Dirt Bikes For 12-Year-Olds – Ultimate Buying Guide

The bliss of off-road biking has made even the junior buffs cherish and own this thrill ergo the demand for dirt bikes has been rising all over the world. Even the 12-year-olds have ample enthusiasm for this activity which is why it is quite significant to shed some light on this side. Having said that, we have articulated the various aspects of dirt bikes for 12-year-olds. This article emphasizes the best such bikes available in the market along with their upsides and downsides. Also, the buying guide has been explained to give you an idea of the crucial factors to be aware of while purchasing.

Following this, we have enlisted the bikes from reputed brands i.e. Yamaha, Honda, Razor, KTM, and Kawasaki. Adding, only the Razor dirt bike among them can be found on Amazon.

See the respective features individually below.  

Dirt Bikes For 12-Year-Olds Reviews

1. Yamaha TTR110E Four-Stroke Engine Dirt Bike

The YZ-styled Yamaha TTR110E is the most accessible motocross for 12-year-olds as its seat height is just 26.4 inches expressing that it is completely fit for this age. Not only this but the weight can also be handled effortlessly without tipping around.

Following, the Yamaha dirt bikes for 12-year-olds are certainly not rejectable by any rider as they will surely relish graphics and style while riding along with their fellows.

Interestingly, there has been made a push-button electric start for the ease of junior riders. But there is also a kick start as a backup so meanwhile, a rider can get to learn both approaches.

This is not all, the rider will also enjoy the auto-clutch transmission feature that will enable him to not be stuck in the confusion of clutch modulation. This way, even the novice can ride the bike by pushing an electric button to get to start riding and keep enjoying without shifting puzzlement. 

Besides, the engine is reliable and long-lasting with low maintenance requirements throughout its life. It is a four-stroke engine with a compact cylinder providing maximum horsepower as well as torque.

While riding, you will be able to pass over the jumps smoothly without getting jerks because the advanced suspension has been featured in the rear wheel. This is further optimized by appropriately designing the large front and small rear wheels to keep the steering light. Also, these knobby tires won’t disappoint you on any track conditions you want to have a trail on as they can have a perfect hold on the ground. 

One more advanced feature that has been built is key-ignition which is to deter unauthorized access.  For safety, throttle control, as well as braking, has been ensured.

2. Honda CRF125F Four-Stroke Engine Dirt Bike

If a 12-year-old rider does not have a short height and can bear a moderate amount of weight, this bike is certainly for him. The seat height is 29.1 inches which a tall guy can easily accommodate vis-à-vis handling the accumulated weight. However, if the seat height is still small, there is also another version of this bike available with big wheels for taller riders.

Markedly, the physical difference between this bike with the previous bike is the greater dimensions and heavier weight. So, if the rider is taller and sturdy, he can opt for it.

Besides compatibility, the work is also worth mentioning. Gratefully, you will not have any hassle of mixing fuel priorly as in the case of a 2-stroke engine because, in this bike, the built-in engine is 4-stroke. Since the bike is labeled as 125cc which reflects that the fuel needed in the corresponding engine tank is sufficient to provide a fine mileage.  Accordingly, with a fuel capacity of 1 gallon, you can enjoy riding within a good deal of time.

What’s more, it has a manual clutch which is another added advantage for riders to ride freely with smooth shifting. Even if the rider is a novice, he can learn to modulate the clutch even in the beginning, which will make him a pro.

If you discern about safety features, this too has been considered wholly. There is a key-ignition system that allows you to stay aware of the bike’s use. Further, the throttle control during riding enables speed control instead of a constant speed. The front disc also provides an efficient brake.

Notably, there are also some other Honda dirt bikes for 12-year-olds that primarily differ in seat height and weight. They can also be considered based on the rider’s capabilities. On average, the under-discussion bike is suitable for a guy of this age.  

3. Razor MX 350 – Cheap Electric Dirt Bike on Amazon

In the list of the best electric dirt bikes for 12-year-olds, this Razor bike is versatile and affordable. Firstly, it is completely compatible with a 12-year-old guy who can sit comfortably on the seat and handle the weight readily. Despite being lightweight, it can bear the heavy weight on the bike up to 140lb which can either be of the rider or any other loading.

