If your little ones love going fast and getting an adrenaline kick then an electric dirt bike for kids can be an awesome way to get them outside and have fun! Electric dirt bikes have rechargeable batteries, so you don’t have to worry about filling up an engine with a tank of gas, and can save money and the environment at the same time. Just plug in overnight to reach full charge, and off you go!
What age range are electric dirt bikes appropriate for, and how do you go about choosing one for your child? Keep reading for our buyer’s guide to choosing the best electric dirt bike for kids, frequently asked questions, product reviews, and awards for our top picks in different categories!
If these dirt bikes aren’t really your thing, take a look at some other cool and fun recommendations below:
Razor Dirt Rocket Electric Motocross Off-Road Bike
The Razor Dirt Rocket SX350 Electric Motocross Off-Road Bike hits the sweet spot at the intersection of affordability and performance. Pricewise it’s in the middle of the pack, but its features allow it to compete against much pricier bikes.
Important Safety Considerations Before Buying an Electric Dirt Bike for Kids
When it comes to anything with an electric motor and kids, safety should be every parent’s first concern. An electric dirt bike for kids should still be considered a motorized vehicle, whether or not they are sold in the toy isles. With this in mind, parents should take precautions to ensure their kids’ safety, as well as ensure that the kids themselves know how to operate a dirt bike responsibly and with caution.
Make Sure Your Kids Know How to Avoid Basic Beginner Mistakes
As beginners to the thrilling world of dirt bikes, it is always best to teach your kids the best ways to avoid making simple beginner mistakes.
Teaching them how to operate the throttle and the clutch simultaneously. This takes practice, concentration, and patience. Dirt bikes are much different from regular bikes when it comes to balance, so make sure that your kids feel comfortable and secure while on the bike. Most beginners tend to sit flat, rather than stand, but this may hinder their responsiveness as they transition over to different speeds and terrains.
Dirt bikes are a fantastic source of fun and adventure, and being able to blitz through a dirt bike track is definitely something every beginner dreams of. Make sure your kids understand how body positioning plays an important role in maneuvering on dirt bikes. This ties in with having and maintaining good balance while driving the dirt bike and will ensure that your kids won’t easily lose control while riding.
Kids should also know how to focus their vision when riding dirt bikes. Teach your kids not to look down and fixate on an object on the ground, as this may lead them to lose concentration and fall. They should learn to look ahead in order to see their environment fully and to anticipate obstacles that may lie ahead. If your kids look down constantly, they will not be able to correctly adjust their balance and positioning, or operate the throttle or brake in time.
Consider the Basic Safety Requirements
Before buying a dirt bike for your kids, take into account their size and that the bike is suitable for them to ride comfortably. They should not have trouble reaching the handlebars, and their feet should be able to touch the ground without them falling over. Also make sure to invest in durable safety helmets and knee pads, which they should wear every time that they take the bike out.
Ensure That They Ride in a Safe Environment
Do not let kids ride their dirt bikes after dark or in places that aren’t well-lit. Along with being able to see their environment properly, kids should also not have any auditory restrictions while riding. Make sure that they do not use any headphones or earphones that will prevent them from properly hearing what’s going on around them, or that might break their concentration. Furthermore, make sure that your kids know and respect the traffic rules. Do not let them ride their dirt bikes on busy roads, but do still teach them the necessary road and traffic rules and how to be responsible and respectful road users.
Buyer’s Guide
If you’re planning to buy an electric dirt bike, there are several factors to consider. Many of them are related, for example, power and speed but it’s important to go through all of them to ensure you choose an appropriate bike for your child. Keep reading to learn how to take your child’s age and weight, your budget, and the power, speed, and suspension system of a bike into consideration.
Age
You can find an electric dirt bike for kids that’s safe to use from as young as three years old. It’s important to make sure that you have a bike that’s appropriate for both your child’s size and abilities. A small 50cc electric dirt bike can be fitted with training wheels for three- and four-year-olds, with the training wheels, eliminated as the child gets older.
