Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
There was a time when Indian manufacturers leaned heavily on Japanese technology to create icons. Yamaha’s partnership with Escorts gave us legends like the Yamaha RX100 and RD350, and others soon followed a similar path. Today, the script has flipped. Yamaha’s latest electric offering is based on the India-made River Indie. So, what has Yamaha brought to the table? Quite a lot, as it turns out.
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Yamaha EC-06: Design and dimensions
Before you dismiss this scooter as merely a rebadged River product, it’s worth noting that Yamaha has put in a substantial amount of work. The design is completely different, adopting a more family-friendly scooter vibe. At first glance, you’d be hard-pressed to even recognise its Indie roots.
Up front, a large body panel dominates the fascia, neatly housing the LED headlamps. The scooter rides on telescopic forks, paired with a 14-inch alloy wheel. Yamaha has also opted for CEAT tyres, unlike the MRF units seen on the Indie. The side panels appear more compact, and the overall silhouette comes across as sleek and well-proportioned. At the rear, you’ll find an LED tail-lamp, followed by a neatly integrated mudguard.
The instrument cluster, however, has been carried over directly from the Indie — an area where Yamaha could have added more differentiation. That said, overall build quality is impressive, with solid panels and minimal gaps to complain about.
The EC-06 measures 1,995mm in length, 765mm in width and 1,153mm in height. While these figures are very close to those of the Indie, the Yamaha’s clever design makes it look sharper and less intimidating. Ground clearance stands at 145mm, which is more than adequate for everyday use.
Yamaha EC-06: Storage, practicality, seating
Yamaha has taken a back-to-basics approach when it comes to storage and practicality. The front glovebox, available on the Indie, has been done away with on the EC-06 — and that’s something we definitely missed. The underseat storage has also taken a hit due to the revised design. At 24.5 litres, it’s still deep enough for a fair amount of everyday cargo, but a full-size international-spec helmet won’t fit here.
Where the EC-06 redeems itself, however, is in rider comfort. The seating position is excellent, with a natural, upright posture rather than a knees-up stance. This makes daily commutes largely fatigue-free. The seat itself is long and offers ample room to move around, while also providing enough space for two riders. Seat height is approachable too, ensuring that most Indian riders will feel comfortable and at home on the EC-06.
Yamaha EC-06: Motor, battery and features
The Yamaha uses the same motor as found on the Indie. So much so that we could even spot River badges all across this Yamaha scooter. Peak power offered is 6.7kW and torque offered is 25Nm. Yamaha claims that this scooter can hit a top speed of 79kmph which is a respectable number. The three ride modes Eco, Standard and Power offer three different flavours of riding and we shall get to that later.
The EC-06 uses a fixed battery set up as compared to the Aerox E that gets a couple of removable packs. The 4kWh unit offers 169km of IDC range and takes 10 hours for a full charge.
Braking duties are taken care off by 200mm discs, one up front and one at the back. Yamaha is not offering ABS on the scooter but CBS comes as standard.
Yamaha EC-06: Riding the scooter
While Yamaha is positioning the EC-06 as a maxi-sports scooter, it feels more at home as a large family scooter. Performance, too, reflects this character. In Eco mode, the EC-06 takes off briskly enough. It does feel slightly restrained in city traffic, but remains perfectly usable for relaxed commutes. Switch to Standard mode, and the scooter feels much more at ease in urban conditions, with overtakes becoming easier. Cruising at 50kmph is effortless, with enough performance in reserve for quick bursts when needed.
Power mode, meanwhile, unlocks the scooter’s livelier side. The EC-06 accelerates more freely and reaches its top speed with greater ease. Throttle calibration is well judged too, with smooth responses and no snatchiness. Most notably, the EC-06 feels noticeably lighter than the Indie and is far more flickable in traffic. Despite sharing near-identical dimensions, it comes across as less intimidating and easier to manage in tight spaces.
Ride quality is another strong point. The rear suspension is well tuned, absorbing ruts, bumps and even larger potholes with confidence. The front end, however, feels slightly stiff and can get a bit jittery over sharper imperfections. Is it a deal breaker? Not really. The EC-06 still offers confident handling, and its composed nature around corners makes it an enjoyable scooter to ride.
Yamaha EC-06: Verdict
Yamaha has priced the EC-06 at Rs 1.68 lakh (ex-showroom). This figure takes the scooter precariously in the middle of other electric scooters like the Ather Rizta, TVS iQube and the numerous variants of the Ola scooters. But it sure carves a niche for itself. It is built well, feels premium, performs well and offers a decent range. Despite being based on the River Indie and being manufactured by River, the Yamaha will also be a lot more accessible thanks to the company’s pan-India presence. So go ahead and pick it up if you like it. It is a good product.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
