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If you’re a motocross enthusiast and a dirt bike rider yourself, you may be asking yourself when your kid will be able to ride.
Unlike street bikes, which have minimum age and licensing requirements, dirt bikes are accessible for children as young as 3 years old!
It’s all a matter of selecting the right bike, putting them in the right gear, and teaching them the basics.
Keep reading to find out which size bike is best for children of different ages.
How Old to Ride a Dirt Bike
The smallest sized dirt bikes can be ridden by kids as young as 3 or 4 years old.
Kids this young should be on low powered bikes or electric dirt bikes equipped with training wheels.
At 5-6 years old, they should be ready to ride a 50cc dirt bike without training wheels.
The most important things you’ll need to consider are:
- Is your child big enough to reach all the controls safely and comfortably?
- Is your child mature enough to listen to your instructions and operate the bike safely?
- Will your child be able to operate the throttle and brake levers?
If the answer to those questions is “yes,” it’s a matter of choosing the right size dirt bike for them to ride.
Whenever you decide to start your young child on a dirt bike, you should be sure to make sure they are riding safely, wearing all the protective gear, and are supervised the entire time.
Be sure to check with your local jurisdiction or riding trails for any additional restrictions on minimum rider age.
What Size Dirt Bike Should My Child Ride?
Once your kid is ready to ride, your next step will be selecting the right bike.
Luckily, there are plenty of small displacement, light-weight dirt bikes to choose from.
Many manufacturers design dirt bikes especially for kids that feature clutchless shifting, automatic transmissions, or electric engines.
As a general rule of thumb, the smaller the bike the better for when your child is just starting out. Putting them on a heavy, over-powered bike is a recipe for injury.
To get a rough idea of what size bike your child should ride, refer to the chart below:
| Age | Dirt Bike Size |
| 3 to 7 years old | Electric or 50cc |
| 7 to 12 years old | 50cc to 110cc |
| 12 to 14 years old | 110c to 125cc |
| 14 to 16 years old | 125cc to 250cc |
What age is a 50cc dirt bike for?
A 50cc dirt bike is a good bike for children under 10 years old.
These bikes are lightweight, and capable of speeds of no more than 30 to 35mph.
What age is a 125cc dirt bike for?
As your children get bigger, stronger, and gain more riding experience, they’ll be able to move up to a larger bike.
A 125cc dirt bike is a good choice for children at least 12 years old with some riding experience under their belt.
Regardless of how old and experienced your child is, they should always be wearing all of the necessary safety equipment and be under adult supervision when riding a dirt bike.