Once this check is applied, the second thing to be mindful of is the structure and quality. Regarding that, its material is rigorous enough to grant sturdiness and resilience against continuous falls. And if you take sharp turns on narrow sections, it will deliver high torque. With that capability, it keeps providing smooth power and traction throughout the journey.

However, the downside of this bike is the limited time journey due to the defined run time. It can go long for 30 minutes only with a speed of 14mph. 

Apart from this, the safety features have also been ensured by providing a hand-operated rear disc brake and throttle control. Moreover, the knobby tires of 12” enable controlled handling on any terrain.

Notably: In the same series of Razor dirt bikes, there is another bike available with the model ID “SX350” that encompasses the same function but due to the rear and unique graphics, its cost is far higher than this one. This is why we have recommended this bike as a complete balance between cost and quality.

4. KTM 65 SX Two Stroke Dirt Bike for 12-year-olds

Albeit the power (i.e. 65cc) of this bike seems lower than the above-mentioned dirt bikes, the dimensions and working are absolutely fit for a 12-year-old. This is because the seat height is 29.5 inches on which an inseam of this age group’s riders can adapt without uneasiness.

However, the standing feature is the weight that is lower than the earlier bikes because of the lower cc level as the high cylinder adds weight to the bike and vice versa.

Coming to the engine efficiency, this is significant to say that its two-stroke engine is utterly quick in providing instant power on the ups and downs of uneven roads. On the sharp turns, this light-weight two-stroke engine will get you smoothly turned by providing high torque and acceleration. Moreover, the fuel capacity of 3.5 liters enables covering a large distance with no compromise on the thrill.

Unlike previous bikes, the engine of this KTM 65cc bike is lighter and conveniently controllable on any terrain. With a hydraulic clutch that is adjustable, you can modulate with even gloved hands. And if talk about suspension, this too is far more satisfactory as you can adjust the air spring of the left fork leg based on the rider’s weight.

For security, the front and rear disc brakes provide utmost control while riding along with the anodized black tires for gripping. 

Note: There are many KTM dirt bikes for 12-year-olds available but their seat height and weight are not easily manageable by little riders hence we preferred this selection.

5. Kawasaki KX 112cc 2-stroke Engine Dirt Bike

Like all other bikes, this motocross does also encapsulated multiple functions with the ultimate purpose to provide sturdiness and robustness. The frame and chassis of this Kawasaki dirt bike for 12-year-olds are durable enough to withstand pressure and continuous flyovers.

The ground clearance has been optimized in a way that seat height is perfectly suitable for a 12-year-old rider. Also, the bike is lightweight but can bear a heavy load as well.

Having a 2-stroke engine, it has adequate maneuverability that leads to the best traction. In this regard, the suspensions play a key role by absorbing shocks with sprung mass and damping. 

Its rear and front suspension enables side control with efficient load-bearing by the wheels. Further, the rear suspension is also adjustable. 

The design and fixtures are well-planned with the sole purpose of offering ease and leisure to the rider. Regarding the handlebar, the rider can adjust any position from six different positions according to its size.  

In the safety features, petal disc brakes (front and rear) and throttle control are available ergo your kid will stay safe under your supervision.

The downside of this bike is the high cost which makes it less economical.

Buying Guide for the Dirt Bikes for 12-year-olds

Whenever you go out to get motocross for a 12-year-old guy, you must consider the following elements that will be certainly beneficial and make your selection worth money. Usually, a rider of this age tends to be a newbie, so accordingly we have presented the details in a specific sequence. Walk through the detailed guidelines below.

Seat Height

The integral factor to look for while purchasing the motocross for 12-year-olds is compatibility with seat height as well as weight-bearing capacity.

On average, the inseam of such a guy is 12-16 inches, accordingly, he sits fit on a seat height of around 23-33 inches. It is always better to know about the proper inseam of the rider to seek the corresponding height between the seat and footpegs as well as the ground.

