Kawasaki Elektrode: Battery Powered Balance Bike for Kids

[advrider]

The Kawasaki Elektrode has just debuted in the US. It’s a fun little balance bike with aggressive styling, and a surprisingly snappy electric motor built into the rear wheel. That’s right—Kawasaki just launched its first electric motorcycle, and it’s aimed at kids aged 3-8.

The Elektrode uses a 36-volt/1.5 amp-hour lithium-ion battery (stored in the aluminum frame) to power its 250-watt brushless, air-cooled motor. Kawasaki says the battery will recharge in 2.5 hours, and takes about 2.5 hours of riding to deplete. Range is around nine miles, says Kawasaki, but it depends what ride mode you’re in, and how large the rider is.

Speaking of ride modes: The three ride modes are unlocked by a code, giving parents a bit of control over their kids’ need for speed. The modes offer top speeds of 4.8 mph, 7.2 mph or 12.6 mph; the electric motor can also be shut off, locking the Elektrode into boring old balance bike mode, where you paddle around with your feet (the ultimate punishment for a kid that won’t clean their room?). The bike has no clutch, and is a single-speed.

Although the Elektrode comes in a balance bike configuration that’s friendly for learners who want to put their boots on the ground, Kawasaki also includes removable footpegs, which allow a more traditional moto riding experience. The Elektrode comes with an adjustable seat (from 16.1 inches to 20.5 inches, replaceable with a standard bike post seat), adjustable handlebars and adjustable brake lever (there’s only a single brake, a cable-actuated rear disc). There’s been an obvious effort to make this bike fit riders over a wide range of sizes; Kawasaki says max rider weight is 99 pounds; the bike itself weighs 32 pounds.

There’s a charging port for the battery at the bottom of the frame’s main tube section. That’s where the battery is situated; it’s supposed to charge in 2.5 hours from a standard wall socket. Photo: Kawasaki

The idea of an electric motorcycle for kids might sound high-tech, but much of this machine is pretty basic stuff. Along with that bare-bones braking setup, you get a fork with no suspension; same for the bike’s rear end. This is just like an old-school BMX, where your lower body is going to provide all the suspension you get. As for the wheels, they’re cast aluminum with Schrader valves and Duro knobby tires. This all means there’s less moving parts to break, and Kawasaki no doubt likes that idea.

There’s also less moving parts to manufacture and pay for, this way. Kawasaki says the Elektrode will carry a $1,099 price tag upon introduction to the US market, which will presumably happen soonish, as it’s a 2023 model.

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