This month’s long-termer wasn’t about swapping back to the petrol YCF like we’ve done the last six months, it was about survival. Sydney turned the heat up, and instead of bouncing between the petrol and electric YCF like we normally do, we stuck with the electric again because it was simply too damn hot to be sitting on top a fossil-burning petrol bike all summer. Quiet, cool and easy, the electric W50 was the obvious choice for riding through sweaty afternoons without melting either of us.

We headed back to our local bulldozed RSL site, which has quietly become Jax’s go-to training ground. The kids have shaped a few new lines out there and this month Jax locked onto a nasty little 30cm ledge that he decided was perfect for practicing his log-hopping technique. He attacked it sitting down at first, muscling the bike up and over, but it wasn’t pretty. Then he stood up, let the bike move underneath him, and immediately worked out why standing up gives you more control. You could see the penny drop. A few more goes and he was clearing it clean, smoother every lap, proving to himself what we’d been telling him all along.

Of course, no ride ends without drama. As we were leaving, Jax managed to puncture the rear tyre, most likely from the front-spat technique he’s been playing with lately. So he had to limp the bike home with a flat, which he took in his stride like it was just another part of the adventure.

Once we got home, the real work started. Jax had to wash the bike himself and then attempt a tyre change, as a six-year-old. It was slow, it was messy, and it was very funny, but he actually managed to get the wheel off on his own before I stepped in to help remove the completely buggered tube. The highlight was watching him try to crack the axle nut while the bike was on the centre stand. He wrestled with it for ages before Dad finally suggested putting the bike back on the ground. Suddenly, with the wheel secured, it came loose, and another little lesson was learned.

Jax and I then removed the tube together, put the new one in and pumped the tyre back up. Jax had a go at nipping up the bolts and the end result was pretty darn good.

That’s the thing about this long-term test. It’s not just about riding, it’s about everything that comes with it. Skills on the bike, skills in the shed, and confidence growing every month. The electric YCF keeps letting Jax ride more, in more places, with less drama, and that’s what really matters.

Mitch Lees

YCF W50
RRP
$1899
WARRANTY
6 months parts only
DISTRIBUTOR
Lowry Australia
INTERNET
www.ycf-riding.com.au

SO FAR
TOTAL HOURS
24

MODS THIS MONTH
None