Are you looking to finally get yourself a new bike? Perhaps it is for someone else. It can be surprisingly difficult to find one that is suitable for short riders. We have taken our time to look online and through various dealerships in search of the perfect one. After sifting through all of the marketing nonsense that you will often find when you are going through these products. I am excited to share that we have found the best bike for short riders.
Are you In a Hurry?
If we had to settle for just one, we have the Funky Bikes 125cc Pro Dirt Bike. It offers a great option for short riders. You have a fairly powerful bike as well, at 125cc which is always a reasonable starting point. It has a four-speed gearbox. Each of these bikes comes with a toolkit and comprehensive instructions to get you started on the right foot. You will find a more in-depth review below.
Comparison Table of the Best dirt bike for short riders
| Picture | Name | Description | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Funky Bikes 125cc Pro Dirt Bike | Brand: Funky Bikes Product Dimensions: 137 x 66 x 38 cm Product Weight: 65kg Weight Limit: 102kg/445lbs | Excellent | Click now! |
 | Nitro Motors 49cc 10 Pocket Bull Bike Dirt Bike | Brand: Nitro Motors Product Dimensions: 125X35X75cm Product Weight: 25kg/55lbs Color: Varies | Excellent | Click now! |
 | Renegade 110cc Dirt Bike with Electric Start | Brand: Renegade Product Dimensions: 75 x 5.5 inches Product Weight: 49kg/108lbs | Excellent | Click now! |
 | Crossbike Cross Dirt Bike Pocketbike Orion | Brand: Crossbike Cross Product Dimensions: 40.2″L x 20.9″W x 26″H Product Weight: 22kg/49lbs Color: Blue | Excellent | Click now! |
 | M2R KMXR140 140cc Dirt Bike | Brand: M2R Product Dimensions: 46.5 x 13.7 x 26 inches Product Weight: 85kg/187 lbs Color: Green | Excellent | Click now! |
Funky Bikes 125cc Pro Dirt Bike
This is the latest dirt bike from Funky Bikes, this 125cc single-cylinder bike is a great dirt bike for short riders. With a seat sitting appx 31 from the ground, and handlebar height appx 40 from the floor this would suit a rider around 5’2 as a rough idea! The maximum weight for the bike is 16 stone (102kg).
In terms of the size of the rider, another factor is weight; you want a bike that has a big enough motor and to reach some decent speeds, but without being overpowering! Likewise, you need enough suspension to handle bumpy trails comfortably.
If you weigh 50 kgs or less, I’d recommend looking for a dirt bike under 250cc to get started. This Pro Dirt Bike has a manual clutch with a 4-speed gearbox, so is best suited to riders with some dirt biking experience, or who have had practice learning to ride with a manual clutch system.
Pros
- Aggressive MX tread 14 front and 12 rear off-road tyres
- 4-speed gearbox
- riders can bust out wheelies in 2nd and 3rd gear
- Big bore aluminium exhaust
- Includes a tool kit and instruction guide
- Comes in green, red and black
- Both electric and kick start
Cons
- Maximum weight of 16 stone may restrict some riders
- Requires an oil change before first use
- Likely to require spare parts and replacements
- Needs assembling of handlebars, front wheel and decals
Nitro Motors 49cc 10 Pocket Bull Bike Dirt Bike
Another new model, this 49cc Dirt Bike runs on a 9PS 2-stroke motor, with an aluminium pull starter and a great racing exhaust. With a maximum load weight of 75kg, and a 1.5l fuel tank this dirt bike packs a punch for a bike weighing only 25kg! A lighter weight bike is a good dirt bike for small riders and comes 90% assembled so you can get straight out onto the trails.
Choosing the right dirt bike for you depends on a lot of different factors; generally speaking, for a rider under 5 feet tall you’d be looking for a bike 110cc or lower to make sure you can keep firm control whilst riding. Pocket bikes tend to be cheaper to run, given their lighter weight frame, so a good starter option for an occasional or new dirt biker. This one comes with 3 throttle levels, adjusted using the setting gas.
Pros
- High-quality aluminium wheel rim
- Lightweight 25kg bike measuring 125cm long x 35cm wide x 75cm tall
- Sturdy fork bridges and handlebar clamps
- Extremely robust frame
Cons
- Some assembly required
- Big pricing variance between colours
- Not a lot of customer reviews, so performance is not proven
Renegade 110cc Dirt Bike with Electric Start
This dirt bike from Renegade is a petrol version of the 1200W electric dirt bike – ideal for those riders who prefer a traditional fuel bike! This is a good dirt bike for a small rider but is a serious piece of kit with a 110cc 4-stroke air cooled 2-valve motor, electric start and automatic gears. Seat height is appx 58cm, with a 95.5cm wheelbase.
