Dirt Bikes For 12 Year Olds: The Ultimate Guide For Parents

Looking for the perfect dirt bike for your 12-year-old? Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know. From safety tips to top recommendations, ensure your child has a thrilling and safe off-road adventure!

Riding Dirt Bikes is a hobby that almost any kid will love if given the opportunity. For many children, this hobby turns into a life long passion and sometimes even a professional career.

Riding dirt bikes is not the safest sport and crashing is going to happen to everyone at some point. With this being said, dirt bikes have been found to cause 50% less potentially fatal accidents than ATVs.

However, there are plenty of measures that can be taken to minimize the possibility of crashing or getting injured. Read on to learn the factors to consider when searching for Dirt Bikes for 12 year olds so that your child can have the best possible experience!

Keep in mind – this article is based off of my own personal experience. I do not recommend going out and buying just any dirt bike for your child without doing the proper research. Be sure to pick a dirt bike that matches your child’s skill level and abilities to reduce the chance of injuries.

This post features affiliate links, meaning we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Safety First: Essential Gear for Young Riders

Before even thinking about putting your child on a dirt bike, it’s crucial that you ensure your son or daughter has the proper safety gear MEANT for dirt bike riding. This includes, but may not be limited to:

• A DOT-approved helmet.
• High quality goggles meant for dirt riding
• Gloves that will provide adequate grip and prevent blisters
• Long-sleeve shirt or jersey and riding pants or other durable pants
• Sturdy boots – ensure that the boots provide proper ankle support as this will prevent many ankle injuries!
• Knee pads or braces and elbow pads or braces
• A motocross chest protector to protect from rocks, trees, or the handlebars in the event of a fall

To learn why this gear is important and what it does, check out our educational section.

Choosing the Right Dirt Bike for a 12-Year-Old

When deciding on dirt bikes for 12 year olds, there are a few important factors to consider to give your child the optimal learning experience:

Bike Size and Engine Capacity

Depending on the height of your child, I recommend that you opt for a dirt bike that provides enough leg room, but isn’t too tall. The best way to judge if a dirt bike is the proper size is to sit on it with both legs touching the ground. Look down, and if you’re on your tippy toes, the dirt bike is the perfect size. If your flat footed on each side, the dirt bike is too short. If you have to lean to the side and use one leg to hold yourself up, the dirt bike is way too tall.

When choosing the engine size for your child’s dirt bike, the biggest thing to consider is their riding skill. If your kid is a complete beginner, I recommend putting them on a 4-stroke 100cc, 125cc, or 150cc trail bike. The smaller 4-stroke dirt bikes have a throttle that is much less sensitive when compared to a 2-stroke or 4-stroke motocross bike. The suspension on these dirt bikes tends to be a bit softer and more forgiving. They are easier to maintain and do not make as much noise as motocross bikes.

If your child is more experienced or needs to move up to a bigger dirt bike with more power, I recommend looking into bikes focused more towards motocross. If your child is still relatively short(5ft 6″ or shorter), I recommend a 2-stroke 85cc motocross bike, or the 4-stroke equivalent which is the Honda CRF150R. Do not get this mixed up with the CRF150F. Most dirt bike brands offer big wheel versions of their 85cc dirt bikes to allow for a slightly taller rider.

If your child is tall, or they want to get into motocross racing, I’d recommend going with a 125cc 2-stroke motocross bike. At the age of 12, you are able to enter the Super Mini, Schoolboy, 125cc, open, and 250cc classes with a 125cc 2-stroke in most AMA districts.

Electric vs. Gas-Powered Dirt Bikes

When I was a child, I always had dirt bikes due to the fact that I raced motocross and flat track. Every day after school, I’d get off the school bus just itching to ride. Sadly, due to my dirt bikes being locked up in the garage, and me not being old enough at the time to drive to the gas station to get fuel for my bikes, I didn’t always get to ride as much as I had wanted to.

