Kids often enjoy following their elders. If you have a bike in your house, then most probably you have noticed your kids saying that they want to ride a motorcycle randomly, or maybe you want to teach them how to ride a bike?
Dirt bikes are a great option, especially for kids. If you want to teach your kids how to ride a bike, you should definitely begin with dirt bikes. But the question is whether your kids can ride dirt bikes or not or what age is suitable for kids to ride bikes? Can a 12 year old ride a dirt bike?
A kid starting from the age of 10 to 14 can easily ride a dirt bike. There are varieties of dirt bikes you can choose for your kids. You’ll have to choose a dirt bike that is perfect for your kid’s size and a bike that is comfortable to ride, of course!
In this guide, I will help you know all the aspects you should consider while buying a dirt bike for your kiddo. So, Let’s have a peek!
How Old Do Kids Need to Be to Ride a Dirt Bike?
Dirt bikes are specially designed to ride on unsurfaced streets or roads. They are actually very affluent and comfortable to ride.
Most of the dirt bikes are built for kids. So you don’t have to worry about what age you should consider buying a dirt bike. However, choosing the right dirt bike according to your kid’s age can be a bit tricky.
For your understanding, I’ll mention some points about the age for riding a dirt bike and what kind of bike you should choose for your kids according to their age:
For a 3 to 5 years old kid
If your kid’s age is between three to four years, then you can choose a small electric dirt bike because they can ride safely with these bikes. Also, you can add training wheels if you want.
For a 5 to 6 year old kid
At this age, your kids can promptly start riding a typical dirt bike without training wheels. You don’t have to consider buying an electric bike for them. But you can add training wheels if you want to better balance.
For an 8 years old kid
It is the perfect age where you can freely choose any dirt bike for your kid. However, it would be best to consider the height and weight of the dirt bike according to your kid’s size. Lastly, make sure to choose a dirt bike that has a mechanical grip.
Are dirt bikes safe for 12 year olds?
Without being biased, I would say that dirt bikes are actually not entirely safe for 12 years old. Even if it’s for the elders, then I would still say that it’s not safe.
There are many severe accidents caused by dirt bikes, which can lead to temporary or lifetime injuries. Children are at high risk as they’re not as careful as adults. So, it’s imperative to be cautious about dirt bikes.
Whether you ride a dirt bike or any other vehicle, there’s no full safety. You’ll have to ensure your safety by following proper safety measures. However, you can adopt the following measures below for the protection of your 12-year-old kid:
- Wearing them protective gear while riding a dirt bike.
- Keep your kids away from paved roads. Make sure they’re riding on roads where there are no other heavy vehicles.
- Choose the right dirt bike for your kid that fits their height and weight.
- Don’t let your kids ride the bike with more power than their ability.
- Make sure your kids don’t drink water or other drinks while they’re riding a dirt bike. This can cause accidents. Let them take breaks.
What size dirt bike is good for a 12-13 year old kid?
The perfect size of a dirt bike depends on the physical features and age of your child. You can find dirt bikes in many heights depending on age, but I’ll help you find the suitable one for your 12-13 year old kid.
There are phrases of power or engine size of a dirt bike, depending on how much experience your kid has. If your kid is inexperienced in riding bikes, you should choose a dirt bike with less speed.
You can select an electric dirt bike for your kid. But if your kids are experienced, then there’s no problem going on with an all-around dirt bike.
Talking about the physical features, then you’ll have to choose a dirt bike that goes with your kid’s height. It is essential to get the right seat height because when your kid sits on the bike, he/she must keep their legs on the ground; otherwise, they might fall off.
Can a 12 year old ride a motorcycle?
Age doesn’t matter on whether a 12 year old can ride a motorcycle or not. But it would help if you also consider some other things for a 12 year to ride a motorcycle.
According to California laws, there is no age requirement to ride a motorcycle, but your kid should have a stable height to ride a bike. As long as the children’s size can reach the cycle, he/she can ride a motorcycle. But if the height doesn’t fit the motorcycle, then it’s illegal to ride it.
If I talk about safety, then it’s better not to allow a 12 year old to ride a motorcycle. You can enable them to ride dirt bikes which are suitable for their age. Although there are also risks with dirt bikes, it’s less than a motorcycle.
Considering everything, it counts on you whether you want to get your 12-year-old kid a motorcycle or not.
