Tork Motors has finally launched its ambitious electric motorcycle named Kratos after being in development for years. The Pune-based EV manufacturer has introduced two variants of the battery-powered motorcycle - standard and a slightly more powerful R trim. We recently got an opportunity to test the latter and check how it performs in the real world.
Kratos is claiming to be the first indigenously developed electric motorcycle in India. This essentially means that everything in the motorcycle, barring the battery cells, including the electric motor, battery pack and its casing, running gear, electronics, etc., have been designed, conceptualized and manufactured in India.
Price: The Tork Kratos is positioned as a premium electric motorcycle, Kratos R variant is priced at around INR 1.70lakh (approximately USD 2,077). These prices are ex-showroom and may vary based on the location and taxes.
Range: The Tork Kratos is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, and its range depends on various factors such as riding style, terrain, temperature, and payload. According to Tork Motors, the Kratos can deliver a range of up to 180 kilometers on a single charge in the real world and max speed of 105 kmph .
Warranty: Tork Motors provides a standard warranty of three years or 30,000 kilometers, whichever comes first, on the Tork Kratos. This covers any manufacturing defects in the battery, motor, and other components of the motorcycle. Tork also offers an additional warranty of two years or 20,000 kilometers on the battery pack, which covers any performance degradation below 80% of the original capacity. However, these warranty terms may vary based on the location and dealer policies.
It is important to note that the above information is indicative and subject to change. Prospective buyers are advised to check the official website of Tork Motors or contact their local dealer for the latest and accurate details on the price, range, and warranty of the Tork Kratos electric motorcycle
Starting with its design, Kratos doesn’t stray too far from the T6X prototype although there are substantial differences to tell them apart. For starters, it gets a V-shaped headlamp cluster but the LED internals inside Kratos give the electric bike a Transformers-like appearance. The curves and edges along the body panels give the motorcycle a sharp look.
Further, a raised tail section along with split-style seats and split grab rails lend it a much-needed sportiness to its closet. While the muscular tank accentuates its aggressive nature, the bulkiness of the huge electric motor placed underneath takes some sheen off the otherwise beautiful-looking Kratos. Overall, Kratos is one handsome motorcycle that is bound to catch enough attention.
Footpegs on Kratos are slightly rear-set which translates to a slightly committed yet comfortable riding stance thanks to a taller handlebar. The seat itself is very well cushioned with the right amount of padding. The pillion seat also looks decently spacious enough although we couldn’t test it with a pillion behind. An accessible saddle of 785mm would make this motorcycle comfortable for riders of most heights.
Being a premium offering, Tork has loaded Kratos, especially the top-spec Kratos R, with very impressive equipment. It gets a digital instrument console that displays a wide range of information but has some visibility issues under direct sunlight and needs a serious upgrade. Apart from the three ride modes, you get reverse mode to pull yourself out of a tricky parking space. The faux fuel tank gets some space to store one’s knick-knacks but isn’t big enough to store even a half-face helmet.
The biggest highlights from its feature list are the connectivity options that offer remote functionalities such as geo-fencing, find my vehicle, motor walk assist, track mode via Bluetooth, crash alert, etc. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to test any of them since our test bike was a pre-production model with a Beta version of the software sans all the features mentioned above.
Tork has been clear since the initial phase of its development that this bike will offer a sporty riding experience. For some parts, this does hold true with its slightly stiff suspension setup which offers sure-footedness while on the go. However, as a side effect, you do feel firmness in the ride quality when you move across a pothole or a sharp bump.
While you do wish the ride was a tad bit more comfortable, it isn’t as harsh and unnerving as a sports bike and it’s something that one can get used to. The positioning of the battery does provide stability to the bike but it also makes it a little tricky while maneuvering through congested traffic. This would also result in the rider putting an extra effort while leaning into a sharp corner, especially on a track.
The bike rides on 17-inch front and rear wheels that are shod with MRF Zapper which provide decent enough grip. However, a thicker front tire instead of a 90/80 section would have inspired more confidence in the rider. While brakes felt adequate enough during moderate speeds, they missed out.
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