Short answer: helmet, goggles, gloves and over the ankle boots on every ride. Set the limiter screw low for the first sessions. Do a two minute check of brakes, chain and bolts before they ride. Keep them on flat open ground away from roads, with an adult watching the whole time.
The gear list, and what each piece is for
- Helmet. DOT or Snell certified, full face. Rock it side to side on their head, their eyebrows should move. If the helmet slides and their skin does not, it is too big.
- Goggles. Roost from the front tire hits the eyes first. Goggles also stop the squinting that makes a kid look down instead of ahead.
- Gloves. Hands go out first in a fall, every time. Gloves also stop blisters, which is the number one reason a first session ends early.
- Over the ankle boots. The footpeg and the ground both target the ankle. Sneakers are not enough, and sandals are a broken foot waiting to happen.
- Long sleeves and long pants. Minimum. A chest protector and knee pads are worth adding once they start riding faster than a walk.
No gear, no ride. Make that the rule on day one and you never have to argue about it again.
Set the speed limiter before the first ride
The 50cc tops out at 32 mph. That is far more than a beginner needs. There is an adjustable limiter screw on the carburetor that physically stops the throttle slide from opening all the way, so no amount of twisting gets more speed than you allowed.
Start it screwed in so the bike barely walks. Open it a quarter turn at a time over several sessions, and only after the rider can stop on demand. Full instructions are in our guide to the 50cc dirt bike speed limiter.
Also show them the kill switch and make them use it a few times while the bike is on the stand. A kid who knows where the kill switch is can shut the bike off in a panic. A kid who does not will hold the throttle open.
The two minute pre ride check
Run this before every session. It takes longer to read than to do, and teaching it to the rider is half the point.
- Brakes. Squeeze both levers. Each should firm up well before it touches the grip. If a lever pulls to the bar, do not ride.
- Chain. Push up on the bottom run midway between the sprockets. You want about one to one and a half inches of slack. Too tight snaps things, too loose throws the chain. See how to set dirt bike chain tension.
- Tires. Press the sidewalls. Soft tires roll off the rim in turns.
- Throttle. Twist it and let go. It must snap shut on its own. A sticky throttle is the most dangerous fault on the bike.
- Bolts. Hands on the axles, the handlebar clamps and the footpegs. Anything that moves gets a wrench.
- Fuel. Mixed at 25 to 1, 5.12 oz of two stroke oil per gallon, and shaken before it goes in.
Where they ride matters as much as how
First sessions want flat, open, soft ground. Dirt or grass, not pavement, because pavement takes skin off and gives knobby tires nothing to bite. Fifty feet by fifty feet of clear space is enough to learn straight lines and stops.
No roads. These bikes are off road only with no title and no plate, so a public street is both unsafe and illegal. Our guide to where you can legally ride a dirt bike covers private land, OHV areas and the rules that vary by state.
Ground rules worth setting early
- An adult is present for every ride until they are genuinely competent, and always for riders under 18.
- They ride inside a boundary you point at out loud, not a boundary you assume they understood.
- Sessions run 20 to 30 minutes. Tired riders crash, and ending while it is still fun keeps them wanting more.
- One rider on the bike. No passengers, ever. There is one seat and one set of pegs for a reason.
- They stop when you raise a hand. Practice that signal on the first day, before speed is involved.
The skills to drill before speed
Speed is the easiest thing on a dirt bike. Stopping is the hard part, so drill it. Ten straight line starts and ten controlled stops is a good first session, and nothing more.
After that, wide slow turns, then figure eights. Once they can ride a figure eight without putting a foot down, they have the throttle and brake control to handle more speed. Before that, more speed just means a faster crash.
Common mistakes parents make
Opening the limiter too early. The bike will do 32 mph. A first week rider should be nowhere near it.
Skipping the pre ride check. A loose axle nut or a dragging brake shows up as a crash, not as a warning light.
Buying gear later. Later never comes. Buy it with the bike.
Treating a stall as a problem. It is not. Restart it and carry on. If it will not restart, our 50cc dirt bike will not start checklist gets through it in order.
Frequently asked questions
What safety gear does a kid need for a dirt bike?
Helmet, goggles, gloves and over the ankle boots at minimum, plus long sleeves and long pants. Add a chest protector and knee pads once they are riding faster than walking pace.
How fast should a beginner ride?
Walking pace for the first session or two. Set the limiter screw so the bike cannot exceed that, then open it a quarter turn at a time as they prove they can stop.
What is the minimum age to ride a 50cc dirt bike?
The bike suits riders about 5 to 13, up to 170 lb, at a seat height of about 24 inches. Readiness matters more than the birthday. If they can hold the bike up and pull the brake lever hard, they are ready.
Can my child ride on the street or the sidewalk?
No. These are off road only, with no title and no plate. Private property with permission or a legal OHV area only.
Is a 50cc dirt bike safe for a 6 year old?
With the limiter set low, full gear, flat ground and an adult watching, yes, it is a reasonable first bike for a six year old who fits it. The risk goes up fast if any of those four are missing.
Plugged by 50CC is an independent retailer. We do not manufacture, assemble, modify or service the bikes we sell. Every bike ships sealed in its factory crate exactly as it reaches us, about 90% assembled from the factory, and final assembly and setup are completed by the buyer. Off-road use only. Riders under 18 should always be supervised by an adult.