Best Dirt Bikes for 12-Year-Olds: A Detailed Guide with Pricing
Twelve is a great age to start trying out many different hobbies and sports. And, if you’re reading this, dirt bike riding is probably what your youngster has in mind. Here are some of the best dirt bikes that are worth considering for your twelve-year-old.
| Dirt Bike | Average Price (New) |
| 1. Kuberg Young Rider Trial Hero | $1,900 |
| 2. Razor MX650 Rocket Electric Motocross Bike | $518 |
| 3. Husqvarna TC85 | $7,000 |
| 4. Yamaha TT-R110E | $2,300 |
| 5. Kawasaki KLX110 | $2,300 |
| 6. Honda CRF125F | $3,100 |
| 7. Honda CRF150F | $3,800 |
Along with the budget you have for a dirt bike, some of the major factors you will want to consider when looking into a dirt bike is your child’s height, weight, and experience level.
1. Kuberg Young Rider Trial Hero Dirt Bike
Kuberg offers several great electric dirt bikes that are sure to please many kids at various ages. The Kuberg Young Rider Trial Hero Dirt Bike is one of my favorites from this company for its easy maintenance and usability.
These bikes are also super easy and convenient to use. Because they are electrically powered, all you have to do when you want to ride this bike is make sure you have the bike plugged in and charging ahead of time. No need to mess around with the motor.
This bike is also super quiet, so that’s a plus if you’re living in an area where people aren’t too fond of the noisy gas bikes.
If you’re interested in this bike, you can find more information about it and the company on Kuberg’s website here.
What’s the price?
This electric dirt bike from Kuberg costs around $1,900 plus whatever shipping fee there is if you live farther away from a dealership with this bike.
Honestly, though, this price is on the lower scale compared to some other youth gas bikes, so it’s a great option if you’re wanting to find something a little cheaper.
Why this bike a good fit for your 12-year old
The determining factor for this bike is how well it will fit your kid’s size and experience level. In my opinion, I think this bike is a great beginner bike for most average-sized 12-year-olds for a few reasons:
This bike is super lightweight.
The problem with some dirt bikes is that they are too heavy for kids to pick up if they tip the bike over. The Kuberg Young Rider Trial Hero Dirt Bike weighs about 73 pounds (33 kilograms), which makes this bike super lightweight.
Your twelve-year-old shouldn’t’ have too much trouble lifting or handling this bike on and off the trails when he or she needs to, which is a definite asset when looking into a bike for your kid.
This bike has a lower speed.
If your child is a beginner at dirt bike riding, a bike with super-high speeds probably isn’t the best option for their first few bikes until they are more comfortable riding and controlling the bike.
The top speed for this bike from Kuberg is about 17 miles per hour (27 kilometers per hour), which is enough speed to give your kid a thrill while riding, but not enough to get them in any serious trouble while they are learning.
This bike is easy to operate.
This bike is super easy to operate, which is an absolute plus if your child is new or still trying to figure out the ropes of dirt biking.
This bike from Kuberg easily allows kids to get familiar with working the bike’s throttle. Accompanied by the bike’s lower high speed and low maintenance requirements, this is an excellent bike to get your kid’s feet wet around the neighborhood or on the trails.
2. Razor MX650 Rocket Electric Motocross Bike
Razor is a great company with high reviews for their youth dirt bikes. This electric dirt bike is another great beginner bike with a lower price and with great features to ensure your 12-year-old is safe and has lots of fun.
What’s the price?
Razor has awesome bikes at super reasonable prices, and the Razor MX640 Rocket Electric Motocross Bike is one of these bikes. Costing about $518, this bike is definitely on the lower end of cost.
So, if you’re looking for a less expensive option to start your kid off in the sport, this is a great pick. But, I would definitely encourage you to find out if this bike will fit your kid well.
If you are interested in this bike, (who wouldn’t be?) you can find it on Amazon’s website here.
Why this bike a good fit for your 12-year-old
Many reviews for this bike claim that it’s great for any age. I would definitely say that it depends on a person’s preference when riding, but I think most 12-year-olds will think this is a fun bike for riding around the neighborhood and trails. Here are a few aspects of this bike that are good to consider:
This bike is small but has adjustable features.
