In this article, we reveal which are the best electric dirt bikes for kids and teens. These bikes are smaller, lighter, quieter and slower than adult sized or gas powered dirt bikes. This not only makes them safer and cheaper, but also much easier for kids to ride.
We spent many hours carefully researching dozens of awesome two wheelers to select the 9 best electric dirt bikes for kids in 2024. From tiny bikes with training wheels for little ones, right up to speedy monsters for teens, there’s something here for everyone!
You’ll find our top three picks below, followed by a quick comparison table of all 9 bikes, then a review of each model in more detail. Finally, our Buying Guide and FAQ will answer your questions and help you make the right choice.
Budget Choice
Razor MX350 Dirt
Rocket
Best Value
Razor SX500 Dirt
Rocket
Ultimate Choice
Razor MX650 Dirt
Rocket
Best Electric Dirt Bike – Quick Comparison Table
The selected dirt bikes below are in ascending order of top speed. After the table we then review each bike in the same order, to make comparing them easier.
If you’re on a small screen, click on the green plus sign, or the little picture of each bike, to see more features.
| Name | Age | Power | Top Speed | Price | Weight Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BCP 6V Motorcycle Ride On | 3-6 | 6 volt | 2 mph | $ | 44 lbs |
| Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket | 5-10 * | 24 volt | 14 mph | $$$ | 140 lbs |
 | Razor MX400 Dirt Rocket | 5-10 * | 24 volt | 14 mph | $$$ | 140 lbs |
 | SX350 Dirt Rocket McGrath | 5-10 * | 24 volt | 14 mph | $$$ | 140 lbs |
 | Electric Street Bike RSF350 | 5-10 * | 24 volt | 14 mph | $$$ | 140 lbs |
 | Pocket Mod Euro Scooter | 7-13 * | 24 volt | 15 mph | $$$ | 170 lbs |
| SX500 Dirt Rocket McGrath | 8-14 * | 36 volt | 15 mph | $$$$ | 175 lbs |
 | Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket | 8-14 * | 36 volt | 15 mph | $$$$ | 175 lbs |
| Razor MX650 Dirt Rocket | 10-16 * | 36 volt | 17 mph | $$$$$ | 220 lbs |
Top 9 Best Electric Dirt Bikes in 2024 – Reviews
These reviews are in the same top speed ascending order as the comparison table above.
1. Best Choice Products 6V Ride On Motorcycle
Small Electric Dirt Bike for Little Ones
- Age Guide: 3-6
- Top Speed: 2 mph
- Weight Limit: 44 lbs
- Colors: Orange, Red, Green
This Best Choice Products 6V electric dirt bike for kids is (by far) the cheapest option in our list (check price at Amazon). With a top speed of just 2 mph, and training wheels for extra safety, it is slow and stable enough for little ones. An adult can easily walk alongside it to keep a close eye on the child.
Working LED headlights, an exhaust pipe and a sports engine with fancy decals certainly look the part. It’s also amazingly simple to ride – acceleration is via a simple push button on the right handlebar and the bike stops when the button is released. No need to worry about a twist throttle or applying brakes.
The bike has treaded tires made of hard plastic so there’s no risk of punctures but this makes it only suitable for a hard surface like concrete or pavement. The wheels just don’t have enough grip to cope with grass, gravel or dirt so it isn’t a dirt bike in the traditional sense…
But it’s still a lot of fun for a very young child – there’s even an integrated music player (requires batteries) that can be turned on or off via a button in the middle of the handlebars.
The bike is driven by a tiny 20W motor, powered by a 6V 4.5Ah battery (charger supplied) with a full charging time of 8 to 12 hours. Running time should be up to an hour or more, depending on the child’s weight and the terrain.
This toddler electric dirt bike has a lot of good points (especially for 3-4 year olds) but kids may outgrow it all too soon. The training wheels are good for safety but risk breaking off over time. An even safer option may be one of the four wheeled pedal powered or electric go karts for kids that we reviewed recently.
Pros:
- Cheapest model here
- Good for 3 to 4 year olds
- Easy to ride
- Music and working lights
- Training wheels for safety
- 1+ hours running time
Cons:
- Top speed of 2 mph
- Plastic wheels provide little grip on grass, dirt or gravel
2. Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket
Best Budget Choice for 5-10 Year Olds
- Age Guide: 13+ (Razor’s guide). 5-10 (* Real world guide…)
- Top Speed: 14 mph
- Weight Limit: 140 lbs
- Color: Blue
The Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket (check price at Amazon) is one of the top sellers for kids under 10 and can take riders up to an exciting 14 mph, thanks to a powerful 350W motor. With 12-inch pneumatic knobby tires, a retractable kickstand and a twist grip throttle, this a scaled down version of a classic adult motocross bike.
