Short answer: For most 16 year olds, pick an electric bike. The Sykeruns X5 at $975 fits most riders in this age group. The Sykeruns X7 at $1350 fits taller or heavier riders and pulls harder on hills and sand. A 50cc gas mini at $300 still works for a smaller rider who is under 170 lb and new to riding. Every bike ships free to all 50 states, and local buyers can pick up the same day in Tempe.
Start with fit, not age
Age alone does not size a bike. Height and weight do. A tall 16 year old and a small 16 year old need very different bikes, so check fit first with our size guide. If the rider is close to the size of a younger teen, our 15 year old guide walks through the same choice one year down.
When a 50cc still works
The 50cc gas mini is a two stroke bike with pull start and automatic riding, with no gears and no clutch to learn. It is built for ages about 5 to 13 and riders up to 170 lb. Top speed is 32 mph, and a parent can set the speed limiter lower while a rider learns. Our how fast guide explains what that speed feels like in real riding. At 16, most riders have grown past that fit. If the rider is over 170 lb, the 50cc is simply too small, and electric is the right move.
Why electric fits most 16 year olds
The X5 has a 3000W motor and fits riders about 4 ft to 5 ft 11 in and up to 265 lb. It has three gear steps at about 15, 27 and 50 mph, so a new rider can start slow in the first gear and open it up as skills grow. Charge time is about 5 to 6 hours, and real off road range is about 20 to 25 miles per charge. Our X5 vs X7 guide lays the two electrics out side by side, our teen electric guide covers picking by rider, and our beginner electric guide covers starting slow.
When to pick the X7
Pick the X7 at $1350 if the rider is over 265 lb, taller than 5 ft 11 in, or riding hills and deep sand a lot. The X7 has a 5500W motor with 220 N.m of torque and fits riders about 4 ft 8 in to 6 ft 3 in and up to 330 lb. Its three gear steps are about 25, 39 and 56 mph. Charge time is about 6 to 7 hours, and real off road range is about 22 to 31 miles per charge. The full specs and range notes are in our X7 review.
Gear and where to ride
Every rider needs a helmet and basic gear on day one, no matter which bike you pick. Our safety gear guide lists what to have ready. For local riders, our Arizona riding guide covers legal places to ride near Phoenix and Tempe. All of our bikes are off road only and have no title.
What shows up
Each bike arrives about 90 percent built. You fit the front wheel and handlebar with the included tools and the setup video, then give the battery a first full charge before the first ride. Our battery charging guide covers that first charge and how to make the battery last. Every bike comes with 1 year parts support through the manufacturer.
We are a family owned mini moto and ebike club in Tempe, Arizona. Browse the electric dirt bikes collection to compare both models, or read our cost guide for a plain look at prices before you order.