The short answer
- Ages 5 to 7: Razor’s smallest electric dirt bike, the 12V MX125, at 5 mph on its low setting.
- Ages 8 to 13: the 24V Razor MX350, held at 10 mph until 13, when Razor allows the 14 mph setting.
- Ages 14 and up: the 36V SX500, up to 15 mph. The MX650 is for 16 and up.
- Age is the floor. Your kid should also be under the weight limit, reach the ground and the hand brake, and ride a pedal bike well.
Electric dirt bikes come in clear steps, and Razor’s Dirt Rockets set the most common ones. Here’s what each maker’s age means, and how to tell if your kid is ready for the next step.
On this page
Electric Dirt Bike Ages by Model
| Bike | Maker’s age | Weight limit | Top speed | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razor MX125 | 5 and up (high speed 7 and up) | 110 lb | 5 or 8 mph | 12V 5Ah |
| Razor MX350 | 8 and up (high speed 13 and up) | 140 lb | 10 or 14 mph | (Two 12V) 24V 7Ah |
| Hiboy DK1 | 3 to 10 | 140 lb | 5, 7.5 or 15.5 mph | 36V lithium |
| Razor SX500 McGrath | 14 and up | 175 lb | Up to 15 mph | (Three 12V) 36V 12Ah |
| Razor MX650 | 16 and up | 220 lb | Up to 17 mph | (Three 12V) 36V 12Ah |
These are the bikes in my best electric dirt bikes for kids guide, with the maker’s own numbers. Always check the label on the bike you buy.
What Age Is the Razor MX125 For?
Razor rates the MX125 for ages 5 and up and riders up to 110 lb. It has a twist-grip throttle, a hand-operated rear brake and 12-inch air tires.
A parent switch sets 5 mph or 8 mph, and Razor ties the 8 mph setting to age 7 and up. So a 5-year-old starts on low, and you decide when to switch.
What Age Is the Razor MX350 For?
The MX350 is rated for 8 and up and 140 lb. Its 24V system and 250W motor make it the bike most kids grow into after a first bike.
Razor’s manual puts the 10 mph setting at 8 and up and the 14 mph setting at 13 and up. The switch sits under a screwed cover near the charging port, so it stays where you set it. My Razor MX350 review has the rest of the specs.
What Age Is the Razor SX500 For?
Razor rates the SX500 McGrath for 14 and up and riders up to 175 lb. It’s a much bigger machine, with a 500W motor, a 36V battery pack, dual disc brakes and front and rear suspension.
There’s no parent speed switch, only a variable throttle up to 15 mph. The MX650 goes further still: 16 and up, 220 lb, up to 17 mph.
What About Bikes Rated From Age 3?
Some lithium bikes, like the Hiboy DK1, are listed for ages 3 to 10. Its three modes run 5, 7.5 and 15.5 mph, and 15.5 mph is faster than Razor allows any rider under 14.
If you buy one for a young kid, lock it in the slowest mode and treat the top mode as a teen setting. For a toddler, a 6V ride-on motorcycle fits better, and my kids’ motorbike guide covers those.
What About Gas Dirt Bikes?
Gas youth dirt bikes are sized by engine, such as 50cc, 70cc, 110cc and 125cc. Each maker prints its own minimum age on the bike and in the owner’s manual, and those ages vary by model.
Gas bikes are heavier and faster than the electric bikes above, and they need fuel, oil and more upkeep. Go by the manual’s age and size guide, and ask the dealer to check your kid’s fit on the actual bike.
Is My Kid Ready for a Dirt Bike?
The number on the box is the minimum, not a promise. Before you buy, check these with your kid on a pedal bike or, better, on the bike itself in the store.
- Feet down. Sitting on the seat, they can touch the ground with the balls of both feet. If they can’t, the bike is too tall for now.
- Hands on the brake. They can reach and squeeze the brake lever hard with their fingers while holding the throttle steady.
- Balance first. They ride a pedal bike without training wheels and can stop, turn and start again on their own.
- Weight with room. They’re under the weight limit with room to grow, since the limit includes their gear.
- They listen. They stop when you say stop, every time.
A kid who can’t hold the bike up at a stop isn’t ready, whatever their age. Wait a season, or go down a size.
Safety first: Razor’s manuals ask for an approved helmet with the chin strap buckled, plus elbow pads and kneepads, on every ride. Add closed shoes and gloves, keep one rider per bike, and ride away from streets, driveways, pools and steep hills, with an adult watching.
Helmet sizing and the rest of the gear are in my safety equipment guide.
FAQ
Can a 5-year-old ride an electric dirt bike?
Yes, a small one made for that age, like the Razor MX125, which is for ages 5 and up and 110 lb. Keep it on the 5 mph setting until they’re 7 and riding well.
What age is the Razor MX350 for?
Ages 8 and up and riders up to 140 lb. Razor’s manual allows the 14 mph setting from age 13.
Can a 10-year-old ride a Razor SX500?
Razor rates the SX500 for ages 14 and up, so no. The MX350 is the Razor bike made for a 10-year-old.
What size dirt bike does my kid need?
Go by the maker’s age and weight limit first, then check that your kid can touch the ground with the balls of both feet while seated.
Match the bike to the kid: the MX125 from 5, the MX350 from 8, and the SX500 from 14. When you’re ready to pick one, the best electric dirt bikes for kids compares them side by side.
