KAYO has absolutely nailed it with the new eKB range.

These aren’t cheap electric balance bikes with a bigger battery thrown in. The eKB has been properly engineered from the start, with a 48V powertrain, geared hub motor, full suspension and hydraulic brakes front and rear.

There are two versions.

eKB-M14

The M14 runs a 500W peak motor with a 48V 5Ah NCM battery, giving 240Wh capacity and a claimed range of around 25km.

Three power modes limit the speed to approximately 10, 16 and 22km/h, so you can keep things sensible while your kid gets used to the bike and then increase the performance as their confidence improves.

It runs proper 14 × 2.4” tyres, adjustable front and rear suspension and hydraulic disc brakes.

Seat height is just 515mm, so despite having decent suspension and ground clearance, it’s still manageable for smaller riders.

500W peak | 48V 5Ah | 240Wh | 22km/h | 14” wheels | 515mm seat | 19.1kg

eKB-M16

The M16 is the one for bigger kids or riders who’ve already got some experience.

Power jumps to 700W peak, but the big difference is the battery. It’s 48V 10Ah / 480Wh — twice the capacity of the M14.

Top speed increases to 32km/h, with three modes at approximately 10, 24 and 32km/h.

You also get bigger 16 × 2.4” tyres, a 540mm seat height and 155mm ground clearance.

Again, it’s full suspension with hydraulic brakes front and rear.

700W peak | 48V 10Ah | 480Wh | 32km/h | 16” wheels | 540mm seat | 20.3kg

The clever bit with both bikes is that KAYO hasn’t chased stupid power figures.

They’ve concentrated on making something light, controllable and properly equipped that a kid can actually learn to ride.

And at 48V, there’s enough performance there that they aren’t going to outgrow it five minutes after you’ve bought it.