Note on Age: Razor recommend a minimum age of 13+, presumably because this is faster and heavier (it weighs about 62 pounds) than a ride on toy bike. And maybe they don’t want to be sued…
But an age range of 5-10 (real world guide from many buyers) with parental supervision may be more suitable because this dirt bike is small – the seat height is only about 20″. Kids at the top end of this age range should fit better on its bigger brother – the Razor SX500 (see review no. 7 below).
For an example of size, check out the video below of an MX400 (which is exactly the same size as the MX350). The child is aged 4 but already both his feet can touch the ground while sat on the bike. If you bought this for an average sized teen they’re going to find it extremely small…
However the MX350 is still a great electric dirt bike for young kids, especially beginners. It features a sturdy steel frame with authentic dirt bike geometry and a hand operated rear brake for quick stopping. The riser style handlebars also have an adjustable angle to accommodate longer legs.
The 350W high-torque chain driven motor is powered by two 12V 7Ah batteries (charger supplied). This produces a smile-inducing top speed of 14 mph so safety precautions (a helmet is essential) are needed – see the tips on safety in our Buying Guide below.
This higher power and speed do reduce battery life to just 30 minutes of continuous use but the maximum charging time of up to 12 hours is similar to most rivals. Like all Razor electric bikes, there’s no parental speed control (governor) or engine braking so the bike only slows down gradually if you lift off the throttle and it can coast on hills.
Young kids will need to be taught how to corner and brake safely but at least the fairings (colored shell) are made from shatter resistant plastic to withstand occasional knocks and scrapes. There’s no coil or shock suspension though so it can get quite bumpy over tougher trails.
It takes some time to learn to ride but the Razor MX350 is our best budget choice in the 5-10 age range. It’s quick, great fun and the weight limit of 140 lbs makes it suitable for all kids up to teens.
As stocks and prices vary a lot in the peak season, do compare with the next 2 reviews – although they are supposedly different models they are basically the same bike but in different colors.
Pros:
- 14 mph top speed
- Pneumatic knobby tires
- ‘Proper’ dirt bike twist throttle
- Hand operated rear brake
- Good size for kids aged 5-10
- Spares available from Razor’s website
Cons:
- 30 minutes running time
- No coil/shock suspension
3. Razor MX400 Dirt Rocket
Best Budget Choice for 5-10 Year Olds
- Age Guide: 13+ (Razor’s guide). 5-10 (* Real world guide…)
- Top Speed: 14 mph
- Weight Limit: 140 lbs
- Colors: Black, White, Red, Green
The Razor MX400 Dirt Rocket (check price at Amazon) is another best seller for kids under 10 which has a top speed of 14 mph, powered by a 350W motor. It also has 12-inch pneumatic knobby tires and a twist grip throttle so it looks like an adult motocross bike.
Note: this bike is almost identical to the MX350 (review no. 2 above) except for some small styling variations – see our Razor MX350 vs MX400 comparison for details. It has all the same Pros and Cons as the MX350 so shares our award for Best Budget Choice for 5-10 year olds.
The reason we have included it separately is because the prices of both models change regularly and are often different from each other. If you’re not bothered about the color, choose whichever is cheaper at the time… Also, during the peak season, stocks can run out quickly so it helps to be able to choose from either model.
Pros:
- 14 mph top speed
- Pneumatic knobby tires
- ‘Proper’ dirt bike twist throttle
- Hand operated rear brake
- Good size for kids aged 5-10
- Spares available from Razor’s website
Cons:
- 30 minutes running time
- No coil/shock suspension
4. Razor SX350 Dirt Rocket McGrath
Best Budget Choice for 5-10 Year Olds
- Age Guide: 13+ (Razor’s guide). 5-10 (* Real world guide…)
- Top Speed: 14 mph
- Weight Limit: 140 lbs
- Color: Green
The Razor SX350 Dirt Rocket McGrath (check price at Amazon) has looks inspired by Jeremy McGrath, the King of Supercross. The bike is only available in green and has several McGrath decals and logo stickers on. 12″ motocross-spec pneumatic knobby tires and a 350W motor give it a top speed of 14 mph.
