How Fast Can A 50cc Dirt Bike Go?

The 50cc dirt bikes are prevalent in the motorbike sporting world. They are the smallest entry bikes, making them ideal for kids and teenagers who love dirt bike racing. The issue of speed has caused a heated debate among parents. No parent wants to put a kid on a dirt bike too fast, or too slow.

So, how fast can a 50cc dirt bike go?

The highest average speed of a 50cc dirt bike is about 40mph (64kph). However, it depends on the type of bike. There are three categories of 50cc dirt bikes; Motocross, Trail, and Electric. Each of them has a different speed limit.

Generally, 50cc dirt bikes have a small engine with adjustable speed limits based on engine power, model, and brand. Also, most dirt bike riders comfortably ride their bikes without exceeding the maximum throttle limit. This article uncovers all you need to know about 50cc dirt bikes’ speed and safety measures.

Let’s get to it then!

How Fast Can a 50cc Dirt Bike Go?

The speed of a 50cc dirt bike entirely depends on the engine type and model of the bike. An electric dirt bike such as the Razor Dirt Rocket SX500 has a low speed of 15mph. It is an excellent entry-level bike for kids. It is safe to ride in the neighborhood and streets. However, it’s not suitable for trail riding or racing at such a low speed.

Trail dirt bikes have maximum speed limits ranging from 25mph to 40mph. For example, the Yamaha TTR50E and Honda CRF50F are the most preferred choice for novice riders since they have variable speed limits. It helps the rider get conversant with the safe handling of dirt bikes.

Motocross dirt bikes like the KTM SX50 mini are suitable for experienced riders since they have a max speed of 40mph. They have a raised seat ideal for bigger kids and teens. Mini trail bikes such as Yamaha PW50 have a max speed of 28mph with low seat height, ideal for young kids aged between 4 and 6 years.

Below is a summary chart comparing the potential speeds of different models from leading dirt bike brands:

BRAND	MODEL	TOP SPEED
Razor	SX500	15mph
Honda	CRF50F	25mph
Yamaha	PW50	28mph
KTM	SX50	40mph
Suzuki	DRZ-50	33mph

Good thing is, that you have the ability to choose the speed threshold for your kid. And there are 70cc dirt bikes if you want even more speed than the above.

What Are the Factors that Affect the Top Speed of 50cc Dirt Bikes?

While engine capacity is the primary factor that affects the top speed of a 50cc dirt bike, other significant variables such as weight, gear ratio, engine type, etc., can affect the speed of your dirt bike. Let’s look at each of them in detail.

Weight

Undoubtedly, the weight of a bike has a significant impact on its speed. The heavier your bike is, the slower it will go. Light-weight dirt bikes like the Yamaha PW50 are faster and easier to control compared to heavier dirt bikes.

Gear Ratio

A bike with a small gear ratio will certainly be slower than one with a high gear ratio. Some riders modify the gearing mechanism to improve their bike’s speed and performance. A bike with a smaller rear sprocket has a higher top speed as opposed to one with a larger sprocket.

Engine Type

A dirt bike’s engine type influences its performance and speed. Bikes with 2-stroke engines generally have higher max speed compared to 4-strokes engine bikes. A 4-stroke dirt bike has a small gear ratio that supports a wider power band, making it easier for novice riders to handle. On the other hand, 2-stroke dirt bikes have a higher gear ratio making them a perfect choice for motocross racing.

How to Make Your 50cc Dirt Bike Go Faster?

Riding a dirt bike can be convenient, efficient, and exciting. Adjusting its gear ratio is the secret to making your 50cc dirt bike go faster. As aforementioned, higher gear ratios mean higher speeds. Regular maintenance and service can go a long way in improving your dirt bike performance.

Below are a few maintenances procedures to make your dirt bike go faster:

Use genuine engine oil

Use 100% synthetic engine oil. This type of engine oil is more effective for cooling and lubricating compared to regular engine oil. When pushing your 50cc dirt bike beyond its recommended speed, cooling and lubrication are essential for safety and performance.

