Do you remember the joy of riding a motorbike for the first time? If you start young, you may have magical memories of riding around your neighborhood on the Honda Mini Trail, Rupp Dart Cycle or some other minibike.
Or if you have a trail or trail nearby, you’ve probably ridden a small motorcycle like a Yamaha PW50 or Honda Z50R.
If you are lucky, you have received a minibike for your birthday or Christmas. If not, you keep begging your parents to buy one or befriend the kid on the street who has one.
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Childhood isn’t as carefree as it once was, and the neighbors don’t tolerate noise either. Minibikes and peewee bikes are still sold at local dealers and outdoor retailers, but there are fewer places to ride – and fewer parents willing to let their kids do so.
Stepping Stones
My best friend Paul Beck and I meet on monthly expeditions organized by our local BMW dealer. His wife, Allison, became friends with my wife, Carrie, and in 2015, shortly after Paul and Allison had their first child, August, they bought a house down the street from us.
Carrie and I don’t have any children of our own, and we love being “aunt and uncle” to August and his younger brother, Wolfgang. When August turned 18 months old, we received the bright red boy Strider balance bike and a matching star and stripe helmet for Christmas.
Since he started so young, it took some time August to get in place of Strider. He mainly paddles on foot, and he’s not a fan of helmets. But before we knew it, he was running around with his feet on the footrest, flexing and balancing on two wheels with a grin on his face.
From Strider, he graduated to switch to a BMX bike, which he quickly picked up.
When Announced Greenger x Honda CRF-E2 electric motorcycle back in March, I knew it would be perfect for August.
Knobby Tires but not noisy
Designed and manufactured by Greenger PowersportsThe CRF-E2 is an officially licensed product from Honda USA and is only available through Honda powersports dealers (MSRP of $2,950). Equivalent to a 50cc motorcycle, it is powered by a 48-volt brushless DC motor that produces up to 3.4 hp and 18.4 lb-ft of torque and comes in two modes. capacity level.
With a full charge, the CRF-E2’s lithium-ion battery lasts up to two hours. Using the 110V outlet, the battery can be fully charged in four hours – or 2.5 hours with the optional quick charge system ($250). It also has a replaceable battery and a backup battery that costs $1,000.
In order for Honda USA to license something made by another company, the quality and reliability of the vehicle must meet exacting standards. The CRF-E2 has a dual aluminum frame, taper aluminum handlebars, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes with petal-style rotors, adjustable aluminum brake levers, and 12-inch spoked aluminum rims with Kenda Millville K771 tires.
Suspension is handled by a 33 mm telescopic fork with 3.9-inch travel and a rear monoshock with 3.8-inch travel and can be adjusted for preload and rebound. The shock absorber top mounting pin has two positions that change the saddle height from 24.8 to 25.5 inches. The CRF-E2 has a capacity of up to 99 lb.
First trip of August
To get August ready for his first trip, Flying car racing sent us a full set of youth backpacking gear: Formula Carbon Prime Rush helmets with Adaptive Impact System; Area goggles; Kinetic Wave shirt, pants and gloves; Maverik motocross boots; and a shirt with Barricade and knee/shin guards. August said he feels like a superhero when he puts on everything.
TAKE OFF
Helmet: Fly Racing Youth Formula CP Rush
Goggles: Fly Racing Youth Zone
Jersey: Fly Racing Youth Kinetic Wave
Protection: Fly Racing Youth Barricade Long Sleeve Suit
Gloves: Fly Racing Youth F-16 . Gloves
Trousers: Fly Racing Youth Kinetic Wave Pants
Protect the knees: Fly Racing Youth Barricade Flex Knee Guards
Boots: Fly Racing Youth Maverik Boots
His first ride was on a Thursday afternoon in a small park in the back of our neighborhood. Without a gearbox, the CRF-E2 has a simple torsion and travel operation. His father and I showed him how to gradually use strength, squeeze rather than brake, and give the nearby trees plenty of space.
August picked it up shortly. He goes round after round, and then he does an eight. He practices stopping and starting. He fell a few times while stopping on uneven ground, but he got up and kept going.
One of the most appealing aspects of the CRF-E2 is its near-silent operation. Residents and dog walkers of our suburban neighborhood don’t notice or care that a child frolicking on a motorbike is in sight.
It’s a family story. Dad is a coach. Mom and Grandpa Rolf are watching. Wolfgang’s younger brother was jealous. Carrie and I clapped and cheered.
On a lap, August shouted to Wolfgang, “This is my favorite motorcycle ever!” Wolfgang shouted back, “It’s my favorite too!” (Wolfgang still needs more Strider practice.)
Two hours later, Carrie and I came home for dinner, and August was still riding his bike. Paul said he will be out there with his son until it gets dark or the battery runs out.
Dust off
After morning and afternoon workouts in the park, it’s time to hit the dirt. Paul and I lifted the 106 lb CRF-E2 onto the bed of his Ford F-150, strapped it into place, and drove with August to Hungry Valley OHV Area in Gorman, California.
August felt confident riding the lawn in our neighborhood park because it provided good traction, but he struggled with loose sand and gravel in the OHV area parking lot. With coaching help from photographer Kevin Wing, we gradually developed our way, letting August ride back and forth in straight lines from Paul to me, practicing smooth starting and stopping steps. shall.
After about 20 minutes, we rested in the shade. It was a hot day, and August was not used to the heat in full dress. A cold wet washcloth, some Gatorade ice, and a bag of M&Ms peanuts revived him.
Next we move on to a small track limited to 90cc and under bikes. Luckily, we had it to ourselves, and August started to turn around. He struggled with several turns that had sand and rocks deep in the bottom. He fell a lot, and each time Paul or I helped get the bike and provided some coaching and encouragement.
August definitely feels pressured to have three adults watching him, but he never gives up. Every time he flipped, he would jump up and say, “I’m fine!” and try again.
It was amazing how quickly August progressed. Intuitively, he begins to learn to control the throttle, body position and path selection, avoiding some of the bigger rocks or difficult spots.
Most of all, he was very happy. When he gets tired and starts making mistakes, we will rest in the shade. But he was always eager to go again. And Paul is a proud father.
After a couple of hours alternating between riding sessions and breaks, August’s enthusiasm exceeded his energy. He wanted to keep cycling, but he kept giving up his bike because he was too exhausted.
Even after all those trips, the battery level only dropped one bar out of five. Most kids will run out of gas before the CRF-E2 runs out of battery.
August was confused when we loaded the CRF back into the truck, but he passed out before we left the OHV park.
When we got home, Paul and I drank a few beers while we watched August wash his bike, tidy up his stuff, and put everything away so it’s ready for his next ride. Learning good habits is part of growing up.
Paul plans to buy the CRF-E2 so that August can continue driving, and in the next year or two, Wolfgang will inherit his brother’s gear and get the baton.
Welcome to the moto tribe, August. You have an exciting life ahead of you.
For more information, visit GreengerPowersports.com.
