So your little one has caught the riding bug and wants to join the family pastime of riding two wheels. While it may be several years until they are old enough to ride on the street, they can still develop their skills on the dirt. Getting your child their first dirt bike is about more than finding what you can afford. It must fit the child’s height, weight, and skill level. That way, their time on a bike is as safe as it is fun. These 10 dirt bikes are perfect for kids and will have your whole family riding in no time.
10 Suzuki RM85
The Suzuki RM85 is a nice bike for little tykes because it has the styling of the large dirt bikes in the lineup. It also comes with performance features typically seen in larger dirt bikes. For example, it has Showa inverted forks for a smoother feel. The seat is texted to help your child better grip the bike while tackling challenging terrain. The seat height is taller on this bike at 33.5 inches, making it better suited for older kids. The liquid-cooled two-stroke engine is powerful enough for the rider to have fun while also keeping them safe.
9 Yamaha PW50
For over 40 years, the Yamaha PW50 has helped introduce the riding world to youngsters. This little bike is incredibly beginner-friendly with a basic mechanical operation. It is a single-speed that is fully automatic, so there is no need to worry about shifting. A small screw on the throttle allows parents to control the amount of power. This lets the bike grow with the rider as skills develop. Finally, the seat height is only 18.7 inches. This makes it ideal for the littlest tykes and those who have short legs. As the parent, you will appreciate these bikes' solid reputation that results in a strong resale value.
8 KTM 50 SX Mini
This little bike may be a mini, but that doesn’t mean it is also mighty. The KTM 50 SX Mini has a 21-inch seat height and seven-inch ground clearance. The large knobby tires give this bike a more aggressive stance and help it to look more like the larger bikes in the KTM lineup. This makes it perfect for the little ones who want to feel like they are one of the group. The lightweight aluminum frame is strong yet flexible, making it more forgiving for younger riders. The single-speed transmission is simple for beginners to learn. The adjustable swing arm is a nice feature on this bike that you don’t commonly see on bikes this size.
7 Kawasaki KX65
If your young one loves speed and has a bit of experience, then the Kawasaki KX65 is an ideal bike. It has a slightly bigger engine at 64cc. The throttle response delivers power to help your child gain experience and work towards their motocross dreams. The 12-inch ground clearance will also help them to travel over rougher terrain. The wheels are also slightly larger, giving the bike more travel. Parents find this bike a good transition bike from a small child bike to an adult dirt bike. You can adjust the KX65 front forks and rear suspension.
6 Honda CRF110F
The Honda CRF110F is a transition bike that works well for children who have experience and are ready to graduate up to a slightly larger motorcycle. It comes with a fuel-injected four-stroke 109cc engine and automatic clutch. This helps the rider learn the feel of shifting with their foot without having to also learn how to operate the hand clutch. This bike is best for smoother trails and flatter terrain. It tends to bottom out more easily on larger jumps. The accelerator limiter ensures that your child doesn’t progress too quickly. Loosen the limit at a customized pace matching your child’s skills growth.
5 Suzuki DR-Z50
As the smallest bike in the Suzuki off-road lineup, the Suzuki DR-Z50 is perfect for those aged seven or older to get a feel for life on two wheels. It has an automatic clutch and three-speed transition to make learning how to ride simpler. In addition, you can adjust the limiter to control the amount of power the bike has as your child learns and develops their skills. Unique to the bike is the ability to fire it up either by push-button electric start or kickstart. The seat height is slightly higher at 22 inches, which makes it more comfortable for children who hit their growth spurt early.
4 Yamaha YZ85
The Yamaha YZ85 is a great option for parents with a larger budget. It comes with an 85cc liquid-cooled two-stroke engine, six-speed, adjustable suspension, and optimized chassis design. The performance-minded ergonomics are perfect for helping your child stay in complete control. The flat seat and narrow tank shaping give the rider a greater range of motion. The handlebars are also adjustable to four positions for a customized fit for the rider. In addition, the bike stands out for its impressive cornering ability. This makes it a front-runner for kids who show an affinity for riding on two wheels by helping to further build their confidence.
3 Kawasaki KX100
If your child is more interested in the track than the trails, then the Kawasaki KX100 is a great bike for them. Powering it is a 99cc two-stroke super0mini engine. It has a longer front and rear suspension, which helps it to absorb the shock from bumps and jumps better. While the fuel tank is smaller on this bike than on comparable bikes, it helps to keep the bike lighter. A lighter bike means it is also a faster bike. A nice feature on the bike is the ergo-fit handlebar mount with six adjustable positions. Parents can customize the bike's fit for their children for the most comfortable ride.
2 Yamaha TT-R50E
Like many other bikes on this list, the Yamaha TT-R50E is an automatic three-stroke. Because there is no clutch, it lets your child focus on developing their basic riding skills. Once they master trail navigation, you can move them up a bike with a clutch. It also has a push-button start, making it easy to get the bike going. A nice touch to the TT-R50E is the upswept exhaust. Its quiet operation makes this bike perfect for riding forest trails or those near campsites. An adjustable restrictor lets you control the bike’s maximum speed while children learn and develop their skills.
1 Honda CRF50F
The Honda CRF50F is a miniature version of the larger Honda and is perfect for getting your little one started on a bike. The four-stroke 50cc engine is perfect for giving beginners a safe taste of off-roading. The bike is three-speed, but it has an automatic clutch, making it simpler to ride but more realistic for larger bikes. While the fuel tank is small at .7 gallons, there is also a .2 gallon reserve. The seat height of 21.6 inches helps the bike have a bit more ground clearance so that your little one can go on more trails with you.