Age twelve is a good age to introduce dirt biking to your child. If he already has some prior experience, then it’s also a good time to look for a suitable upgrade that will take his dirt-biking skills to the next level.
The best dirt bikes for 12-year-olds include:
- Kuberg Young Rider Trial Hero Dirt Bike
- Razor MX650 Rocket Electric Motocross Bike
- Husqvarna TC85 Dirt Bike
- Yamaha TT-R110E Dirt Bike
- Honda CRF125F Dirt Bike
Kuberg Young Rider Trial Hero Dirt Bike
Features
This is an electric push start dirt bike for kids. The main feature that sets it apart from the rest is the presence of phone connectivity. It allows you to control the speed settings and more through the accompanying mobile app. In this way, you can always make sure that the bike stays in the correct and safe settings that are more suitable for your child.
Display And Batteries
At first glance, this bike may look unappealing due to the absence of a display. There’s no need for one because you can view and control all settings through the mobile application. This unique feature makes the bike less bulky as you can use your phone as the display and controller.
This electric bike is powered by a 9Ah Kuberg powerpack which can make the bike run for up to 2 hours at a moderate speed. This battery pack is waterproof and takes only 6 hours to charge. This is impressive since it’s only half the time required compared to other similar models, like the Razor MX350.
Frame
The bike’s frame is a powder-coated steel tube that is recurrent in many Kuberg models. Its shape makes the bike look like a trial dirt bike. Despite the bony and metallic structure, this bike is surprisingly comfortable to ride for hours on end. The pure steel is very durable but it does make the bike a little heavier. This can handle up to 220 lbs so even smaller and lighter adults can try this out, though it will be a tight squeeze.
Motor And Transmission
This bike runs through the l Kuberg 36V 4.14hp air-cooled brushless motor. It has a maximum speed of 17mph. It’s not too fast for beginners yet fast enough to give a thrilling ride. It also comes with a high-quality hydraulic braking system on both the front and the rear.
Razor MX650 Rocket Electric Motocross Bike
Features
Razor crafted this bike intending to give a mature-looking bike for kids. This looks like a daredevil bike with menacing yet attractive features that surely appeal to young boys. This model is a compact, chain-driven, and authentic vehicle for kids.
Display And Batteries
This electric dirt bike runs on a 24V battery pack that needs 14 to 15 hours of charging time before getting fully charged. It can run up to an hour at moderate speed. The charging time is long and it can rack up your utility bills.
Frame
The overall design of this bike model is inspired by supercross motorbikes. It has a steel construction that’s safe and stable. The riser handlebars are adjustable to cater to your child’s height and preferences. This comes with large pneumatic and knobby tires that can handle rough terrains without bouncing too much. The bike has a 220-pound weight capacity, perfect for heavier kids.
Motor And Transmission
The powerful engine is activated by the 650W battery pack. This is a good model for experienced riders because of the speed range. It can go from 17mph to 25 mph, definitely faster than most dirt bikes for teens. If your child is a beginner rider, you can just tinker with the speed and place it at a lower setting so that he can gradually get used to riding the bike.
Husqvarna TC85 Dirt Bike
Features
This is a high-end model that’s designed for competitive racing. This is on the more expensive end of the spectrum since it costs $8,195. It’s not a good introductory bike but it’s a nice upgrade if you wish to make a competitive turn.
It has a suspension that perfectly caters to a twelve-year-old’s body. Don’t worry about your child potentially outgrowing this bike in just a few months because it has a 43mm fork and PDS rear shock that you can just adjust.
Display And Batteries
This model has a simple and compact Li-Ion 2.2 Ah battery that has improved and consistent energy output. It has a small display that shows all the necessary stats you need to know about the bike.
Frame
The overall design is simple yet distinct. The majority of the frame is made of steel tubes paired with bodywork with new color trims and updated graphics. The handlebars are made of tapered alloy. The bike has a seat height of 35 inches, perfect for taller kids.
Motor And Transmission
This comes with a Mikuni carburetor with updated settings that suit the 125cc engine. It has a large tank capacity of up to 5.2 liters. There’s a six-speed transmission so that your child can choose the perfect speed that suits his trail.
Yamaha TT-R110E Dirt Bike
Features
This bike is engineered to be fun and casual, hence making it a perfect introductory bike for young beginners. It’s quite affordable and it can handle the typical rough trails in dirt biking.
Frame
The seat height is 26.4 inches and suits most 12-year-olds. It’s definitely on the shorter end of seat heights so you might have some issues if your child is tall. The suspension is good enough to bounce comfortably over rocks and bumps. Just be careful to not subject it to too much roughness because the shock mounting pins can become flogged out.
Speed And Performance
The engine is an air-cooled, 110cc, 4-stroke engine that gives the rider a smooth and reliable power source.
One main reason why this bike is beginner-friendly is because of the automatic clutch. It makes navigation easier. It’s also paired with an easy gear-shifting system that allows the rider to shift between gears effortlessly. There are grippy footpegs to keep your child comfortable while he is riding. It’s located at the correct angle so that it’ll be unnecessary to bend the knees when riding.
The engine is tough and can handle the rougher trails. The only downside is that it’ll require a lot of maintenance. There’s no room for negligence because even the smallest spot of dirty oil can cause serious corrosion that causes engine noises and excessive smoke emissions from the exhaust.
Honda CRF125F Dirt Bike
Features
This model exhibits the two hallmarks of Honda bikes: durability and quality. This powerful bike can take a beating. It has an electric starter which is convenient for beginners. All it takes is a push of a button to douse the engine with smooth and reliable power.
One special feature is the keyed ignition switch. It adds security to keep the bike exclusively controlled by the owner. You can make sure that your child won’t get on the bike without supervision to prevent accidents. This also lessens the risk of theft.
Frame
This bike’s frame is largely made of a strong, steel frame that can handle off-road trails. It can perfectly absorb the shocks of traveling over rough trails without bending the frame out of shape.
Speed And Performance
The engine size is just the right size for 12-year-olds. The 125cc engine is air-cooled and single-overhead-cam. It has a four-speed transmission that the rider can effortlessly shift through. There’s also an efficient disc brake that brings the bike to a full stop when necessary. The heavy-duty clutch is durable and provides smooth shifting between gears.
The front disc rotor is drilled to be light. Its lightness and improved traction make it good for wet-weather situations.
