What Are The Best Dirt Bikes For 10 Year Olds [3 To Avoid]

Looking to find the best dirt bikes for 10 year olds but not sure where to start? If so, then this is the most important article you will read before your big purchase. 

Whether you need help choosing the right size dirt bike, picking a safe and reliable model, or finding one that's affordable, I'm going to help you step-by-step.

Can a 10 year old ride a dirt bike?

Yes, not only are their many good dirt bikes for a ten-year-old, but it's legal to ride one in basically every state or country (that I know of). You will have to refer to your local regulations to confirm.

With that said, you can't legally ride everywhere on a dirt bike, such as on the street or sidewalk. It must be on private property with permission, or on state land/trails that are designated for off-road motorcycle riding.

6 Benefits to riding a dirt bike at the age of 10

Whether you're trying to convince your parents or your wife to get a dirt bike, there are many healthy benefits to get a motorcycle for a 10 year old.

• Physical exercise - dirt biking is actually a great workout - try it!
• Mental exercise - you have to be mentally tough to overcome certain fears and challenges while riding
• Staying out of trouble - riding a motorcycle is so much better than getting into drugs or playing video games all day
• Meeting new friends - like-minded riders can turn into life-long friends
• Getting out into nature and seeing new sights
• Competition/challenge - always seeking to improve yourself

What Size Dirt Bike For 10 Year Old?

Based on the size chart on this page a 9 or 10 year old should have a dirt bike seat height of 24-27" (61-68.5cm). 

But that's just based on the average. At 10 years old, you may be taller or shorter than the average person, so please be aware. 

Now you need to figure out what kind of transmission you want for your 10 year old. Don't worry, I'll guide you through this decision to make it easy.

Clutch or Semi-automatic transmission?

Deciding what kind of transmission you should get is extremely important if your 10 year old is new to dirt biking. A semi-automatic transmission has multiple gears, so there’s still shifting involved if needed, but there is no clutch.

This means that you can just click it into gear and not worry about having to keep the engine going by using the clutch. 

Clutch For First Time Rider?

Your kid may not thank you, but starting out on a dirt bike with a clutch for a kid can be very frustrating. There’s already so many other things he or she has to learn, such as throttle and brake control, as well as balancing on a motorcycle that weighs a lot more than their bicycle!

So, for a first time rider, an automatic or semi-automatic transmission dirt bike is often the way to go.
I would only recommend a dirt bike with a clutch if your boy or girl already has experience or is extremely ambitious and motivated. 

Gas dirt bike vs electric dirt bike for kids?

Electric dirt bikes are becoming more and more popular, but are they the better option? It comes down to what your needs are, as well as the models available. Let's look at some pros and cons to each kind of motorcycle

Gas dirt bikes for 10 year olds

Pros:

• Quick & easy to fill up on gas
• Reliable (name brand bikes)
• Durable (can withstand falls/tip overs well)
• Makes it easy to transition to a larger gas dirt bike
• Learn how to use the clutch (on certain models)
• The ability to shift gears and understand how the mechanical side of a motorcycle works
• Sounds better

Cons:

• Have to deal with gas and oil
• Dirtier
• More noise (but most kids bikes are fairly quiet)

Electric dirt bikes for 10 year olds

Pros:

• No fuel or oil to add or change
• Quiet
• Less maintenance (short-term)
• No clutch to learn
• Power is tunable (on some models)

Cons:

• Battery takes a long time to charge (several hours on average)
• Limited range (30-60 minutes, but it depends on how you ride)
• Not all electric dirt bikes are reliable/durable
• Batteries are expensive to replace
• Some electric dirt bikes don’t have replaceable batteries

What type of dirt bike is best for a 10 year-old beginner?

After you decide on what size is best for your son or daughter based on their height, you need to determine their skill level. If they’re a beginner, then you want to put them on a safe dirt bike size so they won’t crash as easily.

One of the biggest reasons why kids get hurt or quit riding right away is because their parents put them on a dirt bike that’s too big or too fast. Yeah, it’s cool that your kid can ride a motocross bike, but is that smart for them to ride as a starter dirt bike?