Note: this bike is almost exactly the same as the MX350 and MX400 (reviews no. 2 and 3 above) except that it is only available in green and has the McGrath branding. It only has a couple of extremely minor technical differences e.g. the fuse is located in a different position and it has a different number/type of washers on the rear wheel.
But everything that really matters is identical so it has all the same Pros and Cons as the MX350 and MX400. It therefore shares our award for Best Budget Choice for 5-10 year olds.
We have included it separately because the prices of all three models change regularly and are often different from each other so you may wish to choose whichever is cheaper at the time… Also, during the peak season, stocks can run out quickly so it helps to be able to choose from all three models.
Pros:
- Jeremy McGrath styling
- 14 mph top speed
- Pneumatic knobby tires
- ‘Proper’ dirt bike twist throttle
- Hand operated rear brake
- Good size for kids aged 5-10
- Spares available from Razor’s website
Cons:
- 30 minutes running time
- No coil/shock suspension
5. Razor Electric Street Bike RSF350
Best Street Bike for 5-10 Year Olds
- Age Guide: 13+ (Razor’s guide). 5-10 (* Real world guide…)
- Top Speed: 14 mph
- Weight Limit: 140 lbs
- Color: Red and black
The Razor Electric Street Bike RSF350 (check price at Amazon) is a bit of a curve ball in a review of electric dirt bikes because it is more of a street bike. The 10″ custom mag wheels with 3 spokes certainly add to the street style. But it’s such a hoot to ride that we feel it’s well worth considering.
As with the bikes above, Razor recommend a minimum age of 13. But again, an age range of 5-10 (real world guide from many buyers) with parental supervision may be more suitable because this bike is also quite small. For an example of size, check out the official Razor video below:
We think an average sized teen would probably find the larger Razor SX500 (see review no. 7 below) a better choice…
But the RSF350 is still a great electric bike for young kids. It has a handy storage compartment hidden in the trellis-frame chassis and a hand operated rear disc brake for rapid braking in emergencies. As with many Razor models, the riser style handlebars have soft rubber handles and an adjustable angle so they can adapt as your child grows.
The 350W high-torque chain driven motor is powered by two 12V 7Ah batteries (charger supplied). This provides a decent top speed of 14 mph so safety precautions (a helmet is essential) are needed – see the tips on safety in our Buying Guide below.
Battery life is around 30 minutes of continuous use but that’s still enough to cover about 7 miles. Thankfully, the maximum charging time of up to 12 hours isn’t too long compared to some rivals.
There’s no parental speed control (governor) on this bike and no engine braking. This means the bike only slows down gradually if you lift off the throttle and it can coast on hills. Younger kids will need to be taught how to corner and brake safely.
There’s also no coil or shock suspension so it can get fairly bumpy over rough ground but this is really a street bike so suspension isn’t so important. It is best suited to hard surfaces like concrete and dry grass – the tires don’t have a lot of traction to cope with dirt tracks or muddy trails.
The RSF350 is a very cool looking electric street bike – ideal if your child will be riding mostly on hard surfaces. It is mechanically very similar to the Razor dirt bikes in its price range but has street tires on smaller wheels – so if you need a bike for serious off-roading this isn’t the best choice.
Pros:
- Street bike style
- 14 mph top speed
- Pneumatic street tires
- Twist-grip throttle
- Hand operated rear disc brake
- Good size for kids aged 5-10
- Spares available from Razor’s website
Cons:
- 30 minutes running time
- No coil/shock suspension
- Tires best suited to concrete or grass – not much grip on wet dirt or gravel
6. Razor Pocket Mod Miniature Euro Scooter
Best Electric Scooter
- Age Guide: 13+ (Razor’s guide). 7-13 (* Real world guide…)
- Top Speed: 15 mph
- Weight Limit: 170 lbs
- Colors: Pink (Sweet Pea), Purple (Betty)
The Razor Pocket Mod Miniature Euro Scooter (check price at Amazon) is a cute little scooter with sleek lines for girls and boys. Each scooter has a different name on the rear side panels depending on the color – pink is ‘Sweet Pea’ (includes a bell and streamers), purple version is ‘Betty’ and black version is ‘Vapor’.