After seeing a commercial for the Razor electric dirt bikes, I instantly knew what I was going to ask for on Christmas that year. Fast forward a year later, and I was blessed to be riding around on one of the coolest toys I had ever had.

In today’s age, electric dirt bikes have come a long way in terms of technology. Apart from the Razor electric dirt bike, there are various other brands in the market now that produce full-blown electric dirt bikes. However, some riders still prefer to go with the traditional experience of riding a gas-powered dirt bike. If your kid likes to ride all day long, electric dirt bikes may be out of the question.

When choosing between an electric or gas-powered dirt bike for your child, consider factors such as overall cost, noise, emissions laws, ease of use, and what your child is planning on using the dirt bike for.

Considerations for Beginner Riders

Some factors to consider for absolute beginners to dirt bikes:

• Transmission: Majority of dirt bikes for 12-year-olds will come with a clutch and gears. If your child would benefit more from an automatic transmission, it may be a good choice to go with an electric dirt bike as these typically offer automatic transmissions
• Engine starting: Most of the modern dirt bikes on the market typically include electric starters, however, this is a feature worth double checking as not every brand or model has implemented this feature
• Speed Limiter: Some beginner dirt bikes offer a speed limiter attached to the throttle that allows you to adjust how far back the throttle can be twisted. If this does not come included with the dirt bike you have in mind, explore options for aftermarket speed limiters
• Cost: How serious do you expect your child to be about riding dirt bikes? If this is just going to be a weekend hobby, I recommend looking for lower-cost or pre-owned options that won’t break the bank. If your child is passionate about riding and is interested in the idea of racing, look for a properly sized dirt bike with enough speed that can be ridden and raced for the next few years. The last thing you want is to buy your kid a brand new KTM 65SX, just to find out that in one year they will be too big for it and will be too old to enter the 65cc class.

Top 5 Dirt Bikes for 12-Year-Olds

Bike 1: Yamaha YZ85

The Yamaha YZ85 has been one of the most popular dirt bikes for 12-year-olds or similar ages for decades. Starting in 2002, this dirt bike was based off the YZ80 which was produced from 1974 to 2001. This bike features a liquid-cooled, carbureted 85cc 2-stroke engine. The transmission is a 6-speed with a multi-plate wet clutch design and the dirt bike is driven by a chain. The front and rear disc brakes allow you to stop on a dime and the fully adjustable front and rear suspension make any jump or rough terrain an absolute breeze. The Yamaha YZ85 has a seat height of 33.1 inches.

Features

• Liquid-cooled, carbureted 2-stroke engine
• Kick start
• 6-speed manual transmission
• Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes
• Adjustable front and rear suspension
• Seat height: 33.1 inches

Bike 2: Kawasaki KLX140R

The Kawasaki KLX140R replaced the bullet-proof KLX125 which was the go-to play bike for many riders including me. This should say a lot about Kawasaki’s confidence of the KLX140R’s durability and design. This is the perfect dirt bike for a 12-year-old with no experience riding – I am 6 foot tall, and while that is a bit tall for this dirt bike, I have no problems hopping on one of these and doing some trail riding, wheelies, or even flat track races.

The KLX140R features an air-cooled 144cc 4-stroke engine that provides plenty of power to navigate muddy trails or send hill climbs. The push-button electric start makes starting this dirt bike a breeze even on the coldest of days. This dirt bike has a 5-speed transmission with a manual clutch. For stopping power, you have disc brakes on the front AND rear which is an upgrade from the previous drum brake setup on the KLX125. Just like the rest of the dirt bikes listed, there is a ton of aftermarket upgradeability for this dirt bike. The KLX140R has a seat height of 30.7 inches.