Twelve is an interesting age full of growth, so it’s important to keep in mind how long your twelve-year-old will be able to ride a bike. The Razor MX650 Electric Rocket Motocross Bike is on the smaller size of other dirt bikes. But the handlebar is adjustable, which allows your child to find the fit right for them.
If you have a tall twelve-year-old, they might want a bigger bike, but many adult reviewers of this bike have expressed how much fun it is for them to ride even though they are older. So, size is all about preference.
This bike has a lower high speed.
Lower high speeds are great for beginning dirt bikers because it helps them keep control of the bike while they are learning.
The Razor MX650’s high speed of 17 miles per hour (about 27 kilometers per hour) is a great speed that allows your young rider to have lots of fun while still staying in control during the learning process.
This bike has a shorter battery life.
Consider this: How long do you think your twelve-year-old will ride this bike each day? My only qualm with this bike is the shorter battery life of 40 minutes. Of course, forty minutes can be just enough time to have a great ride.
My advice for anyone riding an electric-powered dirt bike is to keep the bike charging when they are not riding. This way, the bike will be ready for them whenever they want to ride.
Husqvarna TC85 Dirt Bike
Husqvarna is one of the big dirt bike companies that produce the best dirt bikes on the market. This bike, the Husqvarna TC85, is a great choice for young beginning riders who are looking for a bike that’s a little more intense than the electric-powered ones we’ve discussed so far.
What’s the price?
Price with gas engine bikes generally depends on the year the bike was produced. A 2020 model of the Husqvarna TC85 dirt bike costs about $7,000 brand new. A 2017 model (as shown in the video review above) costs about $5,600 new.
Whatever the year, this is definitely a more expensive bike. But if you consider that your kid can ride this bike for several years, it just might be worth the cost to you.
Generally speaking, you can usually find lots of dirt bikes on sale from previous owners on sites like Craigslist and Cycle Trader, so keep an eye out for some good deals.
Why this bike a good fit for your 12-year-old
I honestly think that this bike is a great fit for your young rider who’s getting into dirt biking a little more seriously. While this is still a good bike for beginners, it will definitely take some getting used to if all previous bikes were electric-powered instead of gas. Here are some great features for the 2020 model that are worth considering:
This bike is considerably bigger and one that your kid can ride for several years.
Size is an important aspect to consider, especially for rapidly growing twelve-year-olds. This bike from Husqvarna is definitely bigger than other youth bikes, but it allows several years of growth before your kid will grow out of it.
The 2020 model’s seat height is about 33.5 inches (950 mm) tall. If you’re worried about your kid being able to fit comfortably on this bike, consider that as long as they can stand on their toes while on the bike, they will probably be just fine actually riding the bike.
This bike has a two-stroke engine, so it might be a little more aggressive than your kid is used to riding.
Two-stroke engines allow for faster acceleration after turns in the trail or track than a four-stroke bike. For those not used to a two-stroke bike, or a gas bike in general, controlling the bike may take some getting used to.
In my experience, people learn quickly the more they do something. So, your twelve-year-old shouldn’t have too big of a problem learning to ride this bike if they are given proper instruction and frequent practice time to ride.
This bike has a durable clutch–something helpful for a young rider learning to use it.
One of the aspects of riding a dirt bike that your kid is going to have to get used to sooner or later is the bike’s clutch. The Husqvarna TC85 has a super durable clutch which will hold out well while your child is first getting more comfortable using a clutch. As with anything, though, practice makes progress.
Yamaha TT-R110E Dirt Bike
Yamaha produces some fantastic bikes for youth, and the TT-R110E is one of them. This bike is definitely a great beginner bike for most twelve-year-olds. the only exception, I’d say, is for a really tall twelve-year-old; they might find this bike too small. But otherwise, this bike is definitely one worth trying out.
What’s the price?
The great thing about this bike is that its high-quality and features really haven’t changed too much over the years. As such, you can get a newer model of the bike without having an outrageous price on it just because it’s new.
The 2020 model of this bike costs right around $2,300, which is a very reasonable price for a bike that will endure lots of rides while your kid is gaining more dirt biking experience. If you’re interested in finding more information about this dirt bike, you can find it on Yamaha’s website here.