But although it targets young girls as well as boys, don’t make the mistake of thinking this scooter is less powerful or exciting than the unisex Razor bikes above. In fact it has a higher top speed (15 vs 14 mph), longer continuous use (40 vs 30 minutes) and more travel per full charge (10 vs 7 miles). It also has a 30 pounds higher weight limit.
So girls can get a better ride just for them! However, as with the bikes above, Razor again recommend a minimum age of 13. But an age range of 7-13 (real world guide from many buyers) with parental supervision may be more suitable because this scooter isn’t all that big. For an example of size, check out the official Razor video below:
The Pocket Mod has the style of an Italian Vespa scooter, with a large storage compartment hidden under the padded seat. The 12″ spoked wheels with pneumatic tires provide a comfortable ride on hard surfaces and a hand operated rear brake brings the scooter quickly to a stop.
The high-torque chain driven motor is powered by two 12V 7Ah batteries (charger supplied) and the top speed of 15 mph makes a helmet and safety precautions essential – see the tips on safety in our Buying Guide below. A maximum charging time of up to 12 hours is about average for this type of motor.
There’s no coil or shock suspension though so it can get fairly bumpy over rough ground but the padded seat helps. However, this is really a street scooter so suspension isn’t as important. It is best suited to hard surfaces like concrete, gravel or dry grass – the tires don’t have enough traction to cope well with dirt tracks or muddy trails.
The Pocket Mod is an ultra chic electric scooter for girls and boys, depending on the color – it’s ideal if your child will be riding mostly on hard surfaces. It is mechanically superior to the regular dirt bikes in its price range but has street tires on smaller wheels. If you need a bike for serious off-roading this isn’t a good option.
Pros:
- Euro style scooter for girls and boys
- 15 mph top speed
- 40 minutes running time
- Pneumatic street tires
- Twist-grip throttle
- Hand operated rear brake
- Good size for kids aged 7-13
- Spares available from Razor’s website
Cons:
- No coil/shock suspension
- Tires best suited to concrete or grass – not much grip on wet dirt or gravel
7. Razor SX500 Dirt Rocket McGrath
Best Electric Dirt Bike for Kids
- Age Guide: 14+ (Razor’s guide). 8-14 (* Real world guide…)
- Top Speed: 15 mph
- Weight Limit: 175 lbs
- Colors: Green
The Razor SX500 Dirt Rocket McGrath (check price at Amazon) has looks inspired by Jeremy McGrath, the King of Supercross. The bike is only available in green and has several McGrath decals and logo stickers on. Motorcycle-spec pneumatic knobby tires and a more powerful 500W motor give it a top speed of 15 mph.
Note on Age: Razor recommend a minimum age of 14+ but an age range of 8-14 (real world guide from many buyers) with parental supervision may be more suitable because this dirt bike isn’t an adult size – the seat height is about 24″. Youths may find the more powerful Razor MX650 (see review 9 below) a better choice.
For an example of size, check out the official Razor video below. We suspect the reason why the teen in it spends all of his time out of the seat is because it’s a bit small for him…
However the SX500 is a feature packed electric dirt bike for older kids and is quite a step up from the smaller models we have reviewed above. Instead of just a rear brake it has dual disc brakes for better stopping ability and also has dual suspension (adjustable at rear) to smooth out big bumps off-road. The wheels are larger too and ready for dirt with 16″ at the front and 14″ at the rear.
The 500W chain driven motor is powered by three 12V 7Ah batteries (charger supplied) and has variable speed which means you can increase speed incrementally, instead of just on/off single speed as in the smaller models.
Top speed increases slightly to 15 mph so safety precautions (a helmet is essential) are needed – see the tips on safety in our Buying Guide below. Thanks to the extra battery, you get 40 minutes of continuous use – good for about 10 miles. Fortunately, the maximum charging time remains the same – up to 12 hours for a full charge.
The Razor SX500 wins our award for Best Overall Value for Money. It’s quick, has good brakes and suspension, and the weight limit of 175 lbs makes it suitable for older kids and some teens.
As stocks and prices vary a lot in the peak season, do compare with the MX500 in our next review – although they are different models they are virtually the same bike but in different colors.
Pros:
- Jeremy McGrath styling
- 15 mph top speed
- 40 minutes running time
- Variable speed
- Dual disc brakes
- Dual suspension (adjustable rear)
- Good size for kids aged 8-14
- Spares available from Razor’s website
Cons:
- Weighs 98 pounds – too heavy for very young kids
8. Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket
Best Value Electric Dirt Bike for Kids
- Age Guide: 14+ (Razor’s guide). 8-14 (* Real world guide…)
- Top Speed: 15 mph
- Weight Limit: 175 lbs
- Colors: Red
The Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket (check price at Amazon) is another top seller for older kids with a top speed of 15 mph, powered by a 500W motor.
