Dirt Bike or ATV for a Kid? How to Pick a First Ride (2026)
- on November 02, 2026
- Categories: Articles
For most first-time young riders, an ATV with parental controls is the easier first ride, and a small 60cc–70cc automatic dirt bike is the better second step once balance is solid. An ATV forgives mistakes at a standstill. A dirt bike teaches skills that last. Fit, not age, should decide.
This is a question parents ask us a lot before they pick a category, so here is how we answer it on the phone. We sell both, so the choice costs us nothing. Our advice is built on what we see in the listings and what customers ask us after the crate arrives.
Dirt bike or ATV: the short comparison
An ATV has four wheels, a wide seat and handlebars. A child sits on it the way they would sit on a go-kart seat, with a thumb throttle and a foot brake. A dirt bike has two wheels, so the child has to balance, put a foot down at every stop and hold the bike up when it leans. That is the whole difference, and every other point below follows from it.
- •Learning curve: the ATV wins. A child can sit on one and be moving in minutes. A dirt bike takes a few sessions before the rider stops thinking about balance.
- •Parent control: the ATV wins. Models such as the Coolster 3050C and the Mini Commander 110 carry parental controls, and the Mini Commander adds a remote and tether engine kill so a parent can stop the machine.
- •Skill that carries over: the dirt bike wins. Body position, braking and clutch control transfer to every bigger bike later.
- •Storage and transport: the dirt bike wins. It is narrower and lighter, and fits in a truck bed or a garage corner.
Live prices and specs, side by side
| Model | Type | Engine | Key features | Seat height | Listing age | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrailMaster TM06 | Dirt bike | 60cc | Automatic, electric start, removable training wheels | 22 in | — | $449 |
| RPS Spider 70 | Dirt bike | 71.8cc | Fully automatic, electric start | 23.6 in | — | $499 |
| Apollo DB-25 | Dirt bike | 70cc | Fully automatic, electric start | 25 in | — | $649 |
| Apollo DB-28 | Dirt bike | 110cc | Fully automatic, electric start, disc brakes | 25 in | — | $649 |
| RPS Dinosaur ATV110-6S | ATV | 107cc | Automatic, electric start, thumb throttle | n/a | — | $699 |
| Coolster 3050C | ATV | 107cc | Automatic, electric start, parental controls | n/a | 6–11 | $799 |
| Vitacci Mini Commander 110 | ATV | 107cc | Automatic with reverse, parental speed control, remote and tether engine kill | n/a | 6 and up | $849 |
| Apollo Blazer 9 | ATV | 125cc | Automatic with reverse, electric start | n/a | 12–15 | $999 |
Prices, engine sizes and seat heights are taken from live Motobuys listings on 2 November 2026. A dash means the listing does not state an age. Seat height is shown only where it appears in the listing title.
What age can a kid ride an ATV?
The guideline most safety groups repeat is no ATV before age 6, engines under 70cc for ages 6 to 11, 70–90cc for ages 12 to 15, and larger machines from 16. It is a convention, not a rule that every state enforces, but it is a good yardstick.
Be honest about the gap. Most youth ATVs sold today, including everything in our table, are 107cc to 125cc. That is above the traditional guideline for a 6-year-old. So the age printed on the listing and any parental controls matter more than the engine number. Where the machine has a throttle limiter, start it low, ride in an open field, and loosen it as the child proves they can steer and brake. We also suggest checking your own state’s rules for riders under 16 before you buy. Our guide to what size four-wheeler fits a kid has the fit test in detail.
What age is a kid ready for a dirt bike?
Use the flat-foot test. Sit the child on the bike in their riding boots. If both feet are close to the ground, they can reach the brake and clutch-free controls, and they can hold the bike upright with one foot, the fit is right. A 22-inch seat on the TM06 suits a smaller child; the 25-inch seat on the DB-25 and DB-28 suits a taller one. If their toes only just touch, wait a season.
Every dirt bike in our table is fully automatic with electric start, so a beginner is not fighting a kick-starter or a clutch on day one. For pricing by age, see how much a dirt bike costs for a 10, 12 or 14 year old.
What it’s actually like when the crate arrives
Both vehicles arrive in a crate and need assembly. The dirt bike goes together faster, since there are fewer parts to bolt on, but the handlebars, front wheel and controls still need correct torque and cable routing. The ATV takes longer because of the four wheels, rack and body panels. If you would rather not do it yourself, many Motobuys listings offer an assembly option, and our crate guide covers the first-day checklist.
One thing we tell every parent: whichever you buy, do a short first ride with the engine on the lowest setting, then check every nut and bolt again. Vibration loosens fasteners on a new machine. It takes a few minutes and is easy to skip.
Which should you buy?
Choose the ATV if the child is under about 10, nervous, or new to anything motorised. Choose the dirt bike if the child is a confident bicycle rider, or if you want the machine to still be useful when they grow. If you are torn, buy the smaller dirt bike; the money you save on a 60cc or 70cc model also covers a helmet, gloves, boots and chest protector, which should come before anything else. Budget-conscious buyers can browse kids dirt bikes and kids ATVs and youth quads, or step up to the full youth dirt bike and youth ATV ranges. For ATV pricing across sizes, see what a four-wheeler really costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dirt bike or an ATV safer for a beginner?
Neither is safe without gear and supervision. A small automatic dirt bike is slower to get into trouble and a fall usually means the bike lies down, but a child has to balance it. An ATV is stable at a standstill and easier to learn on, yet it is heavier and can roll over on a slope. For a first-time young rider we lean toward an ATV with parental controls, and toward a dirt bike once the child has balance and confidence.
What age can a kid ride an ATV?
The long-standing guideline, repeated by Penn State Extension and other safety groups, is no ATV under age 6, engines under 70cc for ages 6 to 11, 70–90cc for ages 12 to 15, and over 90cc at 16. Several youth ATVs sold today are 107–125cc, so read the age on the listing, use any parental controls, and check your own state’s rules for riders under 16.
What age is a kid ready for a dirt bike?
Fit matters more than the birthday. If the child can sit on the bike with both feet near the ground, reach the controls and squeeze the brake lever, a 60cc to 70cc fully automatic bike is a sensible start. The TM06 comes with removable training wheels for the very first sessions.
Should I get my kid a dirt bike or an ATV?
Pick the ATV if the child is young, nervous or will ride with a parent walking alongside, because parental controls and a tether kill switch, where fitted, let you stay in charge. Pick the dirt bike if the child already rides a bicycle well and wants to learn a skill that carries into trail riding.
Do the bikes and ATVs arrive assembled?
No. They arrive in a crate and need assembly. Many Motobuys listings offer an assembly service as an option, and our team in Garland, Texas can walk you through the rest at 877-667-6289.
Three to look at first
TrailMaster TM06 60cc Kids Dirt Bike
Smallest dirt bike here, with removable training wheels
$449$649
View
Vitacci Mini Commander 110 Kids ATV
Parental speed control, remote and tether engine kill
$849$1,019
View
Not sure which size fits your child? Call our team in Garland, Texas at 877-667-6289 and tell us their height and inseam. We will tell you which one to buy and which to skip.
