Are you looking for the best electric dirt bike for kids that WON’T break the bank? You’re definitely in the right spot! Today, we’re going to give you a rundown on the very best options available under $500.
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When we were growing up, most people would’ve been pretty bewildered at the idea of an electric dirt bike. Nowadays, there are plenty of options under $500 that perform just like regular bikes. But manufacturers have definitely come a long way over the years.
Benefits of buying an Electric Dirt Bike for Kids
It’s never been easier to get your kids started out in the dirt bike hobby from a very young age. There is really no better way to start them off than with one of these affordable little electric dirt bikes. For starters, these bikes are incredibly forgiving on the new rider. Due to the lack of an internal combustion engine, there are no hot surfaces to get burnt on. (Who here hasn’t dropped a bike and landed a leg right on the exhaust before? Anyone?)
Speaking of dropping the bike, most of these bikes are insanely light. That means your little one should be able to pick it back up if they happen to topple over. The light and nimble frames on these bikes are the perfect platform for kids to quickly build basic rider skills. Over time, this builds the confidence necessary to move up to larger, 50cc gas powered bikes.
Another huge benefit to these bikes is that their electric motors make very little noise. So even in suburbia, your kid can still get out and rip around the backyard without the neighbors getting mad.
What to look at when comparing bikes
To make your comparisons easier in this article, we’re going to break the bikes up into three distinct groups based on one factor: the size of the electric motor. Generally, the size of the motor will dictate important performance metrics such as maximum speed, max rider weight, and the overall size of the bike. The larger the motor, the higher these limits usually are. The table below gives you a quick look at the basics.
| Engine Size | 6V | 24V | 36V |
| Max Speed | 3-5 mph | 12-15 mph | 15-20 mph |
| Max Rider Weight | 40-50 lbs | 140-150 lbs | 160-170 lbs |
As you can see, the size of the electric motor greatly influences the performance you can expect from the bike. Be sure to consider this factor prior to pulling the trigger on a bike. Obviously, you should be leaning toward a 24V or 36V bike if you want something your kid can grow into in the near future.
Razor’s Lineup of Electric Dirt Bikes for Kids
Razor USA LLC has come a long way since they were founded in California back in 2000. Since those shin-killing metal kick scooters put them on the map at the turn of the century, they’ve expanded into numerous other product categories including an excellent selection of electric dirt bikes. For this article, we’ll do a deep-dive into three of their bikes that fall below the $500 threshold, going from smallest to largest.
Best Electric Dirt Bike for Kids: Razor MX350
We picked the MX350 as our all-around favorite of this lineup. We love Razor’s products and this bike has proven itself as an excellent value since it was introduced in 2015.
Referred to as the “Dirt Rocket”, the MX350 is an absolute killer starter bike for your little one. The 24V is just enough to keep kids from quickly getting bored with bike, while keeping speeds in check. After 4-6 hours of charging time, run time is up to half an hour. It’s max speed around 15 miles per hour.
Razor’s product designers did a really great job of setting this bike up in a way that allows kids to quickly grasp rider basics. There’s a fully operational twist throttle at the right wrist, as well as a hand-operated rear brake. Getting the bike started is a breeze with the flip of a switch located just in front of the seat (where the gas cap would be on an internal combustion bike).
While the MX350 comes with a pretty great set of 12″ pneumatic (air-filled) off-road tires, you will find it lacking when it comes to suspension. In fact, there is none. The double crown fork in the front has no internal springs and no travel, and there is no rear suspension of any sort. In other words, the bike isn’t built for any kind of extreme terrain. But it is still easily our favorite electric dirt bike for kids.
The close cousin: the Razor MX400
Want to know everything about the MX400? Just go re-read our review of the MX350! The two bikes are identical in nearly every way when it comes to functionality and performance. (This is very similar to the KTM 690 SMC vs. Husqvarna 701 debate that always crops up.) Building upon the success of the MX350, Razor later unveiled the MX400, which is essentially the same bike, with a little bit of variation in style and design.
Razor MX350 vs. Razor MX350
- Styling: The MX350 has a boxier design with lots of sharp, straight lines that give it an aggressive modular look. The lower casing that houses the battery is rectangular in shape. The MX400 on the other hand looks more similar to a traditional motocross bike, from the k-shaped fairings to the number plates. Instead of the boxy battery cover, the plastic casing is stamped to resemble the look of a gasoline engine and crankcase cover.
- Power switch location: While the power switch for the MX350 is located on top of what would otherwise be the gas tank, the redesign for the MX400 relocated the switch down on the lower left side of the bike, close to where you’d expect to find a fuel petcock on a gasoline powered bike.
- Color options: The MX350 is available in just black and red, while the MX400 color options were expanded to lime green, red, white, or black.
A Bigger, Faster Razor Electric Dirt Bike: the SX500
Let’s face it, kids grow up fast. Perhaps you’re looking for something a little bigger to give your kid something to grow into as they learn to ride. Or if we’re being honest, you might just want something with enough power for you to tool around on from time to time. Allow us to introduce the Razor SX500.
The SX500 is the perfect middle ground between the MX350 and the heavier duty MX650, which is a little outside the scope of this sub-$500 rundown. Powered by a beefy 36V 500W variable speed motor, the SX500 delivers respectable performance for the money. With front and rear disc brakes, functional full suspension, and 14″ wheels, this electric dirt bike was literally built to feel like a genuine old school gas model, and is ready to handle just about anything a new rider can throw at it. If you’re looking for an electric dirt bike for kids that you can also ride from time to time, this is it!
As far as styling is concerned, its a little like Henry Ford with the Model T back in the day. You can have any color, as long as it’s black. Or in this case, Kawasaki green with special edition graphics designed in partnership with seven-time supercross champion, Jeremy McGrath. Razor really knocked it out of the park with this one when it comes to building a safe starter bike that will give your child the feeling of a real motocross bike.
Off-brand 6V Electric Dirt Bikes for Kids to Consider
Now that we’ve covered Razor’s best electric dirt bikes for kids under $500, now let’s dive into some of the off-brand options out there. In most cases, what you’ll find here is a variety of online suppliers selling the exact same bike (usually under different, odd-sounding names like ‘Great Buys Now’). All of these bikes are sourced from the same overseas manufacturers and private labeled by suppliers who sell them at retail.
The great thing about these bikes is obvious – they’re cheap. Most are going to run you around $100, or even less in some cases. This is certainly a plus when you’re trying to teach a brand new rider. Inevitably, they’re going to crash. They’re going to drop the bike over and over. Let’s face it, it’s going to take a good deal of abuse. And at the end of it all with one of these bikes, you won’t be out a great deal of money when it gets beat up.
Generally, you’re going to find the same performance and benefits across all of these off-brand bikes. They will usually have some pretty cool plastics, graphics, and neat features like engine sounds and working lights. Most will go up to around 4-5 mph and carry a rider up to about 45 pounds. Many come with training wheels and are very easy to operate.
There are also off-brand 36V models
Just as there are a variety of retailers selling off-brand 6V electric dirt bikes, there are just as many out there advertising 36V variations. These are more similar in size to the SX500 in size and performance, and are likewise tailored toward the taller, older rider. They’re generally well optioned with features like disc brakes, twist grip throttles, and adjustable speed settings.
At the end of the day though, most of the bikes in this category aren’t much cheaper than the SX500. So in our opinion, you would be better off to just shell out another $30-$40 to get the Razor. Their bikes have withstood the test of time, and the customer service you get from Razor will always beat any of these private labeler online retailers.
