Ultraviolette F77 Vs KTM RC 390 - Spec Sheet Comparison: Is Electric Really Better?

Bangalore-based EV startup recently launched the F77 electric sports bike in India. So how does the electric Ultraviolette F77 stand up against KTM RC 390?

Bangalore-based EV startup recently launched the F77 electric sports bike in India. The electric Ultraviolette F77 motorcycle is what many believe will be the normal sports bike of choice of the future, especially here in India.

So how does the electric Ultraviolette F77 stand up against the favourite faired petrol-powered racy darling of the present-day Indian rider, the KTM RC390? Is Electric really better? To find out, we dug into the spec sheets of both bikes to find out the answer...

ktm rc390 vs ultraviolette f77

Powerplants & Weight - Torque-Monster Heavyweight Vs Rev Happy Dino Burner

The beating hearts of the Ultraviolette F77 and the KTM RC 390 are where we see the present-day situation and future of the motorcycling world.

The Ultraviolette F77 is powered by a single electric motor that develops 40.42bhp and 100Nm in its most potent guise which is sent to the rear wheel via a single-speed automatic gearbox.

The most powerful F77 also gets a large 10.3kWh battery pack that gives it an IDC range of 307km on a single charge but ensures that the bike tips the scales at 207kg. This allows the F77 to sprint from 0-100km in as little as 7.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 152km/h.

The KTM RC 390, on the other hand, is powered by a single-cylinder, fuel-injected 373cc internal combustion engine that develops 42.9bhp at 9,000rpm and 37Nm of torque at 7,000rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The KTM RC 390 weighs in at just 172 kilogrammes and with its 13.7-litre fuel tank fully brimmed up can travel for up to 427 kilometres (thanks to a 31.22km/l ARAI mileage) before needing to visit for some dino fuel.

While official 0-100km/h and top speed figures, tests conducted on the RC 390 by riders and journalists alike have seen the racy KTM hit 100km/h in just over 5 seconds and reach a top speed of around 177km/h.

So what conclusion can we draw here? Well, the Ultraviolette's massive battery pack just adds too much weight for it to be a factor when it comes to straight-line speed.

Also that IDC range is something that we'll have to test for an actual real-life range figure.

The Other Dimensions & Mechanical Bits

The Ultraviolette F77 has a 1340mm wheelbase and its seat sits 800mm above the ground and it offers a ground clearance of 160mm.

The F77 sports a steel trellis frame with an aluminium bulkhead and gets a 41mm USD fork at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking duties on the new EV are handled by a 320mm disc at the front and a 230mm disc at the rear aided by dual-channel ABS. The F77 rides on 17-inch rims shod with 110/70 R17 (front) and 150/60 (rear) tyres.

The KTM RC 390 also has a 1,340mm wheelbase but offers slightly less ground clearance of 153mm. The rider also sits slightly higher on the RC 390 which has a seat height of 835mm.

The KTM RC 390 sports a tubular split trellis frame with a bolt-on rear subframe. The RC 390 sports a 43mm WP Apex USD front fork and a WP Apex rear monoshock with a 10-step preload adjustment. The RC 390 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 110/70 (front) and 150/60 (rear) tyres. Braking on the RC 390 is handled by a 320mm disc brake at the front and a 230mm disc at the rear aided by dual-channel ABS.

The RC 390 and the F77 sport very similar setups for their suspension, brakes and tyres and also sport identical wheelbases. However, the F77 sports a lower saddle height which should help more (shorter) riders ride it with ease while its slightly higher ground clearance will be a boon on our bumpy roads.

Price - Pay Upfront Or Save The Future?

The upfront price is where the Ultraviolette F77 really loses out to the KTM RC 390. The base F77 is priced at Rs 3.8 lakhs and if you want the crazy range model you'll have to pay at least Rs 4.55 lakhs before the taxman comes to claim his share. The RC 390 on the other hand is priced at Rs 3..14 lakh (ex-showroom).

Ultraviolette though claims that the running costs and maintenance of the F77 will be extremely low compared to ICE bikes. However, covering the difference in the upfront cost is something that could very easily take quite a few years by which time many riders would want to upgrade to something a whole lot faster.

Which Is Better - KTM RC 390 or Ultraviolette F77? Our Thoughts

The battle of the spec sheets is an overwhelming victory to the current ICE-powered darling of the masses, the KTM RC 390. The biggest problems with the F77 are its weight and price tag which weigh it down quite a bit. Hopefully, real-world tests will give us a bit more insight into what could be our electric future...

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Article Published On: Saturday, November 26, 2022, 12:35 [IST]
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