Short answer: a 50cc dirt bike is $300, suits riders about 5 to 13 up to 170 lb, ships free in 2 to 5 business days, and takes most families 20 to 30 minutes to finish assembling. Budget for helmet, goggles, gloves and boots on top, and order at least a week before the date.
What you are actually buying
- 50cc gas, $300. 32 mph top speed, 170 lb rider limit, seat height about 24 inches, fits about ages 5 to 13. Automatic, so no clutch and no gears. Disc brakes front and rear, inverted forks, adjustable rear shock, steel frame.
- Sykerun X5 electric, $975. 3000W on 48V, 50 mph, 53 mile range, fits about 4 ft to 5 ft 11, 265 lb limit. No fuel to mix.
- Sykerun X7 electric, $1,350. 5500W on 60V, 56 mph, 60 mile range, fits about 4 ft 8 to 6 ft 3, 330 lb limit.
For a first bike under a tree, the 50cc is the one. It is the cheapest way to find out whether the kid actually loves this, and it is simple enough that a beginner only has to think about throttle and brakes.
Why it lands better than most gifts
It gets them outside and it keeps them there. A bike that does 32 mph on a trail competes with a screen in a way that another plastic toy does not.
It also gives them something to get good at. Learning to control a throttle, read ground, and stop where they meant to is a real skill, built one session at a time, and kids notice themselves improving.
At $300 it costs less than a games console, and unlike a console it gets used with you rather than instead of you.
Plan the timing, not just the purchase
Shipping is free to all 50 states, orders go out the same day, and delivery takes 2 to 5 business days with tracking on every order. For a birthday or a holiday, order at least a week out so you have slack, and so you have time to assemble it before the morning it gets opened.
Local to Tempe, Arizona, text 623 320 8984 first and pick it up in person. That is also the fastest route if you left it late.
Do the assembly the night before
The bike arrives 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.
Do not save that for the morning with a kid standing over you. Build it the night before, mix a gallon of fuel at 25 to 1 (5.12 oz of two stroke oil per gallon), and set the limiter screw low so the first ride is at walking pace. Then it is ready to ride the moment the wrapping comes off. The free walkthrough is at manual.pluggedby50cc.com, and our 25 to 1 fuel mix guide has the full chart.
Buy the gear with the bike
Helmet, goggles, gloves and over the ankle boots, every ride, no exceptions. Wrap the helmet separately and give it first, so the rule is set before the bike is even uncovered. A helmet should be snug enough that their eyebrows move when you rock it side to side.
Our safety gear guide covers what to buy first in plain order. The bike with a helmet is $350 total if you want the main piece handled in one order.
Things to decide before you order
- Size. Check they fit the 170 lb limit and can reach the ground at 24 inches. If they are tall for their age, look at the Sykerun X5 instead.
- Gas or electric. Gas means mixing fuel and a pull start. Electric means plugging it in, less noise, and a bigger budget. Our gas vs electric comparison covers it properly.
- Where they will ride. These are off road only, no title and no plate. Make sure you have somewhere legal before the bike arrives.
- Winter. If it is a December gift in a cold state, read how to store a dirt bike for winter so a few months in the garage does not cost you a carburetor.
What it costs to keep running
Not much. Two stroke oil is a few dollars a bottle and one bottle mixes a lot of tanks. Gas is regular 87 unleaded. The rest of the maintenance is chain slack, tire pressure and cleaning the air filter. If a part fails in the first year, we take the claim to the factory on your behalf and get the replacement sent free.
Frequently asked questions
What age is a 50cc dirt bike a good gift for?
About 5 to 13, up to 170 lb, as long as they can reach the ground at a 24 inch seat height and pull the brake lever hard. Fit matters more than the birthday. Our size guide by age and height and our guide on what age a child should start riding walk through the fit check step by step.
How long before the date should I order?
At least a week. Orders ship the same day and arrive in 2 to 5 business days, so a week gives you room for a delay plus an evening to assemble it.
Will it be assembled when it arrives?
It arrives about 90% assembled from the factory in a sealed crate. You do the front wheel, the handlebars, a few bolts and the fluids, typically in 20 to 30 minutes with the tools included.
Is it street legal?
No. Off road only, with no title and no plate. It is for private property with permission or a legal off road area.
What else do I need to buy?
Helmet, goggles, gloves and over the ankle boots, plus a gallon of 87 unleaded and a bottle of two stroke oil. That is the full list to be riding on day one.
Still deciding? Read our buying guide for parents and our first dirt bike experience guide before you order.
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.