From developing an electric prototype that tops at 150kmph as a college project in 2007 to participating in the Isle Of Man TT in 2009 and securing 3rd position, and then, from winning the 2010 TTX GP to making motorcycles for a Chinese manufacturer from 2014-15 to create their own concept T6X in 2016 to finally combining all the experience of over 10 years and producing the first made in India electric commuter motorcycle, called the Kratos R in 2022, Tork has achieved so much at every moment, they took risks to do things out of the box.
And, a few days back, for the first time, Tork invited us to their Chakan manufacturing facility, where they assemble the Kratos R and manufacture every single battery component from the ground up. They develop every single cell in-house, then combine 252 cells, along with the connectors and controllers, to build the 4kWh battery pack, and there is a second line where the IP67-rated Axial-Flux motor is made. We weren’t allowed to film or capture anything on the battery and motor manufacturing line because it is a confidential part of the making of the Kratos R but what we were allowed to capture was the assembly line where the Kratos R comes together. So, let’s move forward and dig into the process.
When we first stepped into the Kratos R assembly line, the first thing we saw was 2 trolleys, one carrying the battery pack and the other carrying the chassis, because the first process involves combining the chassis and the batteries along with fitting the rear mono shock and other suspension components which are all designed as per Indian road conditions.
Then, moving to the second step, which involves adding the swing arm along with the Axial Flux motor and front and rear braking components. While following the second step, the front and rear suspension also get their final touches, and the first body panel, the front mudguard is added to the Kratos R.
The third step involves adding the wheels & front and rear brake callipers. This important step also involves carefully putting together the whole braking system which is designed and tested to stop the Kratos R at a dime. Then the fourth step, the instrument cluster, taillight, subframe, wiring harness, footpegs, handlebar and telematics are added, and this step is the final step of fitting the internals, electricals and other necessary components together.
Then, the fifth step involves fitting together all the body panels like the Headlamp, rear mudguard, engine cover, grab rails, etc. The sixth step involves adding the front storage space, in which you can carry the 750W portable charger, it is also capable of easily carrying your small day-to-day stuff as well. With the storage space, the seat is also installed.
Then, the seventh step involves mapping the motorcycle, where an engineer feeds the map into the ECU of the motorcycle, this map is standardised at 12hp and 38Nm of peak torque with a claimed range of 180km (IDC) on a single charge. The eighth step involves the final checking of all the components and mapping, whether they are working properly or not and whether the mapping is error-free or not.
Then, the ninth and final step involves a dyno test of the motorcycle, where the Kratos R is tested at several speeds to check the power delivery with that some thorough speed runs and battery temperature analyses are also done to make sure it is suitable for different kinds of Indian driving styles. Then on the outskirts of the Tork manufacturing facility, every Kratos R goes through some real-world tests before being shipped to the showrooms.
Tork’s Chakan facility has a capacity of producing 30 motorcycles per day, but it can be expanded to up to 200 units per day if needed.
The Kratos R is the first Indian electric 2-wheeler with motorsport pedigree in the shell of a sedate-looking commuter motorcycle. Tork’s CEO Kapil Shelke states that it wasn’t easy for the brand to build an electric motorcycle that is fast yet efficient and comfortable to be ridden daily in Indian road conditions. But, with the help of the brand’s 10 years+ of experience in creating electric marvels on 2-wheels and achieving multiple podiums in the Isle Of Man TT, the milestone of creating a sporty electric commuter to compete with its ICE counterparts for the Indian customers has finally been achieved.