Features

• Air-cooled 144cc 4-stroke engine
• Push button electric start
• Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes
• Aftermarket support allows you to turn this bike into a super-fast pit bike
• 5-speed manual transmission
• Seat height: 30.7 inches

Bike 3: KTM 125SX

If your child is already racing or has been riding for some time and needs a powerful bike that can hang with the competition, the 125SX is one of the best for motocross. I DO NOT recommend getting this dirt bike for your child if they are just starting out or are not experienced with clutches. The 125SX features a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 2-stroke 125cc engine that absolutely rips. This 2-stroke is electric-start – yes, you read that correctly! If you would’ve told me as a kid that one day we’d have fuel-injected and electric-start 2-strokes, I would have laughed in your face! The selectable ignition maps allow you to adjust the power delivery on the fly for hard-packed surfaces or softer, sandy surfaces.

While the sleek design already makes this one of the coolest dirt bikes to own, the overall performance of this dirt bike is unmatched – as you would expect from KTM. With fully adjustable suspension requiring no tools, you can make adjustments on the fly whether you’re on top of a mountain or on the starting gate of a motocross track. The frame is designed to keep an optimal center of gravity and the plastics are designed to expel mud. The forged steering head keeps the steering smooth at any speed, on any terrain. I could simply go on for days, as there is not a single part of this bike that has not been designed to perfection. The 125SX has a seat height of 37.2 inches.

Features

• Liquid-cooled, Fuel injected 125cc 2-stroke engine
• Electric start
• Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes
• Selectable ignition maps
• Sleek design with an awesome color scheme
• Fully adjustable suspension that requires no tools to adjust
• Specially designed frame to keep rotational mass closer to the center of gravity
• Plastics designed to expel mud
• Forged steering head with 48mm air-type WP XACT forks
• Seat height: 37.2 inches

Bike 4: Honda CRF125F

The CRF125F is another super-reliable trail bike that is suitable for riders of all skill levels. This bike compares to the Kawasaki KLX140R in nearly every category except for a few differences. The CRF125F features a fuel-injected engine which allows for smoother power, higher efficiency, and better reliability. Instead of a 5-speed transmission like the KLX, the CRF125F uses a 4-speed transmission with a heavy-duty clutch.

One downside of the CRF125F vs the KLX140R is the rear brake setup – the CRF uses a drum brake in the rear. While this does slightly reduce the braking power on the rear wheel, you do have some adjustability with the drum shoes to allow for a looser or tighter feeling brake. Apart from this, the CRF125F has a slightly lower displacement engine than the KLX140R, which may not be noticeable to a beginner but could make a difference for an experienced rider. The CRF125F has a seat height of 29.1 inches.

Features

• Shares many features with the KLX140R
• Fuel-injected 125cc engine
• 4-speed transmission with heavy-duty clutch
• Front disc brake, rear drum brake
• Electric start
• Seat height: 29.1 inches

Bike 5: Sur-Ron X

I’d be making a huge mistake if I did not include an electric dirt bike on this list. The Sur-Ron X is probably one of, if not the hottest electric dirt bikes on the market. Many dealers have been quickly going out of stock due to how high the demand has been and there’s a reason for this. With 60V of power right out of the box(or for you old-school guys and gals, this equates to 184 ft-lbs. of torque and a top speed of roughly 47MPH). This thing has no problems keeping up with other dirt bikes for 12-year-olds.

With a charge time of around 2.5 hours, the Sur-Ron X offers a range of 60 miles, give or take. This is impacted by how hard you are riding and the type of terrain you’re on. This dirt bike has many of the features that you will see on other modern dirt bikes such as inverted front forks, front and rear disc brakes, and a chain and sprocket setup. There’s also a kickstand, and even front and rear lights for when the lighting conditions are not optimal. The Sur-Ron X has a maximum load rating of 300 pounds and a seat height of 32.5 inches.

Features

• 60V 34aH battery
• 184FT LBS of torque
• Top speed: Roughly 47MPH
• Charge Time: About 2.5 hours
• Range: Around 60 miles
• Front and rear disc brakes
• Front and rear lights
• Seat height: 32.5 inches

Check out our post on the best electric dirt bikes!