Note: this bike is identical to the SX500 (review no. 7 above) except for some minor variations – see our Razor MX500 vs SX500 comparison for details. It has the same Pros and Cons as the SX500 so therefore it shares our award for Best Value for Money.
The reason we have included it separately is because the prices of both models change regularly and are often different from each other. If you’re not bothered about the color, choose whichever is cheaper at the time… Also, during the peak season, stocks can run out quickly so it helps to be able to choose from either model.
Pros:
- 15 mph top speed
- 40 minutes running time
- Variable speed
- Dual disc brakes
- Dual suspension (adjustable rear)
- Good size for kids aged 8-14
- Spares available from Razor’s website
Cons:
- Weighs 98 pounds – too heavy for very young kids
9. Razor MX650 Dirt Rocket
Ultimate Choice – Best Electric Dirt Bike for Teenager
- Age Guide: 16+ (Razor’s guide). 10-16 (* Real world guide…)
- Top Speed: 17 mph
- Weight Limit: 220 lbs
- Colors: Yellow
The Razor MX650 top speed is 17 mph which makes it the fastest Razor dirt bike, thanks to a massive 650W motor. It also has the highest weight limit of 220 lbs, enough to cope with teens and even small adults (check price at Amazon).
Note on Age: Razor recommend a minimum age of 16+ but an age range of 10-16 (real world guide from many buyers) with parental supervision may be more suitable because this dirt bike isn’t an adult size – the seat height is about 24″. For an example of size, check out the official Razor video below:
But the MX650 is a feature packed electric dirt bike for older kids and teens – it is a step up from some of the smaller models. Instead of just a rear brake it has dual disc brakes for quicker stopping and dual suspension (adjustable at rear) for a more comfortable ride off-road. The wheels are larger too and ready for dirt with 16″ at the front and 14″ at the rear.
The 650W chain driven motor is powered by three 12V 7Ah batteries (charger supplied) and has variable speed which means you can increase speed incrementally, not just single speed as in small models. Top speed increases to 17 mph so safety precautions (a helmet is essential) are even more important – see the tips on safety in our Buying Guide below.
Thanks to the extra battery, you get 40 minutes of continuous use – good for about 11 miles of fun riding. Thankfully the maximum charging time remains the same – up to 12 hours for a full charge which is about average for this class of bike.
The Razor MX650 is the best Razor dirt bike – it fully deserves our Ultimate Choice award. It is a grown up version of the SX500 with equally good brakes and suspension. But the higher top speed and weight limit of 220 lbs makes it more suitable for use on hills and by older kids, teens and even some adults.
Pros:
- 17 mph top speed
- 40 minutes running time
- Variable speed
- Dual disc brakes
- Dual suspension (adjustable rear)
- Good size for kids aged 10-16
- Spares available from Razor’s website
Cons:
- Reassuringly expensive
- Weighs 98 pounds – too heavy for very young kids
Buying Guide – What You Need to Look For
So you’re looking to buy an electric dirt bike? There’s more to think about than buying a traditional pedal-power bike or even a gas dirt bike. Read on to discover the most important differences, advantages and safety features below.
Before Buying an Electric Dirt Bike for Kids
Many parents make the mistake of thinking that the best dirt bike for their child will be one that they can grow into over the next few years. So they look for a bike that is as powerful as they can afford and has any many features as possible. But this can be dangerous if the dirt bike is too large for the child’s current age and size.
An electric dirt bike for teens may prove difficult for younger children to control and risk unnecessary accidents. To help keep your child safe, look for a bike that is specifically designed for your child’s age, size and ability. If cash is tight, choose a budget bike that you can afford to replace in a few years rather than an expensive bike for them to ‘grow into’.
Manufacturers provide a recommended age range for their dirt bikes but are often overly cautious. The age ranges are based on average heights, weights and levels of maturity. Of course, in real life there is no such thing as an average child! So a certain amount of common sense is required.
For example, if your child is particularly tall or heavy for their age consider buying a dirt bike suited to the next age bracket. But make an assessment first as to whether you think they are mature enough to ride it sensibly and safely (as it may have a higher top speed).
