Photography: Saidatta Naik
Electric two-wheelers offer the ease of use, while helping you save money in the long run when compared to fuel-costs. In our country two-wheeled EVs are quite popular right now and you are going to see at least a few whenever you go out of your house these days. Bengaluru based Numeros Motors is poised to capitalise on this by launching its second electric two-wheeler offering, the n-first, and we have ridden it to find out more about it.
At first glance, the Numeros n-first comes across as a slim and unintimidating scooter, something that instantly puts new riders at ease. Its sleek profile makes it easy to handle, and the light kerb weight of 112kg (117kg for the top n-first i-max+ variant we rode) adds to the friendly nature.
Up front, it gets a neat round LED headlamp. LEDs continue with turn indicators, and even LED tail lamp. The front apron has two vents on either side, giving it a bit of character. The flat and spacious footboard lets you adjust your footing comfortably, while the colourful side panels contrast nicely with the black bodywork. The ‘n’ logo on both sides breaks the monotony, making it look interesting.
The split seat feels wide and supportive, and the rear section features an integrated grab rail made of steel tubing, practical for tying down luggage if needed. The overall design does seem to draw some inspiration from the TVS XL100, though of course, this one’s fully electric. The small LCD display is simple and easy to read, and there’s even a smartphone holder placed just below the dash, though it only supports horizontal mounting. Additionally, Numeros has added a small combination lock on the grab rail which can come in handy, should you decide to lock any of your belongings.
One of the standout features of the Numeros n-first is its 16-inch alloy wheels, suspended by telescopic forks at the front and twin shock absorbers at the rear with preload adjustability. The underseat storage is occupied by the removable battery pack, while the mid-mounted motor drives the rear wheel through a chain final drive. Braking duties are handled by drum brakes with a combined braking system for added safety.
The scooter is offered with two battery options – a 2.5kWh pack on the lower variants and a larger 3kWh pack on the n-first i-max+. Numeros claims a range of 91km and 109km respectively. Power output stands at 1.8kW and 2.5kW depending on the variant, with torque rated at 34Nm across the board. Capped top speed varies between 55kmph and 70kmph depending on the trim you select. The supplied 480W charger takes around six hours to charge the smaller battery, while the bigger one takes a couple of hours more. Fit and finish levels are satisfactory with some rough edges here and there but that is would be nitpicking, considering the price—more on this later.
As soon as you swing your leg over the n-first, the ergonomics feel natural and upright with the hands not having to stretch too far to reach the handlebars. You are seated comfortably, courtesy the wide seats which are fairly plush. The switchgear is well within your reach too. The top variant comes with an additional Sport riding mode, apart from the Normal and Eco modes which are present on the lower variants. Normal and Eco mode, (which can be toggled with a dedicated mode button on the right switch cube) , as you would expect, tones down the response in favor of conserving the battery, however we kept it on the Sport mode from the start and enjoyed the quick acceleration of the electric powertrain. The handling is neutral, thanks to the 16-inch wheels and a wheelbase of 1,341mm makes direction changes very easy. The generous turning radius means you can navigate tight turns with ease. The slim profile adds to its skills of negotiating city traffic. We rode the n-first in Bengaluru, a city which has gained quite a reputation for its infamous traffic. Keeping up with respectable speeds in the city is easy and you will find yourself doing 40-50kmph easily. Braking is adequate from the drum brakes, and with the CBS in place, it feels reasonably confident. Last but not least, the tyres, which are on the slimmer side, did not disappoint and there is enough grip in the dry. Upon releasing the throttle, the Regen sign lights up which should help you add some range back, However, in the Sport mode, the battery seems to drop rather quickly, but we feel it should deliver a day’s worth of charge nonetheless.
Coming to the ride quality, the suspension is set up to deliver a comfortable ride though bumps, potholes, and undulations that you encounter in the city. But, fret not because the suspension holds up well even with a pillion, ensuring comfort for both. The 159mm ground clearance felt adequate for day-to-day commuting and negotiating speed breakers. The motor has a certain whine to it when accelerating, which is very common with electric vehicles. The chain final drive is silent, but how it will perform in the long run is yet to be seen. Overall, the ride quality is something you would not complain about.
The question remains who is the n-first for. It could be the kid who has just been admitted to college or someone who wants a simple electric two-wheeler at home for running errands, or perhaps someone who is looking to save some money on their daily commute to work. The prices start at ₹64,999 for the n-first base variant and go up to ₹84,999 for the n-first i-max+ variant (introductory price for first 1,000 customers), making it quite an affordable option for someone looking for a budget-friendly electric scooter. That said, we would love to use it as a daily commuter to learn more about, and if Numeros were to offer us that option, the answer would be a hearty “Yes!”
