Ather 450X long-term report

I know the motorcycle purists won’t like this, but I genuinely enjoy riding scooters – and even more so, the electric ones. The reasons are clear – improved functionality, increased manoeuvrability and obviously, the low running costs. Call me lazy, but if I had a small errand to run, I would much rather take out a scooter than fire up a motorcycle. They’re just that much easier to live with on a day-to-day basis. Zipping through traffic, parking in tight spots, not worrying about clutch and gear shifts – it all adds up. I agree that scooters just don’t have the thrill and engagement of a proper motorcycle. Having come from a Duke, I definitely know what it means to ride something raw, responsive and fun. But the good news is, the newest addition to the evo India fleet is not just any ordinary runabout. It’s the Ather 450X. And I’m already loving this one. This is the latest Ather 450X with the larger 3.7kWh battery and in the Stealth Blue colour. It looks sharp, it feels premium, and most importantly, it feels nothing like a boring commuter. I won’t make any range claims just yet – I’ll need more time to get real-world numbers. For now, let’s talk about what I already love.

First up, it’s quick. Off the line, the Ather pulls with a surprising urgency that catches people off guard. Especially in Warp mode, you get instant torque that’s actually entertaining. There’s a certain lightness to how it handles, too – it’s nimble, stable and feels well put together. The chassis, suspension and brakes work in sync to give you confidence, making regular rides fun.

Another one of my favourites is the 7-inch touchscreen. It’s big, bright, and the UI is intuitive – definitely one of the cleaner ones I’ve seen. Navigation, ride stats and multiple modes are all very well integrated, but it does suffer from occasional lag issues. I’ll add more about this as well in the next report. In essence, the first few days with the 450X have been good. As someone transitioning from a sporty naked to an EV scooter, the Ather 450X feels like a compromise-free shift. Let’s see how it fares over time – but so far, I’m sold.