DK1

The verdict

The Hiboy DK1 (VoltRipper Score 81, ~$359) is the gentlest real electric dirt bike we track, and at 38 lb one of the lightest — and the right first bike for the littlest riders. Its whole design brief is approachability: three speed modes (5, 7.5, and 15.5 mph) let you start a three-year-old at a walking pace and open it up only as confidence grows, and at roughly 38 lb it's light enough for a small child to manage and a parent to lift one-handed when it tips over — which it will.

Its Score of 81 is strong for its class, because our Score judges it as a first bike — and a 300W, 15.5 mph gentle starter is exactly what that job wants. For the 3-to-8 first-bike slot, low power, low weight, and a gentle low-speed mode are the right specs, and the DK1 pairs them with real hardware most bikes at this price skip.

Who it's for — and who should skip it

Buy it if you have a young or first-time rider (roughly ages 3–8 by size) and want a gentle, speed-limitable, quick-charging first bike that's light enough to be genuinely manageable. Its 5 mph low mode is the lowest floor on our board, which is what makes it usable for a genuinely small rider — though see the age guidance below before buying for a child under 9.

Skip it if the rider is older or bigger — a 10-plus kid will outgrow the 12-inch chassis fast, and the Burromax TT750R or Honda-licensed Greenger CRF-E2 are the bikes to grow into. If pure budget is the only goal, a Razor is cheaper (but a lesser bike — see below).

What you actually get

The DK1 runs a 300W motor and a 36V / 5.2Ah lithium battery (about 187 Wh), rated for over 800 charge cycles, with three speed modes topping out at 15.5 mph. Hiboy claims up to 13.7 miles of range; plan for ~9 real miles of stop-and-go kid riding per charge, with a reasonable ~4.5-hour recharge. The chassis is a genuine step above toy grade: full suspension (a front hydraulic shock and rear spring), a disc brake, and 12-inch pneumatic (air) tires for real traction — not the hard plastic wheels of cheaper minis. Max rider weight is about 140 lb.

Why it's the gentle-first-bike pick

Two things set the DK1 apart at its price. First, weight: at ~38 lb it's less than half what a lead-acid mini weighs, so a small rider can handle it and you're not deadlifting a downed bike. Second, the lithium battery: it charges in a few hours instead of overnight, and it keeps the bike light. Add the three-stage speed limiter — the single most important feature on a kids' bike — and the DK1 is genuinely built around a young beginner, not just shrunk to fit one.

The honest limits

It's a small, entry bike, and it shows: the 15.5 mph ceiling and 12-inch wheels mean a growing rider moves on within a couple of years, the ~9-mile real range makes for short sessions, and there's no pretending it's a "keep for years and upgrade" platform. That's not a knock — it's what a first bike is. Buy it for the stage, not for the long haul.

Hiboy DK1 vs the toy-tier Razor

The most useful comparison for a budget shopper: the DK1 is the step up from a Razor MX350 that's almost always worth the extra ~$110. The Razor MX350 (~$249) is the cheapest intro, but it's a heavy (70 lb) sealed-lead-acid design with no suspension, a drum brake, and a ~12-hour charge. The DK1 answers with half the weight, a lithium battery that charges in ~4.5 hours, full suspension, and a disc brake. For a young child especially, that lighter, better-braked, quicker-charging package is the better first bike.

Safety and age

The DK1 tops out at 15.5 mph, but its 5 mph low mode is what makes it a sound first bike — that is the lowest floor of any bike we track. Be clear about what the authorities actually say, though: the CPSC and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise against e-bikes for children under 9, and recommend kids 9–12 stay under about 10 mph. Hiboy rates the DK1 from age 3; that is the manufacturer's position, not ours. Keep it in low to start, insist on a helmet and full gear every ride, supervise, and open up the speed only as skill grows. Like every bike on our board it's not street-legal (why); ride on private property or designated areas.

How it compares

The DK1 is the gentlest and lightest of the group — the young-beginner pick. The Burromax and Greenger are bigger, faster bikes for older kids — not better first bikes.

Bottom line

The Hiboy DK1 is the gentlest and most beginner-friendly electric dirt bike we track, and at 38 lb among the lightest — the right first bike for a young child. Its 81 reflects how well it does that one job, and the light lithium build, three-stage speed limiter, full suspension, and disc brake make it a genuinely good tool for the 3-to-8 first-bike slot. Older or bigger kid? Step up to the Burromax or Greenger. Testing the waters on the cheap? The Razor is less bike but less money. Not sure which fits your child? Our kids guide and the Find Your Ride configurator will match it.

Go deeper on the Hiboy DK1:

• 36V Electric Dirt Bikes

VoltRipper is spec-verified and data-driven — we do not claim hands-on testing of this bike. Specs and prices are cross-checked against the sources listed above and re-verified regularly; real-world figures are our own estimates, clearly labeled.