Short answer: for most kids the right first bike is a 50cc gas bike if they are about 5 to 13, under 170 lb, and can plant both feet at a 24 inch seat height. If they are taller than about 4 ft, want more speed, or you do not want to mix fuel, step up to a Sykerun electric instead.
Match the rider to the bike first
Everything else is secondary. Sit the child on the bike, or measure against the numbers below, before you think about color or brand.
| Bike | Fits | Top speed | Weight limit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50cc gas | About ages 5 to 13, 24 in seat height | 32 mph | 170 lb | $300 |
| Sykerun X5 electric | About 4 ft to 5 ft 11 | 50 mph | 265 lb | $975 |
| Sykerun X7 electric | About 4 ft 8 to 6 ft 3 | 56 mph | 330 lb | $1,350 |
If you are stuck between sizes, our dirt bike size guide by age goes through it year by year.
The fit test that actually matters
Seat height on the 50cc is about 24 inches. A rider who can get the balls of both feet down can catch the bike when it tips, and a bike that tips is a bike they can hold up themselves instead of calling you over.
Check three things while they are sitting on it. Feet reach the ground. Hands reach the grips without stretching forward. Fingers can pull the front brake lever hard enough to lock the wheel. If the brake lever beats them, they are not ready for that bike yet.
Gas or electric
The 50cc gas bike is a two stroke. It runs on premixed fuel at 25 to 1, which is 5.12 oz of two stroke oil per gallon. It is automatic, no clutch and no gears, so the rider only has to learn throttle and brakes. It is $300 on its own, or $350 with a helmet, and it is the cheapest way to find out whether your kid actually likes this.
The electrics skip fuel entirely. The Sykerun X5 is 3000W on 48V, 50 mph, 53 miles of range, and fits riders about 4 ft to 5 ft 11 up to 265 lb. The Sykerun X7 is 5500W on 60V, 56 mph, 60 miles of range, fits about 4 ft 8 to 6 ft 3 up to 330 lb. You charge them and ride. No mixing, no pull start, and they are quiet enough that neighbors stop being a problem.
We wrote a longer comparison in gas vs electric dirt bikes for kids if you want the full breakdown.
What to look at on the spec sheet
- Brakes. Disc front and rear. Drum brakes on a kids bike fade and go vague as soon as they get hot or wet.
- Speed limiter. The 50cc has an adjustable limiter screw on the carburetor. Screw it in and the throttle cannot open all the way, so you set the top speed to match the rider. See how the 50cc speed limiter works.
- Suspension. Inverted forks up front and an adjustable rear shock. Adjustable matters because a 45 lb kid and a 120 lb kid need different preload.
- Frame. Steel. It bends before it snaps, and it takes being dropped, which it will be.
- Transmission. Automatic. No clutch, no shifting. A beginner has enough to think about.
Budget the gear at the same time
Helmet, goggles, gloves and over the ankle boots, every ride, no exceptions. Buy them at the same time you buy the bike, not later, because a bike sitting in the garage with no helmet next to it turns into a fight on day one.
Helmet fit is the part people get wrong. It should be snug enough that the skin on their forehead moves when you rock the helmet side to side, and the chin strap should be tight enough that two fingers barely fit underneath.
What arrives and what you do
The bike ships sealed in its factory crate exactly as it reaches us, about 90% assembled from the factory. You finish the front wheel, the handlebars, a few bolts and the fluids. The tools are in the box. Most families have it together in 20 to 30 minutes, and some are done in 10.
Shipping is free to all 50 states, orders go out the same day, and delivery runs 2 to 5 business days with tracking on every order. Local to Tempe, Arizona, text 623 320 8984 first and you can pick it up. The full walkthrough is free at manual.pluggedby50cc.com.
Frequently asked questions
What age is a 50cc dirt bike for?
About 5 to 13, with a 170 lb rider limit. The bottom of that range depends on the kid more than the calendar. If they can hold the bike up and squeeze the brake, they are ready. If they cannot, wait a few months.
How fast does a 50cc dirt bike go?
32 mph wide open. You will not run it there for a while. The limiter screw on the carburetor lets you set it to walking pace on day one and open it up a turn at a time.
Is a 50cc dirt bike street legal?
No. Off road only. There is no title and no plate, and it is not built or certified for public roads. Ride it on private property with permission or on legal off road land.
Do I need to be mechanical to own one?
No. Mixing fuel, checking chain slack and cleaning an air filter is the whole routine. If something does go wrong in the first year, we take the claim to the factory on your behalf and get the replacement part sent free.
Can two kids share one bike?
Yes, as long as both are inside the size and weight range. Reset the limiter and the rear shock preload for whoever is riding, because a setting that suits a 60 lb rider is wrong for a 120 lb one.
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.