The ETM RTR is a mini electric dirt bike that has a top speed of 55 mph. It has been designed for teens and adults, but would you buy it for a younger child? After all, it is a ‘mini’ electric dirt bike… so does that mean it’s better for kids?
If you’re a parent reading this, chances are you’re considering getting your kid a dirt bike of some sort. If you’re from a dirt bike background, I’ll list some comparisons shortly to give you some idea of what the ETM RTR is like, and if you have never owned a dirt bike of any kind before, I’ll explain it the best I can.
I’m a parent to two young kids. Ages 5 and 7, both of whom think that gravity doesn’t exist and try to push the boundaries every day, so I’ll give you my thoughts if I were to let my kids ride something like the ETM RTR. I’m also from a dirt bike background, and I currently own a YZ250, along with numerous electric dirt bikes, e-bikes and more.
Firstly, let’s look at what the ETM RTR is, some stats on this particular model, and then I’ll be able to explain a few pros and cons about letting your kid rip on the ETM RTR. Yep, the RTR part stands for “Ready to Rip!”
ETM RTR: Stats and Numbers
For those of you who haven’t been around dirt bikes before, and you’re sick of hearing ‘I wanna dirt bike!!!…..’, let me explain a bit about these numbers. If you already know what they mean, you’ll know they’re some pretty neat numbers, and you can skip to the next section!
Firstly, the power: 8000 watts. This is plenty of power, especially considering this bike weighs only 130lbs. It is far different from what you might come across at your local toy store, or even Temu. You could say this is a ‘proper’ electric dirt bike. It is capable of up to 55 mph in stock form, which isn’t just a walk, and it can be modified to do more.
The battery is 72v 25Ah. This is the same voltage as the larger electric dirt bikes you routinely see adults riding. The Ah (amp hours) tell you how ‘full’ the tank can get, so 25Ah is OK, but not huge. However, it will still give you plenty of laps around a track, and if you consider Electro and Co suggest riding up to 30 miles on a single charge, that’s a lot of time you’ll be hearing ‘Mom/Dad, watch this!’ – even with a good size backyard track, a full lap is rarely over a quarter mile long!
The suspension is 48mm Electro and Co-tuned dual adjustable forks. These are some beefy forks – the 2 tubes at the front that hold the front wheel to the handlebars. Forks are the suspension for the front of the bike, and allow for a smooth ride. These are proper motocross forks and will easily hold the weight of an adult on this bike and will survive the landings over jumps.
And, if you’re still not sure what it all means, just know that this is a real electric dirt bike, with quality parts on a quality frame, all designed in California by a team of motorbike enthusiasts. It is in its own category, and can’t be compared to any of the cheaper mini dirt bikes found in toy stores or in kids’ shops.
The ETM RTR
Now that I’ve gone through some of the stats on the ETM RTR, let’s look at the specifics of what makes this e-moto really special. Before I do that, check out this video:
It shows a heap of adults riding this e-moto. I wanted to show this video, just so you can see what it’s capable of. Which means you can also ride it!
Now, have a look at this video:
This is a comparison between the Surron Hyper Bee and the ETM RTR. Both of these e-motos are good quality with similar stats. If you would like a run-down on a selection of mini e-motos, then have a read of this article:
As far as value for money goes, the ETM RTR is $3200 at the time of writing, which is simply awesome. It doesn’t take much looking around to see that what you get for this money is fantastic.
Have a look at our site www.gritshift.com to see the different brands we have here, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
But the question still remains, would this be a good e-moto for your child?
Is it made for your child?
Is the ETM RTR suitable for a child? It depends. I know everyone hates that answer, but let me explain. It would depend on your child’s abilities. Can they follow instructions? Have they got the maturity to make some quick, correct decisions? Have they got the dexterity to use the features? Are they actually tall enough to sit on the bike?
The two biggest concerns that I, and most parents, have are:
- The seat height and
- The top speed and acceleration.
Let’s break each of these down and get some actual answers.
A Question of Stance: Is it too big?
At 30 inches, the ETM RTR’s seat is really tall for a kids’ bike. If you get a tape measure out, have a look at 30”, and if you take into account the width of the seat, do you think your child would be able to sit on the bike and get at least toes on both feet down? The foot pegs – the part you rest your feet on – are adjustable, which means you have a little room to move them into a better position for riding, but it doesn’t help if your kid can’t touch the ground.
A possible solution is to change the rear suspension to something that is shorter, but that comes with other challenges. It also won’t make drastic height changes; it will still be a tall bike.
Something else to consider is the forks – the suspension on the front of the bike. As this e-moto has been designed for teens and adults, it has been set up for a heavier person. So, a younger child might find the suspension too stiff. The solution to this one is simple: you can adjust the suspension and make changes to suit the rider. This is something most riders do anyway to set up the suspension to their liking.
This articletells you a little more about suspension if you’re unfamiliar with this terminology.
While you have a little room to play around with and a few options, overall, the RTR’s seat height is somewhat tall for a mini e-moto.
For extra flash and durability, cover that seat up with a high-quality GUTS seat cover. It’s one of our most popular items with the kids!
Speed & Power: Is it too much?
The other concern most parents have is the acceleration paired with the top speed. If you’re unfamiliar with electric dirt bikes, you might not know they don’t have a clutch. They are simply twist the throttle and you’re away… at any speed! This is different from a dirt bike, which has a clutch and gears. I’ll explain more on that in the next section.
So, acceleration is quick, and the top speed of around 55 mph is fast! The good news is that there are 3 power levels, so you are able to select a lower power to start with. However, the lower power is still pretty fast!
