Kawasaki has lifted the curtain on its very first electrically powered two-wheeler: the Elektrode. Strictly speaking, not a crosser, but an electrically powered balance bike. Designed by the same team responsible for the KX motocross riders and intended for ages 3 and up.
We the youth has, the future has undoubtedly been thought of at Kawasaki when the idea was put on the table to develop an electrically powered balance bike. You can’t put them on a motorcycle young enough to cultivate the talent of the future. What do you think how old Rossi or Marquez were when they were first put on a motorized two-wheeler?
The Electrode is powered by a 250W air-cooled brushless electric motor mounted in the rear wheel. The motor is completely sealed and has no protruding parts, which is good for durability and water resistance.
The Electrode has no less than 3 power modes, with which the top speed can be set. In Low mode the speed is limited to about 8 km/h, in Mid mode it is
that is 12 km/h and in High mode a top speed of approximately 21 km/h can be achieved. The mode can only be adjusted while stationary and additionally secured with a PIN code.
The hub-mounted electric motor is powered by a frame-mounted 36 Volt 5.1 Ah (187.2 Wh) battery. According to Kawasaki, you can play with the Electrode for about two and a half hours on a single charge, but that depends on the rider’s weight, speed and riding conditions.
Converted to distance, according to Kawasaki (again, depending on the situation) you can drive about 15 kilometers before it has to be recharged. Charging then takes about two and a half hours. According to Kawasaki, after 500 charge cycles, you still have 80% of the original charge capacity. If the Electrode has not been used for more than 10 minutes, the motor automatically switches to sleep mode.
That they have really thought carefully about the Electrode at Kawasaki and that it is not just a balance bike with an electric motor is apparent from the fact that Team Green has applied its own ERGO-FIT adjustable ergonomics to the Electrode.
For example, the handlebar can be adjusted – or replaced by another handlebar – the brake lever can be adjusted and the height of the saddle can be adjusted between 410 and 520 mm.
The saddle can also be replaced by various standard bicycle saddles. The footrests fitted with rubber ice ore can also be folded in, for those who believe that their child is still too young for an electric drive and would like to use the Electrode as a balance bike.
The Electrode is furthermore provided with an aluminum frame, because it is nice and light and durable, Kawasaki claims a weight of 14.5 kilos. The 16″ wheels are also made of aluminum and fitted with 16×2.125 HE type studded tires with Schrader valves.
The 28.8mm fork is rigid, as is the rear, but that won’t surprise anyone. A cable-operated 160 mm brake disc is fitted in the rear wheel. Some other details: the wheelbase is 832 mm and the front fork has a head angle of 25° and 75 mm trail.
According to Kawasaki, the Electrode is suitable for children aged 3 to 8 years, provided they do not weigh more than 45 kilos. Available in different colours, as long as it is Lime Green.
For those who already see their child (or children) popping around with the Electrode, you will have to be patient. The balance bike is currently only available in the US for the price tag of $1,099. The European market will then follow as soon as possible, but when asked, Motorfreaks could not say when that will be, except that it is asap.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.