2023 Kawasaki Elektrode First Look
Designed for kids ages 3 to 8
Kawasaki pulled the covers off its first ever electric vehicle, and as we expected, it is a new powered balance bike for young riders called the Elektrode. Designed for riders as young as three years of age, the Elektrode is positioned as an entry point for future motocross riders.
The Elektrode is powered by a 250 W air-cooled, brushless motor mounted in the rear wheel. The motor is completely sealed and has no exposed moving parts, increasing its durability and protecting it from water.
The motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery housed in the frame. Having both parts relatively low in the chassis allows the Elektrode to have a low center of gravity, helpful for kids just starting out.
Kawasaki claims the battery provides about 2.5 hours of running time on a single charge, with another 2.5 hours to achieve a full charge. In terms of range, Kawasaki estimates the Elektrode can run for about nine miles before it needs to be plugged in. An auto-sleep mode powers off the motor after sitting idle for 10 minutes.
The balance bike offers three power modes, allowing parents to control the Elektrode’s top speed. The Low mode is limited to approximately 4.8 mph, Mid is set to about 7.2 mph and High restricts the speed to about 12.6 mph. The modes can only be changed when the vehicle is stopped, and the controls can be locked with a passcode by an adult. The electric motor can also be turned off, allowing the Elektrode to be used as a non-powered balance bike.
To fit riders of different sizes, the Elektrode offers its own take on Kawasaki’s ERGO-FIT adjustable ergonomics.
The handlebar is adjustable, and can even be swapped out for other common-sized handlebars for a custom fit. The brake lever reach can also be adjusted to suit different sized hands.
The seat height is adjustable between 16.1 to 20.5 inches, and the saddle can also be replaced with different standard bicycle seats. The rubber-padded steel footpegs are foldable, moving out of the way for use as a non-powered balance bike.
Kawasaki estimates the Elektrode will accommodate most children from 3 to 8 years of age and a height between 37 and 55 inches. The maximum weight limit is 99 pounds.
The Elektrode uses an aluminum frame for light weight and durability. It runs on 16-inch cast aluminum wheels shod in knobby 16×2.125 HE-type tires with Schrader valves. The front wheel is mounted to a rigid steel fork. The rear wheel is also rigidly mounted, and it is paired with a 160 mm cable-operated disc brake.
The 2023 Kawasaki Elektrode comes in Lime Green with a KX-style white front number plate and graphics resembling Kawasaki’s off-road models. US pricing is set at $1,099.
2023 Kawasaki Elektrode Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Motor | Air-Cooled, Brushless, in-wheel |
| Output | 250 W |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Voltage/Capacity | 36 V, 5.1 Ah |
| Running Time | 2.5 hours per charge |
| Front Tire | 2.125 x 16 |
| Rear Tire | 2.125 x 16 |
| Brake Type | Rear Mechanical Disc |
| Wheelbase | 32.8 in. |
| Length | 48.6 in. |
| Width | 22.9 in. |
| Height | 30.2 in. |
| Seat Height | Adjustable 16.1-20.5 in. |
| Curb Weight | 32.0 lb. |
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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My immediate thought was: Who would want their kid NOT to instead get into the habit of working out a little, by instead getting a BMX, since all they get here is a 250 watt pedelec motor.
But then I started thinking: 250 watts to move a 50 pound kid, is the equivalent of well beyond Tour de France winning wattage for acceleration and up hills, for am old fatso like me....... So: BMX during the week, this (EMX?) thing on weekends....