When we look back at the time we’ve spent on the YCF 50A and W50, what stands out most isn’t a lap time, a jump, or even a single standout ride. It’s the fact that after months of riding, crashing, racing around tracks, paddocks and backyards, both bikes are still running strong, and nothing has broken.

That’s not something we say lightly, especially in the kids’ bike world.

From the very start, both YCFs surprised us with how sorted they felt. The 50A has always been the easy one to jump on and ride. Friendly power, predictable throttle response, and a chassis that just works for younger riders finding their feet, literally. It’s the kind of bike that builds confidence quickly because it’s small enough for a 6 year old to easily get their feet on the ground, it’s not intimidating, not snappy, and not constantly trying to bite back when a kid gets a bit excited with the throttle.

The W50, on the other hand, has always felt like the tougher, more aggressive sibling. It’s a bit more serious in its setup, a bit firmer, and aimed at kids who are starting to push harder and ride faster. That’s been consistent the whole time we’ve had it. Where the 50A is forgiving and friendly, the W50 feels planted and a bit more races, seeing as how it is the electric version so it has more torque and throttle response

We’ve done a lot on these bikes. Track days, casual rides, plenty of backyard laps, and no shortage of crashes, the kind kids specialise in. They’ve been dropped, slid, tipped over, and generally treated like kids’ bikes actually get treated. And that’s where the long-term factor is impressive to us.

Yes, there are signs of use. On the W50, we’ve noticed some paint chipping on the bottom of the shock mount. There’s wear in all the normal places. Some pitting on metal components. Scuffs, marks, and that “used” look that comes from real riding, not showroom posing. But here’s the key point: none of that has affected how the bikes work.

The suspension still does its job. The engines still start and run cleanly. Controls still feel right. Nothing has bent, snapped, or failed. And in the kids’ bike world, that’s massive.

One thing we keep coming back to is the assumption people make when they hear “made in China.” There’s still this idea that anything built there must be disposable or second-rate. The reality with YCF is very different. Yes, they’re manufactured in China, but they’re a French company, with proper design, engineering and quality control behind them. And in our experience, these bikes have been just as reliable as the Japanese kids’ bikes we’ve ridden and owned.

We’ve had Japanese bikes that needed constant fiddling, parts replacement, or attention just to keep them happy. With the YCFs, it’s largely been fuel, basic maintenance, plug it in and charge it and ride. That’s it. No mystery issues. No chasing faults. No frustrating downtime when all you want to do is let the kids ride.

Performance-wise, our original impressions still stand. The power delivery on both bikes is well judged for their target riders. They’re not overpowered, but they’re not dull either. Kids can grow into them rather than outgrow them in a month. The chassis balance is good, the ergonomics make sense, and the bikes don’t feel like toys once the riding gets serious.

What’s impressed us most over time is how little drama there’s been. No broken levers. No snapped mounts. No electrical gremlins. No cracked frames. For kids’ bikes that have seen genuine use, that’s probably the highest praise we can give.

Over the course of testing, we’ve deliberately run both the petrol and electric versions side-by-side, because they serve different purposes in the real world and we use them accordingly. The electric bikes have been perfect for quick backyard sessions, after-school laps, and situations where noise or neighbours might hear, offering instant throttle response, zero maintenance between rides, and the ability for kids to just jump on and go. We’ve ridden at a local construction site and no one has cared.

The petrol version, meanwhile, has been our go-to for longer ride days, farm sessions, mustering and anywhere range and refuelling convenience come into play. Being able to swap between the two has highlighted just how well they complement each other, rather than compete, and it’s reinforced that there’s no single “right” option — just the right bike for the ride.

If we’re being honest, these long-term tests have changed how we think about where a bike is made and who it’s for. The YCF 50A and W50 have earned their place not because they’re cheap, flashy, or different, but because they’ve done exactly what a kids’ bike should do: start every time, survive crashes, and keep kids smiling.

Months later, both bikes are still running great. They look used, sure, but they work exactly as they should. And in a world where kids’ bikes are often written off as disposable, that’s genuinely impressive.

Mitch Lees

YCF W50 and YCF 50A
RRP
$1899 & $2299
WARRANTY
6 months parts only
DISTRIBUTOR
Lowry Australia
INTERNET
www.ycf-riding.com.au

SO FAR
TOTAL HOURS
24

MODS THIS MONTH
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