Parents feel elated as their child wobbles off on a motorcycle for the first time, but that elation can quickly turn to fear. Gas Gas might have your answer
Many readers will recognise Torrot as the Spanish brand that threw a financially struggling Gas Gas a lifeline about this time last year, but Europeans closer to the marque know it as a brand with almost 70 years of history, and a reputation for using cutting-edge tech.
Specifically, Torrot has been exploring technology surrounding emission-free mobility, and while it remains true to its bicycle beginnings with battery-powered and pedal-assist pushies, more recently it has produced electric-powered scooters and a large range of trick electric-powered enduro, supermoto and trials bikes aimed at kids aged from as young as three through to nine-year-olds.
These bikes have now been rebranded Gas Gas and are available in two sizes: 10 is aimed at three to seven-year-olds, while the 12 has more poke, roomier ergonomics, a slightly higher seat and longer suspension travel to accommodate growing kids.
Australian Gas Gas importer Urban Imports has announced plans to import the latest versions of the two enduro models, dubbed the E10 and E12. They’re silent, they’re made using quality European-sourced componentry and, for the first time, the 2018 versions will be programmable via a remote Bluetooth interface (for both iOS and Android users) instead of the corded USB interface of the current Torrot-branded line-up.
And any once fear-stricken parent knows the value of such capability.
The bike
The E10’s 1050W (and E12’s 1500W) motor is powered by a removable 48V LiNiCoMn 6.6Ah battery mounted within a tubular chrome-moly steel frame. The batteries can be charged in four hours from dead flat and come with an inverter that allows users to charge it from their car’s 12-volt cigarette lighter outlet. Aimed at riders weighing no more than 30kg, the E10 rolls on 10-inch wheels (hence its name) shod with Mitas rubber, with Italian-made EBR-branded suspension offering 75mm of travel up front and 100mm at the rear. It has 220mm of ground clearance, a seat height of 545mm, top speed of 40km/h and the whole shooting match weighs just 22kg. The E12 has 12-inch wheels, is aimed at 40kg riders and tips the scales at 30kg.
The app
The clever stuff is in the Bluetooth-enabled app. As well as allowing you to start the motorcycle remotely, the app offers a wide range of controls. Power output can be adjusted via a simple slide within the app from 350W through to the maximum 1050W on the E10 and from 500W to 1500W on the E12. Similarly, speed can be restricted to just 10km/h and increased as your little tacker gains confidence (to a maximum of 40km/h on the E10 and 52km/h on the E12). Parents can determine the severity of the bike’s throttle response, as well as how much regenerative braking (read engine braking) goes back into the battery stores. The app also offers three predetermined riding modes – Low, Medium or Full.
Kellie Buckley