The 10 Best Electric Motorcycles For Kids
Editor's Notes
October 28, 2020:
For this update we had to remove some items, such as the Burromax TT350R Dirt Bike, due to availability concerns. Luckily, there are still plenty of great models on the market worthy of taking their place. This time around, we focused on providing more variety for younger riders and expanding the range of options for more budget-conscious buyers.
It's no surprise that oftentimes selections intended for very young users aren't made to the highest of standards. This is most likely due to the idea that children tend to grow out of toys rather quickly. We decided to add the Peg Perego Ducati because it goes against this norm, and serves as a high-end option for kids in the range of 3 to 8 years old. This choice is great for young motorcycle enthusiasts because it's not just a thing to ride on, but in fact a stunningly accurate replica of a real Ducati racing bike. Even if realism isn't your child's utmost concern it's still a worthwhile choice due to its build quality and features that help extend its use over many years, such as 2.5 MPH and 5 MPH maximum speed settings and removable training wheels.
Children interested in a realistic bike who are above the age range of the Peg Perego, but still much too young for a real motorcycle, may be better suited by the Razor Electric Street Bike. This selection lacks training wheels and features a top speed of 14 MPH, so it's definitely intended for more advanced users that have experience with other two-wheeled vehicles. A real variable twist throttle, a rear disc brake, and durable mag wheels with real rubber tires create an authentic experience for aspiring riders.
While options for very young users tend to feature either three wheels or training wheels, we thought it might be a good idea to include the ATV-styled Kid Motorz Xtreme Quad. This option still provides a motorcycle-like experience for small children, but with the added benefit of the rock solid stability a set of four wheels provides. In addition, it's also one of the most affordable choices available, which may make it the perfect choice if you're unsure how interested your toddler is in this sort of toy.
Whether you end up picking a slow and stable ride for a three year old or a heavy-duty electric dirt bike that will serve your child into their teens, parental supervision and safety precautions are strongly recommended in any case. Providing your child with a helmet and protective pads will help ensure their safety during operation, and those dealing with older kids and faster speeds may even want to consider more advanced safety gear such as proper [motorcycle gloves].
November 05, 2019:
While not a lot has changed in the marketplace since the last iteration of our ranking, there has been a slight shakeup to the overall layout and ordering of the models included, mainly due to the exodus of the Qaba 6V from our list. That model had a few too many problems in the durability department, and the arrival of the Burromax TT350R Dirt Bike on the scene could not be ignored. Here is a bike that offers an insane amount of ride time at its half-speed setting, topping out around eight hours. That drops off when you go up to full speed, but its battery life still destroys anything else in its path. Then, when you take into account features like a fine suspension and an eye-catching motocross body design, it's easy to see why this would be so well liked.
Of course, concerns for safety still abound, especially in a category that has such a range in appropriate ages, with some models becoming useless to anyone bigger than a toddler, and others being dangerous to anyone under 13. All that is said to use this as yet another platform on which to guard consumers against getting the wrong bike for a child of the wrong age or weight, and to encourage constant supervision, even for something as seemingly innocent as a casual ride around the back yard.
October 17, 2018:
The electric offering from XtremePowerUS was taken off due to availability issues, as it seems the company is leaning more heavily on the production of their gas-powered models. Its replacement, the Moderno Kids unit, came in at number 4. It's got some great safety features like light-up wheels, but the market hasn't given it enough support to push it higher on our list.
Never Too Young To Ride
Others are more about getting comfortable in the right gear, like a full-face helmet, gloves, and a jacket.
Understandably, most parents probably wouldn’t want their kids going anywhere near a motorcycle at any point in their lives. If you’re reading this, however, that either means you’re burying your fears somewhere deep inside to give your child what they’ve asked for, or it means you’re a rider yourself, and you’re well-versed in all the wonder the open road has to offer.
Whichever camp you fall into, there’s a good argument to be made for getting your youngsters on a motorcycle of one kind or another at an early age. Parents who really don’t want to see their kids end up on a Harley someday might hope that the early exposure to these bikes will be something they can grow out of, that they’ll be over by the time they’re old enough to drive.