Three-speed and automatic clutches are a good choice for newer or younger riders rather than going straight in at the deep end with a clutch system! You are looking at a bike with top speeds approaching 40 miles per hour, depending on the weight of the rider and the terrain you are riding on, so this is a good dirt bike for a shorter rider with a good capacity for the more experienced rider.
Pros
- Upgraded braking system
- Telescopic spring hydraulic suspension
- Coil spring shock absorber
Cons
- Only comes with a 3-day parts warranty
- Chains and belts, fairing and bodywork not covered by warranty
B2Bike 49cc Cross Dirt Bike Pocketbike Orion
Another pocket bike, this is a great dirt bike for small riders, and ideally comes fully assembled! Has a 49cc 1 cylinder 2-stroke air cooled motor, runs on a petrol and oil mix 25:1, with an aluminium pull starter, mono shocks and aluminium telescopic forks. As with the Nitro Motors Pocketbike, for a riderless than 5 feet tall a motor size of 110cc or lower is recommended to make sure you can keep control.
Typically, a 49cc dirt bike will reach speeds up to 20 miles per hour, so whilst not quick enough for pro riders, this Pocketbike still packs a punch for its size and can reach decent speeds depending on the terrain you’re riding on. Pocket bikes are designed as fun bikes which are not expensive to run and typically come with 2-2.5HP engines which can be upgraded.
Pros
- Low price point, cheaper entry-level dirt bike
- Able to carry riders to around 70kg
- Available in a variety of colours
Cons
- Parts are not able from the retailer, so would require some hunting on eBay
- Weight limitation
M2R KMXR140 140cc Dirt Bike
A slightly pricier model, and conversely bigger than the CRF50 range by about 10cm – this one is worth mentioning as although it is a CRF70 and slightly higher, with a seat height of 86cm this is a great dirt bike for small riders, and would comfortably sit a rider of around 5’4 as a rough idea! This is a bit of a beast with impressive performance spec so a good upgrade from a starter or pocket bike for the smaller rider looking to scale up!
Choosing the right size dirt bike is very important; don’t be intimidated by bikes that look too large; you need to make sure to buy a bike that is not too small for you! Imagine sitting on the seat, hands on the handlebars with your feet able to touch the floor with a slight bend to your knee – that is the perfect fit you are looking for.
Pros
- YX Motorsports 140cc 4-stroke oil cooled engine
- Performance gearbox with racing pattern sequence
- Super chunky motocross tyres offering excellent grip
- Hydraulic M2R racing forks
Cons
- Higher price point so not suitable for every budget
Buyer’s Guide
The most difficult part of short for a bike based on your height is usually making sure that you can fit just right onto it. When I started riding, it was on a bike that was too big for me. I remember having to get someone else to hold it for me so I could dismount. It was a humiliating experience. Over time various situations forced me to become very inventive.
Although I look back at these memories fondly, they should not be the norm. Shopping for your bike in a shop will allow you the opportunity to test it for height. However, when you shop online, you have many more options. The pricing tends to be more competitive. You are more likely to get the best deal possible.
Standing Test
If you are examing a physical bike, the standing test is a good way to check. To do it, sit on the saddle and try to touch the ground with your feet. The best-case scenario would be that you can stand up while maintaining control on the handle.
If that is not possible, at the very minimum, you want to be able to stand on your toes while on the bike. Failing this would be a sign that the bike may be too big for you. This is not to say that you will not be able to use the bike. You are just at a higher risk of losing control at times where your feet would have come to your aid.
The alternate side of this is having a bike that is too small. You want to have minimum room between your crotch area and the saddle when standing over it. If your bike is closer to your knees than it is to the crotch, it is too small for you. Most people would still be able to get some use out of it. However, there is more danger to your knees due to having to bend. In the event of an accident, you will also risk a significant more injury.
If you are an absolute beginner and are not sure, we have written a guide on riding a dirt bike. You will find that information very useful. It takes you step by step through it.
Final Thoughts
We have presented you with some great bikes that you can consider when you are looking to purchase for a short rider. Getting any of them will ensure that you have a great bike to use. The key things to consider are always safety, reliability and durability.
If your bike meets these needs it will serve you well. Being able to get repairs and parts will also go a long way. Bikes that are too niche will leave you struggling to find parts. The saving grace is that we have access to more and more platforms that we can tap into due to the internet.
