A Closer Look at the 2023 Kawasaki Elektrode

Kawasaki made history in 2022 by launching its first electric bicycle, the 2023 Kawasaki Elektrode. The bike is specially made for children, so they will finally be proud to ride something else besides a scooter. According to Ultimate Motorcycling, children who are between 37 to 55 inches tall may ride this bicycle.

The children can fit in this bike because the seat is 16.1 inches above the ground in the low position and 21.5 inches high at the highest setting. To further accommodate the child, the bike has an adjustable handlebar height. So if you want your child to be a motorcyclist someday, getting them the 2023 Kawasaki Elektrode would be good practice for them. Before getting one, you probably want to know more about this bike. Below are its specifications.

Battery

The bicycle uses a 5.1 Ah lithium-ion battery which is built into the aluminum frame. Its placement is important since it is protected from dirt or any external damage from riding accidents. In general, lithium-ion batteries have a long lifespan. Their lifespan is 5 years, but they could last longer due to proper storage.

Another aspect of its longevity is its runtime of 2.5 hours which also takes 2.5 hours to recharge fully. As you wait for the battery to be charged, the children can have ample time to play. Its battery is easy to charge since you will not have to take out the battery. All you have to do is plug the charging cable into the front of the bicycle and connect it to any home outlet. That means you can charge it anywhere, including from a car and camper.

Electric Motor

Though being the first of its kind, it delivers plenty of power. The motor is in-wheel, brushless, and air-cooled; the factors enable it to produce 250 watts of acceleration at the rear wheel. Power is delivered smoothly and in a linear way, which builds the child’s comfort with power and control.

Also, the bike is not noisy because of the smooth transfer of power. Noisy bikes would intimidate them, and the noise would be considered a nuisance based on where they are riding from. The motor is strategically located within the rear wheel, which helps lower the bicycle’s center of gravity.

With a low center of gravity, the cyclist can turn without falling off. To keep the child safe, the motor contains no moving external parts. Therefore, a child cannot sustain any injury from the motor in case they fall off.

Speed Modes

It is important to monitor your child’s cycling speed since they tend to speed for the thrill. According to Batson Nolan, speeding is listed as one of the common reasons for bicycle-related accidents. Thankfully, this electric bicycle has three-speed modes that you can choose for your child, depending on their cycling experience.

The three speeding modes include low (5mph), mid (7.5mph), and high (13mph). You can adjust the speed modes using the LCD screen on the handlebars. The convenient placement of the LCD screen enables the child to switch between modes within a very short time. However, to switch to other modes, you have to stop the bicycle.

The problem with the speed modes is that the child may switch within modes without the parent’s knowledge. Fortunately, you can put a parental lock to deter the child from switching between modes willy-nilly.

Chassis

It is not uncommon for children to severely wreck a bicycle after an accident. Knowing the possibility of such an incident occurring, Kawasaki ensured that this bike was made using tough materials. Kawasaki has always made their bicycles from tough materials, which is the same material they used for this bicycle.

Some materials used to make the bike are aluminum and rigid steel. Aluminum is used to make the frame which is light enough for a child to handle, while the front of the bicycle is made of rigid steel to bring about a solid feel of the steering. To further make the bike lightweight, Kawasaki introduced cast aluminum wheels.

The wheels have been paired with the bike’s low seat for a more planted feel. That means your child will not have to upgrade to large wheels as they continue growing. The beauty of the wheels is how easy it is to service them. Therefore, a parent can service its wheels without needing to take them for repair.

Wheelbase

The bicycle has a wheelbase of 32.8 inches which is considered short, thereby making the bicycle small in general. However, short wheelbases are good, especially for children’s bikes. For instance, the bicycle can be parked between small gaps in the parking lot. Let’s face it; we have all met drivers who double-park.

Due to the double-parking, they take up so much space and leave little room for other vehicles to park. Not only can the child park in the small space left by the double-parked vehicle, but it can also be kept at home. Another benefit of this bike’s short wheelbase is that it makes it more agile.

For instance, a child may need to turn their bicycle at some point. Since short wheelbases offer a low turning radius, the child will take a short time to complete a turn. However, if the bicycle had a long wheelbase, the turning radius would be long, and a vehicle would quickly catch up with them.

Conclusion

For a first-time electric bicycle, it is impressive how Kawasaki was able to get everything right with their model. The bicycle has plenty of safety features, so your child will no longer be involved in any bike-related accident. Even though it is safe, the parent still has to be with their child to monitor their cycling habits.

For instance, we saw how parents could ensure their child’s safety by putting the child lock on the speed mode buttons. Another feature you can admire about this bike is how multi-purpose it is. For instance, even if you were to run out of battery, you can still ride it like you would a normal bicycle. So, you do not need to rely solely on its battery.

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