Remove carbon residue

More often, carbon residue accumulates inside your bike’s exhaust pipe, blocking airflow into the engine. This affects the performance of your bike. Disassemble the exhaust and muffler, and use a rag or brush to remove the buildup of carbon residue. You can also modify it by drilling holes to boost the flow of air into the engine.

Remove the revolution limiter

Use an impact wrench or a socket wrench to remove the revolution limiter. Revolution limiter is a small gadget fitted on a bike to prevent it from exceeding a certain speed. It’s done to stop 50cc dirt bikes from going beyond 30mph or extending their engine life.

Clean your spark plug

Cleaning or replacing damaged spark plugs improves your dirt bike’s acceleration. Also, upgrading to V-notch spark plugs can drastically boost the performance of your bike. These spark plugs ignite much faster than conventional plugs.

Keep in mind that any substantial modifications you make to your dirt bike may void its warranty.

Is a 50cc Dirt Bike Safe for Kids?

All human activities have potential risks; the most important thing is to minimize the risk by employing safety measures. 50cc dirt bikes are safe for kids; however, accidents do occur. In such cases, you may have to deal with a broken bone, sprained ankle or wrist, bruises, etc.

As parents, we’re not usually prepared for high-risk injuries for our kids; we wouldn’t want to put our kids in potential harm. Here are some ways to mitigate potential risks of dirt bike riding:

• Ensure your kid wears proper safety gear, even on a quick ride.
• Kids under the age of 10 years should stay in second gear.
• If you’re letting your kid explore to the fullest, have a dirt bike GPS installed.

All said, most 50cc dirt bikes don’t go any faster than 40mph. This might seem dangerously fast to some parents, considering kids between 4 and 7 years use it. It really isn’t. Kids hardly push to the maximum speed. You can limit the speed of your kid’s bike; if you don’t know-how, we’ll show you below.

Can You Limit 50cc Dirt Bike Speed if Your Kids Are so Small?

Suppose you are concerned or worried about your kid’s safety on a dirt bike; the good news is you can limit the speed of a 50cc dirt bike. There are two ways to go about this. First, you can opt for a dirt bike model with low throttle speed, for example, Razor SX500 or Yamaha PW50. Second, you can go for a kill switch or throttle limiter if you already have a bike to limit the speed.

Here is how they work:

Kill Switch

Kill switches are not prevalent among 50cc dirt bikes; they are primarily used on large-capacity bikes. However, you can install it on your kid’s dirt bike. A kill switch helps turn off the bike’s engine quickly during an emergency.

It works similarly to an ignition key. It’s easily accessible due to its location on the bike. When the dirt bike is in motion and the rider turns on the kill switch, it cuts off power going to the engine, causing the bike to lose momentum then finally stop. Even if you’re getting the bike for your fairly older kid, like 13 year old, be sure to have this feature for safety.

Throttle Limiter

A throttle limiter regulates the amount of power used over a given speed by reducing the throttle’s turning radius. Throttle limiter helps novice riders build confidence on their bikes by maintaining a safe riding speed.

Unlike supervising your kid to maintain low gear, using a throttle limiter is a simple method to restrict how fast they ride their dirt bike. Additionally, you can easily adjust back the throttle once they grow and gain more riding experience.

Final Words

Dirt bikes are recreational rides that range in different sizes and power depending on rider needs. A 50cc dirt bike can be fun and convenient to ride. Since they are designed for riders between 5 to 7 years, they do not have powerful engines to make them ride fast. However, some parents feel they are too fast for their kids.

We have outlined ways to limit your kid’s dirt bike speed and a few risk mitigation procedures to keep your kids safe while they ride. Otherwise, we hope you find the above tips helpful if you need more speed on your dirt bike. Be careful not to damage your dirt bike or void its warranty.

As always, SAFETY FIRST.