Best Pit Bike for Kids: Sizing, Transmission and Safety
- on March 07, 2023
- Categories: Articles
The best pit bike for a child is the one they can flat-foot at a stop, with a transmission that matches what they can already do. Seat height first, transmission second, engine size last — that order fixes most of the mistakes parents make buying a first bike.
Pit bike vs dirt bike vs mini bike
- •Pit bike. Small wheels (10 to 14 inch front), low seat, full front and rear suspension, motocross geometry in miniature. Originally built to get around the pits at a race. This is the right shape for a child learning on dirt.
- •Dirt bike. Full-size wheels (17 to 21 inch front) and a seat height in the thirties. Faster, better over rough ground, and far too tall for most children.
- •Mini bike. A bench seat, tiny wheels and little or no suspension travel — the Trailmaster MB200 shape. Fun on flat ground and easy to ride, but it does not teach dirt-bike skills, because there is no shifting and no real suspension.
Start with seat height
A new rider should be able to put both feet flat on the ground while seated, or very close to it. That single test rules out most of the catalog immediately and prevents the classic problem of a nervous child on a bike they cannot hold up. Measure your child's inseam and compare it to the published seat height, not to the age suggestion.
As a rough guide, seats in the low twenties suit small first-time riders, 24 to 26 inches suits confident younger riders, and 30 inches and up is teen territory. When in doubt, size down. A child grows into a bike; they never grow into confidence they never had.
Wheel size and what it changes
The front wheel tells you how the bike will behave. A 10-inch front is stable and slow-steering, ideal for a beginner on smooth ground. Twelve and 14-inch fronts roll over ruts and roots better and start to feel like a real dirt bike. A 17-inch front means you have left the child-sized class. Bigger wheels also raise the seat, so wheel size and fit move together.
Automatic, semi-automatic or manual
- •Fully automatic. Twist and go, nothing to shift. The right choice for a first bike, because the child can concentrate on balance, throttle control and braking.
- •Semi-automatic. A foot shifter with no clutch lever. This is the best learning step: the rider learns to use gears to accelerate and to slow down, without the coordination of a hand clutch.
- •Manual. Clutch lever and foot shifter. Wait until the rider is comfortable with the semi-auto and is asking for it.
Also check the starter. Electric start means a child can restart the bike alone after a stall, which is the difference between a good afternoon and a frustrating one. Kick start is fine for a stronger rider. A tether kill switch and, on some models, an adjustable governor give you a way to cap the bike while skills build.
Kids pit bikes compared
| Bike | Engine | Transmission | Seat height | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrailMaster TM06 | 60cc | Automatic, 1 gear | Not published | Electric |
| Apollo DB25 | 70cc | Fully automatic | 22 in | Electric |
| RPS DB70 | 70cc | Automatic | 23 in | Electric |
| Apollo DB-21 XST | 70cc | Semi-auto, 4-speed | 25 in | Kick |
| TrailMaster TM15 | 107cc | Semi-auto, 4-speed | 24.4 in | Electric and kick |
| Apollo DB28 | 110cc | Fully automatic | 25 in | Electric |
| Apollo DB-X4 | 110cc | Semi-auto, 4-speed | 30 in | Kick |
As published by each manufacturer. The TM06, DB25, DB-21 XST and DB70 accept removable training wheels. Published weight limits are low on this class — the DB28 lists 132 pounds — so check the figure against your rider.
An honest word on brands
TrailMaster, Apollo, Tao and RPS all build competent value-tier pit bikes, and at this size the differences between them are smaller than the marketing suggests. TrailMaster is a brand of BV Powersports, a US company — “BV” stands for Best Value — which designs and specs the machines, has them built in China, and supports them through authorized dealers and its own parts department. Motobuys is one of those dealers.
If your child is going to race competitively, a used Japanese or Austrian mini — a KTM 50 or 65, or a Yamaha TT-R — holds value better and has deeper race support. Where these value-tier bikes fit is the first bike, the property bike and the second bike, where the price difference buys a lot of riding time.
Safety, plainly
- •Helmet, goggles, gloves, boots over the ankle, and a chest protector. Every ride.
- •Ride with an adult present until the rider is genuinely competent.
- •Set any governor or limiter low at first and open it up in stages.
- •Check the chain, brakes and tires before every ride. Loose chains and soft brakes cause most beginner crashes.
- •These bikes are off-road only, and many are not CARB approved.
Bikes to start with
Once your rider outgrows this class, the next stop is a full-size 125 — see our guide to choosing the right 125cc pit bike for sizing and setup at that size.
The size above a 125, for a rider who has outgrown it, is grouped under 140cc and 150cc dirt bikes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pit bike for a kid?
The one that fits. A first-time rider who can flat-foot a 22-inch seat on an automatic 70cc will learn faster than the same child on a 125. Fit and transmission decide the outcome, not displacement.
What age can a child ride a pit bike?
Around six for a small automatic with training wheels, though it depends on the child's size, coordination and confidence more than on age. Adult supervision is essential at any age.
Automatic or semi-automatic for a beginner?
Automatic for a true first bike. Move to semi-automatic once the rider is comfortable with throttle and brakes — it teaches gear use without a hand clutch, which is the natural step toward a manual.
Is 110cc too much for a kid?
Not necessarily. A 110cc bike with a 25-inch seat and a fully automatic transmission can be gentler than a badly fitting 70cc. Judge by seat height, weight and how power is delivered, not by the number.
Do kids pit bikes come with training wheels?
Several do. The TrailMaster TM06 and Apollo DB25 and DB-21 include removable training wheels, and the RPS DB70 can be fitted with them. Take them off once the rider can balance at walking pace.
