Photo: KTM
There is no better way to teach the young ones the tricks of balancing themselves on a two-wheeled means of transport than to use a balance bike. That would be a contraption with no pedals, whose (mostly) sole means of propulsion is the rider's feet pushing against the ground.
The importance of balance bikes is something that was noticed by established motorcycle makers as well, and a number of them have already ventured into this segment. For KTM, the key product here is the SX-E range, which just got refreshed for the 2023 model year.
Young riders will be treated for the foreseeable future with a trio of balance bikes made by the Austrian company, namely the SX-E 1.12, SX-E 1.16, and SX-E 1.20. According to KTM, all of them are battery-powered and should provide "the perfect entry-level platform for the smallest of riders."
The entry-level in the range is of course the 1.12, as this one has been specifically made for riders with little to no experience in the saddle of a two-wheeler. It weighs 7.7 kg (17 pounds), its saddle sits 300 mm off the ground, and rides on pneumatic tires.
The 2 Ah lithium-ion battery it comes equipped with provides up to 60 minutes of runtime for the bike, but there is of course the option of using the bike in non-powered mode. When the electric drivetrain is used, the KTM SX-E 1.12 can reach a top speed of 14 kph (9 mph).
The mid-range KTM SX-E 1.16 on the other hand uses a 4 Ah battery and a brushless electric motor that should allow the top speed to reach as much as 20 kph (12 mph). The seat on this one sits a tad higher, at 431 mm, and it rides on 16-inch composite wheels. This configuration allows according to KTM "more aggressive riding on more varied terrain."
This particular version of the balance bike is meant for more experienced riders aged between four and eight years old, and weighing no more than 35 kg (77 pounds).
Last on the list but clearly at the top of the range, the KTM SX-E 1.20 is naturally the most capable of the bunch. Holding the rider 584 mm off the ground, it can move at speeds going as high as 32 kph (20 mph).
The way it was made allows it to behave more like a larger mini-crosser, as per KTM, with pieces of hardware like 20-inch wheels, hydraulic brakes, and a full aluminum frame helping with that.
Because of its complexity and size, only riders aged between 10 and 12 can use it, provided they do not weigh more than 52 kg (115 pounds).
All three KTM balance bikes are already available on the bike maker's website, but pricing for them was not announced – you'll have to get in touch with a dealer for that.
Young riders will be treated for the foreseeable future with a trio of balance bikes made by the Austrian company, namely the SX-E 1.12, SX-E 1.16, and SX-E 1.20. According to KTM, all of them are battery-powered and should provide "the perfect entry-level platform for the smallest of riders."
The entry-level in the range is of course the 1.12, as this one has been specifically made for riders with little to no experience in the saddle of a two-wheeler. It weighs 7.7 kg (17 pounds), its saddle sits 300 mm off the ground, and rides on pneumatic tires.
The 2 Ah lithium-ion battery it comes equipped with provides up to 60 minutes of runtime for the bike, but there is of course the option of using the bike in non-powered mode. When the electric drivetrain is used, the KTM SX-E 1.12 can reach a top speed of 14 kph (9 mph).
The mid-range KTM SX-E 1.16 on the other hand uses a 4 Ah battery and a brushless electric motor that should allow the top speed to reach as much as 20 kph (12 mph). The seat on this one sits a tad higher, at 431 mm, and it rides on 16-inch composite wheels. This configuration allows according to KTM "more aggressive riding on more varied terrain."
This particular version of the balance bike is meant for more experienced riders aged between four and eight years old, and weighing no more than 35 kg (77 pounds).
Last on the list but clearly at the top of the range, the KTM SX-E 1.20 is naturally the most capable of the bunch. Holding the rider 584 mm off the ground, it can move at speeds going as high as 32 kph (20 mph).
The way it was made allows it to behave more like a larger mini-crosser, as per KTM, with pieces of hardware like 20-inch wheels, hydraulic brakes, and a full aluminum frame helping with that.
Because of its complexity and size, only riders aged between 10 and 12 can use it, provided they do not weigh more than 52 kg (115 pounds).
All three KTM balance bikes are already available on the bike maker's website, but pricing for them was not announced – you'll have to get in touch with a dealer for that.
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