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Emotorad Ranger Review – Fat Tyres, Big Comfort, and Everyday Practicality

When Emotorad sent me the Ranger, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I've ridden their Doodle before, and the Ranger clearly borrows some DNA from it, but this one feels like a step up not just in size, but also in the way it's positioned. After a week of testing it around the city, on trails, and even up some steep inclines, I've started to understand its character.

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First Impressions

The Ranger doesn't really look like your average e-cycle. The first thing that catches your eye is the long, almost motorcycle-like seat that stretches from the handlebar to the rear. On most e-cycles, you're stuck in one riding position, but here you can actually shift around, which makes longer commutes or casual trail rides far more comfortable. It's the kind of seat that invites you to sit, relax, and cruise rather than rush.

The overall build feels solid, thanks to the high tensile steel frame, and the bike carries a certain rugged charm. It's not flashy, but it looks purposeful.

Ride & Handling

The ride quality is where I was pleasantly surprised. The double crown suspension with 120mm travel combined with those 20" x 4.0" fat nylon tyres gives you a cushy, forgiving ride. On broken city roads, the suspension soaks up most of the imperfections. On gravel and loose dirt, the fat tyres provide stability and grip that smaller-tyre e-cycles simply can't match.

On a steep incline near my place, I wanted to really test the motor. At 82kg, I'm not the lightest rider, and I expected the motor to struggle. But the 250W hub motor pulled steadily without protest. It doesn't throw you back in the seat like a high-powered EV, but it builds momentum consistently. For a pedal-assist e-cycle capped at 25 km/hr, it feels adequate and confidence-inspiring.

Powertrain & Range

The Ranger runs on a 48V 12.75Ah removable Li-ion battery that promises up to 75 km on pedal assist and about 60 km on throttle. In my testing, with a mix of pedal assist and throttle use, I managed close to 65 km before the battery warning came on. Charging with the 2A charger took me about 6 hours for a full top-up, with around 80% in just under 5 hours, fairly reasonable for the segment.

The bike gives you 5 ride modes, which lets you tailor the assist levels to your preference. I mostly kept it in mid-level assist while pedaling, and the Shimano Tourney TZ500 7-speed gear system paired well for climbing and cruising.

Features & Practicality

This updated Ranger also brings in features that make it feel safer and more practical. The bright LED projector headlight is surprisingly powerful. I tested it on a pitch-dark road, and it lit up confidently. The addition of a taillight and LED indicators at both ends is something I didn't know I needed until I used them. Most e-cycles skip these basics, but they add so much to everyday usability.

The C6+ display cluster is clear and easy to read, even under direct sunlight. It gives you speed, battery level, assist mode, and trip details everything you need without feeling cluttered. Stopping power comes from mechanical disc brakes, which felt strong enough in both city traffic and trail descents.

The Big Question – Who is it for?

Here's where I'm still scratching my head. The Ranger does a bit of everything: it's comfortable enough for daily commuting, rugged enough for trail riding, and stylish enough to be a lifestyle product. But who exactly is the target audience? School and college kids might love the design and practicality, but it also works for an adult who just wants an easy, fun way to get around without burning petrol.

And maybe that's what makes it interesting: it doesn't box itself into a single use case. It's a multi-tool of e-cycles: practical, comfortable, functional, and genuinely fun to ride.

Verdict

The Emotorad Ranger is priced at ?55,999, which puts it in a sweet spot for someone looking to get into the e-cycle space without spending an absurd amount. With its comfort, range, and thoughtful features, it feels like a solid evolution of what Emotorad started with the Doodle.

It's available online via the Emotorad website and offline through stores across India, making it easy to get your hands on.

If you're looking for an e-cycle that blends the everyday with the adventurous, the Ranger is a machine that deserves a serious look.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

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