small grocery bag, a rain cover, etc. It also has a USB charging socket inside.

The left side of the scooter has the charging socket:

The panniers seemed to be of decent quality. They opened with the key and could be quite easily removed once opened. Wouldn't even take 30 seconds to get them on and off. I could imagine them being a nightmare in traffic though.

Off:

On:

I moved on to have a look at the standard un-accessorized scooter after this. Madhu took the opportunity to tell me some specs about the scooter. The on-road price is 1.47 lakhs in Bangalore.This is their first showroom, and they're looking to expand to 10 cities in India. Currently, the Indie has a 60-day waiting period. The range is 120 km in eco mode, 90 in ride mode, and 70 in rush mode. It has a 4.0 kwh battery pack and front and rear dual suspension. A CBS braking system gives decent braking power, but I feel the lack of ABS at 1.47 lakhs is a miss.

My SO thought the colors looked really good. The pastel colors really appeal to the Gen Z crowd, I guess.

The scooter comes with a portable charger that fits into a 16A socket.

The under seat storage is a whopping 47 litres. Not sure if it fits a full-size helmet though.

There's another USB charging socket on the ride side under the handlebar.

The footrests seem to be of good quality. There are footrests for the front passenger as well. It's not pictured here, but I feel like that is such a good feature to have.

The belt drive comes with a belt cover. I was told that it performs well in the monsoon and muddy conditions as well. I won't miss doing chain lubrication.

They were happy to give me a test drive, without me asking. The riding modes did have a distinct feel. The Eco mode would be perfect for traffic, where you just want to creep in traffic. The Normal mode would be okay for regular driving. The Rush mode felt quite fast. The only miss was the lack of ABS, which seemed even more necessary after I gave Rush mode a try on an empty stretch of road.

Overall a really positive experience at the River showroom. I really enjoyed riding the scooter and I would replace my ICE scooter with this in a heartbeat. However, it won't be available in Goa for the next 2-3 years, for sure. The ride was comfortable and Rush mode was quite fast as well.

Since I was taking a lot of pictures, Madhu asked me if I was a YouTuber. I declined but said that I would post my experience at River on team-bhp. He said he knew of the website and thanked me for visiting. I also gave feedback to the store on Google Maps. Today, they called me again to ask for feedback, at which point, I told them to add ABS! That's the only missing thing from this scooter, otherwise it's perfect!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Ola led the pack with 33,722 units registered. The company now has a market share of 41.1%.

The electric 2-wheeler segment registered a year-on-year growth of 24% in February 2024, with Ola Electric clocking the highest registrations.

According to Vahan data, a total of 81,963 electric 2-wheelers were registered in February. Electric 2-wheeler penetration rate rose from 5.6% in January to 5.7% last month.

Ola led the pack with 33,722 units registered. The company now has a market share of 41.1%. 

TVS Motors recorded 14,499 registrations, followed by Bajaj Auto with 11,618 units. Ather Energy and Greaves Electric complete the top 5 with 8,983 and 2,606 units, respectively. Hero MotoCorp clocked 1,750 registrations. 

Source: ET

The S1X+ left a positive impression during the test ride despite lacking a touchscreen.

BHPian demonashes recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I recently encountered a highly frustrating experience while attempting to purchase Ola Electric's S1X Plus. Initially enticed by the attractive offer, boasting an ex-showroom price of 89K and an on-road price around 102K, my enthusiasm swiftly turned to disappointment as the process unfolded.

Upon visiting the Experience center at Rajajinagar with my wife for a test ride, the S1X+ left a positive impression despite lacking a touchscreen. Notably, it featured a dual front fork and decent boot space. However, the absence of a physical key and the reliance on a PIN for unlocking posed an inconvenience, though the Bluetooth option seemed like a viable alternative.

After making an online payment on December 7th, with a promised delivery date of December 18th, I anticipated a seamless transaction. Unfortunately, communication from Ola Electric was lacking, and it wasn't until December 22nd that I received a call for vehicle registration. Due to prior commitments, I couldn't be present until January 2nd. Surprisingly, the representative insisted on my physical presence, causing a delay in the registration process.

In the New Year, on January 3rd, after numerous attempts to contact customer care, I was promised a callback that never materialized. Frustrated, my visits to the Experience center yielded the standard response, "Just wait for 24 hours, sir." This prompted me to reconsider my decision, especially after stumbling upon this thread echoing similar concerns about Ola Electric's customer service.

Attempting to cancel my order proved to be another ordeal as the app displayed an error, stating that my order was invoiced and could not be canceled. The situation escalated when I discovered my scooter had been allocated to someone else and already registered in Kolar! The manager assured me he would work on canceling the registration, allowing me to proceed with the cancellation process.

Around the same time, news of a 25K reduction for the Ather 450S caught my attention. Frustrated with Ola Electric's handling of my purchase, I decided to cancel my S1X booking and opted for the Ather 450S. After persistent follow-ups, the cancellation button on the app was finally enabled, and I canceled my order. While awaiting a refund, I headed straight to Ather this evening and booked the Ather S, hoping for a smoother and more satisfying experience. Fingers crossed for a better journey ahead!

This thread influenced my decision.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Vida V1 Plus rivals the Ather 450S, Bajaj Chetak Urbane and Ola S1 Air.

Hero MotoCorp has relaunched the Vida V1 Plus. The electric scooter is positioned below the V1 Pro and is priced at Rs 1.15 lakh (ex-showroom). This price includes the FAME II subsidy and a portable charger.

The Hero Vida V1 was launched in December 2022. The e-scooter was initially offered in two variants - Plus and Pro, before the entry-level variant was discontinued.

The Vida V1 Plus and V1 Pro use the same 3.9 kW electric motor that has a peak output of 6 kW. While the V1 Pro has a 3.94 kWh battery pack, the V1 Plus comes with a 3.44 kWh battery, offering 100 km of range.

The Vida V1 Plus rivals the Ather 450S, Bajaj Chetak Urbane and Ola S1 Air.

Source: Zigwheels