Razor Electric Dirt bike Review: MX Series Compared
Dirt biking is becoming one of America’s favorite past times, and there are several strong reasons for this. it lets you spend more time outdoors, you can do it with your kids, and it’s exciting!
However, it’s not all fun and games when it comes to these motor vehicles because they turn out to be a severe polluter.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims that a two-stroke engine dirt bike can emit the same amount of pollution per hour as thirty cars. This does a lot of harm to mother nature, and if you and your family do not want to be a part of this, then you better look up best electric dirt bikes.
Luckily for you, we’re going to help you do just that. Our article contains a list of reviews that ultimately let you know which is the best quality Razor electric dirt bike for kids.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, what exactly is an electric dirt bike?
An electric dirt bike is an off-road motorcycle that is powered by a battery, contrary to the traditional one that uses gasoline. It isn’t as powerful but is eco-friendly and it is a great option for kids who want to ride.
Razor is one of the leading manufacturers of electric vehicles for children and today, we will be reviewing their top 5 dirt bikes to assist you in choosing the best for your child.
In a hurry, after 30 hours of research we recommend:
Razor MX 500
Safety is the most important characteristic of a bike, and this one passes the test. Its throttle is very easy to use as it has variable speed settings, and the front and rear handbrakes stop the bike immediately.
SX500 McGarth
If you love motocross racing, then you surely know who Jeremy McGrath is. Razor decided to call their SX500 after this legendary rider, and we can say that this bike is worthy of its name.
Razor MX350
The MX350 was included in this list because we believe it is a perfect product for young kids wanting to try out a motorized ride. Since it has some drawbacks compared to MX650 and SX500, it earned third place.
Quick Comparison Table of Best Razor Bikes
Our Budget Pick Razor MX350
Great Budget Dirt Bike for Kids
Our Top Pick Razor MX 500
The best electric dirt bike
The Runner-Up SX500 McGarth
The review process
In this section, we are going to explain which aspects of the best electric dirt bikes we inspected. We find each of these to be an essential contributing factor in the buyer’s decision-making process and we hope that we covered the thing that interests you the most.
Suitability
Age: what is the recommended age of the user for each particular bike model. You will notice how the manufacturer always raises the prescribed number of years, so if they say that a bike is intended for 13-year-olds, in reality, it can be ridden by 10-year-olds as well.Weight of Rider: the weight capacity of the dirt bike. This is the maximum weight of the rider that the bike can support, and it shouldn’t be neglected.
Technical Specifications
Weight and size: how heavy and how big is the bike. The weight of the bike is presented in pounds while the size is in inches.Material: what materials is it made of. Different parts of the bike are made from different materials, and we will generally write about the main part, which is usually made of steel.Performance: what speed can the bike reach. Speed is an important feature as some people prefer faster models, while others will want something more moderate since these products are intended for kids.Battery: how long can the battery last. Knowing the battery life (and how much it takes to charge) is crucial when planning your child’s rides.
Safety
Brakes: how responsive the brakes are. The more you know about this, the easier it will be to pick the suitable bike for your child’s age and skill level.Controls: whether the bike has single speed or variable speed settings.
Value for Money
Price: the total cost considering all the factors. You will see that it is not uncommon for a maker to overprice their product, so read this section carefully.Warranty: length and type of warranty. Some bikes have been reported to be delivered with malfunctioning parts, so it is crucial to have good warranty.User reviews: what users have to say about the bike. What better way to get unbiased information about a product that from fellow users.
Top 5 Razor Dirt Bikes for 2022
Razor MX650. The best electric dirt bike
‘We’ve had this for nearly three years, and it has been through the woods, mud, rocks, gravel, water. left out in the rain, sat through snowstorms and is still running quite well! We haven’t had to replace anything. even the charger has held up wonderfully!’ – this is what one user had to write regarding the bike’s durability.
MX 650 is the fastest out of all five bikes that we’ve reviewed today. Besides this, it is probably the best bike that this company has to offer.
Ok, so this one, being a serious machine, requires the rider to be at least 16 years of age. The weight limit is 220 lbs which means that most teenagers will be able to ride it with the exception of physically “advanced” ones. However, we personally do not see any problems with allowing younger children (10 years old and up) to have a go at this bike, as long as they know how to handle it properly.
Razor MX650. The best electric dirt bike
The bike’s dimensions are 56 x 24.5 x 36 inches, and it weighs around 90 pounds. The sturdy, steel construction guarantees quality and its authentic frame geometry help to generate additional power when going uphill. Its maximum speed is 22 mph which makes it the fastest Razor electric dirt bike. It might not sound like much, but this is a lot when it comes to these vehicles.
