Introduction
Shopping for the best electric scooter and keep landing on dirt bikes instead? You're not the only one. Razor's Dirt Rocket lineup blurs the line between scooter and motocross bike, and it's become the default starting point for families looking for an off-road electric ride that doesn't involve gas, oil changes, or a trip to the emergency room over a pull-start cord.
On this page we break down the three bikes people ask about most: the Razor MX350, the MX500, and the MX650. They share a family resemblance, but the motor size, battery voltage, and recommended rider age change quite a bit as you move up the line, so picking the wrong one means either a bike your kid outgrows in a season or one that's genuinely too much bike for a beginner.
Electric Dirt Bikes for Kids, Tweens, and Teens
Electric dirt bikes give kids the motocross experience without an engine that can stall, flood, or need a kick-start. Power delivery is smoother than gas, there's no exhaust to breathe in the backyard, and a twist-grip throttle is a lot easier for a nine-year-old to manage than a clutch and gear shifter. That said, "electric" doesn't mean "toy" once you get past the entry-level models, so matching the bike to the rider's age and weight matters more here than with a standard kick scooter.
Best Dirt Bike Brand
Razor is the name that comes up again and again on bestseller lists at retailers like Amazon, and for good reason: the Dirt Rocket series has been around long enough that parts, batteries, and repair guides are easy to find years after purchase, which isn't always true of newer no-name imports. Below we compare the three bikes people cross-shop most.
Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket Review
The Razor MX350 Dirt Rocket is the bike most families start with, and it's the one Razor itself recommends for riders 8 and up. It looks like a scaled-down motocross bike, complete with knobby tires and a real dirt bike frame, but the power is dialed back enough that a first-timer can actually learn on it instead of getting launched into the hedge.
Two Speeds, One Happy Kid
The 350-watt motor tops out at 14 mph in high-speed mode, with a 10 mph low-speed setting parents can lock in while a new rider is still getting the hang of the throttle. That low-speed cap is genuinely useful; it's the difference between "confidence-building first ride" and "white-knuckle sprint across the yard."
Battery Life That Matches Attention Spans
Power comes from two 12-volt sealed lead-acid batteries wired for 24 volts total, good for roughly 30 minutes of continuous riding at high speed or up to 60 minutes if it's mostly puttering around at the low setting. A full charge takes about 12 hours, so plan on plugging it in overnight rather than expecting a quick top-up before dinner.
Built Like an Actual Dirt Bike
The steel frame, double-crown fork, and 12-inch knobby tires give it more presence than a typical electric ride-on, and the folding footpegs plus retractable kickstand are small touches that make a real difference once you've owned a few of these things. Max rider weight is rated at 140 pounds, so it's really sized for kids rather than a bike a parent can also hop on.
Where It Falls Short
Seven miles of range per charge is on the short side if your kid rides hard, and because the battery is sealed lead-acid rather than lithium, the bike is heavier than the number on the spec sheet suggests it should be for something this size — around 70 pounds once assembled. That weight also means carrying it up a flight of stairs isn't a one-hand job.
Bottom Line
For an 8 to 12-year-old who's ready to graduate from a battery-powered scooter, the MX350 hits the sweet spot: enough speed to be genuinely fun, a governed low-speed mode for beginners, and a price that won't make you wince if it ends up in a ditch.
Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket Review
The Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket sits in the gap between "kid's bike" and "the real deal," and it's the one we point most families toward once their rider has outgrown the MX350 but isn't quite ready for the full-size MX650. Razor lists it for riders 14 and up, though plenty of confident 12 and 13-year-olds handle it fine under supervision.
A Chain-Driven Motor With Real Torque
A 500-watt chain-driven motor gives it variable-speed control up to an advertised 15 mph, and the extra torque compared to the MX350 is noticeable the moment you twist the throttle — it pulls harder off the line and doesn't bog down as much on grass or loose dirt.
36 Volts and a Real Suspension
The battery pack steps up to three 12-volt SLA batteries for 36 volts total, delivering around 40 minutes of ride time or about 10 miles per charge. Just as important, the MX500 adds dual suspension and hand-operated dual disc brakes, both of which the MX350 skips — on a bike doing 15 mph over bumpy terrain, real brakes aren't optional.
Bigger Tires, Bigger Rider
Sixteen-inch front and 14-inch rear pneumatic tires soak up rough ground far better than the MX350's smaller wheels, and the max rider weight jumps to 175 pounds. At around 98 pounds assembled, it's a genuinely heavy machine, so factor that in if you're the one lifting it into a truck bed.
Where It Falls Short
Twelve hours to charge a lead-acid battery pack feels dated next to newer lithium electric dirt bikes that juice up in two or three hours, and the SLA batteries will eventually need replacing after enough charge cycles — budget for that a couple of years down the road.
Bottom Line
The MX500 is the one to buy for a teenager who's serious about riding and has already proven they can handle a throttle responsibly. Real suspension and real brakes make it feel like a step up rather than just a bigger version of the entry-level bike.
Razor MX650 Dirt Rocket Review
The Razor MX650 Dirt Rocket is as far as the Dirt Rocket line goes, and it's the one lightweight adults actually ride themselves rather than just buy for their kids. Razor rates it for 16 and up, and at 220 pounds max rider weight, it's the only bike in this trio a grown adult can use without immediately maxing out the capacity.
650 Watts of High-Torque Motor
The high-torque 650-watt motor pushes the MX650 to roughly 17 mph, which doesn't sound dramatically faster than the MX500 on paper but feels noticeably punchier in practice thanks to the extra torque off the line and up inclines that would bog down the smaller bikes.
