8 Motorcycles For Kids Age Two to Fourteen

If you’re looking to thrill the socks of your kid and get him or her started in motorcycling, you’re in luck, because these days there are loads of kids-size bikes available. From $250 toy-like electrics like the Monster Moto to classic gas-powered options like Honda’s CRF50 and Yamaha’s PW50, to high-tech, high-performance e-bikes like Oset’s 16.0 trials machine, there are plenty of options for getting junior started out.

Besides offering up overwhelming joy, a pint-size motorcycle is going to give your kid a head start in learning the skills and techniques needed to become a safe, successful rider. These bikes are all small enough to be ridden in an urban backyard, and because noise is always an issue, we've limited our selection to bikes that are quiet enough—either because they're electric or just thoroughly muffled—that they won't upset the neighbors. So you won't see any high-performance two-stroke motocrossers or pocket bikes in this list, though those are excellent options if you have a suitable area to use them.

So scroll down, check out the options, and get ready to give the greatest gift your child has ever received.

HONDA CRF50 - $1,399 How many people got their first taste of motorcycling on a Honda 50? The number is likely in hundreds of thousands, if not more. The Honda CRF50 shown here is the great-grandson of the Z50, which arrived in 1969 and was the bike that many of us learned to ride on, myself included. The reliability of the CRF50's 49cc four-stroke engine is legendary, and with a three-speed automatic transmission, front-and rear suspension, kickstarter, and proper handlebar-mounted front-brake lever and petal-activated rear brake, this is a legitimate little motorcycle. And as it turns out, the CRF is fun enough that it's proven to be as popular with parents as it is with kids. (In fact, I own one, and it's been modified for supermoto duty at kart tracks.) A restrictive muffler and airbox mean the CRF is whisper quiet, and the 0.7-gallon gas tank will literally last all weekend. At 110 pounds wet and with a 21.6-inch seat height the CRF50 is a good fit for bigger kids age eight and up (though Honda says 13 and up). Want something gas-powered but a bit smaller? Look at Yamaha's PW50.powersports.honda.com

OSET 12.5 RACING TRIALS BIKE - $1,499 Oset's tiny electric trials bike is a serious piece of equipment designed to offer enough performance to turn your two- to five-year-old into a balancing, bunnyhopping badass. With mechanical disc brakes front and rear, adjustable suspension at both ends, and other quality components like a tapered aluminum handlebar and quick-release wheels with custom-made 12.5-inch Kenda trials tires, the 12.5 Racing is no toy. For safety there's a full-coverage chain guard, kill-switch lanyard, and dials so that parents can adjust the bike's top speed and throttle response. Speaking of throttle response, the Oset's is realistic. While some e-bikes have crappy controllers, the Oset offers smooth, progressive throttle action and plenty of power. With an ultra-low 15-inch seat height and a weight of just 55 pounds, this is one tiny bike with a lot of performance. All Osets come with free ground shipping when purchased through the retailer listed below, and if the Racing model shown here it too dear for you, there's a lower-spec 12.5 Eco model available for $1,199.advdesigns.com

MONSTER MOTO CLASSIC MINI BIKE - $400 Does this remind anyone else of the original Taco minibikes of the '60s? Those rudimentary motorcycles are collector's items now and command top dollar, but you can get the modern-day equivalent shipped to your door for just $400. This is the most basic bike you can imagine: two balloon-tire wheels, a rigid steel-tube frame, a pull-start four-stroke 80cc lawnmower engine, and that's about it. The bike weighs 78 pounds with gas, has a seat is as low as a milk crate, and the single-speed, centrifugal-clutch drivetrain means the Monster Moto is a twist-and-go affair. This bike doesn't offer much in the way of performance, but it'll bring a painfully large smile to any kid's face. Plus it offers the opportunity for kids to get their hands dirty and learn some mechanics: Monster Moto has a library of maintenance videos on its website, so youngsters can learn to ride and wrench.monstermoto.com