By the time your child is six, they can handle rides on more advanced dirt bikes. Kids between 6 and 10 will be better suited to a model up to 100cc. Generally speaking, models that are good for younger children will range between 50 and 250cc.
Weight
An electric dirt bike for kids can come with a wide range of weight limits. Bikes meant for toddlers or preschool-age children will have lower weight limits and typically will run on less powerful batteries. It’s important to pay close attention to your child’s size as well as take future growth into consideration because that could affect the lifespan of the dirt bike you choose.
If you have a sturdy four-year-old who is within a couple of pounds of the weight limit on a bike advertised for toddlers, consider that they might go through a growth spurt and be over the weight limit within a year. A child over the weight limit of the bike will make the battery less effective, both in how long it lasts and how fast the bike will be able to travel.
On the other hand, some of the bikes on our list are designed for older kids with weight limits that can carry some adults. These are kids’ bikes, so the frames are scaled-down and they might not be comfortable for adults to ride, but their more powerful batteries mean that they can carry a heavier load for a longer distance.
Budget
Settling on a budget should be your first step when you’re looking to buy the best electric dirt bike for kids you can afford. There is a wide range of price points when it comes to these machines, and even electric dirt bikes on our list range between a little over $100 to just under $900. Once you’ve settled on a price point you feel comfortable with, you can then look at which bikes within that range will suit the child you’re buying for.
Suspension
A suspension system will give you a smoother ride, but there are some circumstances where it’s not necessary. If you’re going to be riding on dirt paths or going off some sweet jumps, you’ll want a suspension system on your electric dirt bike, but it’s not a necessary feature on some bikes that are designed specifically for young children. If a bike is sized for a toddler and intended to be ridden on flat pavement, it’s okay if the bike doesn’t have much of a suspension system.
Power
Electric dirt bikes are powered by rechargeable batteries that typically take between 8 and 12 hours to fully charge, so it’s best to do it overnight. The top speed achieved by the bike and the amount of time the battery lasts depends on both the size of the battery and the size of the rider. If being ridden by a lighter rider, the same bike will often reach higher speeds and last a longer time than the same bike ridden by a rider 50-pounds heavier.
Electric dirt bikes built for young kids and toddlers will often have smaller batteries than bikes intended for bigger children. The bikes on our list have batteries ranging from 6V to 36V, which gives you a very wide range of capabilities. One thing to keep in mind: if you’re handy, it may be possible to replace the battery that comes with the dirt bike with a more powerful one. For example, if the electric dirt bike you choose takes a 6V battery and your child shows they are able to handle more power, you might be able to replace it with a 12V battery.
Generally speaking, the less power a bike has, the more suitable it is for a young child or a beginner. It’s important to make sure you don’t give a child more power than they can handle until they have the necessary skills.
Speed
It’s important to select an electric dirt bike for kids that will travel at an appropriate speed for the rider’s age and ability. A child on a bike with more speed than they can handle is much more likely to fall. Young riders will start off with lower speeds, and only when they have mastered that should they move up to a bike with higher speeds.
There are some electric dirt bikes on our list that have a range of speeds to choose from, which can be a great way to get maximum use out of a bike. Set the speed limit in the lower range for a beginner rider, and as they grow you can gradually increase the maximum allowable speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Electric Dirt Bikes for Kids Safe?
An electric dirt bike for kids is safe if you follow all guidelines related to purchasing a bike the correct size for your child. Most accidents happen because a child is riding a bike that is too big or too fast for their abilities, so rather size down if you’re unsure which size to buy. Helmets are a must as well, and there are many full-face helmets available with cool designs that kids are sure to love.
What Is the Appropriate Age for Kids to Start Riding Dirt Bikes?
Kids as young as two or three can ride an electric dirt bike as long as the selected one is the correct size. Some electric dirt bikes come with training wheels and very low weight limits and travel at low speeds, making them ideal for younger kids. Older kids can use more advanced models with more power.