It has been observed that people buy a fancy bike but then come to know later that their child is unable to ride freely because their legs are either not getting straight or not reaching the ground properly. This can make your entire selection money wastage.

Advisably, if you use riding shoes, it is better to look for a higher seat because shoes’ certain depth gives you an extra height.

Weight-bearing Capacity

If you overlook this aspect, your child can keep falling for being unable to manage the bike’s weight. A 2-stroke engine is lighter than a 4-stroke ergo most of the mini dirt bikes for 12-year-olds have this engine. In due course, you can prefer a 2-stroke engine for better balance.

However, if we reverse the situation, a heavy guy can exceed the weight-bearing capacity of a bike too. This is because, under the same age group of 12, riders can possess different weight figures. Thereupon, it is quite significant to maintain a balance between the rider’s weight and the bike’s weight-bearing capacity.

Helpful tip: Concerning the bike’s weight, training wheels[2]  can be very useful if the kid is a beginner because they grant very good stability to the bike.

Additionally, the dirt bikes having higher cc levels tend to add weight to the bike which becomes further challenging for adults to oversee. Jump to the next factor below embodying more details about the cc level.

Tires & Wheelbase

Since the track condition is always uneven whether it is a wide or narrow area, the rubber tires should be knobby to grip the ground efficiently without slipping even on the mud.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to have a front tire bigger and thinner than the rear tire the reason that such a tire can smoothly go through bumps and barriers. In contrast, the rear tire has to bear a heavy load which is why it is made thick and small in diameter.

Apart from this, wheels play a key role in the stability of the bike is especially focused on good dirt bikes for 12-year-olds. As this riding is quite different from simple on-road riding, the traction can never be overlooked that is linked with the wheelbase. With that in view, the wheelbase is made satisfactory enough to maximize stability.

If the distance between both tires is large, fewer loads will be transferred on them while accelerating and braking. To put things differently, it can be said that this will be a longer wheelbase that will enhance stability. So, during acceleration and applying brakes, the front and rear tires will have to withstand less load respectively.

However, the maneuverability will get reduced this way. So, stability and maneuverability have an inverse relation. With these facts in mind, you can decide wheelbase that either you need shorter or larger based on your preference. 

Adding, stability is also affected by the road clearance in terms of an optimum center of gravity which implies the reasonable engine height from the ground that protects it from muddy conditions on-road and high jumps on an uneven trail. This also enhances stability because tires are transferred less load.  

Ultimate Use

If your ultimate goal is racing, having a bike with a four-stroke engine is preferable. But, if you are thrilled to drive in narrow paths, mountains, and conserved paths, we suggest you go with a two-stroke. This is because it is lighter and can pass easily through such an area. In contrast, the four-stroke is good for wide and open areas where sharp turns do not cause instability. Traction is hard to prevail due to heavier weight.

Since dirt bikes for 12-year-olds do not generally tend to be racing, the two-stroke engine is the better choice as mentioned above because it can be handled as well as require less maintenance. 

Dirt Bike Types

With the rising demand for dirt bikes, manufacturers started making engine-powered as well as electric bikes. You must have gotten the basic idea of both types provided you walked through the review section. Anyhow, we have encompassed the crucial aspects of both kinds below that you must be aware of. 

Engine-powered Dirt Bikes

Since the main difference between an electric and fuel-powered bike is the power system, we have focused on this particular majorly. Regarding that, the fuel or gas-powered dirt bikes for 12-year-olds has a power system that is fueled by either gas or oil. 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines used in bikes are prominent examples in this regard.

With such a bike, you need to add fuel regularly. In a 2-stroke engine, you will need to mix gas and oil before filling. In contrast, this hassle does not have to be exercised in a 4-stroke. Commonly, in both engines, octane fuel above 90 is used. Nonetheless, it is not fixed rather always check out the manual for better help.

It’s better to keep some extra fuel along with you in a ride for dirt biking is supposed to be on trails that do not let you quit riding early. This way if your bike runs short of fuel somewhere, there will be a quick solution otherwise you can stuck in the middle of a desert. Comparatively, this is a plus point of engine-powered bikes.