For young children, start them off with short rides around your back yard. You might also like to consider more, rather than less, protective clothing as they will generally have less co-ordination than an older child.
Weight and Height
Whatever your child’s age, you need to make sure that they are tall enough for their feet to touch the ground and for their hands to reach the handle bars whilst they are sitting properly on the bike. If they can’t reach, it will be hard for them to get on the dirt bike and to stay on it.
Check your child’s weight against the manufacturer’s recommended weight capacity before making a purchase. If your child is way too light, they will have difficulty controlling the bike. If they are too heavy, there is an increased chance of the bike toppling over and causing injury.
Safety
Electric dirt bikes are mainly designed for use off-road and can help teach important skills like co-ordination, control and focus. They are a great fun way for kids to gain confidence and experience before moving up to a gas powered or adult dirt bike.
Adult supervision is highly recommended, particularly when your child first starts to ride. It is important that kids learn how to use the brakes properly and have a good feel for stopping distances if they run into difficulty.
However, electric dirt bikes are arguably safer by design than gas dirt bikes:
- They’re slower and don’t have the inherent dangers of the oily bits in an internal combustion engine. Think of a glorified hair dryer motor compared to a motorcycle engine…
- Gas engines also run much hotter than the motors found in electric dirt bikes. Especially the muffler which could cause a serious burn if touched.
The wearing of a good-fitting helmet is a legal requirement in all states of the USA. Helmets for kids and youths come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Some, like this Cushioned DOT Certified helmet, may include goggles and gloves for additional protection.
Other recommended safety gear includes elbow and knee pads, tightly laced or zipped footwear and close-fitting pants. If you want to go one step further you could also consider a chest protector but, as the top speed of electric dirt bikes for kids is usually less than 20 mph, this isn’t as essential.
Look for inbuilt safety features, such as larger tires with super grip for greater stability. Adjustable handlebars can provide the perfect sitting position which ensures better balance and less back strain.
A little common sense goes a long way:
- Don’t ride an electric dirt bike in the dark
- No listening to music on headphones (or kids may not hear something approaching them)
- Don’t use a mobile phone while riding
- Make sure that kids are aware of and follow road rules, in case a trail they are on crosses a road at some point
- Regularly check and maintain the dirt bike – e.g. ensure that the brakes are working properly and that the battery is fully charged
Battery Life and Recharge Time
Most electric dirt bikes are fitted with two or three 12v lead acid batteries that provide 30 to 60 minutes of continuous use. Typically these batteries will take from 8 to 12 hours to fully recharge.
Some higher specified models may have different riding modes to select, including a cruise mode which drains the battery less or a braking system that charges the battery whilst braking if riding the bike downhill.
Battery life is heavily influenced by how and where you are using the bike. If the rider is a light weight and the ground is level and smooth then the battery will last longer than with a heavy rider trying to go full power uphill or over rough terrain.
Note that Razor recommend not storing batteries in temperatures below freezing. You may therefore need to remove the batteries during Winter, depending on your local climate. They also recommend recharging the batteries at least once a month or they may no longer accept a charge – so remember to recharge them regularly.
Value
Manufacturers are continually designing electric dirt bikes with better features to entice buyers. But watch out for the release of the same bike with a new model number – they are not always an improvement over the older model.
As an example, the Razor MX400 is a ‘new’ version of the MX350. But it is almost exactly the same bike, except for the color. Unless you really need the new color, don’t be tempted to pay more for it than for the Razor MX350 which is our top Budget Choice.
A dirt bike can still be awesome fun even without lots of high end features. We recommend looking at our list above where we have tried to select models offering the best value in terms of features for your hard earned buck.
Top Speed and Power
At first your child is likely to want to go quite slowly whilst they get used to handling the bike but, as confidence grows, some children will want to go faster and faster. So it is worth looking at what the top speed is on any model you are considering.
The dirt bikes in our reviews are split roughly into 2 groups:
- Cheaper ‘toy’ bikes for very young kids with a top speed of less than 5 mph.
- More expensive ‘proper’ dirt bikes (like the various Razor models) for older kids and teens. An electric dirt bike for adults or teens has a top speed of 14-17 mph, depending on the terrain and weight of the rider
Suspension
The lower the cost of the dirt bike, the more likely it is to NOT have any coil or shock suspension fitted. This is fine if the bike is mostly going to be ridden over relatively smooth terrain.