For both those worried parents and the set that wants to see their kids inherit their passion for motorcycles, there’s an even more compelling reason to start them young. By learning the basic skills and balancing efforts required to operate a motorcycle many years before they could legally hop on a hog and hit the highway, they’ll be better versed in a variety of techniques and habits that will keep them safe.
Some of these habits are practical, including maintaining proper following distance, using inter-rider communication signals, and idling in first gear instead of neutral. Others are more about getting comfortable in the right gear, like a full-face helmet, gloves, and a jacket.
Choosing The Perfect Electric Motorcycle
Electric motorcycles are made for just about every age group, including some models built by the world’s top brands. Picking an age-appropriate model is paramount, not just so that it’ll suit their current need, but ideally so that it’ll be something they can grow into.
For the youngest set of riders, you’ll see models that look a lot like the cars you see by companies like Power Wheels, and these tend to be tricycle models or to employ removable training wheels your kids can use until they learn to balance on just the two. Look for models that include working lights and sound effects, as these are sure to capture your child’s imagination.
If your kids are just going to ride them to and from each other’s houses, there shouldn’t be a problem with either.
Many of the models intended for very young children are suitable for indoor use if you have the space, and they don’t go particularly fast. A slow speed is fine for these very young riders, especially playing indoors, but if you want them to grow into a riding experience where they balance the bike themselves, you’ll want something that can go faster. That might mean starting with a different model or just spending a little less on your first one, knowing that you intend to upgrade.
If your riders are a little bit older, you might look to get them something that’s got a bit more speed and ability. Instead of employing foot pedal throttles like many bikes for toddlers use, these motorcycles function the way an adult bike does, with a throttle in the right hand and handlebar-mounted brakes. You’re unlikely to find kids’ models with manual transmission, not only because their motors aren’t quite powerful enough to justify it, but also because it’d be a little too much to teach tweens and teens just beginning to master their balance and coordination.
Keep an eye on the top speed of these models, as well as their run times when fully charged. If your kids are just going to ride them to and from each other’s houses, there shouldn’t be a problem with either. But longer rides or extended sessions on motocross tracks can eat up battery power very quickly, and if they’re likely to need that extra juice to get home, you might end up getting a phone call and having to pick them up in the middle of preparing dinner.
Teaching Safety Early On
We mentioned above the great opportunity that these bikes present for parents to instill good habits in their young riders. If you ride yourself, the best way to do this is to set a good example, always wearing a full set of protective gear, including the extra padding associated with motocross.
Of course, if you’re getting a slow-moving model for a kid under five years of age, you might not need to smother them in a full-face helmet or force them to signal every time they turn from the kitchen into the living room. That said, a toddler in a classic leather motorcycle jacket and one of those little berets like Marlon Brando wore in The Wild One would be some serious Instagram fodder.
Look for some kid-sized motocross boots for youngsters hitting the track or at least a nice pair of leather shoes or boots that don’t have laces for more casual riding.
For older kids, it’s vital that you make sure they’re outfitted with everything they need to stay safe. The helmet is the most important thing here, and there are models sized for kids that are often available with a matching set of gloves. Don’t overlook the footwear either. Shoes with laces can get caught on foot pegs and unintentionally tie your child to the bike, dramatically increasing the danger to their legs during a spill. Look for some kid-sized motocross boots for youngsters hitting the track or at least a nice pair of leather shoes or boots that don’t have laces for more casual riding.
As those kids get later into their teens, get them some books on motorcycles. These can be narrative fiction or coffee table books with great images to keep your youngsters interested in that world, but they should also include some books that cover different techniques and lessons that will help them eventually take their written and road test to get a motorcycle license. Some states also offer weekend-long courses that cover everything you’d see on a written test and also get you on a relatively low-powered motorcycle to do some training on a closed track. These courses can often take the place of the riding portion of the test in many states, ensuring that your kid will hit the road with a lifetime of lessons ready to be employed in the name of safety.