Numeros Motors Diplos Max first ride review — Confused, but has a place

With ever-evolving competition in the electric scooter segment, every new product is looking for ways to do one better than the competition. Be it connectivity features, add-ons that make no sense, or just the way the scooter looks and rides. In a ‘making it quirky’ direction, River came up with a proper utilitarian scooter, the Indie. To accommodate an average Indian family, came the Rizta. Now, Numeros Motors is looking to blend both aspects with the Diplos Max. Here’s our first ride review.

Numeros Motors Diplos Max — What is it?

On first glimpse, it looks confusing — it has a sharp, sporty front portion, but is so long from the side, you begin to wonder what the company was trying. From the side, the scooter looks super long and more commercial-focused. That’s exactly what the company aims at — a scooter that can be used as a personal vehicle and double up as a commercial scooter if needed.

The front design has been inspired by Iron Man, while the paint scheme – Crimson Red, Sonic Silver, and Cosmos Blue – reminds you of the Ford Mustang’s colour schemes. Body panels look consistent, the floorboard is large, the split seats are interesting, and the 12-inch wheels are a welcome, suspended by telescopic front forks and adjustable dual shocks at the rear. The Diplos itself is built around a heavy-duty chassis and the testing grounds were set right — a quarry!

Numeros Motors Diplos Max first ride review — How is it to ride?

Once you swing your leg over, the Diplos feels light – weighs 137kg – and the rider triangle is comfortable. The bars are set right (not too high like the Olas or as aggressive as the 450s) and the seat is comfortable. The switchgear looks basic but does its intended job. The ergonomics could be much better on the right side as the scooter’s ride modes and forward/reverse control stick far below conventional switchgear and are quite a hassle to use as the rider needs to take his eyes away from the road.

The startup process involves a few steps — open the seat and flick the main battery kill switch on, then turn on the key, then the kill switch on the handlebar, then push the start button. And when you twist the throttle, it has linear power delivery, unlike all EVs that send a dump of power to the rear wheels. This is done intentionally to mimic an ICE and when you do want that burst of power, it is delivered when the throttle is opened about 75 percent. This is a must-have feature for electric commuters in my opinion.

The ride is good and firm, especially over the broken quarry roads we tested the Diplos on. The suspension setup was impressive, especially for a scooter. However, the same cannot be said on the tarmac. On a straight line, the scooter feels good, however, when you lean in, the rear follows much later, making it a slow scooter. Also, minor bumps upset the scooter and throw it into a wobble, a strange effect given that it is good on broken roads.

Numeros Motors Diplos Max first ride review — Should you buy one?

The Diplos Max gets disc brakes at both ends and I felt that the front needs more bite. The 12-inch wheels are good, but could have been fatter, which could help with stability. The ride modes are simple, but the ergonomics are off, the instrument cluster is simple, but vital info is small and difficult to read, and finally, the stability — the wobble can do a lot of damage in the city when looking to weave through traffic.

However, for smaller cities and for those looking for a scooter that can do a lot more than helping one commute from point A to B, the Diplos is worth looking at. It has a utilitarian soul with a family-friendly heart. Set to be launched at the upcoming Bharat Mobility Expo, the Diplos Max is set to go on sale soon after.

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