Sedate and Sporty

We made the Ultraviolette F77 face the same challenges as an internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycle and here is what the experience was like

- Joshua Varghese 

Personally speaking, faired motorcycles have a special place in my heart. Their streamlined bodywork speaks volumes about their ability to slice through the air even at a standstill. i have also ridden some amazing naked motorcycles but never anything that looks like the Ultraviolette f77.

What is clearly a naked motorcycle when viewed head-on and from the rear gives rise to some doubt when viewed from the side. The forward half of the motorcycle’s profile is just a single large piece of plastic with sharp lines and a sharper wing on each side. i particularly appreciate how they have hidden the fasteners from view. Quite tasteful. Just like the alloy wheels which look as if they were inspired by a flower. The shrouds covering the front fork are elements that I have not seen on any motorcycle in recent times and they round off the f77’s sleek styling; with the beefy swing-arm and slim tail adding a muscular contrast to an otherwise sharp silhouette. The build quality is good for a start-up but the fit-and-finish needs improvement. We used the motorcycle for a few days, riding it on a daily basis, including a few runs after sunset, and the headlight offered impressive illumination.

In terms of size, the f77 is similar to most naked motorcycles and just as proportionate, too, with a wheelbase of 1,340 millimetres. The seat is 800 mm off the ground but its contour makes it accessible for many. The rider sits leaning forwards and, although it did not bother me at all while riding on relatively deserted roads, the weight on the wrists was significant while riding in traffic. The thin and hard padding of the seat only adds to the discomfort. perhaps, something Ultraviolette can resolve in the next iteration?