However, if the terrain that your child is most likely to ride over is very rough, they are going to need a dirt bike that DOES have good suspension fitted. This will cushion the impact when going over bumps, making for a smoother, more comfortable ride. It also makes the handling safer when riding the bike faster.
Brand
Whilst there are many makes and models on the market, you may get more peace of mind buying from a leading US brand such as Razor which has a good reputation for build quality, durability, warranty and spare parts availability.
Electric Dirt Bike FAQ
– Cheaper to purchase.
– Less powerful so less risk of injury.
– Much easier to maintain. Gas dirt bikes have oil, brake fluid, spark plug, fuel lines etc which all need regular inspection, cleaning or replacement.
– More economical to run.
– Easily recharged at home, no need to make a special trip to buy gas.
– More environmentally friendly, no emissions.
– Much quieter so your neighbors won’t be annoyed if your child rides in the back yard.
– Easier to start, just turn a key. No kick-starting and no chance of stalling.
– Easier to ride as there are no gears to manage, just a throttle and brakes.
– Our reviews cover electric dirt bikes for kids of all ages, from 3+ to teens and youths, so there’s something for everyone. Gas dirt bikes are really for teens only.
The law varies from state to state and can depend upon whether the model you are buying has been fitted with components that make it conform to road regulations.
Generally though, as dirt bikes are designed for off-road use, they won’t have those components. If you are unsure about your particular model, check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Mini – these dirt bikes tend to be very small in overall size and weight, and have a lower powered motor with a top speed of up to 5 mph. This makes them more suitable for very young children.
Trail – these are generally for use on marked dirt trails over a variety of terrain, such as beaches and woodland. They tend to have a firmer suspension and are slightly heavier than the average dirt bike.
They are generally fitted with headlights so that they can be ridden if light levels drop. There is also shielding around the main components to protect them from the weather and debris encountered on the trail. They tend to have a slightly higher pickup and lower speed than a motocross dirt bike.
Motocross – whilst many people may use the term motocross to refer to any type of dirt bike, it is actually a bike designed specifically for off-road circuit racing.
These will have narrower gear ratios than trail dirt bikes as they have to deal with sharp corners on circuits. The main emphasis in their design is raw power, hence they tend to have little or no shielding to the components as that keeps the weight down.
Most of them are Gas models so are generally noisier than Trail dirt bikes too – the noise conveys more of an impression of power! If you want to do motocross racing, be sure to check that the model you purchase has features that allow it to meet racing regulations.
Dual purpose – these are dirt bikes that have the usual dirt bike off-road capabilities but have extra components that make them legal to use on public highways too. They are also likely to have a higher power to ensure that they can travel fast enough to stay with the general flow of traffic on public highways.
As a safety conscious parent you may be thinking that one of the best kids ATVs would be a safer choice for your child. However, statistics suggest that there are fewer serious injuries and fatalities from dirt bikes than from ATVs [ * see Reference below]
There are several possible explanations why dirt bikes are safer than ATVs:
– Because an ATV has 4 wheels, drivers often think they are more stable and safe than a 2 wheeled dirt bike. So they drive them too fast around corners or on uneven surfaces, resulting in an accident.
– Due to the perceived safety of ATVs, less protective clothing is generally worn. In particular, not all states legally require the wearing of a helmet on an ATV whereas all states require one for riding a dirt bike.
– In a crash a dirt bike will likely throw the rider clear, whereas an ATV is more likely to roll over on top of the driver. As ATVs are much heavier this also means there is a higher chance of a serious crushing injury from an ATV.
– To avoid the expense of having to buy another ATV when their child gets older, some parents buy an ATV that is too large or powerful for their child to handle safely. This creates more chance of an accident occurring.
The fastest Razor dirt bike is the MX650 Dirt Rocket which has a top speed of 17 mph, thanks to a 650W chain-driven motor powered by three 12V 7Ah batteries.
The MX650 is the best Razor electric dirt bike and provides up to 40 minutes of continuous use (about 11 miles of riding). It can also support a maximum rider weight of 220 lbs.
It is a feature packed electric motocross bike with variable speed, dual disc brakes for rapid braking and dual suspension (adjustable at rear) to better cope with rough ground off-road. See no. 9 in the reviews above for more details of the MX650.
[ * Reference: A 2010 study at John Hopkins University showed that ATV drivers were 55% more likely to end up in ICU than those injured riding a dirt bike]