How I bought an Ather 450X Gen 3 after it made me an EV convert

I have always been a self-abashed ICE fanatic so much so that I had these purported notions about electric cars and bikes. For me, electric vehicles were for geeks.

BHPian Roshith recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am the proud owner of a Gen 3 for a little over 6 months now and has covered close to 1500 kms. I have always been a self-abashed ICE fanatic so much so that I had these purported notions about electric cars and bikes. For me, electric vehicles were for geeks – the ones who document their daily spends either in dog eared diaries or boring excel sheets. They would most probably have a desk job with signature Microsoft backdrops and the lot.

I don’t know what gave me these hackneyed ideas but that ensured I looked at with disdain whenever an EV whooshed past me. It didn’t help matters that there were some stray incidents of EV’s burning up and it just reinforced my belief – “I told you so”. Through this phase, I devoured all kinds of content on EVs on Team BHP and various auto magazines. EVs were making a strong case for themselves.

Posing proudly with my new Ather:

Colleagues at office checking out the Ather:

This ugly saree guard contraption was the first to go after taking delivery:

My two wheeler stable consists of a 91 model TVS Suzuki Supra Power Up for that blue Smoke therapy , a souped up Interceptor 650 and a 2012 Yamaha FZ 1000 . I was more than content with this lot. And adding an electric EV to this motley mix up never crossed my mind.

Two different generations pose next to each other:

It was then that a colleague was planning to test drive the Ather Gen 2 and I joined him more out of curiosity as I had never driven an electric two-wheeler before. The scooter looked even more “ futuristic” when viewed up close, especially those Tab like screens and features like reverse and all. I took a short test drive and boy was I impressed. The instant power, the “whooshing” sound, very predictable brakes and the fit and finish.

Before putting down my money on the ATHER , I wanted to check out one more EV ,that had caught my fancy – the big and burly Komaki TN 95. I liked the sheer presence and the almost limo like wheel base. I had seen this in passing only and visited a showroom that was very close to my home in Kovalam, Trivandrum. The vehicle has massive presence no doubt. But on closer inspection, the whole thing looked very gimmicky – remote locking, the speedo console, very loud and shiny engine guard rails and the lot. I took a test drive – the vehicle is smooth no doubt and gets to power every easily, but unlike riding the ATHER, one could make out that everything is built to a cost. There was also a creaking sound from the front and it was kind of wallowy and not too confidence inspiring. With all resect to KOMAKI owners in the forum, the two-wheeler looked very crudely put together. What put me off completely from the vehicle was an electrical circuit breaker like switch under the seat that one engages when you are not using the vehicle for a long time. The TN95 is priced at Rs.1.55 lakhs OTR and has estimated range of around 130 km’s and a 3-year warranty on the battery pack.

The lady at the showroom was very well informed. There was a “Vespa” clone- I don’t remember the model name - also in the showroom and the salesgirl was pushing me to consider that. The TN95 was according to her, meant more for carrying stuff and largely used by courier service guys and the like.

Has got good street presence:

This switch contraption completely put me off:

The speedo was looking a bit gimmicky too:

Lot of uneven fit and finish:

All those cuts and creases make the Ather a bit hard to wash:

The mandatory christening sticker:

It was then and there that I decided to go the Ather way. Booked the Gen 3 which was about to be launched. The booking experience at the Ather experience centre in Trivandrum was okay, nothing exceptional. I booked the white colour as the grey was too common and I thought the Mint green was a bit too loud for my taste.

Not getting much into the range and usage as it has been covered in the forum. But, overall, very happy with it.

A few issues that I am not happy with:

• A momentary lapse (for a few seconds maybe), when the scooter refuses to budge forward with throttle response. This is usually during stop and go traffic. When I called up the service centre, I was asked to do a hard reset. But it happened a few days back again. Plan to take the scooter to the service centre and take it up with them.
• The rear mudguard is a dust & dirt magnet. Come rain or shine, it gets dirty and also throws up dirt onto the rear. Have seen a few Jugaads on YouTube, but they look downright ugly.
• The mixer like noise – especially during the first 30 km or so. The whine gets very disconcerting initially, but I have gotten used to it now. It also becomes very noisy especially during the monsoons when dirt gets into the belt, but a good wash takes care of it.
• Have taken off the downright ugly saree guard in the first day itself.
• The mirror visibility needs to be improved. It tends to get kinda foggy.
• The side stand when retracted makes a very loud thudding sound of hitting the body.
• A screeching sound from the underbody/transmission side. It refuses to die down. To be corrected in the next service.
• Maybe I am old fashioned but am used to the old paper service manual. I got too conflicting advice from Ather Showroom and service centre -that the first service is at 4000 kms or six months. When I checked with the service centre recently I am told that there is no time limit and the vehicle needs to checked in for service at 4600 kms only.
• The suspension is a bit harsh especially over bad roads – but the upside to this is the handling that is super sharp.

Positives:

• The scooter is very well thought out. Everything is there for a reason.
• The eco-system that Ather has created – charging stations, monthly riding status updates and all. You feel very confident that come what may – Ather has your back.
• The design and look and feel – I am reminded of the Apple MAC design philosophy here .
• The surge of power and acceleration and the well thought out riding modes.

There was a time when I was a staunch opposer to the kindle – i was a sucker for dog - eared books with their musty smell and all. How times have changed – when in due course of time I did graduate to a Kindle. I think it’s been close to a decade now since I bought a paperback on my own. The Ather has made me that kind of a convert. And hopefully my next car might be an EV and I think Ather would be instrumental in bring about that mindset.

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