The Best Inexpensive Motorcycles For Kids
Updated April 28, 2023 by Simon Bertram
Affordable Fun So You Can Share The Hobby!
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These are the best inexpensive bikes for younger riders:
A lot of motorcyclists develop their passion for bikes early. You might have fond memories of pedalling around the neighbourhood with your siblings or friends when you were young—or maybe you had a youth-oriented minimoto or dirt bike growing up and carried that passion for motorized two-wheelers into adulthood.
Sadly, most major motorcycle manufacturers don’t make youth models—and the ones who do tend to make them expensive. But that doesn’t mean your own kids can’t experience the thrill of riding a powered bike, even if you’re on a bit of a budget.
For this list, we’re considering “kid” to mean anyone under 13 years old (teenagers are a whole different ball game). And to keep things budget-friendly, we’ve put a $2,000 cap on these models—which still allows us to include a few offerings from three out of the big four Japanese bike manufacturers.
About Our Selections
These selections considered ease of use, rideability, price, and overall cool factor of each bike. Yes, we considered the cool factor. If you look back on your own childhood, it wouldn't do to just have a normal pedal bike. No, you had to have the bright red one with the lighting stickers across the upper frame spar, or, for the really cool kids, a Power Wheel tricycle!
Being serious for a moment, we made sure that none of these bikes were overly powerful, too fast, or "iffy" in their construction and/or manufacturer. All the bikes here are well reviewed, well known, and a ton of fun for the younger members of your family, Despite these being kids motorcycles, please do make sure that you also include space in your budget for appropriate riding gear for your child, especially helmets and chest & back protectors (sometimes sold as "body armor" in motocross terminology)
Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket Electric
A great, rechargeable introduction to trail riding
Why We Picked It:
The Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket is a great introduction to trail riding and light dirt biking for kids around 7 or older. Fully electric and quick charging, it gives up to 30 minutes of continuous use per charge and has the equivalent of about 1.5hp.
The bike can reach speeds of 14mph on flat terrain—which is plenty quick for kids, but not quick enough to do serious damage in case of an incident. The throttle is fully automatic, using a right hand twist grip. The brake is left hand operated and affects the rear wheel only, which prevents the bike from tipping up around the front wheel.
Specifications:
Price: $399
Engine: Permanent magnet brushless motor
Top Speed: 14 MPH
Transmission: Clutchless direct drive
Weight: 49 lbs
Ideal For:
Kids 7 or older that are looking to have a fun electric bike to ride around off-road or down short trails
Highlights:
Despite Razor saying that the bike is for 13+, many reviewers have had their kids as young as 7 and 8 easily able to handle the bike
Very inexpensive but robust, using actual motocross geometry and high strength steel for the frame
Will run for up to 30 minutes continuously, and takes between 4 to 6 hours to recharge
Can handle riders up to 140 lbs
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V-Fire 40cc Gas Pocket Bike
If your kid is a fan of MotoGP or World SBK, this is the youth bike for them!
Why We Picked It:
The previous bike on this list was electric. But the V-Fire 40cc Gas Pocket Bike is (as the name implies) powered by a 40cc 4-stroke single running on good old-fashioned pump gas. It also features a full steel trellis frame—the same kind of design used in many modern high-end motorcycles—and has a range of about 26 miles per tank of gas (which holds less than half a gallon).
The bike can reach speeds of 20 to 25 MPH, so it’s definitely for older kids—we’re thinking those around 10 or so. It features front and rear disc brakes operated by left- and right-hand brake levers. It also uses a chain drive, and exudes sport bike style in its posture and design.
The benefit of having a gas motor is that it can get your kid interested in mechanical maintenance, which is a must for adult bikers. It will also give off the sound and smell of a bike—after all, those little details are a key part of the experience!
Specifications:
Price: $309
Engine: 40cc four-stroke single
Top Speed: ~25 MPH
Transmission: Automatic
Weight: 53 lbs
Ideal For:
Older kids (10+) looking to feel a bit like their race heroes. Definitely suggest full gear for the kid riding this little pocket bike!
Highlights:
Uses a trellis frame, the same style used in full production motorcycles and even race bikes
Full disc brakes front and rear, operated by left and right handlebar levers. for serious stopping power
Single cylinder engine gives a great sound, not the silent whoosh of an electric, but the thumpathumpa of a single
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Stacyc 12eDrive
A electric bike for the younger kids, to get them used to balancing and riding early
Why We Picked It:
Stacyc is a relatively new company set up by Harley-Davidson to help kids learn about bikes, and this is an excellent introductory model for the very young. Recommended for ages 5 and up, the 12eDRIVE is meant for the youngster that has a 14-inch inseam and wants to learn how to ride.
The bike has four modes to help your kid progress as they improve. The first is a non-powered mode, which lets the wheels spin freely, giving your tyke the chance to learn pushing, balancing, and coasting. Then there are the three power modes, which limit the bike to 3mph, 6mph, and 9mph respectively.
For controls, the right wrist governs the throttle, and the left hand is for the rear disc brake. The battery can provide up to 60 minutes of running time in the lowest power mode and will charge in approximately 40 to 60 minutes.
