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Pune-based tech start-up, Tork Motors, raised a lot of expectations with the unveiling of India’s first electric motorcycle, the T6X, but that was well over three years ago. The bike was meant to be launched soon after (in April 2017), but little has been known about its progress since. Test mules have been sporadically spotted since, and we’ve now got images of what looks like a near-production-ready version of the T6X.
The bike seen in the pictures looks a lot more complete than the Tork that was spotted on test in January last year. This bike has more complete bodywork, and the trellis frame isn’t as exposed as before. Tork has also opted to go for a different alloy wheel design that’s more in line with the Y-spoke that we saw on the concept.
Other small changes include the addition of bar-end weights and revised switchgear, which now has a toggle switch that is likely to control the different options on the full-digital instrument cluster. Tork had unveiled the concept with a 4.3-inch TFT unit and we believe the bike in the picture is running a similar setup. The company had said that this display would not only show the bike's vitals, but also let the rider switch between sporty and economical drive modes. This was exciting stuff in 2016, but we are now seeing these functions on almost every electric two-wheeler in India and even some petrol-powered bikes.
The T6X was showcased in 2016 with a 6kW/27Nm electric motor that acted as a stressed member of the frame. Also, images of the bike show that the final drive consists of a large rear sprocket. The company claimed that the top speed would be limited to 100kph and that the bike’s battery would reach 80 percent capacity with one hour of charging, with a full charge taking only two hours. That is less than half the time most other electric two-wheelers take to charge in India. It will be interesting to see if the company can live up to these claims.
Despite the motorcycle being out of sight, the company has been making the news in the last few years. Back in October 2019, Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, was to invest an undisclosed amount in the Pune-based electric-vehicle start-up; other angel investors include Bharat Forge and Bhavish Aggarwal, the founder of Ola Cabs. Tork Motors also setup its first fast-charging EV station at Café Peter, the Bund Garden Road outlet in Pune, Maharashtra, back in October 2019. This charging station, and the spotting of this test bike, raises hope that the launch is finally close to becoming a reality.
We are still awaiting fresh information on price and other launch details, but the brand’s initial plan was to introduce the T6X in three cities – Pune, Bengaluru and New Delhi – at an introductory price of Rs 1,24,999. At this price, it would go up against the Revolt RV 400, Chetak, TVS iQube and Ather 450X, but we won’t be surprised to see it get more expensive.
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