What size dirt bike does a 13 year old need?
I’ll again say that it’s best to choose a dirt bike for your kid, perfecting their height and experience.
Kids who are already experienced with riding a dirt bike can easily adjust to any cycle. But if your kid is a beginner, you’ll have to think carefully before buying a dirt bike for them. If the dirt bikes don’t go well with their size, they might face many problems.
I’ll suggest that a 50cc dirt bike is the best for a 13 year old kid because:
- The maximum speed of a 50cc dirt bike is 25 and 45 miles per hour, perfect for a 13 year old kid. Also, you can limit it’s speed if you want.
- It ensures that your kids are equipped with proper safety equipment.
- You can easily fit training wheels with a 50cc dirt bike.
- It is a great model for beginners and available in sizes.
- Its strangle limiter will let you decide the acceleration speed.
Are dirt bikes safe for 11 year olds?
Dirt bike riding is a dangerous sport, which applies to both kids and adults, especially when you are not careful.
An 11-year-old kid who’s already riding a dirt bike for a long time can promptly sense what type of dirt bike will suit him, or he/she will know how to ride it carefully. But if not, then things might get a bit tricky. Let’s see the differences between a beginner and an experienced rider:
- For beginners: If your 11 old year kid is a beginner, then a dirt bike might not be safe for him/her. If you are thinking about buying your kid a dirt bike, then you must ensure whether the bike is equipped with safety equipment or not. There will be fewer chances of accidents if proper safety equipment is assured.
- For the experienced rider: If your kid is already experienced riding a dirt bike, then dirt bikes can be a bit less dangerous for them as they are well known to it. However, you should still ensure proper safety measures because accidents can happen to anyone.
What CC should a 12 year old have?
Kids grow very fast between the ages of 12-13. Instead of choosing everything perfectly fitted, you should always consider buying things a little bit prominent in size.
Depending on what type of dirt bike your kids are used to, you should choose a CC. If you are already a buyer, then you would probably know which CC is the best according to your kid’s age.
If you’re new, then it might be difficult for you which CC you should purchase. Because many times it is seen that parents buy the wrong CC for which kids might face difficulties. But no worries, I got you.
If your kid’s age is 12 years, then you should buy a dirt bike that has CC between 65-125cc. Between this CC, you’ll have the bike’s power depending on your child’s features like height or weight. Also, the maximum speed of the bike will be desirable too.
Frequently Asked Questions:
● Can I ride a dirt bike without a license?
You can smoothly ride dirt bikes anywhere except roads, highways. Although a license is not needed to ride a dirt bike still there are some age restrictions which you’ll have to follow. As most of the dirt bike riders are minors, so they definitely need observation of their guardians. In some cases, they might require a rider training certificate too.
● Where can I ride my dirt bike?
You can’t ride dirt bikes anywhere you want because it is strictly not allowed to ride dirt bikes on public roads or highways. If you violate the rules, then you may have to give a penalty too. However, you can hang your dirt bike on your private property or others if they permit you. Also, you can ride it on off-road riding playgrounds.
● What age is a 50cc dirt bike for?
Kids starting from the age of 3-6 can easily ride an electric dirt bike with 50cc. They can try a gas-powered 50cc dirt bike with training wheels. Also, they can safely ride around as a 50cc dirt bike has a full-speed of 25 and 45 miles per hour. After the age of 4, they can ride a 50cc dirt bike without training wheels.
● What happens if you get caught riding a dirt bike on the streets?
Riding dirt bikes on public roads or highways are totally illegal in most of the states. Also, there are strict laws for it. If you get caught riding dirt bikes on streets where it’s not allowed, then you might have to pay fines up to $100 and also confinement up to 100 days.
Conclusion
The purchase of your children’s first bicycle can be a beautiful souvenir. So instead of rushing, consider all the essential things before buying a dirt bike for your kiddo. If this guide has helped you, then do not forget to share it with your friends who are also considering buying a dirt bike for their 12-year-old kids just like you.
It’s great that you talked about dirt bikes for kids and how to know if they’re safe! Recently, my uncle said he’s worried about his son wanting to drive a dirt bike. My cousin’s very excited about dirt bikes, so I think your piece will help my uncle make the right choice! Thanks for the advice on dirt bikes sizes and their safety rules!
You are welcome buddy