BGauss RUV 350 first drive review: high-end and practical

From the moment I boarded my flight to Pune and test-drove the BGauss RUV 350 for the first time, I couldn’t help wondering how BGauss would stand out in a market flooded with offerings from manufacturers like Ola, Ather, TVS and Bajaj? What exactly does RUV stand for? It stands for ‘Rider’s Utility Vehicle’, apparently! Just like car enthusiasts have SUVs, LUVs and CUVs, two-wheeler enthusiasts now have the RUV. It also sports a unique step-through scooter design that is reminiscent of what Honda and Yamaha have launched in other Southeast Asian markets. What else does it have to offer? Let’s take a deeper look.

BGauss RUV 350 first drive review: Design and features

Its design is what caught my attention first. It also comes with premium elements like full LED lighting – both the headlights and taillights are housed in stylish, well-designed units – and 16-inch split five-spoke alloy wheels, available in vibrant colours depending on the colour of the scooter, with my personal favourite being the light grey version. Another highlight of the RUV is its all-metal body, which ensures ruggedness and durability.

Although the BGauss RUV 350 is equipped with high-quality, high-end parts, its fit and finish leave something to be desired, for example, there are panel gaps around the front fairing and the buttons on the handlebars feel a bit cheap. Another highlight of the RUV is that it is fully functional. The first thing you will notice is the 5-inch color TFT screen. While its graphics are nice, navigating its UI can be a bit confusing. You have to use the front and rear buttons located on the right side, as well as the brake lever.

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During testing, this often resulted in me navigating to the wrong menu, where I would then have to scroll back and redo the entire process.

Other features include three riding modes – Eco, Ride and Sport – reverse mode, cruise control, USB charging port and smartphone connectivity.

BGauss RUV 350 first ride review: ergonomics and usability

The RUV 350 is a comfortable scooter with slightly ergonomic design, but it is perfect for daily use. No matter how you sit on it, you will find it comfortable, also thanks to its long and wide padded seat. It allows riders of all sizes to find a position that suits them. The seat height is 785 mm and the ground clearance is 160 mm, which makes it easy for even a 5-foot-6 rider like me to stand flat-footed. However, one issue I noticed is that the key protrudes from the keyhole, which riders around 6 feet tall might find inconvenient.

The practicality of the RUV 350 is impressive as it has a variety of storage options. The largest is the 15-liter under-seat storage space, which can easily accommodate some full-size and most half-face helmets. Other storage options include hook storage under the seat, a 2.2-liter compartment near the footrest area, and bag hooks. BGauss cleverly provides a well-hidden 4.5-liter space under the footrest for a charger.

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Overall, the RUV 350 seems to be a practical electric utility vehicle that will appeal to users in tier-I and tier-II cities.

BGauss RUV 350 first drive review: performance and handling

BGauss uses a direct drive motor which is mounted on the wheel and they call it InWheel HyperDrive motor to eliminate any kind of powertrain losses. The 4.7 HP motor helps the scooter to do the 0 – 40 km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 75 km/h. These numbers may not look like much but the BGauss RUV 350 is one of those scooters that feels faster on the road than it does on paper. In Sport mode, the motor feels nimble in most city driving conditions and will satisfy most users. The RUV comes with a 3kWh battery pack and has an ARAI-certified range of 135 km. However, the company claims an actual range of 120 km which is also pretty good.

The BGauss RUV 350 demonstrates exceptional agility in terms of handling. Thanks to the 16-inch wheels, paired with TVS Eurogrip 80-section front and 90-section rear tyres, this scooter not only absorbs bumps smoothly but also inspires confidence when riding fast on open or twisty roads. Moreover, the RUV 350 weighs only 122 kg, which further enhances its handling capabilities, making it an ideal choice for new riders.

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I spent the better part of the day pushing the RUV 350 to its limits, and found myself wanting to do so repeatedly.

BGauss RUV 350 First Drive Review: Conclusion

The RUV 350 is a unique and good-looking scooter that comes with modern features, ample storage space, and is a joy to ride. However, while riding it, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was focusing too much on its surface appeal and overlooking potential issues. It packs a lot of features, but none of them are unique, and it also suffers from fit and finish issues. It does look very handsome, but is it worth the Rs 1.4 lakh (ex-factory) price tag? I’m not so sure. In my opinion, the BGauss RUV 350 is for those who want a scooter with high-end features that is suitable for off-road and unpaved road conditions.