Yo Speed - A real good alternative to Scooty. Review on Yo Speed

Currently I am in need to buy a gearless two wheeler so I surveyd Scooty, Access, Flyte and 4S. I am not interested in Activa because of the milage problem. Then I came across Yo. I took a test ride at Pune and found it excellent alternative to petrol 2-wheeler. Yo speed is a latest variant from Yo bykes. Yo is in electric 2-wheelers. They claim that these scooters are highly economic. Pros: Excellent speed - 45Km/hr - enough to ride in city.

Please note that no other 2-wheeler in this category offer this speed. Its 35Km/hr if two persons riding. Excellent looks - I think its better than scooty pep+. But that is my personal thought. Excellent economy - As per company, It consumes 1.6 units per charge. In most part of India, 1 Unit costs arround 5 Rs. for non-commercial consumption. In one charge it goes 70/75 Km. This is about 10 ps/Km.

Cons: Drawback 1: I have asked folowing questions to the dealer: Q. what is the life of bettery? Ans. from dealer: Company says its 25000 Km. But if you ride the bike in prescribed style it can be upto 35000 Km. Q. How manay batteries are there? Ans. Four. Q. What is the cost of the battery if required replacement after its life? Ans. Rs. 2000. So this is a costly affair - Rs.8000 After say 25-30, 000 Km. Drawback 2: People like me who stay in Apartments at higher stories, for them charging is a problem. The battery is not detachable like other Yo-bike. There is a charger with a cable. Either you get a connection at the ground floor or you need an extension from your flat. This is cumbersome.

You cannot leave the charger at the ground floor because in case if it gets damange or somebody mess up with it, it costs Rs. 1600(as per dealer) Summary: Considering good speed and pickup, eventhough the scooter is priced high and even if you consider the battery cost after its life, the scooter is worth buying.

Please look at the following comparision: Scooty Pep+: Approx Avg. - 50 Km/Ltr. Approx Petrol cost - 50 Rs/Ltr. Approx Economy - 1 Re/Km Approx riding - 25 Km/Day for 6 days/week Total riding cost @ 1 Re/Km: 1 Re x 25 Km x 6 days x 4 wks x 12 months) Rs. 7200/Year Yo Speed: Approx Avg - 70 Km/Charge Approx Electric consumption - 1.6 unit Approx Econony @ 5 Rs./unit - 8 Rs./70Km which is 11.42 Ps. Approx riding - 25 Km/Day for 6 days/week Total riding cost @ 11.42 ps/Km: 0.1142 Re. x 25 Km x 6 days x 4 wks x 12 months) Rs. 822/Year Approx Saving with Yo Speed compare to Scooty Pep+ - Rs. 6378/Year Considering 7200 Km/year, bettery needs to be replaced after 3.5 Year. In 3.5 years you would have saved approx. Rs. 22323. And this saving is considering that the Petrol will remain at 50 Rs/Ltr. throught the 3.5 yrs. So effectively the saving woulld be more than Rs. 22000. After 3.5 yrs you will not mind spending Rs. 8000 for bettery replacement. Or may be you can throw the vehicle and buy new one!