Why this bike a good fit for your 12-year-old
I would definitely say that this bike is a good fit for your twelve-year-old who is just getting started in dirt biking, but needs a dirt bike that will fit them well. Here are a few aspects of this bike that are good to consider:
This bike has a seat height that might be too short or just right.
At 26.4 inches (about 670.6 mm), this bike has a seat height on the shorter end of dirt bikes in this range.
That’s not to say that if you have a taller kid that they won’t enjoy this bike (after all, plenty of adult riders have lots of fun on smaller bikes). Your twelve-year-old just might prefer a taller seat height for comfort.
If you get the chance to have your kid try out the dirt bike before you actually buy it, they can tell you for sure if it’s a good fit for them.
This bike an auto-clutch.
What I mean by this is that this bike doesn’t have a normal clutch that you see on other bigger bikes. But it does have an easy-to-use gear shifting system that will help your kid get used to operating the dirt bike while riding
The simple gear-shifting system is a great feature, especially for beginning riders. This feature allows the rider to keep both hands on the wheel and get comfortable with changing the bikes gears in a simpler, safer way.
This bike has grippy footpegs.
Maintaining your hold on the bike is super important, especially while on rougher terrain. This not only helps with balance but also control of the bike; if you’re not worried about just staying on the bike, you can control where the bike goes and how it’s used much better.
The grippy footpegs on the Yamaha TT-R110E are a great addition that will help your twelve-year-old keep their feet firmly on the bike in all kinds of weather. This contributes to their safety and the overall fun that they have while riding and learning.
Kawasaki KLX110 Dirt Bike
Kawasaki does a great job at producing high-quality youth dirt bikes, and the KLX110 is one of them. This bike is an excellent entrance bike for beginning twelve-year-old riders. Many adults even like this bike, so you could take it for a ride, and your young rider is sure to feel a bit more mature riding it.
What’s the price?
The 2020 model of the Kawasaki KLX110 bike costs about $2,300 new, so it doesn’t have too heavy of a price tag on it, which is a plus for any dirt bike purchase.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to check online for people selling their used bikes in order to see if you can get a better price. Just make sure that you take a good look at the bike to ensure that nothing is majorly wrong with it.
Why this bike a good fit for your 12-year-old
I’d say that this bike is definitely an excellent fit for your twelve-year-old. And here’s why:
This bike is big, but not too big.
With this model from Kawasaki, you’re getting a decent-sized bike that your kid can ride for a few years. With a seat height of 26.8 inches (about 681 mm), this bike is right in the middle of tall and short, which will help your twelve-year-old transition onto the bigger bikes.
This bike has a great gear shifting system.
Using a clutch and shifting gears while riding can be a little intimidating at first for a young rider. This bike from Kawasaki solves that issue.
The KLX110 helps young riders get comfortable with shifting gears with its simple gear shift system. Altogether, it’s considered an easy bike to ride, which just might be what your young rider needs to begin with.
This bike has a four-stroke engine.
Dirt bikes with four-stroke engines are considerably easier to control than bikes with two-stroke engines. Four-stroke engines take longer to accelerate than two-strokes, which offers more stability when coming around corners.
The fact that this youth bike form Kawasaki has a four-stroke engine is a good reason to consider that this bike will be easier for your twelve-year-old to control as they are getting used to bigger bikes.
Honda CRF125F Dirt Bike
Honda produces some great bikes for people of all ages. The Honda CRF125F is a great bike that’s part of the company’s progressing age group bikes.
I would definitely say that this bike is a great option for most twelve-year-olds who are ready for a little bit more of a challenge in their dirt biking experience. If you’re interested in finding more information about this bike model, in particular, you can find it on Honda’s website here.
What’s the price?
Honda offers the 2020 model of the CRF125F for about $3,100, which is a great price for the awesome safety features that this bike offers.
Not only is this bike a great transition bike to larger ones while still keeping your young rider safe, but this bike is also sure to give your kid the thrills of riding a more mature bike.
Why this bike a good fit for your 12-year-old
If your young rider is ready for a little bit of a challenge in their riding experience, I think that this bike will do the job while keeping your kid safe and allowing them to have lots of fun. Here are some aspects to consider when it comes to a twelve-year-old riding this bike:
This bike has a four-stroke engine.
