The 6 Best Electric Dirt Bikes
Special Honors
KTM E-Ride Just like their gas-powered offerings, the E-Ride series offers ultra-premium build quality, aggressive geometry, and above-average range. Unlike their gas-powered lines, it delivers instant torque and doesn't make any noise. It's large and powerful enough for adolescents and adults. ktm.com
Zero Motorcycles FXS Zero makes a solid lineup of ultra-premium electric street bikes. In fact, they're every bit as well made as many top traditional motorcycles. The FXS model is their most recent foray into an off-road bike and its durability, power, and appearance are nothing short of excellent. It will, of course, require a significant investment. zeromotorcycles.com
Editor's Notes
May 26, 2021:
If you want something an adult can ride, you're looking at a price tag of several grand. We recommend checking out our Special Honors for a jumping-off point. Most electric dirt bikes that don't cost an arm and a leg are limited to adolescent and kids.
You'll probably notice that our Wiki is almost completely dominated by Razor offerings. There aren't many other companies that offer electric dirt bikes, and for safety purposes we strongly recommend against opting for any no-name generic bikes. To that end, we removed one that had poor long-term reviews and availability.
Our top choice remains the Razor MX650, which is widely considered the industry lead for kids' electric dirtbikes and is a good choice for teenagers.
January 09, 2020:
It would seem that Razor hasn't seen fit to update their lineup in recent years, which makes sense when you consider that the Razor MX650 and Razor Dirt Rocket SX500 continue to be among the best option on the market, with realistic handling and powerful motors. Other companies seem poised to challenge them, however, with a meaningful upgrade to the Burromax model from our last ranking in the Burromax TT350R. This mini bike has an impressive top speed and a short charge time, and it has a more street-worthy appearance than its motocross counterparts. Its variety of finishes also make it easy to pair with your favorite helmet.
A new introduction to the list came in the MotoTec 36v Pro, which proves to be a rather fast model with competitive features like a throttle response that's adjustable between .2 and 1 second, and one of the most reliable chain drives on the market. It might have taken one of the top spots from the aforementioned Razor models if it had a better weight capacity, but as it stands it can only carry along riders of 150 pounds or less.
October 13, 2018:
The Razor MX650 stole the top spot from the Dirt Rocket SX500 because of its faster speeds and higher weight capacity, though both would make any teen happy. The Razor MX350 was removed from our rankings as its features were too similar to the Dirt Rocket MX400, which is slightly faster and roughly the same price. Despite being not the most durable of options, we felt the Best Choice Ride-on deserved a spot on the list to cater to the youngest of riders.
The Ultimate Eco Friendly Fun Machine
They have the same suspension as regular off road motorcycles, they use the same type of brake systems, and they are rugged and reliable.
Off road motorcycles, more commonly referred to as dirt bikes, are dual wheeled vehicles specifically designed to handle the conditions presented away from paved riding surfaces, such as gravel, sand, snow, mud, and of course dirt. Off road bikes tend to be lighter in weight than regular motorcycles, and have higher and "longer" suspension, which allows the bikes to handle the bumps and jolts that come with terrain and with riding style. Their tires usually feature large tread patterns for gripping loose and varied types of ground, and they often have relatively small gas tanks and engines, which reduces the bike's weight and allows for maximum control and better jumping ability.
Dirt bikes are used by professional athletes competing in sports such as Motocross or Rally Races, and they have been a symbol of freedom and fun for youngsters for many generations. If you are looking for an outdoor activity your kids will love, then perhaps you have been considering getting them a dirt bike. But if you're like most parents, you probably don't relish the thought of your youngster riding atop a gas powered machine that can reach speeds well over 60 miles per hour, which is well within the capability of most dirt bikes.
A perfect solution that will leave everyone in the family happy is to opt for an electric dirt bike as your child's first powered cycle. An electric dirt bike offers all the same features and capabilities as a gas powered option, only with decidedly reduced top speeds and with a much quieter engine (which the neighbors will appreciate). They have the same suspension as regular off road motorcycles, they use the same type of brake systems, and they are rugged and reliable.
Thus an electric dirt bike is a great training tool for the dedicated rider who wants to master off road motorcycling but needs to stay safe at slower speeds before he or she is ready to fly, so to speak. And of course an electric dirt bike is also more environmentally friendly tan a gas powered option, as it does not burn up fossil fuel as its power source.
Choosing The Right Electric Dirt Bike
Almost every electric dirt bike on the market is designed with young riders in mind. An adult who wants an electric dirt bike might be hard pressed to find a viable option, but the parent looking for the right bike for his or her child will have plenty of cycles from which to choose.
First take into consideration your child's size now and how much he or she is likely to grown in the next couple of years. Many electric dirt bikes have weight limits that might make them unsafe to ride once your child reaches a certain size.
Almost every electric dirt bike on the market is designed with young riders in mind.
Next consider how fast you are comfortable with your child moving. Many electric dirt bikes can hit speeds of 15 or 17 miles per hour, which might not sound fast to someone used to driving a car, but is a fast enough pace for a child atop a dirt bike. Still, these relatively slow top speeds are by design — there are in fact electric motorcycles that can compete with gas powered options in terms of speed.
Many electric dirt bikes feature speed control settings that the cautious parent will appreciate. You can, for example, choose a bike that can be limited to a manageable 7 mph, and then later have its top speed elevated to 11 mph once your child has demonstrated their safe and responsible riding skills.
Beyond those primary concerns, think about charging time, the weight of the bike that you'll likely be loading into your truck or SUV (rather than letting your child ride it down the street or sidewalk on their way to the field or track) and of course about cost. Electric dirt bikes occupy a relatively wide price range, but the really nice ones are awfully expensive, so be sure your child will truly relish their new vehicle before you commit to one.
Electric Dirt Bike Safety Tips
Before a child should even touch their new electric dirt bike, they should have a thorough understanding of all safety guidelines and should understand the boundaries parents set that surround their riding. The primary rule for dirt bike safety is the same as it is for riding a regular bike: riders must wear helmets at all times.
As an electric dirt bike can present a safety hazard to its rider and those nearby, it is up to you and your child to make sure you watch out for everyone around the bike.
Your child should also be wearing thick gloves, tightly laced boots or shoes (with no loose strings hanging off of them), knee pads, elbow pads, and ideally rugged clothing covering the rest of their bodies. Protective eyewear is also a good idea.
A child must know exactly where he or she is allowed to ride, and where they must be off the bike. An electric dirt bike has no business being used on a street where cars ever drive, for example, and sidewalk riding should be permitted only at a parent's discretion and once a child has shown they can safely control the bike near other people and near obstacles like parked cars and mailboxes.
A child must also have the wherewithal to not ride in areas where such activities are prohibited, such as in public spaces, on school grounds, or across private property. As an electric dirt bike can present a safety hazard to its rider and those nearby, it is up to you and your child to make sure you watch out for everyone around the bike.