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One of the great joys of parenting is seeing your child get into something that you love. And for me, that’s been watching my five-year-old daughter get into motorcycling. Now, I can’t just stick her on a Ducati and send her off to the canyons. That’d be irresponsible, or so I’m told. The right path, however, is pretty easy, if not filled with countless terrible options. I’m speaking about getting your child an electric dirt bike.
These machines are quiet, easy to ride, and teach the fundamentals of motorcycle riding before they even hit kindergarten. And soon, they’re teaching you better techniques or hitting jumps. But in that sea of trash-fire options, there are three that we’d recommend. Three that’ll stand up to your child’s abuse and falls. Check out this list below and watch their eyes light up immediately after the first time they successfully ride around your backyard test track.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Kawasaki Elektrode
- Best Budget: Razor MX350
- Best for Older Children: Honda CRF-E2
Our Methodology
I put my five-year-old daughter to work for this article, testing two of the top picks, while also getting her opinion on the third. I also used my two-plus decades of motorcycling experience to evaluate the options, do away with the chaff of Amazon, and really dig into what I would’ve wanted as a kid, knowing what I now know as an adult who rides motorcycles.
The two of us scrolled through countless options before we arrived at these picks, and you can trust our opinions. Her’s more than mine most likely. She’s already on her way to stealing my job.
I do, however, reserve the right to change my mind. Or, erm, Gigi changes her mind. New models are always dropping and something new might dethrone what we have here. This is a living buying guide, and neither Gigi nor I will stand by if something better is available.
Best Electric Dirt Bikes: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Kawasaki Elektrode
Pros
- Simple
- Variable speeds
- Quality construction
- Grows with child
Cons
- Price
- Speed control bracket should be metal
When my daughter decided she wanted to follow in my motorcycling footsteps, I hunted around for a while for a bike that’d let her learn, but also grow. The Kawasaki Elektrode ticked all my boxes, however, I didn’t know just how good it’d be for her to take those first throttled steps.
Kawasaki’s Elektrode is a marvel of parental engineering, as it’s designed to take a beating and keep on ticking, unlike so many others in the space, and grow with the child instead of forcing you into a cycle of buy-use-trash-repeat. Again, like so many other brands. The adaptable nature lets you adjust the handlebars, the seat, speed, and more and offers more than enough capability for young riders to learn the fundamentals.
My daughter’s been using it almost daily and hasn’t gotten tired of it either, a proud dad moment. She’s even been able to customize it to her pink liking thanks to Kawasaki’s multiple accessory decals. I personally love the “Future Kawasaki Sponsored Racer” script emblazoned across the decal, too. It is, however, pricey. But I don’t think unreasonably so, as it’s priced for what you get, a rough-and-tumble electric dirt bike that’ll grow with your child, and can be passed down once they’re done with it to your next kid.
I wish I had this growing up. I might be a better rider, which my daughter most certainly be soon.
Best Budget: Razor MX350
Pros
- Value
- Simple mechanics
- Pneumatic tires
- Can take a beating
Cons
- Not a full throttle
- Slack in throttle can be disconcerting to kids
I’ll be honest, when we first started this test, I figured the Razor might have the edge over everything else. It’s from one of the most well-known companies around, and from everyone’s testimonials, was an excellent machine. And they’re not wrong, it’s a great piece of kit for beginners. However, a few things put it here instead of the top spot. But let’s talk about why it’s a solid choice first.
Razor knows kids are gonna fall. The company knows kids are hard on things. This is why most of the MX350 is built of steel that can take a hit, or of ABS plastic hiding the important components behind it. Gigi’s fallen or dropped it a few times and it’s none the worse for wear. In fact, it still looks brand new even though it’s seen our gravel backyard on numerous occasions. It’s also pretty easy to switch on, with a single On/Off switch. And the pneumatic tires soak up the bumps of our dirt track without issue. However, there are two things that hold the Razor back.
First, the throttle isn’t a full throttle, but rather a portion of the handlebar. “Why isn’t it the whole thing?” asked Gigi on a few occasions, adding, “It’s kinda hard to twist.” That’s further compounded by the fact that there’s some slack between the throttle and the chain’s engagement. As such, there’s a little more jerkiness compared to the Kawasaki. That all said, she can still ride around our backyard test track without issue and hit the jump.
This would be a great addition for those just testing the waters.
Best for Older Children: Honda CRF-E2
Pros
- Proper dirt bike
- Fast
- Swappable battery
- Quick charging
Cons
- Price
- Heavy for kids to pick up
Lastly, Honda’s CRF-E2 by Greenger Powersports. Now this thing is a proper electric dirt bike scaled down to kid size. It’s got a full suspension, CRF cladding, front and rear disc brakes, knobby pneumatic tires, and a 48V motor that’s on par with horsepower compared to a 50cc engine. Neat!
This electric dirt bike is by far designed for older children or kids who’ve been riding for a while. They know how to lean, know how to brake, know how to hit sick jumps. It’s for advanced riders, so don’t go throwing your three-year-old onto it and saying, “Have fun!” without them ever trying a balance bike first. However, for the kid who’s been riding and wants to take it to the next level, i.e. trying their hand at competition or riding trails and trials in your backyard, you can’t go wrong with this electric dirt bike.
There are two issues, though. First, it’s a heavy thing. Weighing in at 100 pounds, your kid is going to either need to hit the gym and get on gear, or learn the proper way to pick up a motorcycle—that was one of the first things I taught my daughter. Second, it’s pricey as hell. At nearly $2,500 at the time of writing, it’s more than double the Kawasaki. However, it’s in line with what most 50cc’s cost from proper OEMs, and won’t anger your neighbors when your kid is riding well past dusk.
Our Verdict on the Best Electric Dirt Bikes
The Kawasaki is the best electric dirt bike around. It grows with your child, has a variable speed control, and is built to take a hit. It’s the perfect learners’ tool. However, if you’re looking for something a little smaller, Razor’s got you covered, though the throttle control may throw your kid for a loop at first. And if you want to go big, not home, get the Honda CRF-E2.
Things You Should Know Before Buying an Electric Dirt Bike
Here’s what you need to know.
Safety
I’m only going to tell you this once, but get your children proper motorcycle safety equipment. Especially a proper full-face helmet. They will go over the handlebars at some point, and in that case, you want their faces protected. And don’t cheap out, get them a helmet from an actual motorcycle manufacturer like Shoei or HJC.
Likewise, pads, gloves, and boots are a necessity. Just do it and keep them safe.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: Are electric dirt bikes safe?
A: Easy answer, no. Your child can get hurt from riding an electric dirt bike, just as they could get hurt riding a bicycle. However, their safety depends on what resources you provide to them, including a good full-face helmet, elbow and knee pads, gloves, and moto boots.
Q: What is the maximum speed of a dirt bike?
A: Speeds vary from manufacturer, with some manufacturers like Kawasaki offering electric dirt bikes with speed controls letting you dial in the speeds for your child.
Q: Can I use an electric dirt bike on the road?
A: They’re strictly for off-road use, however, if you use them as a bicycle, you should be OK. Just make sure your children are following local regulations.
