Oben Electric is the newest manufacturer of electric two-wheelers in the market, and the Bengaluru-based startup claims that its first model, the Oben Rorr, will compete with 150 cc motorcycles while having better features. The newest two-wheeler manufacturer wants to compete against electric models like the Revolt RV400 and the Tork Kratos in addition to more traditional sport commuters. The local company, therefore, has its work cut out for it, especially when you take into account how large a market the 150 cc niche actually is.
Design of Oben Rorr
The Oben Rorr has a neo-classic design aesthetic, but it also has elements of a specific neo-sports café style. Smart design features include the round LED headlight with an integrated LED DRL ring, the muscular cover over the battery, and the tank extensions. With the tiny LED taillight, the short and pointy tail section looks fantastic as well. The plastic panels have a variety of finishes, including matte or metallic paint, while the manufactured parts have a brushed silver finish. A wholly internal-developed trellis frame is hidden behind all of that bodywork. Although the chiseled streetfighter design is really original, we don’t mind. Oben gets the proportions just perfect, and we certainly appreciate the design.
The bike has a strong, nimble appearance, and the vibrant colors make it appealing. Although the style is appealing, the quality levels may use some improvement. The quality of the switchgear, paint, plastic panels, and seat padding all require a great deal of improvement. Oben needs to put in a lot of effort in this area because the bike could need more elegance.
Features of Oben Rorr
The Oben Rorr, like other modern cars, is a connected vehicle that uses an app to track a variety of information, including your riding habits, battery life, car health, geofencing, and more. The instrument cluster includes an inbuilt e-SIM that aids with data logging. Oben claims that this information will affect how consumers would be charged for extended warranty and perhaps insurance in the future, which makes it extremely intriguing. The Rorr now has a three-year, 60,000-kilometer guarantee that may be extended for a further five years for a minimum cost of Rs. 5,000. Aggressive riding, on the other hand, will result in a poor riding rating and a somewhat more expensive warranty.
Performance of Oben Rorr
Oben asserts that the Rorr is the quickest electric motorcycle in India, reaching 0–40 kmph in only three seconds and reaching a top speed of 100 kmph. While the Tork Kratos R can reach 105 kmph, it completes the 0–40 kmph sprint in 3.5 seconds. Yes, it is quick, but only while going straight. The Rorr feels quite quick from behind the bar in the real world. The throttle becomes more forceful when you switch the bike into Havoc mode. The 13.4 horsepower PMS motor’s peak torque of 62 Nm can be used to its fullest extent here. Speeds quickly increase, and you can quickly see 70 kmph nearing.
The bike is capable of reaching its top speed of 100 kph and easily maintains it. However, the test bike also experienced some foot peg vibrations at speeds over 80 kph, and that was a dampener.
It seemed inevitable that the Havoc mode would dazzle and live up to the expectations Oben had for it. But it turned out that the performance in the Eco and City modes was more reliable. While there is plenty of low-end grunt to keep the bike speedy off the mark, power distribution is much more linear in these modes. The top speed is limited to 50 and 70 kmph in Eco and City, respectively, and the performance is never sluggish.
Range of Oben Rorr
Oben claims that a single charge will provide a range of 150 km in the Eco mode, 120 km in City mode, and 100 km in Havoc mode. The Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) range is around 200 km on a single charge, however, these are genuine range figures. Throughout our test ride, the Rorr held true to its claims, and we observed a manageable battery discharge in a range of riding conditions. The charging time, however, is what’s interesting. The Rorr employs a conventional connector and a 15-ampere socket to charge its 4.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack in two hours, unlike other electric products that get either DC-fast or AC-slow charging.
At a charging pace of 27 minutes per kW, you may reach an 80% charge in 2 hours, or roughly 1 km per minute. The company’s patented technology may be a game-changer by combining the ease of DC charging with the safety of an AC charger. The charger, however, cannot be used with a 5-ampere socket; it can only be used with a 15-ampere one. Given our limited infrastructure for charging, it will be fascinating to watch how this plays out in practice. Nevertheless, Oben claims that through its nationwide network of dealerships and partnerships with third parties, its consumers will have access to more than 12,000 charging stations.
Price of Oben Rorr
Before state subsidies, the Oben Rorr is offered at a competitive price of Rs. 1.25 lakh (ex-showroom). That is a competitive price that is roughly in line with what is now charged for 150-160 cc motorcycles. The Rorr appears to be a more valuable offer when the state subsidies are included, and this should help the start-up get a foot in the door.
Conclusion
Is the Oben Rorr the ideal electric bike you’ve been searching for? The answer is no, although there is a chance that it might be. The Oben electric bike is a brave and capable effort, but it has a lot of room for improvement. The general build quality, as well as the paint quality, need to be improved. Oben, however, gets the basics right. The motor operates in an excellent manner; it has a powerful pull in all three modes. Oben must therefore focus on minor issues, all of which are manageable.
