Dirt Bike for Kids: 6 Things You Need to Consider Before Buying

Do you think your child is ready to hop on a dirt bike? You’ll never know if you never try. But before you buy them their first dirt bike, here are some important factors you need to consider:

Right Fit
Right Riding Gear
Engine Size (Displacement)
Engine Type (Two-Stroke vs. Four-Stroke)
Starter System (Electric vs. Kick-Start)
Transmission

1. Finding the right fit for your child

When shopping for your child’s dirt bike, you should ask yourself what dirt bike size is appropriate for your kid. Not the size of the engine (yet), but the height of the dirt bike.

First, you need to consider your child’s height, then the height of the seat on their new dirt bike. You’ll know that you’ve got the right fit and right size for your child if they are able to touch the ground with both feet while sitting down on the bike.

Dirt bikes are definitely fun, but there can be a higher risk of an accident with the wrong bike choice. This is why it’s essential to choose a bike that is the right fit for your child, so that they can stay in control at all times. Riding a dirt bike that is too big or too small may make it harder for them to control the brakes or steer the bike. The general rule here is to ensure that they should be able to reach all the controls and that they are able to balance themselves with their foot down on the ground when they’re learning to control the bike.

Pro-tip: You can also have your child wear riding boots while trying different bikes since riding boots have a much higher heel compared to regular sneakers. If you haven’t purchased riding boots for your child just yet, you can ask the staff from the shop if they can wear a pair of riding boots while trying out bikes for size. You’d also want your child to have a bit of allowance from the ground, considering that they’ll grow out of the bike sooner or later.

2. Choosing the right riding gear

Whether you like it or not, you have to accept the fact that on the trails and tracks, your child is going to fall off their dirt bike at some point. The best thing you can do as a parent who wants their kid to have fun is to ensure that they’re all geared up to minimise the impact.

Aside from buying good quality gear, you also have to ensure that it’s the perfect fit as well — to ensure none of it comes off when a fall happens.

Helmet — a helmet for a dirt bike is far different from a bicycle helmet that you may have at home. When we say helmet for dirt bike riders, we mean the full-face helmet that needs to be worn at all times while on the bike. This ensures the protection of your child’s face, from their chin, to the sides of their head. Getting a good quality helmet that fits perfectly is very essential.
Goggles — good riding goggles will keep dirt out of your child’s eye to help them focus on riding the bike, this is most especially important if you’re on the trails or tracks. The better goggles also have anti-fog lenses. Goggles are one of the relatively cheap crash prevention pieces of gear that you can purchase from day one for your child.
Gloves — in case your child falls during a ride, the first thing that will get in contact with the ground will be their hands. A good pair of riding gloves will help stop blisters and protect from hand injuries that may be caused by a fall.
Boots — when dirt bike riding, the purpose of the boots is to protect their feet, ankles and shins while riding and also for when they fall off. Motocross boot soles also have a rigid plate that protects the arch of the foot when landing from jumps and rough terrain. It is super important to get your child a good set of riding boots that fits them perfectly.
Chest and back protection — for anyone who rides a bike (especially a dirt bike), a chest protector with an integrated core, shoulder, and back protection is essential to leave them smiling after a fall instead of fearing dirt bikes.
Knee and elbow guards — keep their joints protected and scrape-free with a set of sturdy knee and elbow guards.
Jersey and pants — these are to be worn under their body armour, so comfort is essential. Motocross apparel is specifically designed to keep the rider cool when it’s hot, and it is built to handle the extremes or dirt bike riding.

For more details on dirt bike gear you should get for your little junior read our other article.

3. Choosing the right engine size (displacement)

If it’s your child’s first dirt bike, you might want to start them off with a bike that is lightweight and has less power. The smallest engine you can get is the 50cc, and they’re perfect for kids under the age of seven. If you want to push them a bit more, the most suitable engine size for kids starts at 50cc up to 125cc. Anything above that is more suitable for adults and expert riders.

4. Engine Type (Two-Stroke vs. Four-Stroke)

When picking a dirt bike, you get to choose whether you want a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine. And before you get to pick and purchase, you have to understand the difference between the two.

To keep it simple, a four-stroke engine goes through four stages, or two complete revolutions, to complete one power stroke. Meanwhile, a two-stroke engine only goes through 2 stages, or one complete revolution to complete one power stroke. This makes a two-stroke engine produce twice as much power as a four-stroke engine and also weigh less.

Now, if you’re unsure whether to get a two-stroke engine or a four-stroke engine, four-stroke 50cc dirt bikes are perfect for beginners because they are known for their smooth power delivery, which makes throttle control easier for young riders.

5. Starting System

Some learner type mini bikes have an electric start which makes starting the bike easy with just a push of a button. But if the bike is a two stroke or older, you’ll notice that the starting system may be a kick-starter. Many modern bikes now use an electric start which makes life easy. You can opt for a kick-start bike for your child if you are happy to start it for them, or once they’re older and have gained more experience.

6. Transmission

Usually, a small dirt bike (for kids) comes with an automatic clutch. This is helpful when they’re trying to focus on learning how to balance the dirt bike and steer the wheel without worrying about switching the gears manually. It’s recommended that you have your child start with dirt bikes with an automatic clutch, and then have them move to a manual clutch when they become older and have gained more experience.

And that’s it! Keep all these in mind and start looking for the perfect bike for your kid. If you’d like to start them early, say when they’re 3-7 year old, then the Stacyc Electric Balance Bikes would be perfect.

We have them available in-store and online. Have a look: