Most of us grew up around motorcycles that were meant mainly for adults, and the only options we had as kids were expensive mini moto imports, a fun little thing, but utterly complicated to acquire. However, someone at Vida was clever enough to sketch up an e-bike for children and call it the Dirt.E K3, which was launched today at ₹69,990. However, this price is reserved for the first 300 customers. This little electric motorcycle comes with a 350W continuous/ 500W peak motor and a 360kW removable battery pack. The battery can be charged from 0–100 in approximately 3 hours and offers enough juice to last almost 3 hours; of course, it depends on riding style and terrain. The battery pack latches in place with a magnetic connector and is weather-sealed, making it usable in any weather condition. And since this e-bike is designed for kids aged 4–10, it comes with ride modes that limit the maximum speed. The three riding modes are beginner, amateur and pro, with speeds being limited to 8kmph, 16kmph and 25kmph, respectively.
Vida engineers have prioritised safety and have taken some rather interesting routes, like not equipping the Dirt.E K3 with a front disc brake, which Vida says reduces the chances of a washout. But for stopping, there is a rear disc brake. And unlike an off-road motorcycle, the K3 comes with 16-inch wheels at both ends. It also features an overmoulded wiring harness for added durability, a child-scale brake lever, impact-absorbing components, and a magnetic lanyard kill switch in case the rider is separated from the bike.
The most significant innovation from Vida is that the K3 can transform into three different sizes, going from small to medium to large. This makes it usable as the child grows in size and age. And the procedure to adjust the size is simple and requires only a single tool. There is also an app that allows parents to control the learning experience by providing oversight during training.
Overall, the new Dirt.E K3, which was first shown at EICMA in November, is a safe and apt way for children eager to get into motorcycling, as it makes entering the exciting world of two-wheelers far easier than before.
