Since adding the RFN SX-E500 to our long-term test fleet, Bonnie has wasted no time proving she can ride the wheels off it. In the past month, the little RFN has been through more bog holes than a 250 two-stroke on a hard enduro loop, and the only casualty has been the chain.
After a few months of solid riding, the stock chain stretched to the point where it needed replacing. A quick call to RFN Australia had a new one on the way, and within days the updated version arrived. This replacement is a bigger, thicker unit designed to handle the abuse better — apparently a few other riders had the same issue, so RFN has upgraded the part across the board. Since fitting it, we’ve had no dramas.
Bonnie did most of this testing at the family farm, where she seemed to actively seek out the muddiest lines possible. If there was a puddle, bog hole or creek bed nearby, she was straight into it. Despite the punishment, the SX-E500 never faltered. The motor kept pulling, the battery life stayed consistent, and the controls haven’t shown any wear. For a bike aimed at three to six-year-olds, it’s proving remarkably robust.
What stands out is how quickly the RFN has become Bonnie’s go-to bike. She’s already stacked plenty of hours on it in conditions most adults would think twice about. It’s still light, confidence-inspiring, and small enough for her to wrestle around — which also means she doesn’t mind crashing it, picking it up, and going again. For durability testing, that’s gold.
We’ll keep an eye on how the new chain holds up and whether the rest of the bike starts showing signs of fatigue as Bonnie continues her bog-hunting missions. For now, though, the RFN looks like it’s more than capable of keeping up with her antics.
Mitch Lees
RFN SX-E500
RRP
$1899
WARRANTY
1 year
DISTRIBUTOR
RFN Bike
INTERNET
rfnbike.com.au
SO FAR
TOTAL HOURS
15
MODS THIS MONTH
Updated heavy-duty chain