Okinawa Ridge
We get our hands on the latest electric scooter, the Okinawa Ridge. Does it have what it takes to charge head first into a growing market?
Latest stylish electric scooter put to the test
OKINAWA, APART from the electric-scooter maker, is also a Japanese island. That it’s a military base which holds half the United States military stationed in Japan is one thing, but the inhabitants of Okinawa Island, the Ryukyuan, are among the longest-living people, with a ratio of 34 centenarians — people above the age of 100 — per 100,000 people. That’s thrice more than mainland Japan. Right, the other one, Okinawa Autotech, have entered the electric scooter segment with the Ridge. And if you’re on the lookout for combustion- and emission-free mobility with decent pace, the Ridge is something to take a closer look at.
Weighing 96 kg, the Okinawa Ridge is a rather well-designed scooter. It has some sharp curves and flowing lines that don’t make it seem like a lighter electric scooter. It looks substantial enough as an everyday workhorse and has the specs on paper to make it seem like it is indeed. Is it, though?
The first thing that struck me about the bike before I even saw it was the set of keys I was handed. It has a pair of key-blades as well as a pair of fobs. The Ridge has an alarm that can be armed using the key-fob. However, the keyblade is required to open the seat and turn on the ignition. But wait, there’s more. Under the seat is a switch, much like an electric fuse (which it is), that actually turns on the bike for use. A sharp pair of beeps later, it was ready to go.
The Ridge is quite stylish and comes in a choice of nicely contrasting colours. It has all the required lighting, and looks conventional so far as scooter design is concerned. The handlebars are quite wide and high, especially considering that the seat padding has supersoft foam, softer than Pirelli’s softest F1 tyre. I sank into it the moment I planted myself. There aren’t too many sharp edges around, so build quality is decent. However, the positioning of the switchgear is far from ideal and the turn indicators and the (two) horn buttons (on either side) aren’t easy to reach.
It takes off pretty well, and in silence. The instant torque gets it up to doubledigit speed immediately, regardless of which mode you’re in.
The Ridge has two modes: ‘E’ and ‘S’.
In ‘E’, the Ridge climbs to 20 km/h in five seconds and heads up to a cruise
The instant torque gets it up to double-digit speed immediately
speed of 30 km/h, though 35 is possible. Switch to ‘S’, and the urgency increases dramatically, allowing a quicker sprint to 40 km/h and a top speed of an indicated 51 km/h, or about 45 km/h true, as our test equipment verified.
The motor behind this wholesome charge is an 800-Watt (0.8 kW or 1.09PS equivalent) electric motor. It puts out a peak 1.2 kW (1.63-PS equivalent) and higher, more substantial torque in ‘S’ mode. While torque figures weren’t quoted, it does feel like it puts out a good amount, comparable to a 100-cc commuter. The source of the power is a 60-volt setup with five batteries stacked under the seat. The charging point is located just below the seat at the front.
The handling is not half bad as it is light and very nimble. It runs a telescopic fork at the front with twin damped coil-springs at the rear. While the Ridge feels stiff over uneven bumps, it tends to bottom out when getting off a speed-hump; or, maybe, it was just my weight. Speaking of which, the claimed range is 70-90 km, and the battery indicator in the centre console has four bars. In ‘E’, it will actually go on to 70 km. However, some inclines require ‘S’ mode to stay ahead of the swarm of inconsiderate road-users, and that changes things. Stay in ‘S’ with the accelerator maxxed and, in about 10 seconds, the battery display will drop to zero and begin to flash. Ease off, switch back to ‘E’, and the display returns to three bars. Overall, it offers a real-world maximum range of 70 km — considering an average rider weight of 65 kg — which is good for quick runabouts within the confines of the city or within proximity of your residence.
The Okinawa Ridge, at Rs 42,000 (ex-showroom, Pune), offers a good alternative to those who need a relaxed scooter that can handle a good amount of weight without compromising on manoeuvrability. A full charge takes six to eight hours using a standard point. Electric vehicles are increasing in presence. With more range, they could very well be the way forward.