Dirt Bikes for Kids: How to Choose a Youth Dirt Bike That Fits
- on March 07, 2023
- Categories: Articles
Start with seat height, not engine size. Measure your child's inseam and look for a bike whose seat is at or slightly below that number, so the rider can touch the ground at a stop. Then match engine size to age: roughly 50cc to 70cc for ages 4 to 7, 70cc to 110cc for 8 to 12, and 110cc to 125cc for teenagers.
Buying a first dirt bike for a child goes wrong in one predictable way — the bike is bought a size too big so the child can grow into it. A bike a child cannot hold up at a stop is a bike that gets ridden twice and then sits. Fit first, everything else after.
Seat height and inseam: the primary sizing tool
Have your child stand against a wall in the boots they will ride in and measure from the floor to the crotch. That is the inseam. Compare it to the bike's seat height, which reputable listings publish.
- •Seat height at or below inseam: both feet flat on the ground. Right for a first-time or nervous rider.
- •Seat height 1 to 2 inches above inseam: balls of both feet on the ground. Normal for a confident rider with a season behind them.
- •Seat height 3 or more inches above inseam: tiptoes at best. Too tall. Do not buy it hoping for a growth spurt.
Weight matters alongside height. A child should be able to pick the bike up off its side without help, because they will drop it, and a bike that cannot be lifted is a bike that ends the ride.
Engine size by age
Use this as a starting range rather than a rule. A cautious 10 year old on their first bike belongs in the row above; a confident 8 year old who has ridden for two seasons may sit in the row below.
| Rider age | Typical engine | Seat height range | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 to 7 | 50cc to 70cc | 17 to 23 in | Fully automatic |
| 8 to 12 | 70cc to 110cc | 23 to 30 in | Automatic or semi-automatic |
| 13 to 15 | 110cc to 125cc | 29 to 33 in | Semi-automatic or 4-speed manual |
| 16 and up | 125cc and up | 32 in and up | Manual with a clutch |
Displacement alone tells you little. A 110cc with a throttle limiter set low is gentler than an unrestricted 70cc, and a tall 125cc can be a worse fit than a short one.
Buying a dirt bike for a 5 year old
Five is old enough for a first bike if the child is coordinated and interested, and the right machine at that age is small, quiet, and slow on purpose. Look for a seat height in the high teens to low 20s, a 50cc to 70cc four-stroke engine, fully automatic transmission, and electric start — a 5 year old cannot kick-start a bike, and a parent doing it every stall gets old fast.
Removable training wheels are worth having if the child is not yet riding a pedal bike confidently. A throttle limiter is not optional at this age: set it near its lowest position, let them ride a few sessions at walking pace, and open it a small amount at a time. Electric models are a strong option here too, since they are quiet enough for a suburban yard and have no fuel to go stale over the winter.
Automatic, semi-automatic, or manual
- •Fully automatic. Twist and go, no shifting, no clutch. The right choice for a first bike at any age.
- •Semi-automatic. A foot shifter with no clutch lever. The rider learns gears without the coordination of a clutch, which is a genuinely useful middle step.
- •Manual. Hand clutch and foot shifter. Save it until balance, braking, and throttle control are automatic, otherwise the rider spends the day stalling instead of riding.
Features worth paying for
- •Electric start. The single biggest quality-of-life feature on a youth bike.
- •Adjustable throttle limiter and a kill switch the rider can reach with a thumb.
- •Full chain guard. Small legs end up near the chain.
- •Front and rear brakes that both work, with levers the child's fingers can pull without shifting grip.
- •Adjustable rear shock, which lets you soften the ride for a light rider and lower the seat slightly.
Youth dirt bikes in stock
A ladder from a first 60cc bike up to a full youth-size 125cc. See the full range in dirt bikes and pit bikes.
TrailMaster TM06 60cc Kids Dirt Bike
22 in seat height, automatic, electric start, removable training wheels.
$449$649
View
Tao DB10 107cc Youth Dirt Bike
Fully automatic, electric start, speed governor, adjustable rear shock.
$599$899
View
TrailMaster LK125 123cc Youth Dirt Bike
32.89 in seat height, 17 in front tire, electric start. For teens.
$1,089$1,349
ViewThese are value-tier machines, and they are a sensible way to find out whether a child sticks with the sport before spending far more. A rider who is racing weekends is better served by a premium brand with parts on a dealer shelf, and we would rather say that than sell you the wrong bike.
Gear and the first few sessions
Buy the gear with the bike: a DOT-rated helmet that fits snugly, goggles, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, knee and elbow pads, and a chest protector. Then spend the first sessions on flat, open ground with the limiter turned down, practicing starting, stopping, and slow turns before anything with a hill or a jump in it. Confidence built slowly is what keeps a kid riding for years.
Frequently asked questions
What size dirt bike should a 5 year old ride?
Measure the child's inseam and look for a seat height at or just below it, which usually lands between 17 and 22 inches. Engine size is typically 50cc to 70cc, fully automatic, with training wheels available and a throttle limiter fitted. Electric start matters at this age because a 5 year old cannot reliably kick-start a bike.
Is a 110cc dirt bike too big for a kid?
Not necessarily. A 110cc youth bike is usually a small chassis with a seat height around 25 to 30 inches, often automatic or semi-automatic. Whether it fits depends on inseam and confidence, not displacement. An 8 to 12 year old with some riding time behind them is generally the right audience.
Should a kid start on automatic or manual?
Automatic for a first bike, in almost every case. Learning balance, throttle control, and braking is enough at once. Semi-automatic, which shifts gears with a foot lever but has no clutch, is the natural next step, and a manual with a hand clutch is where a rider goes once shifting is the only thing left to learn.
How fast do youth dirt bikes go?
Small 50cc to 70cc bikes usually top out somewhere in the mid teens to low 20s in miles per hour, and most ship with a throttle limiter that can hold them well below that. A 110cc to 125cc youth bike is faster. Ask what the limiter is set to out of the crate, because that number matters more than the engine size.
What gear does a kid need to ride a dirt bike?
A DOT-rated helmet that fits snugly, goggles, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long sleeves, and long pants at minimum. Add knee pads, elbow pads, and a chest protector, which are inexpensive and protect the parts that hit the ground first. Budget for gear at the same time as the bike, not later.