OSET 16.0 RACING TRIALS BIKE - $1,999 Like 500GP legend Kevin Schwantz, Oset believes that trials riding is the best way to develop the balance and bike control needed to become a world-class motorcyclist. The 16.0 Racing is the next step up on the three-tiered Oset e-bike ladder. This bike offers more sophisticated components and more power and performance in a slightly larger package that's suitable for kids age five to seven. It's got hydraulic disc brakes with reach-adjustable levers, fully adjustable suspension, and is truly built to perform. We didn't realize how capable this little bike is until we watched the YouTube video embedded below, which shows kids bounding up hillsides, wheelying off pallets, and surmounting huge logs. The best part is that the Oset is nearly silent, so even if you live in close proximity to neighbors your kid can get away with obstacle-course sessions in the backyard. As with the Oset 12.5, ground shipping is free if ordered through Adventure Designs.advdesigns.com

YAMAHA PW50 - $1,440 Yamaha's PW50 has been around for decades but it's not as well known as Honda's CRF50, perhaps because unlike the CRF, the PW is literally too small for adults to ride. The PW50 is about 15 percent smaller than the CRF50, with a lower 19.1-inch seat height and a lighter curb weight of just 86 pounds. Since the PW50 is so small and fits tiny tikes, training wheels are available in the aftermarket. The Yammy's 49cc two-stroke is a single-speed twist-and-go affair, so there's no shifting required. The bike has the traditional front/rear brake setups, plus appealing features like a maintenance-free shaft drive, center stand, and automatic oil pump. Have a slightly bigger kid to please? Yamaha's TTR50 is Yamaha's equivalent of the CRF50. The TTR50 and CRF50 have similar seat heights, though the TTR is about 15 pounds heavier and a few hundred dollars more expensive.yamahamotorsports.com

MONSTER MOTO CLASSIC ELECTRIC MINI BIKE - $250 Need something smaller, lighter, quieter, and more appropriate for smooth surfaces? Monster Moto's Classic Electric Mini Bike is made for properly tiny tots. It's got a low 17.5-inch seat height and weighs just 51 pounds, and offers up about 45 minutes of run time on a single charge. The throttle response is surprisingly good on this bike, and there's a switch that parents can use to set the top speed at either 7 or 11 mph. With a steel-tube frame, solid-aluminum wheels with inflated tires, and a disc brake in the back, the Electric mini is priced like a toy but built to last. As with the gas-powered Classic Mini Bike, the e-bike ships for free.monstermoto.com

RAZOR MX350 EBIKE - $230 We're including this one just because it's readily available—you can snag a Razor from your local WalMart or Toys"R"Us if you don't have time to wait for UPS to deliver one. The MX350 is more toy like than the other bikes we have listed here, but even so it's a fairly affordable way to introduce your little one to the wonderful world of two wheels. The Razor's electric motor will propel the bike up to a claimed 14 mph, though the throttle response is terrible in that it's more of a rotary on/off switch than a rheostat. The MX350 has a 17.8-inch seat height, a hand-operated rear drum brake, folding footpegs (for tipovers), and an adjustable handlebar. It's definitely no Oset or a CRF50, but the MX350 is sure to thrill the socks of any kid that gets one, and you can't argue with the price.razor.com

KUBERG FREE-RIDER EBIKE – $4,000 Kuber’s Free-Rider is on another level, in terms of price, size, and performance. This bike is essentially an electric alternative to a 110cc or 150cc four-stroke, though its electric motor is going to require a lot less maintenance! The Free-Rider has fully adjustable long-travel suspension, hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, robust wheels and tires, loads of power (it’ll pull wheelies), and excellent throttle response. It’s also got a 34.5-inch seat height and a top speed of 37 mph, so is best reserved for taller teens with plenty of space to ride it. Weight is listed at just 84 pounds and it’s said to have a 30-mile range at full throttle, and while this bike might seem like overkill for your kid, the good news is that parents can enjoy riding it too.advdesigns.com