Numeros N-First first ride review : The new go-to for first-time scooter buyers?

Numeros Motors, for those not in the know, is an electric two-wheeler startup that was founded in 2019. The founder of the company claims that the purpose of the company is to plug the gaps in the EV market by offering affordable and robust products that will appeal to the masses. The first two products that came for consumers with the Numeros badge were the Diplos Max and the Diplos Max +. These two were scooters designed for everyone, but Numeros claims that it saw a major gap in the market when it came to beginner-level scooters. Not the low-speed ones. But a scooter for adults with proper licenses that are just starting out and don’t want something too powerful or heavy. This is where the Numeros N-First comes in. Numeros says that everything designed on the N-First is catered toward making the experience as easy and seamless as possible. Is that the case?

Numeros N-First design

The Numeros N-First looks very different from the host electric scooters that you see on the roads today. Two major reasons for that are the slender design and the fact that it gets 16-inch wheels at the front and rear. At the front, you have a body-matched visor that sits on the handlebar and around the instrument cluster. Below that is a small fairing that houses the circular LED headlamp. Further below, you have a body-colour-matched mudguard that sits atop the 16-inch wheel. Under the LCD cluster, there’s also a factory-fit phone holder, which is a welcome addition. From the side, you have a low-slung floorboard, a great thing owing to the fact that many EVs have a ridiculously high floorboard. The scooter deploys a split seat design and both seats open – the front reveals the battery and charger, and the rear has a small storage place, enough to keep a wallet and a few small knick-knacks. There’s also a small storage cubby under the mat on the floorboard. This is where you will find the toolkit and the first aid pack. The storage space is not ideal but that is the cost of larger wheels. And if I were to choose between the two, I’d choose the better ride quality courtesy of larger wheels over storage any day. Overall, the design of the Numeros N-First is likeable, but the fit and finish levels need to improve.

Numeros N-First performance ride and handling

The N-first is available in five different variants, but the major difference is two specs for the battery and the motor. The lower spec variants get a 2.5kWh battery, which is good for 91km of IDC range and is mated to a 1.8kWh PMSM. The variant we rode had a higher spec 3kWh battery and that mated to a 2.5kWh PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) is good for a claimed range and top-speed of 109km and 70kmph, respectively. When you get to actually riding the scooter, the experience is very similar to what the company claims. There are three modes to choose from – Eco. Normal and Sport. Eco mode caps top speed at around 48kmph (speedo-indicated), Normal takes that up to around 55kmph, while I managed to see 72kmph in Sports mode. Power delivery is very linear, and a beginner rider will definitely be comfortable riding this. One thing I do appreciate is that Eco mode is actually usable and not ridiculously slow to a point where you become a hazard on the road. The difference between the three modes is noticeable, and all three can be used depending on how economical or frivolous you want to be. But bear in mind, urgency is not exactly the term I would use to describe the acceleration in Sports mode. That being said, there are two things that need to be rectified immediately. One is the refinement levels. There’s a bit of buzz that almost is reminiscent of an ICE scooter. The second, which is absolutely crucial, is the throttle calibration. When you accelerate beyond half the travel of the throttle and let off, the motor accelerates very briefly before it starts to decelerate. Something that can cause trouble if not anticipated. In terms of range, we did a short 25km loop, which resulted in the SoC falling from 98 per cent to around 70 per cent. But most of this was full throttle, barring when in city traffic. This means that, if ridden sedately, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get around 80-90km on a full charge.

In terms of the ride quality, the scooter is suspended on 16-inch rims, and it rides almost like a motorcycle would. Which is exactly what the engineers at Numeros were going for. The larger wheels cross bumps and potholes with a lot more composure than a smaller 10 or 12-inch wheel would. The suspension setup, which comprises a telescopic fork at the front and twin shocks at the rear, also lends the scooter quite a comfortable ride. It doesn’t feel very plush or sophisticated. But it still takes a lot before actually getting unsettled. It does feel a little busy when there are constant undulations, but nothing to complain too much about. Braking is taken care of by drum brakes at both ends. While braking performance is adequate, I would have preferred a disc brake, at least for the front wheel. Numeros should, if not anything, launch a disc brake variant and let the customer decide if they want to pay a little extra for the safety net of a disc brake. Ergonomics on the N-First were the absolute highlight for me. You sit nice and upright, arms reaching to a nicely-sized handlebar, and your feet at the right height with a well-placed floor board

Numeros N-First features and verdict

In terms of features, you get all-LED lighting, an LCD cluster, which in the higher-end variants, gets connectivity to the tune of live location, last parked location, trip statistics, geofencing, theft, and tow alert and immobilisation. All of this is accessed via an app on your phone and works as expected. In terms of price, the Numeros N-First starts at ₹64,999 and goes up to ₹84,999. These are introductory prices for the first 1000 customers. At this price, the N-First is a likeable scooter that is actually very light and easy to ride. It has a few flaws that need to be rectified. But once those are resolved, it does make a strong case for itself.