Maintaining and Caring for Your Child’s Dirt Bike

Properly maintaining and cleaning will not only keep your child’s dirt bike running great, but will also extend the life of the dirt bike. This will cause the bike to hold its value, or a sibling may be able to enjoy it in the future. Here are some tips for maintenance and cleaning dirt bikes:

Routine Maintenance Tips

Be sure to change the oil as frequently as the manufacturer of your child’s dirt bike recommends. If the dirt bike gets raced or is continuously ridden hard, I recommend changing the oil more frequently(3-4 engine hours).

Check the air filter after each day of riding if possible to ensure that the air box has not accumulated any debris. If necessary, clean or replace the air filter. Some aftermarket air filters such as the K&N air filter can be cleaned, oiled and reused.

Check the chain tightness before every ride. When sitting on the dirt bike there should be only a slight bit of slack on the chain. Roughly enough to fit two fingers between the swing arm and the chain is perfect. If necessary, spray the chain with a proper lubricant before each ride.

Cleaning and Storage

It’s best to clean your child’s dirt bike after each ride, especially if it gets covered in mud, or you live somewhere with a lot of salt, such as a beach. I have found over the years, the quickest and most efficient way to get a dirt bike clean is by using a power washer. This eliminates the need for using soap and having to scrub into all of the deep crevices that do great at collecting mud – and trust me, they will.

If you decide to use a power washer, just be careful to not spray too close to the graphics on the dirt bike. This may pull them back and compromise the adhesion. Do not spray water into the exhaust pipe or into the intake.

I always recommend keeping your dirt bike within somewhere like a shed, garage, or storage unit. Just be sure that it is SECURELY locked and it will not be exposed to the elements. You can also invest in tools made to improve cleaning and storage such as exhaust plugs, that keep water or dirt out when the dirt bike is not running. Just be sure to choose the right plug for a 2-stroke or 4-stroke as one will not fit the other.

Safety Guidelines and Riding Tips for Young Dirt Bike Enthusiasts

As mentioned earlier, safety should be the number one priority when putting your child on a dirt bike. Be sure your son or daughter understands the following guidelines before setting them off:

Appropriate Riding Areas

Establish a specific area where your child is and isn’t allowed to ride their dirt bike. This is not to be strict or to boss them around, but for their own safety. Many people do not take kindly to unwelcomed guests riding on their property. Furthermore, if your child happens to crash where you cannot see or hear them, there will be nobody around to help them up or get the dirt bike off of them if they are pinned down.

Riding Techniques

Teach your child some basic riding techniques such as throttle use, clutch use, braking, turning, and body positioning. If you are not experienced on a dirt bike, there are plenty of resources online that you can use to help teach your child. Watch YouTube videos with your child, or browse the educational section of this site. I recommend watching AJ Catanzaro’s videos on YouTube to riders of all skill levels. AJ has an impressive amount of knowledge and technique, with the credentials to back it up.

Supervision and Rules

Watch your kids while they ride. This ensures that you can be there in the event of an accident or if they need advice on a technique. On top of that, it also promotes better riding. As a child, I loved when my parents would hang out and watch me ride, even if it was just me doing some practice laps in the yard.

Establish any rules that you need your children to follow up front and make them clear. Riding dirt bikes is a serious sport, and it must be treated that way. Rules such as always wearing the proper gear, not riding over their head(faster than their abilities), or riding in allowed areas are proactive rules that promote safe and smart riding habits.

FAQ

Conclusion

Choosing the right dirt bike for your 12 year old is a major decision to be made to ensure that they stay safe and have an enjoyable riding experience. Consider the dirt bike sizes and features and ensure your child has the proper safety gear before they start riding. By following the advice in this article, you should be fully prepared to make the best decision on which dirt bikes for 12 year olds suit your child the best.