The 12V triumvirate (36V total) rechargeable batteries can last up to 40 minutes after which they need to be charged for around 12 hours.
In case you were wondering, the number 650 stands for the wattage of the motor.
Safety is the most important characteristic of a bike, and this one passes the test. Its throttle is very easy to use as it has variable speed settings, and the front and rear handbrakes stop the bike immediately. The latter is due to a dual disc braking system which is very responsive. The tires are large and knobby, and they make the ride pretty comfortable.
The manufacturer offers a 90-day warranty for this model, which is standard for all their bikes. Now, as far as the price is concerned, MX650 goes for around 430 on Amazon, which places it among Razors more expensive models. However, do not let the price throw you off as it is well worth it.
All of the above would be the reasons why we decided to award MX650 with the 1st place, as no other models display such an amazing combination of features.
What we liked Quality build Very safe and comfortable to ride 90-day warranty
What we didn’t like It takes 12 hours to charge the battery
SX500 McGarth – The Runner-Up
If you love motocross racing, then you surely know who Jeremy McGrath is. Razor decided to call their SX500 after this legendary rider, and we can say that this bike is worthy of its name.
The age requirement for this model is 14 years. Again, user reviews claim that younger children can ride it without any problems, and we share this opinion. The weight capacity is 175 pounds, which is excellent for a bike of its size.
Speaking of size, SX500’s dimensions are 56 x 36 x 24.5 inches, and its weight is 98.2 pounds, which makes it pretty similar to the MX650. However, it is not as fast as the former as its maximum speed is 15 mph. The same as all bikes from this manufacturer, it is made from steel.
SX500 McGarth – The Runner-Up
The variable speed motor gets its power from three 12V batteries, totaling at 36 V.
Fully charged it can last around 40 minutes, and then it needs another 10-12 hours to recharge.
How safe is it? Well, we would say that its safety level is on a standard, high-level just like all other Razor Bikes. It’s easy to maneuver, with the twist throttle and dual-disc handbrakes, and the handlebars are adjustable.
If you thought that you could buy this Razor electric dirt bike cheap, think again. Its current price is 460, which is a lot, and it has the usual 90-day limited warranty.
No doubt that this is one of the best bikes on the market right now, so you’re probably wondering why it ended up second on this list? The reasons are minor, but are not to be neglected. it lacks power compared to MX650 and is a bit more expensive.
What we liked Sturdy and reliable Beautifully designed Comfortable and easy to ride
What we didn’t like Expensive The battery takes 12 hours to charge
Razor MX350 – Great Budget Dirt Bike for Kids
The MX350 is a perfect vehicle to help a child transition from a bicycle to a motor-powered two-wheeler, and in this section, we are going to look at the most critical aspects of this product.
First, of course, comes the recommended age of the riders which is 13 and above, according to Razor.
As with the previous models we reviewed, we believe that this is an overestimation and that younger kids can ride it easily. This is especially true considering the fact that MX350 supports weights up to 140 pounds, which some teenagers have already surpassed.
Razor MX350 – Great Budget Dirt Bike for Kids
How big is the bike? Its size is 44 x 24.5 x 31 inches which is significantly smaller than MX500 and MX650.
Naturally, it is also lighter weighing around 63 pounds. As you could have probably guessed, this model is less powerful than the previous two.
The motor has 350 watts, and the battery is only 24V. Because of this, the bike can only run for around 30 minutes until it uses up all the juice. It can reach the maximum speed of 14 mph, but this largely depends on the weight of the rider.
Now, when it comes to controls, this bike has a twist throttle which makes it pretty easy to maneuver. It has a single speed setting only, and considering that it is intended for beginners, this is ok. Its lightweight also adds to the ease of use, and the brakes are excellent as well.
A big downside is that MX350 does not have shocks to absorb the impact when riding on rough terrains. Luckily, the knobby tires are there to prevent the rider from bouncing too much. Another con is that there is no parent-lock so that you can limit the max speed if you don’t want your kid to be riding too fast.
This model more affordable than the previous ones and it goes for around 250, which is a great price. If something goes wrong, you have the usual 90-day warranty. After this period, it is necessary to conduct regular maintenance because Razor electric dirt bike parts aren’t very cheap.
The MX350 was included in this list because we believe it is a perfect product for young kids wanting to try out a motorized ride. Since it has some drawbacks compared to MX650 and SX500, it earned third place.
What we liked 90-day warranty Comfortable to ride Relatively cheap
What we didn’t like No shocks No parent-lock for speed limit adjustment
Razor MX500 vs SX500 Comparison
In this article, we compare the Razor MX500 vs SX500 electric dirt bikes. Both can be a brilliant choice if you want to treat the young racer in your family to a feature packed bike for off road thrills.