Specifications:
Price: $799
Engine: 40cc four-stroke single
Top Speed: 9 MPH
Transmission: Clutchless direct drive
Weight: 17 lbs
Ideal For:
An introductory eMoto that is half balance bike and half motorcycle for kids 5 and up
Highlights:
Four selectable modes, one without power to learn balance (the balance bike half), and then three power modes giving top speeds of 3, 6, and 9 MPH respectively (the eMoto half)
Easy to understand controls: Right wrist twist throttle, left hand lever for the rear disc brake
30 to 60 minute run time depending on mode.
Can handle kids up to 75 lbs
Learn More:
Yamaha PW50
Now we're getting serious with a "proper" trail bike. A great bike for the mature youth rider
Why We Picked It:
The Yamaha PW50 makes this list because it’s one of the absolute best options for kids who are serious about getting into proper motorcycling to start on. This bike offers Japanese durability and reliability, proper suspension, a lightweight frame that isn’t too hard to handle—and it can get going pretty quick.
Also, since it uses a shaft drive for the rear wheel, there’s no chance of getting a leg or foot caught in the chain. The only caveat need to offer here is that this is a serious kids bike. This is the one you buy if your kid is mature enough to learn, tough enough to ride some trails with you, and smart enough to wear their gear every time they ride.
Specifications:
Price: $1,699
Engine: 49cc two-stroke single
Power: ~2.5 HP
Torque: 2.6 lbs-ft
Transmission: Centrifugal clutch automatic
Curb Weight: 90 lbs
Ideal For:
Older kids (10+) that have a serious and dedicated interest in motorcycles. This bike requires some maturity to ride as it is a proper motorcycle.
Highlights:
Shaft final drive both for reliability and ruggedness, as well as preventing any pants vs chain incidents
Can reach speeds up to 30 MPH
Features actual Yamaha trail bike suspension, just miniaturized, with 2 inch travel in the rear and 2.4 inches up front
Requires maturity to ride, but will reward your kid with an exciting ride with mom and/or dad down the local trail
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Honda CRF50F
The feel, stance, and ruggedness of the larger CRF models miniaturized. Make no mistake, this is a serious motorcycle
Why We Picked It:
The Honda CRF50F may be minuscule, even “cute,” but don’t let that fool you. The 2023 model carries a three-speed clutch-less transmission, a peppy and punchy 49cc air-cooled engine pushing out over 3 HP, and a keyed ignition so that young riders can be given the responsibility of starting the bike like a “grown-up” (or have it taken away).
These bikes also include electric starters, which allow for young riders to focus more on handling, leaning, shifting, braking, and balancing. No need to make them build up a leg to kickstart with—save that for when they get older.
Specifications:
Price: $1,699
Engine: 50cc four-stroke single
Power: 3.1 HP
Torque: Not provided by manufacturer
Transmission: 3 Speed Auto-Clutch Manual
Curb Weight: 111 lbs
Ideal For:
Older kids (12-13) that have learned to balance and ride on less powerful machinery and want to expand their skill set. This could very well be their first "real bike"
Highlights:
All of the ruggedness and agility of the bigger CRF bikes, in a kid-friendly size
Standard motorcycle controls except there is no clutch lever. Designed to be a "Second bike" to teach shifting, rear wheel braking, and handling higher speeds on the trail
Absolutely requires full gear on your kid, as this bike can reach 35 MPH, meaning it can go faster than some residential speed limits!
Learn More:
Suzuki DR-Z50
A proper dual-sport bike for the kids that is as close to the real deal "grown up" DR-Z400 big brother
Why We Picked It:
The Suzuki DR-Z50 is the young rider’s introduction to dual-sport dirt bikes. A bit tamer than the Yamaha PW50 trail bike and the Honda CRF50F MX bike, the DR-Z50 shares the same 50cc engine size—but not much else.
With a much more upright and rearward seating position (much like actual dual-sport bikes) this bike gets kids ripping up and down the driveway, across fields, and even over a few small obstacles—letting them feel how the balance shifts and moves as the terrain beneath them changes.
The bike is carbureted, which lets young rider learn about how and when to choke the engine during cold starts. It also comes with an electric starter and a kick-starter, and has a three-speed semi-automatic clutch-less transmission.
But best of all? It’s reliable. Kids don’t take care of their bikes the way adults do, and there’s hardly any point buying them one if they’re just going to break it right away. But thanks to Suzuki habitually over-engineering their dirt, dual-sport, and supermoto bikes, the little DR-Z50 can be bashed around a lot and still run flawlessly.
Specifications:
Price: $2,209
Engine: 49cc four-stroke single
Power: 41 HP
Torque: 21.8 lbs-ft
Transmission: 3 Speed Auto-Clutch Manual
Curb Weight: 119 lbs
Ideal For:
Older kids (12-13) that are interested in dual-sport bikes as a goalpost to reach when they turn 16 or 17, depending on state minimum ages for licensing
Highlights:
Very upright and further back seating, closer to "real" motorcycles in the sport naked/sport touring, standard, and ADV/Dual Sport market segments
Very rugged and can take an absolute thrashing, much like its DR-Z400 big brother
Standard motorcycle controls except for no clutch lever. Shift declutching is handled via centrifugal automatic clutch.
As close as it gets to a full production motorcycle for this age bracket.