Kids are spoilt for choice today. Five years ago, if your little fella wanted to get on a bike with a throttle, it was a full-size dirtbike like a Yamaha PW50. Nowadays, kids as young as two years old can hop on a two-wheeled contraption like a 12-inch electric balance bike with a throttle and start ripping the local BMX track, skate park or moto track. And now, slightly older kids can hope on the Sherco EB18 Factory Edition and do the same.
There’s no longer any reason for your grom to stay tucked away inside on the screen. Thanks to the boom of electric balance bikes, there’s now a bike for all ages from the 12-inch to 16-inch electric balance bikes to this 18-inch moto cross-over bike called the Sherco EB18 Factory Edition. And the best thing about all these bikes is that because they’re electric and don’t look as serious as a full-blown dirtbike, it seems okay to ride them at a skate park or local green area.
When we saw the Sherco EB18 Factory Edition pop up we thought it looked a little more pushbike than dirtbike. It was skinnier than the other electric balance bikes and the frame resembled a push bike frame. We had to check for ourselves so we picked one up and headed straight to the neighbourhood pump track to see if any little rippers around the age of 10 wanted to have a ride. But before we review what they thought, let’s take a look how it’s built.
It’s DNA
Priced at $1990 ride away, the Sherco EB18 Factory Edition runs a 36V 500W brushless motor that provides three speed modes: Low at 15km/h, Medium at 22km/h, and High at 30km/h. The bike’s final drive is a hub drive which is great because not only does it mean there’s less drag on a mid-frame motor but there’s also no chain to brake or wear and then of course service. It comes with a 42V 3A charger.
The 36V 500W brushless motor is paired with a 36V 5AH removable battery. Depending on the power setting and riding conditions, the bikes run time ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, with a recharge time of just two to three hours. For added convenience, a quick-change spare battery is available for $349, sold separately. The simple twist-and-go throttle with a battery-level display and a kill switch with a safety lanyard that looks like a hand making a peace sign, further enhance the bike’s user-friendly design.
In terms of braking and tyres, the EB18 Factory Edition is equipped with both front and rear hydraulic disc brakes. The alloy wire-spoked rims are wrapped 18 x 2.5-inch tyres that look a little like a trials tyre but still have plenty of grip. The bike’s frame is made from premium alloy, with adjustable handlebars and footpegs to suit different riding styles. The front suspension features an adjustable triple clamp fork with a hydraulic lockout function, while the rear suspension includes an adjustable oil/gas shock, both catering to individual preferences.
The height-adjustable seat ensures that the bike can grow with the rider. Designed specifically for children aged 8 to 10, the EB18 Factory Edition supports a maximum rider weight of 50kg. Each EB18 Factory Edition comes with an Australian 240V household charger, an owner’s manual, and a toolkit. Additionally, the bike comes with a 12-month parts-only warranty, offering peace of mind and reliability.
How’s it ride?
I’m way too big for this bike and my four-year-old son Jaxon is way too small for this bike so I went searching for kids to test it at my local park. It was safe to say I found a few willing participants who were happy to hop off their $5000 mountain bikes and hop on the Sherco EB18 factory Edition. Here’s what they had to say.
Power and Performance
The three speed modes on the EB18 Factory Edition is awesome. This feature is fantastic because it allowed the four kids I picked who all varied in skill level to adjust the speed according to their comfort and skill level. As a parent, I appreciate this safety feature because it ensures that when my son Jax is big enough to ride this bike he can start slow and build up his confidence before tackling higher speeds.
One of the smaller kids started on the low setting and gradually worked his way up to medium. He found the bike’s power to be electric, in other words, right there as soon as he opened the throttle. The simple twist-and-go throttle is intuitive, and the battery-level display is a great addition, allowing him them keep track of how much power they had left so all of them got a decent ride. Knowing that the final drive is a hub drive (with the motor located in the rear hub instead of the middle of the bike) means there’s less noise from the bike which threw the kids off a bit but they got used to it.
About 15 minutes in, all the kids I had testing the bike were on the full speed mode and just using their wrist to meter the power. None of them had any issues or loop outs but all of them could wheelie the bike!
Suspension and Comfort
One of the standout features of the EB18 Factory Edition is its suspension system. The kids, all aged around 12 to 14 years old found the ride to be incredibly smooth and comfortable, but maybe a little bit soft in the shock. They were the right size for the bike but the shock was a little spongey for some.
That being said they said it was the smoothest ride they’d ever experienced and while a touch soft in the rear, they actually never bottomed it out. This is crucial for young riders who are still developing their skills and need all the help they can get to stay comfortable and in control.
The adjustable handlebars and footpegs meant we could customize the bike to fit all of them. If you have a growing grommet, having the ability to adjust these components ensures that the bike will continue to suit them as they grow. The height-adjustable seat is another excellent feature, as all the kids could get a leg over it.
Handling and Control
The front and rear hydraulic disc brakes provided excellent stopping power. This gave our kids a lot of confidence, knowing they could safely control their speed and stop quickly if needed. The alloy wire-spoked rims and 18 x 2.5-inch tyres with a trials-like knobby design offer great traction and stability on the grass and dirt jumps.
The bike’s frame, made from premium alloy, is sturdy yet lightweight, making it easy for them to manoeuvre. They found the bike to be very responsive and lightweight.
Battery Life and Convenience
The 36V 5AH removable battery gave our kids about an hour to rip around the park. The battery’s recharge time is just two to three hours, which is quite reasonable. I didn’t have the quick-change spare battery but I reckon it’s worth the investment.
Safety Features
The EB18 Factory Edition is packed with safety features that give us peace of mind. The simple twist-and-go throttle was easy for them all to use even though some of them weren’t dirtbike riders. The kill switch with a magnetic safety lanyard added an extra layer of safety.
Get your grom out of the house!
The EB18 Factory Edition has exceeded our expectations. The random kids that tested it had an absolute blast riding it, and as a parent, I feel confident in the bike’s safety and durability. It suited four very different shaped kids with different skill levels.
As a parent, I think it’s important my kids are outside creating memories even during those trick pre-teen years when all they may want to do is stay inside and chat online or game. If you want something that’s safe, reliable, and fun, than the EB18 Factory Edition is a fantastic choice. At $1990 consider it an investment into your kids’ moto journey!
Words & Photos | Mitch Lees
