Ather Rizta Electric Scooter: No Fun
I test-drove the Ather Rizta, and I won’t be buying it, since it’s no fun to drive. I’ll instead by the Ather Apex or some other scooter.
Read on for the detailed strengths (+) and weaknesses (-) of the scooter:
As compared to Apex
- The maximum speed of the scooter is low: only 80kph, which I reached in inner ring road
- Acceleration is not fun even in Zip mode. Takes 4.7s (vs 2.9s for the Apex) to accelerate to 40, but more important fact is the feeling, which is fun on the Apex but not on the Rizta. Besides, on the Rizta, you don’t leave the rest of the traffic behind you.
- My right hand pained after a short drive. I don’t know if it’s a concidence.
- Rear drum brakes.
- No touchscreen.
+ Smooth suspension. This solves the #1 problem with the Apex, which is the firm suspension, making rumble strips uncomfortable to drive on.
+ The handlebar is less likely to hit my knees when I turn.
+ True Range in the fastest mode is 105 km (vs 75 for the Apex).
+ True Range in the slowest mode is 125 km (vs 110 for the Apex).
+ 34 liters storage (vs 22), but neither fits my 17-inch laptop. However, the extra space is helpful for shopping.
+ More space on floorboard for shopping bags.
+ If you’ve parked the scooter in a giant parking basement and forgotten where, you can remotely make the bike flash its lights and honk to locate it.
+ Traction control
Same as Apex
+ Turn indicators automatically go off after a turn
+ Tail light flashes on emergency braking
+ FallSafe (if the scooter falls, the throttle is disabled, so that if you accidentally twist the throttle while picking it up, it doesn’t go flying)
+ When you stop on a slope, it doesn’t roll downhill
+ Side stand motor cut off
+ TPMS
+ Guide me home (headlights remain on for 20s after turning the scooter off)
+ Tow and theft notifications
+ Google Maps
+ ETA takes live traffic into account
+ OTA updates have added new features (like Auto Hold)
+ Ather is a modern company, with the right DNA to build for the future, unlike legacy companies like Bajaj.
+ Ather is a proven product / company unlike newcomers like River.
+ Low center of gravity
+ Hook for bag
+ Park assist (limits speed to 5 kph, and also has a reverse gear)
+ Inter-city trip planner
+ Show parked location on map
+ You can turn off coasting regen for a smoother ride, without acceleration / deceleration cycles.