Four-stroke engines offer greater control over long, straight distances. Unlike two-stroke engines, four-stroke engines don’t accelerate the bike’s speed that quickly after slowing down. That just might be what your young rider needs while learning to use the bike’s clutch.
This bike has keyed-ignition.
Keyed-ignition is a great feature for a youth bike. If you’re worried about your kid getting into trouble on the bike while you’re not home, you can take the key out so that your kid or anyone else can’t start the bike without supervision.
This bike has a manual clutch with smooth shifting.
A great feature offered on this bike is the excellent manual clutch. Getting used to using a clutch takes some practice. The bike’s smooth-shifting, however, aids in making this process easier. This is a great asset in helping your young rider get comfortable with shifting gears. Honestly, though, why make the process any harder than it has to be?
Honda CRF150F Dirt Bike
Here’s another great youths bike from Honda. This bike has more power and weight than the CRF125F. If your kid is ready for something a little more heavy-duty, I’d definitely consider this bike for them. But I’d say this bike is for kids who are more experienced at dirt bike riding because of its power and weight.
What’s the price?
The 2017 version of the CRF150F costs around $3,800 new, so it costs a little more than the CRF125F. Considering that this is super durable, you’ll definitely get plenty of years of riding for your money.
Of course, it’s never a bad idea to check for used models being sold on sites like Craigslist or Cycle Trader to see if you can get the bike for a cheaper price.
Why this bike a good fit for your 12-year-old
I would say that this bike would be great for your twelve-year-old if your kid has some more experience riding dirt bikes and/or if your child is really tall.
Height isn’t an absolute take it or leave it factor as much as riding experience is. But, your kid might be more comfortable on a bike that fits them best.
This bike has some great convenience features.
One of the big commitments of getting a dirt bike is understanding all the maintenance that’s required before and after riding. This bike has some great features that make maintaining the bike super convenient.
The bike features a sealed battery, which decreases the amount of time that you have to spend on pre-ride preparations. Along with the electric start, this bike’s features are geared to help your young rider get on the trails or track quickly.
This bike has awesome brakes.
Braking is a crucial part of any vehicle, especially when dirt biking on twisty-turny trails. The front disc brakes on this bike offer superior braking in dry and wet weather, so you can be assured that your young rider will be able to stop when they need to.
This bike has keyed-ignition.
While the bike is easy to start up, the keyed ignition ensures that your twelve-year-old can’t start up the bike while you’re not at home. You simply have to review the key, and the bike won’t start for anything.
Where to Find Cheaper Bikes for Your Kid
If you are looking at this list, and love a bike, but it’s too expensive, don’t worry! There are options out there for you! I totally get where you’re coming from. First of all, kids grow out of things so fast: shoes, clothes, toys, etc. And if they don’t simply grow out of them, the natural wear and tear ships items out the door and into the donations box soon after you buy them.
But when it comes to something as expensive as a dirt bike, you want to be sure that you’re getting a good deal for something that your kid will grow out of or get bored of. So, here are a few places you can find a youth dirt bike for a cheaper price.
When buying a used bike, remember to check out the bike in person if possible, and do your research on the models. The models we have listed above are a great place to start your search. Just look for models that are a little bit older. For more advice on how to get a great deal on a bike, read our other article, “How to Buy a Used Dirt Bike on the Cheap.” It’s got tons of helpful information.
Cycle Trader
Cycle Trader is the Craigslist of motorcycles, dirt bikes, and pretty much any other “cycle” you can think of. If you want to take a look at this website, you can find a link to it here.
The great thing about Cycle Trader is that you can find used dirt bikes for sale in your area. That way you don’t have to travel very far to pick up the bike.
Craigslist
Alright. Here’s Craigslist… the real one. While the dirt bike options posted on Craigslist might not be as extensive or exact as Cycle Trader, there will likely be some options to choose from for dirt bikes and gear, which is another important aspect to consider when you’re buying a dirt bike.
AutoTrader
AutoTrader (which you can find here) is another website worth checking out to see if there are any used youth dirt bikes for sale near you. Although I personally think Cycle Trader trumps AutoTrader, it’s always a good idea to check multiple places when you’re looking for a good-quality bike for a good price.
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