Updated Oben Rorr Electric Motorcycle: First Ride Review

The Visuals

When compared to the model that we rode last year, the only visual change on the ‘new’ Oben Rorr is its graphics. The 2023 model comes in two paint schemes – red with black and silver, and yellow with black and silver. The two new colour options are a welcome change since these not only enhance the Rorr’s angles but also complement its sizeable structure. However, we still cannot get over the fact that its front end mimics the Honda CB300R. Whether that is a good thing or not is a subjective matter. But it does look good in person and the proportions remain unaltered. Elements like the boxy tank, slim seat, and the neat rear profile are as they were.

The Oben Rorr gets a couple of nifty storage areas – on the tank and the underseat. But, there is one thing that left us slightly disappointed – the tank lid. It houses the bike’s charging port and a couple of USB slots with enough space to keep a water bottle of half a litre. Ideally, the lid-lock is supposed to be opened only with the key, but we found another way to do so. All you need to do is rattle it left to right and voila, you have access to the undertank storage without needing the key. This would only be an issue if you are used to placing important belongings there, to keep them handy. But losing a water bottle should not be a problem.

The Package

Another area where Oben has made changes on the Rorr is the motor. The power output has been reduced by 2kW and the motor now makes 8kW. It is still linked to a 4.4kWh battery that houses LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cells. As one would expect, the 2023 version of the motorcycle offers three riding modes – City, Eco, and Havoc. The top obtainable speed in City and Eco is 50kmph and 70kmph, respectively. Meanwhile, Havoc lets you unleash Rorr’s full potential and go up to 100kmph. The maximum riding range on the 2023 Oben Rorr is around 120kmph (real world), but due to limited riding time, we could only drain the battery to 40 per cent.

The Rorr’s feature list is still quite minimal. It gets all-LED illumination, LCD screen, three ride modes as mentioned above, USB charging port(s), and a combined braking system. Oben has its own smartphone app that lets you access riding details such as general battery and motorcycle health, among other data. But it doesn’t get any connectivity features for navigation or even media controls.

The Ride

The first thing you notice once aboard the Oben Rorr is its presence. The view right in front, from the saddle, is intriguing. The handlebar feels wide and you get to sit in a slightly committed manner. Two things we noticed from the get-go that Oben can improve on are – adding tank grips as standard and changing the seat cover. Both the areas have little to no traction and we found ourselves constantly sliding ahead.

To start the system, you need to press the ignition switch, which also doubles down as the button for the ride modes. But it needs a thorough press of the thumb and the brand says this is purposeful integration to avoid changing modes by an accidental press. Speaking of the ride modes, the City and Eco modes let you ride at moderate speeds and the Rorr can keep up with the traffic around with ease. But the Havoc mode is the most fun. The acceleration is quick, manageable, and leaves you grinning inside the helmet. We switched to Havoc mode every time an opportunity was presented and the Rorr would easily approach its upper limit of triple-digit speeds.

Once on the move, you also notice that the Oben Rorr feels stable and planted. The battery pack acts as the stressed member and most of the weight is at the front. Even while switching lanes, or taking corners, the Rorr holds its composure. That said, the rear springs are stiff and don’t make the bike wobble. But the same affects the riding experience at slow speeds since you feel slight jolts to your back when riding over broken patches or bad roads. Moreover, if you were to take a full U-turn, the front-heavy nature of the bike could intimidate you slightly.

The ByBre brakes, too, have been carried over from the previous model. While it does have decent stopping power, the levers have a wooden feel when pressed in. It is not the most intuitive feeling when you try to shed speed on the Oben Rorr. Also, since there is no ABS, you will need to be calculated while using the rear brake as it locks the rear tyre quickly.

Should You Buy It?

Compared to the previous pricing, the Oben Rorr is now notably more expensive as it retails at Rs. 1,49,999 (ex-showroom). For the said price, you get a practical range, decent build quality, good handling, and a sizeable electric motorcycle as a whole. However, its features list is short, and the Rorr misses out on basics like the trip meter. Then, the brakes need to be bettered, and the tank lid is unreliable as of now. For the said pricing, you would expect better finishing, consistent performance, and a little more tech. Moreover, Oben as a brand is relatively new and not known to the masses, so the bragging rights, too, are low.

That said, its rival bikes, such as the Revolt RV 400 and the Tork Kratos R, command a higher asking price. This is where the Oben Rorr seems a more sensible option in terms of pricing. So, if you want an electric motorcycle and can make do with basic features, rideable range, and neo-retro styling, then the Oben Rorr is recommended.

Photography by Ajinkya Lad