Our guide below will show you how each bike differs from the other and which is the most suitable for your child. First we’ve got a quick comparison table of the main features of the Razor SX500 vs MX500.
Then we look at the main differences between them and the advantages of each dirt bike, in turn. Finally, we’ll summarize the pros and cons of both rides, to help you make the right choice.
Razor MX500 vs SX500 – Quick Comparison
Both these bikes were our top choice for Overall Best Value when we reviewed the best electric dirt bikes for kids and teens in 2023. In the table below we’ve summarized the main features of each bike in a side by side comparison.
Note: the only difference in these main features is the type of tires and the design/color – but there are some other differences which we will review in more detail below the table.
Note on Age: Razor’s recommended age for both these bikes is 14 but this is extremely conservative. An age range of 8-14 (real world guide from many buyers) with parental supervision may be more suitable. Because both bikes are quite small – the Razor SX500 seat height is only 24″ – that’s at least 10″ lower than a regular adult size dirt bike.
Main Differences
The Razor MX500 and SX500 are mechanically and electrically the same dirt bike with the same size frame. The biggest difference is that the SX500 has Jeremy McGrath (the ‘King of Supercross’) graphics and fairings. It also has motorcycle-spec tires which are a harder compound than those on the MX500.
The SX500 is green with gray detail whereas the MX500 is orange with black detail. The SX500 is a current model whereas the MX500 is discontinued, according to Razor’s website (although it is still available from online sellers).
Check out the video below for a real world view of the size of the Razor MX500 with a 9 year old boy riding:
For comparison, the video below shows the Razor SX500 Dirt Rocket McGrath in action:
Advantages of Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket
Both these bikes are so similar in specification that there aren’t many advantages compared to the SX500:
- MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is 10 cheaper than the SX500 – but check the actual below
- Some people may prefer the orange and black color scheme
Advantages of Razor SX500 Dirt Rocket McGrath
Likewise, the SX500 doesn’t have too many advantages over the regular MX500:
- Motorcycle-spec tires may last longer than the standard tires on the MX500
- The SX500 is a current model whereas the MX500 is discontinued
- It’s a personal preference but we think the green color with McGrath branding and decals looks more grown up and modern than the orange and black style of the MX500
Pros of Both Bikes
Here is a summary of what we love about both models:
- Specifically designed for older kids or teens with user friendly controls
- Adjustable angle handlebars can adapt to fast growing kids (longer legs)
- Quick enough to give an adrenaline rush but slow enough (compared to gas dirt bikes) to minimize risk of a high speed crash
- Large knobby rubber pneumatic tires can tackle many ground conditions, including off-road
- Dual suspension and dual brakes provide better safety and comfort when off-road
- Steel frame with authentic motocross frame geometry
- No pollution (compared to a gas dirt bike)
- Quieter and cheaper than a gas dirt bike and require much less servicing
- Razor is a long established US manufacturer – spare or replacement parts are readily available from their website
Cons of Both Bikes
Here is a summary of what we don’t like so much about both models. But most of these issues are common to all electric dirt bikes in this price range:
- Relatively short battery life. But 40 minutes is still enough to cover 10 miles
- Battery full recharge time is up to 12 hours so charging needs to be planned, or you could buy a spare set of batteries for an instant change over
- The seat height of 24″ may be too low for tall teens and adults
- No headlights or rear lights – can only be driven in daylight
- Helmet and protective clothing may be uncomfortable in hot weather (see our Electric Dirt Bike Guide for recommended safety gear)
- Not as high top speed as many gas dirt bikes
- Must be stored in a dry area, due to the electrical components
- Batteries must not be stored in temperatures below freezing and must be recharged at least once a month
Conclusion
Both these dirt bikes are a great choice for older kids and early teens. But they are so similar that it is tough to pick a winner between them.
So which model is best? Unless you prefer a particular color then the ideal choice depends mostly on price and availability.
The MX500 is still available to buy online but no longer appears on Razor’s website, although they (and many other shops) still sell spares and replacement parts for it.
Therefore, if the were the same, we’d choose the SX500 as it is the newer, current model with slightly better tires – and we think it has a cooler, more grown up, look.
Owner’s Manual
As the Razor MX500 Dirt Rocket and SX500 Dirt Rocket McGrath are so similar they share the same owner’s manual – it is available in PDF format from Razor here.
NOTE: A parent’s decision to allow their child to ride either the Razor MX500 or the Razor SX500 dirt bike should depend on the child’s individual maturity, skill and ability to follow rules.