The wisest thing you can do if you're 10 years old or have a son or daughter is start them on a simple, reliable, low-powered dirt bike so that they can quickly build their confidence and not get intimidated easily. Even if you or your kid has “no fear”, that doesn’t mean they’ll know how to ride a dirt bike the right way.

The best way to make dirt biking fun and safe is by starting on a beginner-friendly trail bike that’s easy to ride so that you can learn and master the basic techniques.

With that said, these are 3 dirt bikes to avoid if your 10-year-old kid is a beginner:

• KTM 65SX
• Yamaha YZ65
• Kawasaki KX65

These are 2 stroke motocross bikes with a clutch. They're dangerous if you're looking for a first dirt bike for a 10 year old because the power is abrupt and too powerful. This also makes it frustrating to learn how to use the clutch.

Differences between these dirt bikes for 10 year olds

Now it comes down to what you want in a dirt bike for a 9 or 10 year old kid. There are several factors that I consider when recommending the right bike, and it's a fairly simple process.

Seat Height

Seat height shouldn't be the only factor, but is definitely important, especially if your kid is new to dirt biking. Being able to touch the ground with at least one foot will boost your riding confidence. 

Your best bet is to bring your child to your local motorcycle dealer and have him or her sit on the dirt bike to see how they fit. Being able to touch the ground with one foot is all that's needed.

E-Start vs Old school kick-start?

Electric start can take a lot of frustration out of learning to ride because you don't have to worry about having a strong leg or good kick-starting technique.
With that said, it’s not as big of a deal with a semi auto transmission because the engine won't stall easily unless you hit the kill switch/button.

Fuel injection vs Carburetor

Carburetors are still proven, simple, and easy to work on when it comes to a 110cc 4 stroke dirt bike. 

But, if you want a virtually hands-free setup without having to rejet, the 2019 Honda trail bikes have electronic fuel injection that automatically compensates for air-fuel ratio unless you have power mods. 

What's your favorite color?

If you're really not picky and just want something cheap and reliable, just pick your favorite color. 

Kawasaki dirt bikes for 10 year olds

The Kawasaki KLX110 has been a staple pit bike and kids bike for almost 20 years. Not a lot has changed since 2002. 

This is not necessarily bad. There's plenty of new and used parts available, as well as unlimited aftermarket upgrades. It also means that it's a proven dirt bike that is reliable. 

The standard KLX110 has a semi-automatic transmission, so there’s no clutch. The earlier models had 3 gears, and 2010 and newer have 4 gears.

It also has electric start on the newer models, where 2009 and older are kick start. That’s to keep in mind when deciding on a dirt bike for your kid. 

The seat height is 26.8 inches and weight is 167lbs ready to ride.

Kawasaki KLX110L

The KLX110L is almost the same except for a few changes that make a big difference. The biggest change is that it has a clutch. The other is that the suspension is taller and is a little better as far as performance goes.

These upgrades make it a better pit bike, or if your 10 year old boy or girl is taller and wants a dirt bike with a clutch. Having more suspension travel, the seat height is a little taller at 28.7 inches. 

Honda dirt bikes for 10-year olds

Not coming out until 2013, Honda made it into the 110cc pit bike scene with their CRF110F. This dirt bike replaced their longtime CRF70F. 

Since it’s been around for several years, it’s proven itself to be a comparable contender in the 110 class. Honda actually recently became the leader as far as features go, coming out with EFI (fuel injection) on their CRF110F.

If you hate dealing with carburetors and trying to clean or jet them, this is one major feature to consider.

Other than that, it’s pretty comparable to its competition. The seat height is slightly lower at 25.9”, and the weight is about 3 pounds more at 170lbs ready to ride.

CRF125F

The Honda CRF125F is the next step up from a 110cc pit bike. It's the new version of the CRF100F and XR100. 

Being 30.9" tall at the seat, it's only good if your 10 yr old is taller than average with long legs.  It's basically a bigger version of the CRF110F, but it has a 5-speed transmission that has a manual clutch. 

Yamaha dirt bikes for 10-year-olds

Yamaha came out with their 110cc dirt bike several years before Honda in 2008. It has a semi-auto 4-speed transmission and comes with electric and kick-start. 