Electric Dirt Bikes

As the name indicates, their power system is in a battery. You have to charge it regularly. Such a bike is very simple to drive. Usually, there is a push button to start the journey.

Especially they are good dirt bikes for 12-year-olds that are trainee riders because clutch modulation which can be challenging for them, is not required there.

The downside of electric motocross is the limited battery timing. You can cover the only distance that the battery allows you for it has definite battery timing. Once the charging is over, it won’t take you further anymore. Not only this, it requires a good deal of time to get fueled up again. Since charging is time taking, you may not be able to make a sudden plan with such a bike if it is not charged.

Adding, you can ride in the nearby areas only given that the charging source is fixed.

Engine capacity & Mileage

For a 12-year-old rider, a bike up to 150cc is sufficient. Getting into depth, a cc level reflects the capacity of the cylinder to undertake fuel and ultimately provide power. A higher cc level means there will be a higher engine tank which will subsequently generate high acceleration power. But it is possible only when the required fuel is also filled, implying you need to spend more money.

A 4-stroke engine provides consistent power, unlike a 2-stroke that does so in a particular rpm range. However, the latter one is cooler. The 4-stroke engine is heavier and becomes hot owing to more engine parts and high ignition. Accordingly, in high cc bikes, this engine requires proper maintenance.

Regarding mileage, efficient dirt bikes enable you to consume less fuel and cover more distance. Usually, a four-stroke engine is more efficient in providing high mileage.  Consequently, the cost will be reduced.

Maintenance

Regarding the power system, in the electric dirt bikes for 12-year-olds, the upkeep is concerned with the battery. Timely charging and protection from water and fireplace are indispensable. Generally, all the precautions are mentioned in the manual.

On the other hand, in fuel-powered bikes, the upkeep is linked with the engine. You need to keep inspecting fuel and temperature levels. Advisably, you should use the exact fuel as recommended in the manual so as to avert any deterioration. In the view of a two-stroke engine, beware of mixing fuel.

In a four-stroke engine, repairing is not as simple as in a two-stroke because it is heavy and embodies more fixtures. However, it is lasting as compared than the other one because observations show that two-stroke can undergo earlier wear and tear.

Sometimes leakages also occur due to carelessness in monitoring. In due course, bolts and nuts should be checked periodically if they need to be tightened. Besides, tires should also be examined. They become flat or holed owing to excessive riding on uneven paths.

Continuing; the cables, foot paddles, throttle, and air filter should also be taken care of by regular monitoring. Recommend ably, if you want your bike to stay unblemished, wash it after a bumpy ride.

Cost

Not only does the initial cost matter but the maintenance, as well as the cost required throughout the life of the bike, also matters. Briefly explaining, some bikes have inefficient mileage resultantly they make you keep spending huge money throughout the life for fuel filling. Also if they need some sort of repair, the expenditures become further higher.

So, cheap dirt bikes for 12-year-olds should take into account all these particulars. Generally, the best cheap dirt bikes are available for up to 3000$. Having said that, we must say that never spend a substantial amount in the beginning. Once you get to learn it wholly and your age is also adequate for competing rides, only then you should consider spending a high amount on expensive bikes.

Conclusion

As a general rule, the most suitable dirt bike for a 12-year-old guy is the one that has optimum seat height and weight which can be managed by a little rider who is often a beginner. In due course, a bike with a high cc level manifolds the poundage besides high power generation. Conversely, this is not favorable because what’s the use of a specifically bought product that is not fitting your kid properly?

With that in mind, after our profound analysis, we see Yamaha TTR110E outweighing the rest of the bikes concerning geometry as well as quality. Its four-stroke engine provides smooth power and a sturdy body resists dents and shattering even after consistent falls.

However, if we screen these bikes for cost, our top-notch is the Razor MX 500 electric bike which is one of the best cheap dirt bikes for 12-year-olds. So, based on your budget, you can prefer any of the products after reviewing them in the above section.

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