Kawasaki goes electric with the Elektrode balance bike

Kawasaki has revealed its new Elektrode electric balance bike, aimed at kids aged 3-8 years. 

Electric balance bikes are becoming an increasingly important area for manufacturers to become involved in. They offer kids a chance to get used to two wheels without having to focus on pedalling at the same time. KTM says about electric balance bikes that “Kids 3 – 5 are typically willing to ride further than on a traditional pedal bike.”

StaCyc and KTM arguably dominate the field, with KTM (whose electric balance bikes are built by StaCyc) in particular being the supplier to the KTM E-Junior series that goes to all of the AMA Supercross races. 

Understandably, other manufacturers are not content with KTM having the potential to grab young riders for themselves pretty much unchallenged, and so Kawasaki’s new Elektrode balance bike is a response to that. 

The Elektrode is wholly designed and built by Kawasaki, with a 250W brushless electric motor that sits in the rear wheel, and three selectable power modes: High, Mid, and Low. Between the three modes, the top speed of the Elektrode is 13mph, 7.5mph and 5mph, respectively. 

Additionally, the bike comes with a passcode parental lock, a disc rear brake, and an in-chassis lithium-ion battery that Kawasaki says will last for over 150 minutes.

With the chassis still in mind, it is worth noting it is made from aluminium, while the suspension is rigid on both ends, with 28.8mm front forks. 

At the kerb, the Elektrode will weigh 14.5kg, while the wheelbase is quoted at 832mm, the seat height at between 410mm and 520mm, with a ground clearance of 139mm.

 

It currently appears that the Elektrode is only available in the US, where it will cost $1,099, or around £900, and available in only lime green.