Same Battery Format, More Bike Around It
It runs on the same 36-volt SLA setup as the MX500 — about 40 minutes of ride time per charge and roughly a 12-hour recharge — but the bike carrying that battery is bigger and heavier in every dimension, from the frame to the 16-inch front and 14-inch rear knobby tires.
Dual Suspension, Dual Brakes, Real Geometry
Front and rear suspension plus hand-operated dual disc brakes carry over from the MX500, and the authentic motocross frame geometry means it actually rides like a small dirt bike rather than an overgrown ride-on toy. At around 95 pounds, it's easier to maneuver than its size suggests once you're moving, though it's still a two-person lift to get on and off a truck.
Where It Falls Short
Some owners report the stock battery losing capacity faster than they'd like after regular heavy use, which is a common complaint across the whole SLA-battery Dirt Rocket line rather than an MX650-specific issue. Budget for a replacement battery kit if your rider is out on it daily.
Bottom Line
If you want the closest thing to a real motocross bike that still plugs into a wall outlet, the MX650 is it. It's the pick for teens who've outgrown the MX500 and for adults who want to mess around on dirt trails without dealing with gas and maintenance.
Conclusion
So which Razor Dirt Rocket should you actually buy? It comes down to the rider's age and weight more than anything else. The MX350 is the right call for kids 8 to 12 who are new to powered bikes and need that low-speed mode to build confidence. The MX500 suits teens who've outgrown the MX350 and want real suspension and brakes to match higher speeds. The MX650 is the one for older teens and adults who want the most bike-like experience the lineup offers.
Price climbs with each step up, which is worth keeping in mind if you suspect your kid will outgrow a bike in a year or two — there's no shame in starting with the MX350 and upgrading later rather than buying the biggest bike up front.
Reliability is fairly consistent across the range since all three share the same basic sealed lead-acid battery design and simple chain-drive motor, which also means repairs and replacement parts are easy to find. The most common wear item across the board is the battery pack itself; expect to replace it after a couple of seasons of regular riding.
Ride quality improves noticeably as you move up the line, mainly because the MX500 and MX650 add front and rear suspension and larger pneumatic tires that the entry-level MX350 doesn't have. If your rider is going to be hitting bumpy trails rather than a smooth driveway, that upgrade is worth the extra cost.
Overall, we think the Razor MX350 remains the best starting point for most families — it's the most affordable, the easiest to learn on, and still capable of a genuinely fun ride once a beginner gets comfortable with the throttle.
Electric Dirt Bikes: Frequently Asked Questions
What age is a Razor electric dirt bike for?
Razor lists the MX350 for ages 13 and up and the MX500 and MX650 for 14 to 16 and up. Age is a guide; the weight limit matters more, and a smaller rider will struggle to control the bigger bikes. Match the model to the rider's size and experience.
How fast do they go?
The MX350 tops out around 14 mph, the MX500 around 15 mph, and the MX650 around 17 mph. Those are enough speed on dirt to require a full-face helmet and pads, and enough for a new rider to get hurt, so start slow in an open area.
How long does the battery last per charge?
Expect roughly 30 to 40 minutes of continuous ride time and about 10 miles, less in cold weather or on hills. The sealed lead-acid batteries need a long first charge (often 12 hours) and last longest if you recharge after every ride rather than storing them flat.
Are electric dirt bikes street legal?
No. These are off-road recreational vehicles for private property, dirt trails, and tracks. They have no lights, mirrors, or registration and are not permitted on public roads or sidewalks in almost every jurisdiction.
Can an adult ride a Razor dirt bike?
Weight limits run from about 140 lbs on the MX350 to 220 lbs on the MX650, so a lighter adult can ride the larger models, but the frame geometry and low seat are built for teens. An adult over the limit will bottom out the suspension and drain the battery fast.
What safety gear does my child need?
A properly fitted full-face or motocross helmet is non-negotiable, plus gloves, knee and elbow pads, over-the-ankle boots, and long sleeves and pants. Supervise every ride, especially the first several, and keep the bike off pavement.
Published: 12th Apr, 2026 · Last Updated: 31st Aug, 2026
We re-check the picks in this guide periodically and update it when models are discontinued or better options appear.
Oğuz Tokatlı
Oğuz co-founded ReviewsByPeople.com in 2018 and has worn most of the hats since: building the site itself as a full-stack developer, editing every guide before it goes live, and personally researching and writing across electronics, outdoor gear, kids & baby products, home & garden, health, and more. The approach is to dig through spec sheets, verified buyer feedback, and manufacturer data before making a recommendation, and to keep guides updated as products change rather than letting them go stale.
Comments
M. Hridoy6 years ago
Hi, Thanks for sharing such a nice article. I also recommend Razor. Its a great dirt-bike for kids and as well as all ages.
T. ONeil6 years ago
I picked up a 350 for my 6 year old and the 500 for my 8 almost 9 year old. They have been great learning tools for them. I can call out tips to help them ride without yelling over a 2 stroke motor. Since the bikes are quiet, my boys were not scared to jump on and take off. So far so good. I have been thinking about picking up a 650 for me to keep up with them so this article helps me know it will take my weight even if I am 6 feet tall and might look a little silly on it. LOL
Brandon Williams6 years ago
I purchased 2 350 bikes for my 6 and 4 year old kids and a 500 and 650 for me. 6' 189 lbs, the 500 does the job and is fun in our wilderness park on the trails and little mx park I built for my kids. The 650 of course has more power and can hold more weight and is a blast. These bikes are fun overall for kids and even adults when you look at the larger sizes. I was considering buying another full suspension mtb or something to keep up but the 500 & 650 are more power and funner.
Thomas rosser6 years ago
Was riding, just quit over year old does it need batteries?