From My First Bike to Your Rider’s Next Step
I started riding at three. Today, I race in British MX2 and run Garland Powersports. That experience shapes how I help families choose, from a first Revvi or Amped through to EBOX and Electro & Co electric dirt bikes.
My approach is simple: choose a bike the rider can enjoy and control now, then increase size and performance when their skills are ready.
A Honda QR50, a Polini 50 and a Lifetime of Riding
My first motorcycle was a Honda QR50 in 1998. I was three years old. By six, I had started racing motocross, and the photo below shows me on my Polini 50 in 2001, waiting to move onto the start line.
That early start grew into youth racing, national competition and racing in the British MX2 Championship. I know what it feels like to learn a new skill, step onto an unfamiliar bike and work towards the next level.
It is why choosing a child’s first bike matters to me. A manageable bike can help them enjoy learning. One that feels too tall, too heavy or too sharp can make those first rides harder than they need to be.
I have been selling kids’ electric bikes since before Covid. Garland Powersports brings that product experience together with my own riding and racing background.
Read my full rider and founder storyWhich Electric Bike Would I Recommend?
I would usually start with Revvi and Amped for first bikes and youth progression, then compare EBOX V3 and Electro & Co RTR when an experienced rider is ready for an electric dirt bike.
Sur-Ron offers another premium route. For riders wanting a different style of fun, the EBOX Dragster and Electro & Co Rizzler deserve their own comparison.
| Starting point | Bikes to compare | What matters most? |
|---|---|---|
| First electric balance bike | Revvi 12 / Amped A10 | Manageable size and weight, balance and easy reach to the controls. |
| Moving beyond a smaller starter bike | Revvi 16 / Revvi 16 Plus / Revvi 16 XL / Amped A16 Pro | Physical fit, existing control and whether extra performance is needed. |
| Larger beginners and progressing youth riders | Amped A20 / Revvi 18 / Revvi 20 / Amped A20 Pro | Match the model’s performance to experience as well as rider size. |
| Advanced youth performance | Revvi 20 Plus / Amped A18 Comp / Amped A20 Comp | Chassis fit, suspension, braking and readiness for more performance. |
| Taller, experienced youth riders | Revvi 24 / Amped A24 Comp | Seat height, reach, rider limits and control of the larger bike. |
| Electric dirt-bike progression | EBOX V3 range / Electro & Co RTR Lite / Electro & Co RTR | Experience, riding position, weight, performance and intended terrain. |
| Premium electric dirt-bike alternatives | Sur-Ron Hyper Bee / Sur-Ron Light Bee | Compare the exact model’s fit and capability with the rider’s needs. |
| Fun-focused mini-bike alternatives | EBOX Dragster range / Electro & Co The Rizzler | A different riding style, with performance that still needs experience. |
Fit, Control and Confidence Come First
- Physical fit: check inside leg, seat height and reach alongside overall height.
- Control: the rider must comfortably steer, operate the brakes and close the throttle.
- Manageable weight: the bike should not overwhelm them when stopping or manoeuvring.
- Current ability: choose for what they can consistently do now.
- Riding location: consider the ground, space and conditions where the bike will be used.
Wheel size does not tell you how demanding a bike will be. Compare dimensions, weight, power delivery and equipment together.
The First Electric Balance Bike
For a new rider, the early sessions should be about balance, stopping and a smooth introduction to power. A manageable bike gives them space to learn.
Revvi 12
One of my starting recommendations for younger riders. Check the seat height, bike weight and control reach against the child.
Explore Revvi 12 bikesAmped A10
Another compact starter I would compare. Choose between the two around physical fit and the features that suit your rider.
Explore Amped A10 bikesMy advice
Begin with balance and braking before introducing power, following the supplied instructions. Keep the first sessions short and positive, using the lowest suitable setting.
Moving Beyond a Smaller Starter Bike
A rider may need more room, different equipment or more performance. Work out which of those matters before choosing the next model.
Revvi 16
A straightforward option to compare when the rider needs more room than a smaller starter bike.
Shop Revvi 16Revvi 16 Plus
Compare its equipment, weight and performance with the standard 16 to decide whether the rider needs the additional capability.
Shop Revvi 16 PlusRevvi 16 XL
Worth comparing when a rider needs a different fit within the 16-inch range. Check the actual dimensions rather than the wheel size alone.
Shop Revvi 16 XLAmped A16 Pro
A performance option for an already confident young rider whose balance, braking and throttle use are well established.
Shop Amped A16 ProBefore moving up
I would want to see repeatable stopping, controlled turns and smooth throttle use. If those skills are still developing and the current bike fits, there may be no need to change yet.
Revvi and Amped for Larger Youth Riders
Two riders of the same height can need different bikes. One may be learning powered riding for the first time; another may already have years of experience.
Amped A20
A model I would compare for a larger beginner who needs more physical room. Check the riding settings and introduce performance gradually.
Shop Amped A20Revvi 18
One of my starting recommendations for a confident rider moving beyond smaller bikes, with a larger chassis, suspension and hydraulic brakes.
Shop Revvi 18Revvi 20
Compare with the 18 when more room is needed. Look at the dimensions and performance together before deciding.
Shop Revvi 20Amped A20 Pro
A stronger performance choice for a rider with reliable balance, braking and throttle control. It deserves separate consideration from the standard A20.
Shop Amped A20 Pro
My shortlist at this stage
I would start by comparing the Revvi 18 and Amped A20 Pro for a confident progressing rider. The standard Amped A20 deserves consideration for a larger beginner, while the Revvi 20 is worth checking when more physical room is needed.
Advanced Revvi and Amped Options
Better equipment and the right fit matter more than simply choosing the tallest bike. These are options for riders whose experience and physical control suit the individual model.
