Orxa Mantis vs TorkKratos: Specifications Compared

At Rs 3.60 lakh, the Orxa Mantis is a fair bit more expensive than the Tork-Kratos

• The Orxa Mantis does boast a massive 221km range though
• That, interestingly, is the highest among all the relatively affordable electric two-wheelers in India
• The TorkKratos too, boasts of an impressive 100kmph top speed

Orxa’s newest bike, the Mantis, promises performance that is similar to 200-250cc streetfighters with a 135kmph top speed and good handling thanks to its segment-first all subframe. But with that, can it actually hold its own against the original performance-oriented electric bike of India, the TorkKratos? 

We rode around both bikes for a couple of days to find out exactly the same. Here’s how that went: 

Orxa Mantis vs TorkKratos: Designs

The Orxa Mantis electric motorcycle distinguishes itself with a unique design, showcasing an aluminum rear subframe and an innovative storage space on the fuel tank. While the overall aesthetic may not cater to every taste, the build quality is generally satisfactory. However, certain areas display rough surface finishes and coarseness, signaling potential for improvement. The color TFT display, impressive as it is, takes more than 30 seconds to activate, indicating that the Mantis is still a work in progress.

The TorkKratos electric motorcycle lineup comprises two variants: the Kratos and the Kratos R. Our focus here is on the latter, offering enhanced performance and additional features. While visually appealing with lightning bolt-shaped bodywork, the Kratos maintains a conventional, full-sized motorcycle appearance. Noteworthy is the EV-specific detail—due to the absence of a fuel tank, Tork ingeniously incorporates a sizable storage space with a USB power outlet. 

The Kratos R features a removable plastic cover, held in place by magnets, over its fast-charging port. However, our test bikes lacked this port, and the standard charging port is situated on the right side. The absence of a foot brake lever, both brake levers mounted on the handlebar, and certain finish issues, such as a noticeable gap between the rear seat and bodywork, indicate room for improvement.

Orxa Mantis vs TorkKratos: Motor & Range 

A standout feature of the Mantis is its liquid-cooled motor, prioritizing compactness and lightness, weighing a mere 11.5kg. Boasting a robust output of 28hp and 93Nm, expectations are high. However, our track experience revealed concerns with high-temperature warnings and motor de-rating after just two laps, prompting questions about real-world performance. Orxa faces challenges to meet anticipated benchmarks before scheduled deliveries in April next year.

The Kratos is a fully in-house creation, boasting a steel trellis chassis and an aluminum battery pack suspended from it. Tork's axial flux electric motor, positioned behind the battery, propels power to the rear wheel via a traditional chain drive system. The Kratos R offers superior performance with a higher peak power (9kW vs. 7.5kW) and increased torque (38Nm vs. 28Nm). Tork claims a 0-40kph time of 4 seconds and a top speed of 100kph for the Kratos, while the Kratos R achieves 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 105kph. 

Both models come with three riding modes and a reverse function, though our test bikes were limited to Sport and Eco modes. The Kratoslineup features a 4kWh battery pack, providing an estimated real-world range of 120km on a full charge. However, during hilly terrain testing, overheating issues emerged within 10 minutes, impacting performance.

Orxa Mantis vs TorkKratos: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

While our assessment was limited to a few laps on a go-karting circuit, the Mantis provides a comfortable and upright riding position. Ergonomics cater to riders of various sizes, although the pillion seat seems more decorative than functional. An interesting feature is the substantial gap between the rider and the small pillion seat, showcasing the aluminum subframe—a segment-first feature. 

Notably, the white panel in the middle, wider than expected, posed a challenge for taller riders setting both feet down comfortably. This underscores the importance of test rides, as spec sheets alone may not capture such nuances.

While motor overheating poses a challenge, the chassis and overall suspension setup shine. The stable chassis and comfortable suspension absorb rough surfaces well, with handling akin to a well-sorted 150-160cc bike—impressive and enjoyable. Braking, provided by Advik Components, features a disc setup with combined braking. Although our bike experienced rear brake noise, the overall braking performance is acceptable.

Orxa Mantis vs TorkKratos: Dimensions

Our cautious approach during testing, influenced by severe motor de-rating and track conditions, uncovered concerns about chassis performance. Issues include a lack of feedback from the front end and a peculiar judder under hard braking. Further evaluation is imperative to grasp the full potential of the Orxa Mantis.

As an EV, the TorkKratos boasts an array of features accessible via a smartphone app, including navigation, OTA updates, crash alerts, smart analytics, and more (app experience not available during our test). The basic LCD display provides typical readouts like distance to empty, trip data, and a clock. Noteworthy features include fast charging compatibility for the Kratos R, promising an 80 percent charge in an hour. 

Tork offers a three-year, 40,000km warranty and plans to launch in six cities, starting with Pune. Priced competitively, the base model starts at Rs 1.08 lakh, with the Kratos R at Rs 1.23 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune, after subsidies), with free data charges for smart features in the first year and a subsequent subscription cost of around Rs 250 per month. 

Orxa Mantis vs TorkKratos: Price

Orxa has priced the Mantis at a rather eye-watering Rs 3.60 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. That means it’s priced more than the extremely capable KTM 390 Duke. The Orxa Mantis is priced at Rs 3,60,000 (ex-showroom Bengaluru), encompassing the 1.3kW standard charger, and it does not qualify for the FAME 2 subsidy. The initial booking amount for the electric motorcycle is Rs 10,000 for the first 1,000 customers, increasing to Rs 25,000 for subsequent bookings. 

Commencing in April 2024, the first batch of deliveries will be in Bengaluru, followed by additional batches in July 2024 and October 2024. The package includes a comprehensive 3-year or 30,000km warranty covering the vehicle, battery, and the motor. The TorkKratos, on the other hand, carries a Rs 1.22 lakh price tag, which is a LOT more reasonable than the Orxa’s price tag. 

Verdict

Now while the Orxa Mantis does boast of better performance and almost everything, it has some glaring issues, due to which, we’d definitely not recommend the bike to anyone, at least as of now. So if you’re really looking for an electric bike, we’d recommend you save some money and get the TorkKratos. 

But if you’re okay with non-electric bikes, there are much much better petrol-powered bikes in this segment which we’d ask you to go for instead, bikes like the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, KTM 390 Duke, KTM 250 Duke, and a lot more. 

In fact, the 2024 KTM 390 Duke, at just Rs 3.10 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), is fantastic value for the money, costing just Rs 13,000 more than its predecessor while being better in almost every way. So if an aggressive streetfighter is what you’re looking for, we’d recommend you skip both the Orxa Mantis and the TorkKratos and just get the wild KTM 390 Duke instead. If it’s overwhelming for you, you can even consider getting the lovely KTM 250 Duke, which is a much more mature bike than before while being exciting and a lot of fun up a twisty road.