Parents with a dirt bike background…
For those of you who grew up with dirt bikes, this part is for you, especially if you don’t have any experience yet with electric dirt bikes. Firstly, I’d suggest you have a look at this article:
I wrote a section in that article just for you, which explains the difference between gas and electric dirt bikes. As far as the ETM RTR goes, have a think about the Kawasaki KLX140, which is a pretty fair gas-powered comparison, as is the Yamaha TT-R125.
However, apart from being gas vs electric, some of the bigger differences are the weight – the ETM RTR is much lighter than the KLX 140, and the acceleration on the ETM RTR is much faster. There are no gears on an electric bike to navigate through, so top speed is possible with one twist of the throttle.
In some ways, this makes learning easier, and it also teaches really good throttle control. However, it also means you have access to top speed right from the start.
Other things are similar, the seat height is comparable, and even the price is similar. You still need the same riding gear and you can still ride similar tracks. And the bonus is that you and any other adults would be able to ride the ETM RTR also, where the smaller gas bikes would feel more sluggish!
If this were your first electric dirt bike, you’d be interested in hearing that there is much less maintenance on an electric bike. No air filters to clean, flooded carbs, oil to change, clutch to replace… Basically, anything to do with the powertrain is much simpler. Most parts are plug and play style, so if you have basic knowledge of maintenance, you’ll be able to maintain this bike.
If you think your child would manage the KLX 140, then the ETM RTR would likely also be suitable.
Upgrading the RTR is uncommonly easy
Electro &. Co. have their own in-house line of upgrades, so it’s easy to expand the RTR in terms of speed and abilities whenever you, or your child, start reaching the limits of what the stock bike is capable of. Having a same-brand ecosystem of aftermarket parts is a game-changer for things like compatibility and ease of installation, and it’s a big reason we suggest the RTR as an option over the traditional “buy a little bigger bike every couple of years” pattern you so often see in the world of kids’ dirt bikes.
Parents with no dirt bike background
So, if this were your first dirt bike that you own as a family, it would possibly be the easiest to maintain.
And, I also want to say, well done for looking into the world of dirt bikes. Your kid is lucky to have you explore new ideas!
If you have zero experience, the first questions that usually come up is: is it safe? Where do you ride? What do you need to do with it?
Is it safe?
Like anything, there are risks. But you work towards mitigating as many as possible. Speaking from experience, as a kid, I learnt to respect high-performance machines. I was taught from the start to always wear the correct gear, maintain my bike, and practise where it is safe. I learnt the correct technique.
It also gave me a hobby that required my full attention, weekends were spent at the track or gym to improve my performance, money went to bike parts and races – and retrospectively, I can say I have bikes to thank for keeping me out of trouble in my teenage years! – but I had an awesome group of supportive people around me from my family, coaches, and like-minded friends.
So long story short, while there are risks, they are lowered when approached correctly with the right guidance.
Where do you ride?
Start with your local track. Ask questions, see if it’s possible to have a coach or mentor, or even attend come-and-try days. You’ll also get to know how to maintain the bike – whether it’s gas or electric. Most clubs now have an electric dirt bike group that has a wealth of information. The more you learn, the more involved in your kids’ world you’ll be. And that’s simply the best!
Here is a good article for you to have a look through:
Also, sign up to our newsletters – we discuss all things new in the world of electric dirt bikes, and also tips for maintenance and modding. (Modding describes the process of upgrading parts on the bike for better performance.)
Would the ETM RTR be good for a child?
Yes, but with limitations.
- Is your child tall enough to sit on the bike and reach the ground?
- Does your child have the dexterity to manipulate the controls in a smooth manner?
- Is your child capable of listening and following instructions?
- Is your child mentally mature enough?
The ETM RTR is primarily designed for teens and adults, but you know your kid the best.
Here are the main reasons we suggest an RTR for a child, and the smaller alternative for smaller kids, the RTR Lite:
- No shifting – Drastically reduces complexity compared to a gas bike.
- One gear, all the power – With patience, this leads to better throttle discipline.
- More power and lighter – Can be limited through mode selection and unlocked when your child is ready.
- In-house upgrades – Electro &. Co. make all the parts you need to scale the bike’s performance up with your child’s experience level, and installation is easy.
Other smaller electric dirt bike options
If you’re not sure yet if the ETM RTR is the right bike for your child at the moment, another option could be to have a look at the ETM RTR Lite. It’s a similar e-moto, but with a lower power output of 5kW. At $2200 at the time of writing, it is also a cheaper option if you’re not 100% your child simply has a passing interest, or a life long passion. The seat height on the ETM RTR Lite is still 30”.
👉 Shop the ETM RTR LITE here
There are also a few other options for more lightweight, lower performance bikes. Check out this article, which goes over some of the differences.
You could also look for electric dirt bikes that have expanded learning tools like throttle limiters and parent safety switches, if that suits your kid better. The Surron Hyper Bee could be something to look at.
The ETM RTR, we think, would be the best value for money – a well-designed and constructed, strong electric dirt bike, if it suits your family. It would be the perfect bike for many years to come.
Would I let my kids ride the ETM RTR?
As a Mom, would I get my kids the ETM RTR? – yes, absolutely… in a few years time. At 5 and 7, they’re not tall enough yet, but they have been practicing with electric balance bikes.
Hopefully, this has given you some insight as to whether your child is old enough to get their first ‘real’ dirt bike – either electric or gas. The ETM RTR is a great first bike, simple to maintain, easy to learn on, but if you’re not sure if they’re ready yet, head to a local track and have a chat with others who have been in your position.
If you have any questions along the way, contact us here – we’re all bike riders, and many of us are parents too. Subscribe to our email newsletter community to hear all about the latest news.
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