The seat height is 26.4, so right in the middle of the Honda and Kawasaki 110's. 
Does you kid like blue dirt bikes??

KTM dirt bikes for 10 year old's

KTM doesn't make a good dirt bike for 10 year old's unless you want to race motocross. Their 65cc or 85cc 2 stroke motocross bikes will be the best size depending on your height, but they're not good to start out on.

2 stroke motocross bikes have way more power and stiff suspension. The power is much harder to control and keep the front wheel down. The harsh suspension will be uncomfortable if you're trail riding at slower speeds unless you spend hundreds of dollars to tune it for your weight and riding style.

Best dirt bike for 10 year old beginner

So, depending on the size and needs of your kid, here's the best dirt bikes for 10 year old beginners:

• Kawasaki KLX110
• Kawasaki KLX110L
• Honda CRF110F
• Yamaha TTR110E
• Honda CRF125F

Cheap dirt bikes for 10 year olds

Can't afford a new or recent model dirt bike?
These are the best cheap dirt bikes for 10 year olds:

Honda XR80

The XR80 has been a staple beginner dirt bike for kids and short riders since 1979. It has a low seat height, smooth and predictable power, and a 5-speed manual clutch transmission.

With a 28.9" seat height, it's a great size dirt bike for 10 year olds if you want a manual clutch dirt bike. Honda made them from 79-03, so they're usually cheaper than the other dirt bikes on this list. 

Honda CRF80

A CRF80 is the new version of the XR 80, but it's essentially the same motorcycle. It has updated plastics, graphics and the model name. 

It's a good dirt bike if you're ten years old and want to learn how to use the clutch. The CRF80 was made from 2004-2013, then was replaced with the CRF125F, so it's more affordable as a used dirt bike that's older but still reliable. 

Yamaha TTR90

Yamaha used to have a 90cc pit bike that was a good size for 9 and 10 year olds. The TTR90 has a very low seat height at 24.6" (62.5cm), which is best if you're short for your age at 9 or 10. 

It has a 3-speed semi-automatic transmission, so there's no clutch to worry about. You could get it with or without electric start, so that's an advantage compared to other used dirt bikes that are cheap. 

Honda XR100/CRF100

Maybe you're taller than most 9 or 10 year olds and want a cheap dirt bike with a clutch. The XR100 or CRF100 is the next step up from the XR/CRF80 if those are too small for you. 

With bigger wheels and tires, a longer chassis, a little more power, and slightly better suspension, it will handle better on the trails riding over obstacles and higher speeds because it's more stable. It's the same size as the CRF 125 big wheel model. 

Yamaha RT100

If you don't mind buying an even older used dirt bike, you might be able to find a cheap RD100. It's an oil-injected 2 stroke trail bike, which means there's 2 stroke oil but you don't have to premix it. 

It has a low seat height for a 100cc dirt bike, at 28.7", which is still taller than the newer TTR110. If you want a taller dirt bike with a clutch, the RT100 may fit if you're 10 years old and on a budget. 

Motocross bike for 10 year old

I saved the motocross bikes list for last because they're not good to start on if you're a beginner. They're taller, which isn't necessarily a problem, but the power is abrupt. 

With a power curve that's not smooth and predictable, along with a stiff suspension set up, it will be a harsh ride if you're just starting out. With that said, they're exactly what you need if you or your 10 year old kid is confident and ready for a race bike. 

These are the best motocross bikes for 10 year olds:

• Yamaha YZ65
• KTM 65 SX
• Kawasaki KX65
• Husqvarna TC 65
• GasGas MC 65
• Cobra CX 65 

How much is a dirt bike for a 10-year-old?

What is your budget? The KLX110 and TTR110E are the cheapest new 110's at $2,299 while the Honda 110 is $2,499 (probably due to the EFI). 

Going used, the Kawasaki KLX110 will probably be the cheapest option when looking for a used bike since it's been available from 2002.

3 tips to improve your clutch control

If your kid is going to be using the clutch, then I want to give you some free training that will help them ride safer with more control. Click here to learn more.