Photo: Yamaha
A company that has always aimed high at top-performance machine and recently won the Manufacturer's MotoGP world title, Yamaha is also thinking about kids. It's not the first balance bike you see on autoevolution and will definitely not be the last, so here we go.
The first thing that caught our attention was, obviously, the 60th Anniversary livery. We spotted the bike in the showroom of the guys who offered us machines for testing earlier this year (Tricity and the MT-09 Tracer test ride reports), near a white and red R1 beast so we thought that Christmas isn't THAT far, after all.
If you have a toddler who's 2 to 6 years old, then the Kids Cafe Racer Balance Bike is the right choice. He or she may not be that impressed about the legacy the yellow/black speedblock graphics hail, but they will learn about it when time comes.
The Kids Cafe Racer Balance Bike is made of wood panels, like most other similar toys, and has a hefty dose of retro nostalgia about it. There's even a sporty underseat exhaust, a rear hump and low bars to complement the cafe vibe.
Also on the safety side, the steering has a 30-degree lock that prevents jackknifing. The wheels provide good cushioning when riding on rougher ground. They have a 10" diameter and inner tubes, so the ride will be comfortable even outside.
Like all similar toys carrying the bike heritage, the Yamaha Kids Cafe Racer Balance Bike is not the cheapest of presents. We spotted it in Europe for around €125 ($142) base price to which you'll add the VAT.
If you have a toddler who's 2 to 6 years old, then the Kids Cafe Racer Balance Bike is the right choice. He or she may not be that impressed about the legacy the yellow/black speedblock graphics hail, but they will learn about it when time comes.
The Kids Cafe Racer Balance Bike is made of wood panels, like most other similar toys, and has a hefty dose of retro nostalgia about it. There's even a sporty underseat exhaust, a rear hump and low bars to complement the cafe vibe.
Ten-inch wheels with tubes and restricted handlebar movement to avoid jackknifing
Both the wooden parts are covered in non-toxic child-safe paint, while the plastic and metal ones are safety tested as non-toxic, either. The seat provides a comfy riding position, and the grips ensure a confident handling.Also on the safety side, the steering has a 30-degree lock that prevents jackknifing. The wheels provide good cushioning when riding on rougher ground. They have a 10" diameter and inner tubes, so the ride will be comfortable even outside.
Like all similar toys carrying the bike heritage, the Yamaha Kids Cafe Racer Balance Bike is not the cheapest of presents. We spotted it in Europe for around €125 ($142) base price to which you'll add the VAT.
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