Revvi 20 Plus
A performance option for a capable rider who still suits a 20-inch platform.
View Revvi 20 PlusAmped A18 Comp
Compare when an experienced rider wants a full-suspension performance bike in a smaller youth package.
View Amped A18 CompAmped A20 Comp
Another full-suspension option to assess by rider fit, equipment and readiness for its performance.
View Amped A20 CompRevvi 24
Compare when a taller youth rider needs more physical room. Check seat height, reach and rider limits.
View Revvi 24Amped A24 Comp
A larger Comp option for appropriately sized, experienced youth riders. A large youth bike should not automatically be treated as an adult bike.
View Amped A24 CompMoving On to EBOX V3 and Electro & Co
When an experienced rider is ready to move beyond youth electric bikes, EBOX V3 and Electro & Co RTR are the ranges I would put at the centre of the comparison.
This is a fresh decision about riding position, suspension, weight and performance. The right choice depends on the individual bike and rider, rather than simply the brand they owned before.
EBOX V3 Range
The EBOX route I would explore for riders wanting a compact electric dirt-bike layout. Compare the available V3 versions by dimensions, equipment and performance.
Start with how the bike fits and where it will be ridden, then choose the specification.
Compare EBOX V3 bikesElectro & Co RTR Lite
A starting point within the RTR family to compare for an experienced rider moving into electric dirt bikes.
Check the actual fit and performance. The Lite name does not make it a beginner’s balance bike.
View Electro & Co RTR LiteElectro & Co RTR
A performance electric trail-machine option for riders with the experience and control to use its capability.
Compare it with the Lite and other RTR versions around rider fit, intended use and the specification required.
View Electro & Co RTRExplore the Electro & Co Range
See the current RTR Lite, RTR, Sport and XL listings together and compare the differences before choosing.
Each version needs its own suitability check, particularly when moving into a larger or more powerful model.
Compare Electro & Co bikesMy advice before taking this step
I would want the rider to have established throttle control, confident braking and the strength to manage the bike. Being able to sit on it is only part of the decision.
Send us their current bike, height, inside leg and riding experience if you are deciding between EBOX V3 and Electro & Co.
Fun Mini Bikes: EBOX Dragster and The Rizzler
Some riders want a different experience from a conventional electric dirt bike. This is where I would introduce the EBOX Dragster range and Electro & Co The Rizzler.
Think compact mini-bike character, distinctive styling and private-land fun. These sit alongside the main progression route rather than being a stage every youth rider should move through.
EBOX Dragster Range
The range I would explore for riders drawn to a compact, monkey-bike-inspired style rather than a traditional dirt-bike shape.
Compare the available Dragster versions by fit, equipment and performance to choose the one that suits your riding.
Explore EBOX Dragster bikesElectro & Co The Rizzler
Electro & Co’s compact, stunt-focused mini bike offers another way to enjoy electric riding, with its own distinctive layout and character.
Its small appearance should not be confused with a children’s starter bike. It is a performance machine for an appropriately experienced rider.
View Electro & Co The RizzlerChoose the riding style you actually want
If you want a more conventional electric dirt-bike layout, begin with EBOX V3 and the Electro & Co RTR family. If you want compact mini-bike character and a different kind of fun, compare the Dragster and Rizzler.
Build the Rider Before Increasing the Performance
Some children want to race. Others simply love riding with their family. Both are good reasons to start, and neither needs a rush through bigger bikes.
For me, riding has brought commitment, patience and something to work towards. Those lessons start with small improvements: a controlled stop, a smoother turn or the confidence to try again.
Use suitable protective equipment, including a correctly fitted helmet, gloves, knee and elbow protection. Follow the bike’s instructions and supervise young riders.
The off-road bikes discussed here are for suitable private land with the landowner’s permission, not public roads or pavements.
More on riding and confidenceQuestions Riders and Parents Often Ask
Where would you start for a child’s first electric bike?
I would usually begin by comparing the Revvi 12 and Amped A10, then check the child’s dimensions, balance and ability to use the controls. Larger beginners may need a different starting point.
Should I choose by age or height?
Age helps narrow the search, but fit needs height, inside leg, seat height and reach. Then consider experience, rider limits and whether the rider can manage the bike’s weight.
Should I buy a bigger bike for growing room?
Only if it fits and is manageable now. I would favour a confident fit over a bike the rider is expected to grow into later.
What comes after a larger Revvi or Amped?
For an experienced rider ready for an electric dirt bike, I would compare EBOX V3 and the Electro & Co RTR range. Readiness depends on physical fit, strength and control. There is no automatic upgrade based on age alone.
Where do the Dragster and Rizzler fit?
The EBOX Dragster and Electro & Co Rizzler offer a different mini-bike riding style. Treat them as alternatives for riders who want that experience, rather than compulsory steps in a youth progression route.
Does a low speed setting make any bike suitable for a beginner?
No. A lower setting does not change the seat height, reach or weight. The whole bike still needs to fit the rider and be manageable.
Do the bikes arrive built?
Many smaller electric balance bikes arrive boxed and approximately 85–90% assembled. Selected larger bikes offer a built and PDI option. Check the individual listing for what is included and complete all required setup and checks before riding.
Tell Me About Your Rider
You do not need to know every specification. Send us these details and we can help narrow down the options:
- Age, height and inside leg measurement.
- The bike they ride now, if any.
- How confidently they balance, turn, brake and use a throttle.
- Where they plan to ride and your budget.
- Whether they want a balance bike, dirt bike or fun mini-bike style.
Garland Powersports is an online-only UK specialist. Check the individual product page for availability, preorder details and delivery or assembly options.